Hunter races

This article lists the races that are able to become hunters, along with the lore behind each.

Those of the hunter class are in-touch with nature and spend much time in the wild, often possessing many of same skills and survival know-how of hunters-by-profession, and the one lends to the other well.

Human
Presumably during the reign of Arathor, it was believed that human tribesmen had to hunt to support themselves. After all, humans have long had domesticated beasts and archers. It was only a matter of time before they combined and evolved into proper hunters. During the First War, the archers of Stormwind used their skill in the crossbow to deal death from a distance. They were slightly more maneuverable than Footmen, but the cost is the lighter armor they must wear. The ability to launch their deadly rain of missiles from a distance makes them a force not to be discounted. Sometime during the Second War, Nathanos Marris became the first ever human ranger lord. Human hunters premiered prominently in Wrath of the Lich King in Amberpine Lodge acting as woodsmen and Trappers.

The humans of Kul Tiras also have hunters among their ranks. In the dark forests of Drustvar, House Waycrest has a long tradition of using falconry to train birds of prey. Two inquisitors of the Order of Embers are hunters, Notley and Yorrick. On the mainland, hunting appears to be common amongst both the nobility and common folk of Boralus. Lord Aldrius Norwington invites all hunters to participate in hunting and equestrian competitions at the Norwington Estate. The Roughnecks are fierce mountaineers that tame gryphons and sell them to be used by the people of Kul Tiras. Finally, the Outriggers are skilled hunters who specialize in taking down the largest and deadliest of beasts that threaten Boralus.



Dwarf
As descendants of the Earthen, Dwarves have a special connection to the land. Commonly dwarven hunters are called mountaineers seen guarding their homeland of Khaz Modan. Many dwarf hunters also hunt to find titan artifacts and discover more about their ancient past. Dwarf hunters are also commonly seen armed with barrel guns. Brave dwarven Riflemen have faithfully protected their mountain kingdom of Khaz Modan for hundreds of years. Using the legendary single-shot Blunderbuss Long Rifles, riflemen are excellent marksmen and can shoot both land-based and airborne opponents. Brann Bronzebeard, leader of the Explorer's League is a notable dwarven hunter.

The Dark Iron dwarves also have hunters among their ranks, typically with hunting dogs known as Bloodhounds. Houndmaster Grebmar is one such hunter.



Night elf
The night elves are natural experts at stealth and cunning and so they can very easily stalk and hunt their prey. Night elves are also very adept with the bow with many female members of the race becoming archers who ride atop hippogryph and nightsaber companions. The first rank of the Sentinel army is comprised of Archers. These brave warrior women are expert marksmen and use the concealing forests of Kalimdor to their advantage. Their lightning quick ambushes are legendary - for few warriors can match the speed and cunning of the proud Archers.



Draenei
Draenei hunters on Draenor would hunt the talbuks as a show of skill. As a hunter, you carry on this tradition in the new world of Azeroth.

The draenei once hunted beasts Draenor, now called Outland. Now exiled on Azeroth, they discover the environment that draenei never saw, unfamiliar beasts and plants, and now rediscovering themselves as masters of the wild.



Worgen
Worgen hunters likely have a similar past to humans as hunter, alongside their mastiff companions they would also hunt in their kingdom of Gilneas. After becoming worgen and so beasts themselves it would make sense for them to become even more affiliated with the wild.



Pandaren
The pandaren of the Wandering Isle became skilled hunters during their long isolation from their home continent of Pandaria. They became proficient at hunting beasts, living on the island, for resources and food as well as learning to make traps in which to capture them with. Due to them living on a turtle, some have chosen to befriend the dragon turtles out of respect. Some pandaren chose to join the Alliance in their quest to explore and aid the Alliance in return for saving their island. These pandaren follow the Tushui philosophy.

Gnome
Long at the forefront of cutting-edge technology in Azeroth, the inventive gnomes are finally ready to break out the big guns. Their propensity for things that go "bang" and knack for high-tech weapons like rocket launchers, high-powered rifles, and death rays make them perfect candidates for hunting down prey.

And with the events about to unfold on the Broken Shore, High Tinker Mekkatorque has commanded his people to get outfitted and ready for battle—any way they know how.

Orc
Many Orcs were hunters back on Draenor. During the First War, Grunts were trained in the use of the spear. They are faster than their ax wielding brethren, but have lighter armor so that they may move about more freely. The ability to hurl their deadly missiles across a battlefield makes them a formidable unit to employ. The basic spearmen evolved into wyvern riding Wind Riders who throw poisoned spears. Even the basic peon was able to hunker down in a Burrow and throw spears with accuracy during the Third War.

