Horde


 * The Horde is made up of orcs, forsaken, tauren, trolls, blood elves, and most recently, goblins. Misunderstood and cast aside, these diverse and powerful races strive to overcome their differences and unite as one in order to win freedom for their people and prosper in a land that has come to hate them.
 * In the Horde, action and strength are valued above diplomacy, and its leaders earn respect by the blade, wasting no time with politics. The brutality of the Horde's champions is focused, giving a voice to those who fight for survival.

The Horde (also called the New Horde, Thrall's Horde or Vol'jin's Horde) is one of the two major political factions of the mortal races in Azeroth, its counterpart being the Alliance which the Horde has traditionally been at war with. Driven by unity, the Horde consists of a coalition of disparate races and cultures loosely joined in an alliance of convenience against a hostile world that would see them destroyed. A faction led by off-worlders and composed of outsiders, the Horde has survived the obstacles of Azeroth by bonding together, fighting as family, comrades, or even uneasy allies. Focused, ferocious, and sometimes monstrous, the Horde values strength and honor and is relentlessly opposed to any who threaten the ideals of freedom and hope, but struggles to keep aggression in check.

During Garrosh Hellscream's reign, the faction was plunged into a state of civil war, divided between Hellscream's pan-orc government he referred to as the "True Horde" and the Darkspear Rebellion, comprised of the remaining Horde races, as well as orcs that have decided to oppose Garrosh, under leadership of Vol'jin. After the Siege of Orgrimmar upon the defeat of Garrosh, Vol'jin was chosen as the new Warchief of the Horde with every leader supporting the choice, even Thrall himself. This also marks the first time, when the Warchief's position was held by a person that isn't an orc, signifying a sense of unity between all the member races of the faction, in Vol'jin's own words - The Horde is a family. Following the disastrous Battle for Broken Shore at the start of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, Sylvanas Windrunner was named the new Warchief by a dying Vol'jin, who with his last breath said she must step out of the shadows to lead.

The Horde has throughout the Warcraft story remained the only force that can match up to the Alliance. These two factions have warred several times with their predecessors (Old Horde, Alliance of Lordaeron) having clashed together in the First, Second, and Third Wars. In the Fourth War, the last major conflict as of Battle for Azeroth, the controversial acts by the Horde Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner eventually caused a Horde rebellion led by Varok Saurfang. This led to a temporary unity between the two factions when Varok asked Anduin Wrynn, High King of the Alliance, for aid in assaulting Orgrimmar to end both the reign of Sylvanas and the enmity between the Horde and Alliance. Ultimately, the rebellion caused the Horde to lose its top leadership when Sylvanas killed Varok and abandoned the Horde. With his death and her abandonment, the Fourth War is considered over and the two factions have begun talks of peace, though many surmise it may not last or cannot forgive the atrocities of the past. Currently the Horde and Alliance is in an "uneasy armistice".

The Horde is one of the two factions that player characters belong to―the Alliance being the other―as determined by a given character's race (with the exception of Pandaren which can be both). Besides race, being a member of the Horde or Alliance affects gameplay through what settlements, NPCs, quests, reputation factions and in some cases items and encounters the player may access. Faction mechanics also prevent Horde and Alliance players from talking with each other or making groups together, and most PvP gameplay involves Horde players fighting against Alliance players. The divide between the Horde and Alliance—in regard to gameplay mechanics, story elements, and sometimes in social aspects like faction pride—acts as the core element of the World of Warcraft experience.

Classic

 * Four races comprise the Horde: the brutal orcs, the shadowy undead, the spiritual tauren, and the quick-witted trolls. Beset by enemies on all sides, these outcasts have forged a union they hope will ensure their mutual survival. (in-game)


 * A coalition of outcasts who have forged a union in the flames of survival, the Horde values action and strength, committed to enduring in an unforgiving land that would see it extinguished.

