Warcraft universe

The Warcraft universe (aka Warcraft franchise and the Warcraft Saga) is the game world, history, and lore created by Blizzard Entertainment, beginning with the seminal title Warcraft: Orcs & Humans. This page contains information about the official sources of Warcraft franchise and its lore.

See also lore, Category:Sources, Category:Online sources, Wowpedia:Citation, and Wowpedia:Book citation index.

Want to know more about the lore of World of Warcraft? Although the game doesn't require any prior knowledge of Warcraft lore to enjoy, you may appreciate the broader understanding of the setting and characters in the game that you will gain from learning about the lore. Here are some resources that are available:

Selected Warcraft universe articles

 * Warcraft &raquo;
 * Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
 * Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
 * Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal
 * Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
 * Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne


 * World of Warcraft &raquo;
 * The Burning Crusade — January 16, 2007
 * Wrath of the Lich King
 * Cataclysm
 * Mists of Pandaria
 * Warlords of Draenor
 * Legion
 * Battle for Azeroth
 * Shadowlands


 * Other games
 * Hearthstone
 * Warcraft: The Board Game
 * World of Warcraft: The Board Game
 * World of Warcraft Trading Card Game
 * Monopoly: World of Warcraft Collector's Edition
 * Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans (cancelled)
 * Category:Games


 * Books &raquo;
 * Novel guide
 * Manga
 * Comics
 * Warcraft RPG
 * Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game
 * World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game


 * Other media
 * Warcraft movie
 * Lords of War
 * Short Stories


 * Blizzard Entertainment &raquo;
 * Blizzard videos
 * List of pop culture references in Warcraft
 * April Fools
 * Diablo franchise
 * StarCraft franchise
 * Heroes of the Storm
 * Overwatch


 * External links
 * Fansites
 * Wikis
 * Warcraft universe &raquo;
 * Lore
 * Events


 * People
 * Major characters
 * Races
 * Classes
 * Factions


 * Planets and planes &raquo;
 * Azeroth
 * Outland
 * Draenor (alternate universe)
 * Argus
 * Emerald Dream
 * Elemental Planes


 * Organizations &raquo;
 * Alliance
 * Horde
 * Twilight's Hammer
 * Zandalari
 * Old Gods' forces
 * Scourge
 * Burning Legion
 * Titans


 * Creatures &raquo;
 * Aberration
 * Beast
 * Critter
 * Demon
 * Dragonkin
 * Elemental
 * Giant
 * Humanoid
 * Mechanical
 * Undead
 * Uncategorized creature

Games, their manuals, and official sites
The computer games were the origin of the Warcraft universe, and continue to be its primary focus. Much has changed in the lore since Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, with each new release greatly expanding the world and revising some of the past lore.

Warcraft introduced the basic conflict between the orcs and humans, as well as the characters of Medivh, Llane, Garona, and Lothar.

Warcraft II expanded the world beyond the continent of Azeroth to include Khaz Modan and Lordaeron. The dwarves, high elves, trolls, goblins, and Burning Legion were introduced, as well as a host of new characters.

Warcraft III expanded the world yet again by introducing the continents of Kalimdor, Northrend, and Outland along with a mention of the mysterious land of Pandaria, a detailed backstory chronicling the creation of the world of Azeroth, and several new races including the night elves, the tauren, and the Scourge.

World of Warcraft and its expansions have continued this trend by allowing the players to experience nigh all of the colossal world as no more than one of the many little players, as well as introducing a host of new creatures and characters.

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

 * Warcraft: Orcs & Humans — January 15, 1994
 * Orcs & Humans missions
 * Manual transcript
 * Warcraft: Orcs & Humans demo
 * Missions of the demo

Warcraft II

 * Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness — December 9, 1995
 * Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness missions
 * Manual transcript
 * Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness demo
 * Missions of the demo
 * W!Zone — <1996
 * W!Zone II Retribution — <1996


 * Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal (expansion) — April 30, 1996
 * Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal missions
 * Manual transcript


 * Warcraft: Battle Chest &mdash; 1996
 * Warcraft II: The Dark Saga &mdash; 1997
 * Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition &mdash; 1999
 * Warcraft II: Battle Chest &mdash; 1999

Warcraft Adventures

 * Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans (canceled - see book Lord of the Clans)

Warcraft III

 * Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos — July 3, 2002
 * Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos campaigns
 * Manual transcript
 * Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos demo
 * Missions of the demo


 * Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (expansion) — July 1, 2003
 * The Frozen Throne campaigns
 * Manual transcript


