Grunt



Grunts are the basic warriors of the Horde and the orcish clans. They are typically equipped with mighty axes and battle-worn armor.

Grunts appeared as units on the orc or Horde side in Warcraft, Warcraft II and Warcraft III. They are the classic counterpart to human footmen but are stronger than them in Warcraft III. They do, however, cost much more. In all the strategy games they are voiced by Bill Roper.

First War
Grunts were the first level of warrior in the service of the orc's armies. Trained for close combat, these soldiers made excellent fodder for wading through human forces. Use of the axe and shield was their specialty, and they were hearty fighters with a taste for blood.

Second War
Those orcs who distinguished themselves enough in the arts of war to be trained as grunts epitomized the merciless spirit of the Horde. Equipped with mighty axes and battle-worn armor, they were prepared to fight to the death. Devoted to the Horde and to their clans, the grunt lusted for battle - wanting nothing more than to wade into the field of carnage and die a bloody death surrounded by the bodies of his fallen enemies.

Veteran grunts were sometimes put at work in blacksmith shops due to their understanding of the value of strong steel. Some grunts were also former raiders, degraded to being footsoldiers after their ranks were disbanded by Orgrim Doomhammer.

Third War
Grunts are the first and last line of the Horde's defense. These powerful fighters arm themselves with mighty battle-axes and display all of the savagery and cunning of their race. In past generations, grunts were characterized by their depravity and brutality. But now, under the visionary leadership of Thrall, the grunts more closely resemble their savage, yet noble ancestors.

World of Warcraft



 * Grunts are now commonly used as guards in orcish Horde cities and towns such as Orgrimmar and Razor Hill, but also in other orcish settlements throughout Azeroth, Outland and alternate Draenor.
 * Curiously, grunts are missing their signature horned helmets. There was a grunt armor set during the alpha complete with a helmet, but for some reason it did not make into the final release. The Orc Grunts used as pawns in the Karazhan Chess Event lack helms entirely. The Horde Grunts of the Battle for Mount Hyjal event wear a horned helmet, albeit with a different design. The Warsong Armor transmog set finally came with an horned helmet, and some Warspear grunts also wear unique helmets.
 * The armor of the Horde grunts was made heavier during the War against the Lich King to combat the cold weather of Northrend.
 * Orc marines are a force of specialized grunts.

Quotes

 * See Warcraft I orc quotes
 * See Warcraft II grunt quotes
 * See Warcraft III grunt quotes

Notes and trivia

 * Grunts are allowed to wear additional armor items on top of their uniforms, so long as they earned them fair and square. An example of which is a pit lord's finger armor, repurposed as a thigh guard by Morka Bruggu, who had helped to slay it during the Legion's third invasion.
 * In Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, it is a rank you can achieve.