History

 * See also: Old Horde, Dark Horde, Fel Horde, Iron Horde and True Horde



In the past, the Horde referred to the orcs and their battle thralls from both Draenor and Azeroth, such as trolls and ogres. Following its utter defeat at the end of the Second War, the Horde's dark power was broken, allowing Thrall to awaken the dormant spirituality of his people and free them from the Burning Legion's control.

During the events of the Third War, Thrall has made lasting bonds with the tauren chief Cairne Bloodhoof and the troll shadow hunter Vol'jin of the Darkspear tribe. The ties between the three races are very close, as both share many similar cultural views. With the help of the tauren, both the orcs and the tribe of trolls have established a place for themselves in Kalimdor. Since then, certain ogre tribes, as well as the Forsaken and blood elves have chosen to affiliate themselves with the Horde.

The present Horde is mostly about surviving in a land that has come to hate them. The orcs are hated because, much like the Forsaken, they were manipulated by corrupt forces that channeled their aggression on unsuspecting foes, thus leaving behind a legacy of brutality and domination. In fact, many races of the Horde have a history of being unscrupulous. Though redeemed and trying to make amends or simply trying to survive, they are not forgiven nor trusted by many members of the Alliance who believe them to be their old selves still. The trolls, tauren and their other allies are the ones who understood them, and so they are hated for that.

In the Third War, before the liberation of the Forsaken from the Scourge and the defection of the blood elves, the Horde allied themselves with the Alliance to rid Azeroth of the Burning Legion. Since then old animosity has risen again, resulting in open conflict on several battlefields, keeping relations between the Horde and Alliance in a state of Cold War. However, the two factions still officially kept a truce despite the rising conflicts until the Battle for the Undercity, when King Varian Wrynn officially declared war.

As of the Cataclysm, with Thrall's departure from the Horde leadership, there were signs of internal strife among the Horde leaders. While Garrosh Hellscream was named acting Warchief of the Horde, several leaders entered in conflict with him. Cairne Bloodhoof challenged Garrosh to an honorable duel, Vol'jin made a veiled death threat against him, while Sylvanas Windrunner came into conflict with him on both an ethical and a tactical level - the use of Val'kyr to raise new soldiers, and the Forsaken Blight as a weapon.

By the time the mists concealing Pandaria dissipated, cracks within the Horde started to emerge. The war had intensified with the surprise mana-bombing of Theramore Isle on Garrosh's orders, the actions of which Baine Bloodhoof and Vol'jin openly disapproved of. In response, Garrosh ordered the Kor'kron to suppress any potential dissent, going as far as subjugating the Darkspear trolls on their own territory. Horde leaders were weary of Garrosh's attempts to harness the sha for his own ends, and the blood elves became increasingly discontented with Garrosh treating them as expendable in his attempts to do so. The exposure of Sunreaver agents taking orders from Garrosh eventually led to the Sunreavers' expulsion from Dalaran, stoking further recriminations from the blood elf leadership towards Garrosh.

After the Thunder King's death the Darkspear Rebellion began in earnest and Horde leader after Horde leader joined it. When at last even Gallywix and the Bilgewater Cartel joined the Rebellion due to Garrosh refusing to pay them for excavating the Heart of Y'Shaarj, Garrosh re-organized his orc forces into the True Horde and, with the power of Y'Shaarj, began a genocidal campaign to conquer Azeroth, subjugate all non-orcish life, and brutally crush all who oppose him. Garrosh and the True Horde were defeated in the ensuing conflict by the Horde rebels and Alliance forces; and ultimately Vol'jin was declared Warchief of the Horde.

Under Vol'jin's command, the Horde would engage against the forces of the Iron Horde and later the Burning Legion on. During the Battle for Broken Shore the Horde and Alliance worked together to prevent the Legion from securing the Broken Shore as a staging ground for their invasion. Both armies would be pushed back, King Varian Wrynn slain, and Vol'jin mortally wounded. In Vol'jin's dying moments he named Sylvanas Windrunner the new Warchief of the Horde and faced with combating the armies of the Burning Legion and the hostility of the Alliance the Horde moved forward to combat the armies of the Burning Legion.