 * Official classic Warcraft III site


 * Warcraft III: Battle Chest — September 19, 2003


 * Warcraft III: Reforged

World of Warcraft

 * World of Warcraft (MMORPG) — November 23, 2004
 * Manual transcript
 * Quickstart Guide
 * In-game books






 * World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (expansion) — January 16, 2007
 * Game Manual


 * World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (expansion) — November 13, 2008
 * Game Manual


 * World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (expansion) — December 7, 2010
 * Game Manual


 * World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria (expansion) — September 25, 2012
 * Quickstart Guide


 * World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor (expansion) — November 13, 2014
 * Quickstart Guide


 * World of Warcraft: Legion (expansion) — August 30, 2016


 * World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth (expansion) — August 13/14, 2018


 * World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (expansion) — Fall 2020


 * World of Warcraft: Classic (classic server) — August 27, 2019

Hearthstone

 * Hearthstone (online card game)


 * Curse of Naxxramas (content patch)
 * Goblins vs Gnomes (expansion)
 * Blackrock Mountain (content patch)
 * The Grand Tournament (expansion)
 * The League of Explorers (content patch)
 * Whispers of the Old Gods (expansion)
 * One Night in Karazhan (content patch)
 * Mean Streets of Gadgetzan (expansion)
 * Journey to Un'Goro (expansion)
 * Knights of the Frozen Throne (expansion)
 * Kobolds & Catacombs (expansion)
 * The Witchwood (expansion)
 * The Boomsday Project (expansion)
 * Rastakhan's Rumble (expansion)
 * Rise of Shadows (expansion)
 *  (content patch)
 * Hearthstone: Saviors of Uldum (expansion)
 *  (content patch)
 * Hearthstone: Descent of Dragons (expansion)
 *  (content patch)
 * Hearthstone: Ashes of Outland (expansion)
 * Hearthstone: Scholomance Academy (expansion)

World of Warcraft site

 * Current
 * Story - Warcraft lore


 * Previous
 * Game Guide
 * Tales, Comics, Videos
 * The Story of Warcraft
 * The Characters of Warcraft
 * The Characters of Warcraft (transcript)


 * The Story So Far...
 * The Story So Far... Part II


 * The Story So Far: Iron Tide Rising
 * Archived page
 * Beasts of the Savage Lands


 * Then and now
 * Thrall
 * Anduin Wrynn
 * Garrosh Hellscream

World of Warcraft site archives


The World of Warcraft, The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King sites didn't survive the overhaul. See the archives below for the lore articles.''


 * The World of Warcraft Townhall
 * The World of Warcraft Bestiary


 * History of Warcraft
 * Blackwing Lair (underdev)
 * Monsters of Ahn'Qiraj
 * Warcraft Encyclopedia
 * The Murlocs
 * Troll Compendium
 * The Undead Plague


 * World of Warcraft Atlas (web)


 * The Burning Crusade Townhall


 * Wrath of the Lich King Bestiary
 * The Story So Far
 * Death Knight Lore
 * Wrath Story
 * Dungeons - Ulduar
 * Ulduar Bosstiary
 * Major Characters in Icecrown Citadel
 * Quel'Delar: The Sister Blade
 * Icecrown Raid


 * The Story So Far ( Shattered Hopes )
 * World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Features
 * Faces of Cataclysm


 * Mists of Pandaria Bestiary


 * Beasts of the Savage Lands
 * The Characters of Warcraft


 * Legion Class Preview Series
 * Warcraft Lore

Timelines
Main:
 * Timeline (Ultimate Visual Guide)
 * Timeline (from official site, 2007)
 * Timeline (from official site, 2004)

Other:
 * Timeline (The Burning Crusade)
 * Timeline (Cycle of Hatred)
 * Timeline (Warcraft RTS manuals)

Novels

 * Warcraft
 * Of Blood and Honor - by Chris Metzen, December 1, 2000
 * Day of the Dragon - by Richard A. Knaak, February 2001
 * Lord of the Clans - by Christie Golden, October 1, 2001
 * The Last Guardian - by Jeff Grubb, December 1, 2001
 * War of the Ancients Trilogy - by Richard A. Knaak
 * The Well of Eternity, March 30, 2004
 * The Demon Soul, October 26, 2004
 * The Sundering, July 26, 2005