Several clans on the alternate Draenor have also been observed being hunters. The Frostwolf Orcs typically tame, ride, and fight alongside frost wolves. The 's raiders tame the brown wolves of Nagrand. Meanwhile, the majority of the Thunderlord Clan seem to be hunters. Their fiercest warriors can tame and ride clefthooves. Their chieftain, the, had a pet rylak named Chilltongue. Some powerful Thunderlords, such as Hatock the Gronnmaster, were even able to find ways to break semi-intelligent giants to their will, such as gronn and gronnlings.



Jungle troll
On the Darkspear Isles the savage troll headhunters would stalk their prey in the dark of their forests armed with large spears. These cunning warriors are trained from birth to hunt, track and trap the most dangerous beasts in the wild. In times of war, however, Troll Headhunters turn their mighty spears upon the enemies of the Horde without hesitation. Capable of hurling their deadly spears at distant enemies, Troll Headhunters provide invaluable cover fire for the other warriors of the Horde. Shadow Hunters also exist in Darkspear culture combining their hunting prowess with the dark voodoo magics of the loa. Vol'jin is a shadow hunter.



Blood elf
Still having the wonderous agility and affinity for nature that their night elf predecessors had, the blood elves continue to hunt the Scourge in their homeland of Quel'Thalas. A blood elf hunter is essentially a Farstrider having passed the techniques down for generations. The elven rangers are some of the most sophisticated archers in the world. While most of the blood elves prefer to be Blood Knights, many still choose the old ways of a Farstrider. Halduron Brightwing is a blood elven hunter.



Tauren
Tauren are natural hunters. Hunting is the great plains of Mulgore and The Barrens for generations, the tauren venerate the Hunt as a passing rite for young tauren into adulthood. Their beliefs in the Earth Mother also makes tauren hold great respect to nature and its creatures.



Goblin
Liza and Warpy, a goblin hunter and her pet were seen as early as Burning Crusade.

It is possible that the exotic yet harsh wilderness on the Lost Isles inspired the goblins to become hunters. They can also use their technological prowess to construct advanced firearms and explosive ammunition.



Undead
As the forsaken were once humans, their traits followed in undeath. The Forsaken's Banshee Queen, Sylvanas Windrunner, was a hunter/ranger during her lifetime and after being raised into undeath by Arthas Menethil found herself out of touch with the wilds, which was replaced by necromancy, making her a dark ranger which would later be taken up by others in the Forsaken. Dark Rangers grew in numbers during the War against the Lich King and likely have instructed new forsaken trainees to expand their ranks after the Cataclysm.

Nathanos Blightcaller has recently been training a new generation of Forsaken rangers comprising of undead humans, making the undead racial composition of the order more diverse. These Forsaken hunters appear to favor the woodsman axe and the crossbow in contrast to the bow and arrow typically employed by their undead high elf counterparts. Like Nathanos, they sport a leather-looking outfit and optionally a hood and face mask.



Pandaren
The pandaren of the Wandering Isle became skilled hunters during their long isolation from their home continent of Pandaria. They became proficient at hunting beasts, living on the island, for resources and food as well as learning to make traps in which to capture them with. Due to them living on a turtle, some have chosen to befriend the dragon turtles out of respect. Some pandaren chose to join the Horde in their quest to explore and aid the Horde in return for saving their island. These pandaren follow the Huojin philosophy.



Zandalari trolls
The hunters of the Zandalari trolls are also known as Predators. The Zandalari Beast Ward is dedicated to raising powerful beasts in times of war. The Zandalari seem to focus on training dinosaurs as their companions, such as ravasaurs and direhorns. While Zandalari prefer to respect their animal companions, in times of desperation, they can forcibly control raptors with magic fetishes and blood rituals.

Nightborne
While they do not have the same connection with nature their night elf ancestors did, the shal'dorei are still capable hunters. They are typically seen with the manasabers and owls of Suramar as pets. Their females are called Nighthuntresses. Several hunters joined the Felborne, such as the Felborne Trappers and Nighthuntress Lexera, and used fel-corrupted wildlife to serve the Burning Legion. Nighthuntress Syrenne joined the Unseen Path to oppose the Legion.

Orcs
Many orcs find the path of the hunt appealing due to their increasing closeness with the wilds, they have a particular affinity for wolves whom they treat as hunting partners.

Half-ogre
The mighty sons and daughters of Nath are natural hunters, having spent long years in the wilderness. They have a natural rapport with wild animals and even those who are not hunters often enter battle with loyal, trained companions at their sides. They seek to discover the essence of combat through observing and mimicking wild beasts. Most half-ogre also become melee hunters; those who don't use massive composite longbows - something to which they can apply their great strength. The iconic half-ogre hunter emerges from the woods or desert on the eve of battle, silently taking their place next to their allies in the Horde. A great bear, lion or wolf remains by their side, looking docile enough, but growling when others get close. The hunter hefts their axes and looks to the horizon. They breathe deep, savoring the smell of the land and preparing themselves for the conflict to come.

Forest troll
Forest trolls on Lordaeron were hunters. They taught the orcs to hunt.