The forces of Azeroth ultimately succeed in defeating the Burning Legion during the third invasion of the Burning Legion, and the Horde soon after gained the allegiance of the Highmountain tauren tribes of Highmountain and the nightborne of Suramar. During the Fourth War, the joined the Horde due to the efforts of Eitrigg and the Speaker of the Horde. In the aftermath of the Battle of Dazar'alor, the Zandalari Empire joined the Horde, as its equals.

During the Fourth War, the Horde split between Sylvanas loyalists and Varok Saurfang's revolutionaries. Before the two armies could clash at Orgrimmar, Varok Saurfang, recognizing Sylvanas's loyalists as his brothers and sisters in the Horde and unwilling to spill more Horde blood, challenged Sylvanas to Mak'gora. During the duel, Saurfang was able to get Sylvanas to admit that she considered the Horde nothing, which caused the Warchief to swiftly kill him and abandoned the Horde altogether. In the aftermath of Saurfang's death and Sylvanas's betrayal, the Horde rallied together once more, with her former loyalists defecting to his revolution. Following these events, the Horde and the Alliance have entered into an armistice with one another.

Sometime later, the Voldunai vulpera of Vol'dun led by Kiro joined the Horde.

In the aftermath of N'Zoth's death and the end of the Fourth War, the leaders of the Horde received the terms for an armistice from the Grand Alliance, putting the Fourth War on hold indefinitely, if not permanently. With that matter settled, Lor'themar Theron addressed the absence of a Warchief. Despite support for Thrall to take the mantle on again, he refused, citing that he had promised Varok Saurfang he would not take on the role once more. Instead, he brought up the idea of the Warchief being necessary, instead bringing in the belief that a change was needed for the Horde's leadership. Thus the Horde Council, a conglomerate of leaders who would represent their people's interests, was created to lead the Horde.

Sometime after the formation of the Horde Council, the armies of the Horde rallied together and defeated the Widow's Bite and Banshee loyalists that were causing unrest within Zandalar. After Sylvanas defeated Bolvar Fordragon and shattered the Helm of Domination, the Horde united with the Argent Crusade in order to combat the Scourge forces that were attacking Durotar,the Northern Barrens, and Icecrown. Soon after the deaths of Herald Dalora and Nathanos Blightcaller, the leaderships of both the Horde and Alliance grouped with Bolvar and the Knights of the Ebon Blade and decided to send their champions to enter the Shadowlands in order rescue the recently captured Thrall, Baine Bloodhoof, Anduin Wrynn, and Jaina Proudmoore. Subsequently, the Horde joined the war against the Jailer, during which they successfully rescued Thrall, Baine, and Jaina. Furthermore, each champion personally joined one of the four main Covenants of the Shadowlands and aided them in their conflicts.

Organization
Orgrimmar is the capital of the Horde, and the Warchief of the Horde once stood as the undisputed leader. During the time of the warchief, they held dominion over the entire Horde, maintained the faction and was able to declare war for the entire Horde, taking any precaution to ensure the stability and security of the Horde's member states, and had the final say in the induction of new Horde members. The Warchief often made use of Command Boards to order able-bodied citizens to join war efforts of the Horde in different areas of Azeroth.

All members of the Horde have to swear a blood oath to join the faction and previously were obligated to follow the warchief's commands and support the warchief in war if the warchief calls upon them for aid. When it was active, the position of warchief could be attained by having the previous warchief chose a successor or challenging the current warchief to a Mak'gora: a prearranged duel with deadly weapons between two people following a formal procedure in the presence of witnesses and traditionally fought until one party yields or is killed, usually to settle a quarrel involving a point of honor. Above all else, the title warchief was granted to those who display strength and decisive action. The final warchief was Sylvanas Windrunner, who was challenged for the position by Varok Saurfang and abandoned the Horde after defeating him.