 * World of Warcraft
 * Cycle of Hatred - by Keith R. A. DeCandido, January 31, 2006
 * Rise of the Horde - by Christie Golden, December 26, 2006
 * Tides of Darkness - by Aaron Rosenberg, August 28, 2007
 * Beyond the Dark Portal - by Christie Golden and Aaron Rosenberg, June 24, 2008
 * Night of the Dragon - by Richard A. Knaak, November 18, 2008
 * Arthas: Rise of the Lich King - by Christie Golden, April 21, 2009
 * Stormrage - by Richard A. Knaak, February 23, 2010
 * The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm - by Christie Golden, October 19, 2010
 * Wolfheart - by Richard A. Knaak, September 13, 2011
 * Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects - by Christie Golden, July 19, 2011
 * Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War - by Christie Golden, August 24, 2012
 * Quest for Pandaria - four-part novella by Sarah Pine, 2012
 * Dawn of the Aspects - (initially an e-book, later released as a novel with the short story Charge of the Aspects) by Richard A. Knaak, 2013
 * Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde - by Michael Stackpole, July 2, 2013
 * Blood of the Highborne - novellla written by Micky Neilson, March 31, 2014
 * War Crimes - novel by Christie Golden, May 6, 2014
 * Illidan by William King, April 12, 2016
 * Traveler by Greg Weisman, October 25, 2016
 * Traveler: The Spiral Path by Greg Weisman, February 27, 2018
 * Before the Storm by Christie Golden, June 12, 2018
 * Traveler: The Shining Blade by Madeleine Roux, December 26, 2019
 * Shadows Rising by Madeleine Roux, July 14th, 2020
 * Rise of the Horde & Lord of the Clans: The Illustrated Novels by Christie Golden, October 20, 2020
 * Sylvanas by Christie Golden, November 9, 2021

Compilations

 * Warcraft Archive, October 24, 2006
 * Warcraft War of the Ancients Archive, December 11, 2007
 * Chronicles of War, December 7, 2010

Novellas

 * Elegy
 * A Good War

Short stories

 * Shadowlands
 * Terror by Torchlight
 * We Ride Forth


 * Battle for Azeroth
 * A Moment in Verse


 * Legion
 * Dark Mirror


 * Savage World
 * Hellscream
 * Code of Rule
 * Apocrypha


 * Destination: Pandaria
 * Li Li's Travel Journal
 * Faction Stories:
 * The Trial of the Red Blossoms
 * Bleeding Sun
 * The Blank Scroll
 * Death From Above
 * The Strength of Steel
 * Over Water
 * The Untamed Valley
 * The Jade Hunters


 * Leader Short Stories
 * Baine Bloodhoof: As Our Fathers Before Us
 * Gallywix: Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince
 * Garrosh: Heart of War
 * Gelbin Mekkatorque: Cut Short
 * Genn Greymane: Lord of His Pack
 * Lor'themar Theron: In the Shadow of the Sun
 * Sylvanas Windrunner: Edge of Night
 * The Council of Three Hammers: Fire and Iron
 * Tyrande & Malfurion: Seeds of Faith
 * Varian Wrynn: Blood of Our Fathers
 * Velen: Prophet's Lesson
 * Vol'jin: The Judgment


 * Other
 * Charge of the Aspects
 * Glory
 * Road to Damnation
 * The War Effort
 * The War of the Shifting Sands
 * Unbroken


 * Possible
 * Silver Hand, Ebon Blade (won a contest, may be canonized in the future)


 * From the World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide (hinted to be non-canon)
 * A Druid's Tale
 * A Hunter Prowls
 * A Shaman's Retribution
 * A Warrior's Story
 * Attacking from the Shadows
 * Hidden Knowledge
 * Priestly Reckoning
 * The Light Stands Strong
 * The True Threat

Compilations

 * World of Warcraft: Paragons

Comics

 * World of Warcraft: The Comic
 * World of Warcraft: Ashbringer
 * Curse of the Worgen
 * Warcraft Saga
 * Pearl of Pandaria
 * Dark Riders (replaced World of Warcraft: Alliance)
 * Bloodsworn (replaced World of Warcraft: Horde)
 * Gul'dan and the Stranger
 * Blackhand
 * Blood and Thunder
 * Magni: Fault Lines
 * Nightborne: Twilight of Suramar
 * Highmountain: A Mountain Divided
 * Anduin: Son of the Wolf
 * Jaina: Reunion
 * Magni: The Speaker
 * Windrunner: Three Sisters
 * Mechagon


 * Canceled comic
 * World of Warcraft: Lich King


 * From the World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Official Strategy Guide (hinted to be non-canon)
 * Penny Arcade comics


 * Undeath Conquers All
 * Forest for the Weary
 * Freedom

Editions

 * The Sunwell Trilogy Ultimate Edition
 * The Essential Sunwell Collection
 * Ashbringer
 * Curse of the Worgen

Manga (Manhwa)