Each race within the Horde pledges a leader to represent them on the Horde's council, which has come to replace the warchief position. These representatives are typically the leaders of their people, though Lilian Voss was appointed as representative for the Forsaken as they assessed their leadership crisis. The council members have the abilities of the previous warchief position, able to induct races into the Horde, deny them, as well as address leadership gaps for other factions within the Horde; such as Thrall appointing Gazlowe to take over the position of Trade Prince of the Bilgewater Cartel.



Equal in size, the Horde also has its complexities, much like the Alliance. The core seven races of the Horde are the orcs, Darkspear trolls, tauren, undead, blood elves, goblins, and Huojin pandaren. This roster expanded in the periods leading up to, and during, the Fourth War, which saw the nightborne, Mag'har orcs of alternate, the Highmountain tauren, the Zandalari trolls, and vulpera join their ranks.

The Horde also has countless allies and smaller factions among the races of Azeroth that have joined them: the Revantusk forest trolls of the Hinterlands, the Stonemaul ogres and various individuals like the Mok'Nathal beastmaster Rexxar, the taunka of Northrend, and the hozen of Pandaria to name a few.

Culture
Before the tauren and trolls joined the Horde, the Horde was also called the Orcish Horde. Although the Horde is a coalition of diverse races with different cultures, agendas, and values, one thing remains constant within the Horde: respect is earned by the blade.

The Horde makes no compromises when it comes to excellence, and the power and ferocity of their warriors is legendary. Misunderstood by many as evil, the Horde possesses a strong code of honor and strict laws for disobedience.

Despite their somewhat monstrous appearance, the majority of the Horde is not evil; much like the Alliance, it is comprised of diverse factions and individuals who possess a wide range of values and virtues. Even so, there is one expectation that must be met when joining the Horde: regardless of gender or station, all are expected to pull their own weight and give their talents for the betterment of the Horde. When weakness is a liability to the future of the Horde, it is the duty of the strong to usurp control from the incompetent and redeem the Horde. ''Lok'tar ogar! Victory or death'' - it is these words that bind one to the Horde. For they are the most sacred and fundamental of truths to any warrior of the Horde. For the Horde, failure is not an option.

Culturally, orcs and tauren believe in redemption more than most other races on Azeroth and are willing to give almost anyone a chance, regardless of reputation. The Revantusk seem to have even accepted, (if not at least tolerate) their ancient enemy the blood elves. Largely because of these beliefs, a number of mortal races and many diverse factions can be found in service to the Horde.

Leadership
The Horde has traditionally been led by a Warchief; a singular leader that possesses ultimate say over the decisions that impact the Horde as a faction. This warchief is the top general, politician and ultimate supreme leader of the Horde. While other leaders still possess power over their own nations and have even been shown to defy the warchief in the past, the ability to rally and lead the Horde as a whole is a privilege that the warchief alone possesses and is able to distribute under their power. This position was abolished in favor of the Horde Council following Sylvanas Windrunner's tenure as warchief. This was done as the Warchief held a dark legacy that needed to end after Sylvanas' abuse of the position.

As the exact phrasing used in the position's abolition was 'in a time of peace', it is unknown if the position will be used again if war should return.



Warchief Thrall - Warchief Garrosh Hellscream - Warchief Vol'jin - Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner - Horde Council
 * Horde

Warchief Thrall - Warchief Garrosh Hellscream - High Overlord Varok Saurfang - Chieftain Thrall
 * Orc clans

Queen Sylvanas Windrunner - Desolate Council / Queen Sylvanas Windrunner Queen Sylvanas Windrunner  Representative Lilian Voss
 * The Forsaken

High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof - High Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof
 * Thunder Bluff tauren tribes

Chieftain Vol'jin - Chieftain Rokhan
 * Darkspear tribe

Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider / Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron  - Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron
 * Kingdom of Quel'Thalas

Trade Prince Jastor Gallywix - Trade Prince Gazlowe
 * Bilgewater Cartel

Master Ji Firepaw
 * Huojin Pandaren

First Arcanist Thalyssra
 * Kingdom of Suramar

High Chieftain Mayla Highmountain
 * Highmountain Tribe

Overlord Geya'rah
 * Mag'har clans

Queen Talanji
 * Zandalari Empire

Kiro
 * Voldunai vulpera

Membership


The alliances which comprised the Horde in earlier times were never restored following their defeat in the Second War. Instead, the orcs forged new alliances that reflected their rediscovered shamanistic heritage, including the tauren and the Darkspear trolls. Even their pact with the undead Forsaken was based on compassion and a genuine desire to help the restless undead of Lordaeron.

The Horde in Kalimdor, which acts as the bulk of the Horde's forces, serve under the Warchief's leadership. They include most of the orcs, the tauren, the Darkspear trolls, the goblins of the Bilgewater Cartel, the Huojin Pandaren, and a number of less prominent races within the Horde - such as the Stonemaul ogres. The Horde in the Eastern Kingdoms, comprising of the Forsaken and the blood elves, act with more independence from the Kalimdor Horde but ultimately answers to the warchief out of necessity for the Horde's support. Following the third invasion of the Burning Legion, new allies of the Broken Isles join to the Horde, the Nightborne of Suramar and the Highmountain Tribe. These races all see the Horde differently. Some see it as an instrument of vengeance, hellbent to carve out a future for its people. Others see it as a refuge for those who need shelter, a commonwealth of the downtrodden, built for mutual support. While some view it as an alliance of convenience, a confederacy of unlikely partners free to pursue their own agendas. Whatever their motivations, they are united to claim Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms for themselves in order to secure key provisions and supplies needed to support their people, and forcibly remove Alliance incursions from their own lands. This Horde is the result of the actions in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.

Orgrimmar.png Nation of Durotar
s - The surviving orcs of Azeroth's First, Second and Third Wars, who were released by Thrall from the Internment camps of Lordaeron and led by him to form their new destiny in Kalimdor while attempting to re-embrace their once honorable, shamanistic ways and fight the corruption of demonic magic. They founded their capital of Orgrimmar in Durotar, now lead by High Overlord Varok Saurfang. Their culture is split mostly between the orcs' warrior spirit and their shamanistic roots, which has recently wrought on a conflict between the younger and older generations. Dedicated to carving out an existence in a world that has come to largely revile them, the orcs have recently turned their attention to reinvigorated conquests. Ashenvale and Stonetalon were among their first targets, and ultimately Warchief Hellscream intended to unite the entirety of Azeroth under a single banner. His campaign resulted in Garrosh's dethroning as Warchief.
 * Led by Chieftain Thrall.
 * Kor'kron - The elite fighting force of the Horde, serving as the personal bodyguards of the Warchief and enforcers of their command.

The orcs in the Horde are from the following clans:


 * Frostwolf clan - The Frostwolf clan is an orc clan that originally dwelled in the southwestern parts of Frostfire Ridge. Named for their close kinship with Frostfire's native frost wolves, the clan placed great value in the noble ideals of family and community and sought to live in harmony with the land. After crossing the Dark Portal many years ago, they are one of the few orcish clans left in the Eastern Kingdoms, the Frostwolf settled in the hidden Alterac Mountains after their exile by Gul'dan. However, the Stormpike dwarves later arrived to search for artifacts causing conflict between the two in Alterac Valley. The Frostwolf clan derived its symbol and name from its kinship with Frostfire Ridge's native frost wolves, whom the orcs hunted alongside, befriended and even tamed as companions
 * Led by Farseer Drek'Thar, the elder shaman and seer of the Frostwolf clan, who served as Thrall's tutor many years ago.