 * The Sunwell Trilogy - by Richard A. Knaak & Kim Jae-Hwan
 * Dragon Hunt - March 8, 2005
 * Shadows of Ice - March 7, 2006
 * Ghostlands - March 13, 2007


 * Warcraft: Legends - by various authors & Kim Jae-Hwan
 * Volume 1 - August 12, 2008
 * Volume 2 - November 11, 2008
 * Volume 3 - March 17, 2009
 * Volume 4 - June 16, 2009
 * Volume 5 - September 1, 2009


 * Death Knight - by Dan Jolley, December 1, 2009
 * Mage - by Richard A. Knaak, June 1, 2010
 * Shaman - by Paul Benjamin, September 28, 2010


 * Shadow Wing - by Richard A. Knaak & Kim Jae-Hwan
 * The Dragons of Outland, June 1, 2010
 * Nexus Point, March 1, 2011
 * Canceled Shadow Wing Volume 3

Audio drama

 * The Tomb of Sargeras - August 2016
 * A Thousand Years of War - September 2017

Magazine

 * World of Warcraft: The Magazine
 * World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Premiere Issue
 * World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue II
 * World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue III
 * World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue IV
 * World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume II Issue I

Videos

 * Videos

Animated series

 * The Burdens of Shaohao
 * Cataclysm Recap Video: Legendary Rogue
 * Lords of War
 * Harbingers
 * Warbringers
 * Afterlives

Hearthstone

 * Hearth and Home

Blizzard web-series

 * Azeroth Armory

Cinematics, trailers and patch trailers

 * World of Warcraft cinematic
 * Shadow of the Necropolis trailer
 * The Burning Crusade reveal trailer
 * The Burning Crusade cinematic
 * Black Temple trailer
 * Gods of Zul'Aman trailer
 * Fury of the Sunwell trailer
 * Wrath of the Lich King reveal trailer
 * Wrath of the Lich King cinematic
 * Secrets of Ulduar trailer
 * Call of the Crusade trailer
 * Fall of the Lich King trailer
 * Cataclysm reveal trailer
 * Cataclysm cinematic
 * Rise of the Zandalari trailer
 * Rage of the Firelands trailer
 * Hour of Twilight trailer
 * Mists of Pandaria reveal trailer
 * Mists of Pandaria cinematic
 * The Thunder King trailer
 * Siege of Orgrimmar trailer
 * Warlords of Draenor reveal trailer
 * Warlords of Draenor cinematic
 * Fury of Hellfire trailer
 * Legion reveal trailer
 * Legion cinematic
 * Return to Karazhan trailer
 * The Tomb of Sargeras trailer

DVDs

 * Warcraft III Cinematics Disc
 * The Making of World of Warcraft
 * World of Warcraft Behind-the-Scenes DVD

Warcraft

 * Dungeons & Dragons Warcraft The Roleplaying Game — July 28, 2003
 * Alliance & Horde Compendium — December 15, 2003
 * Manual of Monsters — October 2, 2003
 * Magic & Mayhem — June 7, 2004
 * Lands of Conflict — September 20, 2004
 * Shadows & Light — November 29, 2004

World of Warcraft

 * World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game — June 27, 2005
 * More Magic and Mayhem — November 14, 2005
 * Lands of Mystery — April 3, 2006
 * Alliance Player's Guide — June 28, 2006
 * Horde Player's Guide — June 1, 2006
 * Monster Guide — February 7, 2007
 * Dark Factions — May 14, 2008

PDF-only material

 * World of Warcraft RPG Character Sheet
 * World of Warcraft RPG Conversion Document
 * World of Warcraft the Roleplaying Game Preview
 * Bones of Ironforge
 * Lands of Mystery Extra Web Bonuses
 * Lands of Mystery Extra Blue Dragonspawn Stats
 * Monster Guide Web Supplement

Other books

 * World of Warcraft Diary

Art

 * The Art of Warcraft
 * The Art of World of Warcraft
 * The Art of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2006) / (2007)
 * The Art of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
 * The Cinematic Art of Wrath of the Lich King (2009) / (2012)
 * The Art of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
 * The Art of World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
 * The Art of Blizzard Entertainment
 * The Art of Blizzard Entertainment Limited Edition
 * World of Warcraft: Tribute
 * World of Warcraft Tribute Art Book: The Other Side of the Mists
 * World of Warcraft: The Poster Collection
 * The Art of World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
 * The Art of World of Warcraft (2015)
 * World of Warcraft: Legion - Deluxe Hardcover Sketchbook
 * The Art of World of Warcraft: Legion
 * World of Warcraft: An Adult Coloring Book
 * Blizzard Cosplay: Tips, Tricks, and Hints
 * The BlizzCon Book: A Celebration of Our Community
 * The Cinematic Art of World of Warcraft: Volume I
 * The World of Warcraft Pop-Up Book
 * The World of Warcraft Pop-Up Book Collector's Edition
 * The Art of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
 * Forging Worlds: Stories Behind the Art of Blizzard Entertainment