 * Warsong clan - A powerful warrior clan native to Nagrand that battle the night elves for dominance over Ashenvale.
 * Warsong Outriders – Following the Third War, those of the Warsong clan who invaded Ashenvale and began deforestation have not ceased their operation and have come into direct conflict with the Silverwing Sentinels.
 * Led by Gargok.


 * Blackrock clan - Many Blackrock orcs joined with Thrall under Orgrim and when he freed them from the internment camps. Notable individuals are Eitrigg and Varok Saurfang. Furthermore, the former Warchief Garrosh Hellscream granted the Blackrock clan of the Dark Horde led by Rend amnesty and recruited a formidable amount of them into the ranks of the Horde.


 * Bleeding Hollow clan - The clan returned to Draenor after the Second War, but as it was torn apart, some members crossed safely into Azeroth at the same time as the Warsong clan. They were captured and later rescued from the internment camps, and now they serve the new Horde. Additionally they have a notable presence in the Mag'har.
 * Led by: Jorin Deadeye.


 * Dragonmaw clan - The Dragonmaw residing in the Twilight Highlands joined the new Horde during the Cataclysm.
 * Led by Gorfax Angerfang.


 * Shadowmoon clan - Scouts and peons are seen serving the New Horde at Shadowmoon Village.


 * Burning Blade clan - The blademasters were once part of the Burning Blade, although the clan consumed itself in the throes of demonic corruption, these few swordsmen are still part of the Horde.


 * Rageroar clan - A newly created clan that was assaulting Northwatch hold. It was almost destroyed at the end of the Alliance questline. Later joined the Horde army in the Razing of Northwatch.
 * Led by Karga Rageroar.


 * Shattered Hand - The Azerothian part of the clan have joined Thrall and serve as the Horde's guild of assassins admitting other races like trolls into the organization.
 * Led by Gordul.


 * Wolves - Even during their time on Draenor the orcs used wolf mounts. They are treated as equals and hunting partners among the Horde.


 * Wyvern - The Horde has befriended many of these intelligent beasts of Kalimdor, whom they use as riding and flying mounts.


 * Proto-dragon - During the war against the Lich King, Garrosh domesticated many proto-dragons. Furthermore, with the end of black dragonflight, the Dragonmaw clan now subverts proto-drakes for the needs of the Horde.

Darkspear.png Darkspear tribe
s - The jungle trolls of the Darkspear Islands in the Great Sea have a very savage and dark history studying voodoo arts and worshiping the loa, however after Thrall had saved their tribe from extinction, Vol'jin son of Sen'jin pledged his tribe to the Horde and founded a new home on the Darkspear Isle of the Echo Isles off the coast of Durotar. Some trolls have now begun to study shamanism and more recently druidism, some of these trolls even mix shamanism with voodoo arts, most of the members of the tribe have or are attempting to give up the ways of cannibalism and the other traits of their race's darker history. After retaking much of their territory from the Kul Tiras marines and the treacherous Zalazane, the Darkspear have been invited to join a revitalized troll empire under the Zandalari's leadership - though Vol'jin declined this offer.
 * Led by: Chieftain Rokhan.
 * Prior to the reclamation of the Echo Isles, Sen'jin Village in mainland Durotar was the main Darkspear settlement. Darkspear settlements are commonly found in Kalimdor or Outland (such as Swamprat Post and Zabra'jin in Zangarmarsh).


 * Ravasaur Trainers - They were a faction of trolls in Un'Goro Crater, part of an elite group of raptor riders that provided their mounts to members of the Horde who prove themselves able to survive the creature's poison.


 * Raptors - Darkspear are commonly around reptiles, admiring their strength. They brought these beasts from Stranglethorn and have used them as mounts ever since.


 * Bats - Bats are the traditional flying mounts to Jungle Trolls. Many trolls use bats for suicide runs and burning buildings. The Forsaken also use bats as mounts.