Atlas

 * World of Warcraft Atlas (book)
 * World of Warcraft Atlas, Second Edition
 * World of Warcraft Atlas: The Burning Crusade
 * World of Warcraft Atlas: Wrath of the Lich King
 * World of Warcraft Atlas: Cataclysm

Lore

 * World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide
 * Annual 2015
 * Chronicle Volume 1
 * World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2
 * World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3
 * Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms
 * Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor
 * World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond
 * World of Warcraft: Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth

Strategy Guides
While strategy guides contain some lore information (description of races and events), they are not lore-reviewed by Blizzard.

Warcraft
 * Warcraft: Orcs & Humans Official Secrets & Solutions
 * Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness The Official Strategy Guide
 * Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal Official Secrets & Solutions
 * Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide
 * WarCraft II: The Dark Saga Official Game Secrets
 * Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Official Strategy Guide
 * Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Official Strategy Guide

World of Warcraft
 * World of Warcraft Official Strategy Guide
 * World of Warcraft Strategy Guide: Second Edition
 * World of Warcraft Battle Chest Guide
 * World of Warcraft: Dungeon Companion
 * World of Warcraft: Dungeon Companion 2
 * World of Warcraft: Dungeon Companion 3
 * World of Warcraft Bestiary
 * World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Official Strategy Guide
 * World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Battle Chest Guide
 * World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Official Strategy Guide
 * World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Signature Series Guide
 * World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Signature Series Guide
 * World of Warcraft Mists of Pandaria Limited Edition Strategy Guide
 * World of Warcraft: Beginner's Guide
 * World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor Signature Series Guide

Calendars

 * Year of Fear
 * Year of Here
 * World of Warcraft 2010
 * World of Warcraft 2011 Calendar
 * World of Warcraft 2012 Daily Calendar
 * World of Warcraft 2014

Other

 * Snow Fight: A Warcraft Tale - October 15, 2017
 * World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook - October 21, 2016

Editions

 * World of Warcraft Strategy Collection (also contains Atlas and Dungeon Companion)
 * World of Warcraft Atlas Gift Pack
 * World of Warcraft Strategy Collection 2008
 * World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Binder Bundle

Other

 * World of Warcraft World Map
 * World of Warcraft Trading Card Game - (October, 2006 - August, 2013)
 * The Alliance Art Card Set
 * The Horde Art Card Set
 * The Art of the Trading Card Game
 * Under Color: Sketchbook Volume 1
 * World of Warcraft Miniatures Game
 * Warcraft: The Board Game's collection
 * Warcraft: The Board Game — <2002
 * Warcraft: The Board Game Expansion Set — <2003
 * World of Warcraft: The Board Game's collection
 * World of Warcraft: The Board Game — 2005
 * World of Warcraft: The Board Game Shadow of War Expansion — November 8, 2006
 * World of Warcraft: The Board Game The Burning Crusade Expansion — September 2007
 * World of Warcraft: The Adventure Game
 * World of Warcraft: The Adventure Game Figure Expansions
 * World of Warcraft Horde Hardcover Ruled Journal
 * World of Warcraft Alliance Hardcover Ruled Journal
 * World of Warcraft Dragons Hardcover Ruled Journal

Trivia

 * The word Warcraft was originally written WarCraft with a capital C, similarly to StarCraft, during the first few games  but later adopted the lowercase 'c' with the release of Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition and Warcraft III. The logos still continue to use WarCraft however.
 * The name "Warcraft" was created by Samwise Didier when he shouted it out during a lunchtime brainstorming session prior to the development of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans. He mentioned that he had always wanted to use the name to make a game. It was previously the name of his  character and was intended to be the opposite of the word "witchcraft". The other developers all liked the name and decided to use it because of its coolness, rather than it being based on any game design elements. Blizzard co-founder Allen Adham originally wanted to use Warcraft as the name of a whole series of games about different eras of warfare across many different genres—including fantasy, science fiction, modern military, and historic military—all with the title Warcraft and a subheading (e.g. "Warcraft: Vietnam"), with Warcraft: Orcs & Humans being the first. Adham intended this as a strategy to optimize for retail stores: having many related titles next to each other on store shelves would create cross-selling opportunities and show that the brand was well-supported. However, the only two games from this original plan that ended up actually getting made were Warcraft and StarCraft.