Thunder Bluff.png Thunder Bluff tauren tribes
- The noble tauren of Kalimdor are a race that had hunted the lands of central Kalimdor for generations, however, when Thrall and his orcs had arrived onto the lands of Kalimdor they had already been driven near extinction by the marauding centaur that rampaged through their lands. Under the leadership of their high chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof and the young warchief Thrall, the tauren managed to drive back most of the centaur, and find a permanent home in Thunder Bluff. Since then, Cairne has pledged his people to the Horde, offering the orcs spiritual guidance and aid. After Cairne's death, the young Baine Bloodhoof has arisen to take his father's place and lead the tauren into a brighter future. With the recent Alliance incursion into the Barrens, the tauren have created a mighty gate to protect their homeland of Mulgore. Even if their Horde allies turn down dark paths during this war, the tauren have resolved to be the light that guides them through it.
 * Led by High Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof.
 * They also have many settlements in Kalimdor. They have also sent ambassadors to their cousins, the taunka, in Northrend.


 * Sunwalkers - Tauren paladins who take their power from An'she, the sun.
 * Led by.


 * Seers - Tauren priests who take their power from An'she, the sun.
 * Created by.

The Tauren of the Horde come from various tribes:


 * Bloodhoof tribe - The first tauren tribe to side with the Horde, they are led by Baine Bloodhoof in the wake of death at the hands of Magatha Grimtotem.
 * Led by.


 * Ragetotem tribe - Proud warriors and the fiercest of Thunder Bluff.


 * Dawnstrider tribe - Experienced enchanters and skilled shamans.


 * Runetotem tribe - These tauren have recently discovered the ways of the druidism.
 * Led by.


 * Highmountain tribe - A tribe with several notable members who fought (and still fight) against the Burning Legion.
 * Led by and/or.


 * Skychaser tribe - The spiritual leaders of the tauren. They were nearly wiped out during the Grimtotem coup to take over Thunder Bluff.
 * Thunderhorn tribe - Most of the Thunderhorn tribe are hunters, the greatest among the tauren.


 * Cloudsong tribe – They picked up the role of spiritual leaders of the tauren shamans after the Skychaser tribe was nearly wiped out.


 * Eagletalon tribe – This tribe hunts harpies in Mulgore.


 * Mistrunner tribe – The Mistrunners are dedicated to the druidic path and seeks to heal the earth and ease the suffering of the Earthmother.


 * Stonehoof tribe – The Stonehoof are the most talented smiths among the tauren.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * Wildmane tribe – This tribe has largely joined the Runetotem in seeking the ways of the druid.


 * Winterhoof tribe – The Winterhoof tribe represents some of the greatest herbalists and alchemists the tauren have to offer.


 * Stonespire tribe - A tauren tribe that lived in the Southern Barrens. Most were killed by the forces of Bael'dun Keep but there are a few survivors.


 * Cliffwalker tribe - A tribe based in Cliffwalker Post with strong ties to druidism.
 * Led by.


 * Dawnchaser tribe - A tribe of Horde tauren from Thunder Bluff that have come to Pandaria. One of their main outposts in Pandaria is located in the Krasarang Wilds at Thunder Cleft.
 * Led by.


 * Grimtotem tribe - The Grimtotem tauren who survived the battle at Thunder Bluff, chose to follow Jevan Grimtotem and join the Horde.
 * Led by Jevan Grimtotem. Formerly led by  Magatha Grimtotem.


 * Kodo - The tauren hold them in high esteem, and breed them as mounts.

Undercity.png The Forsaken
- The Horde of the Eastern Kingdoms was initially next to non-existent, with only the Frostwolf orcs and other smaller forces in operation around the continent. In recent years, however, the Horde's presence has been bolstered by the inclusion of the Forsaken of Eastern Kingdoms and the blood elves of Quel'Thalas. While considered members of the Horde, their bonds with the western Horde are perhaps not on the same level as the orcs, trolls, and tauren.

The Forsaken were once part of the Scourge, forced into mindless servitude under the Lich King. After the Lich King's grip began to weaken, the banshee queen Sylvanas Windrunner broke free from his will, and went on to both free and rally other undead beings to join her own empire of undeath, dubbed the "Forsaken." Under Lady Sylvanas' leadership, the Forsaken used any means necessary to conquer the fallen kingdom and remove both the dreadlords and other foes threatening their dominion. After expelling the Scourge from the capital city and massacring the last remaining holdouts of the Alliance, they took over the catacombs of the former capital in Tirisfal Glades, founding a capital of their own called the Undercity.

With the backing of the tauren, Thrall warily accepted the Forsaken into the Horde, though this alliance of convenience has been tested - great betrayal at the hands of Grand Apothecary Putress has put the Forsaken on a tight leash, made tighter by his successor's less lenient stance on their modus operandi. Following Vol'jin's ascension to Warchief and especially once Sylvanas Windrunner took the reins of power, this increased scrutiny has all but evaporated. The group also consists of other undead creatures, such as abominations.
 * Led by Lilian Voss as the interim Forsaken representative on the Horde Council.
 * They also have holdings in Silverpine Forest and the Hillsbrad Foothills, as well as towns in the Howling Fjord and the Dragonblight in Northrend.


 * Royal Apothecary Society - A faction of Forsaken alchemists trying to create a new plague to wipe out the Scourge and, perhaps, humanity.
 * Led by Master Apothecary Faranell. Formerly led by  Grand Apothecary Putress.
 * Leper gnome - A few leper gnomes had sworn fealty to Sylvanas and continue after her betrayal to act as assistants to the apothecaries.


 * Queensguard - An army formerly led by Warchief Sylvanas in the Broken Isles. They are located in Highmountain, Val'sharah, and Stormheim and consist primarily of the Forsaken.
 * Formerly Led by Sylvanas Windrunner.


 * Deathguard - The bulk of the Forsaken military force. They are mostly stationed in the Tirisfal Glades, Silverpine Forest, and the Hillsbrad Foothills, as well as Forsaken outposts in Northrend.
 * Dreadguard - The elite soldiers of Forsaken military. They guard strategically important areas in Lordaeron.


 * Defilers – A force of Forsaken sent to gather the resources of Arathi Basin, found themselves fighting a vicious war with the League of Arathor, humans who are native to the land of Arathi who in turn are fighting to gather resources for the Alliance.
 * Led by The Black Bride.


 * Hand of Vengeance - A group of Forsaken forces that have been sent to Northrend by Sylvanas Windrunner to bring Undercity's vengeance upon the Lich King. Their method is the delivery of the latest strain of their deadly Plague.
 * Led by,   and


 * Cult of the Forgotten Shadow - The official Forsaken religion. There is no official leader but some minor characters have a major influence over it.


 * Deathstalkers - The Forsaken military faction of assassins and rogues.
 * Shadowstalkers - The most elite assassins from ranks of the Forsaken. They were sent to Northrend to help Horde Expedition.
 * Formerly led by Varimathras.
 * Executors - Military leaders of Forsaken army and overseers over their towns.


 * Skeletal Horse - The Forsaken used these noble animals as mounts in life so they found it fitting to raise them into death as their mounts.


 * Spider - The Forsaken and specifically their dark rangers have begun to breed and tame spiders.

The Forsaken employ various different types of undead.
 * Skeleton - Forsaken necromancers are known to summon skeletons to battle.
 * Undead elf - Various former high elven citizens continue to serve the Forsaken after the Banshee Queen's betrayal.
 * Banshee - had many banshee allies and is known as the banshee queen.
 * Abomination - The Forsaken keep a large amount of abominations in their service.
 * Ghoul - Sylvanas used ghouls in conquering the Ruins of Lordaeron.
 * Zombie - The Forsaken have zombies within their ranks such as Algernon and Boyle.
 * Wraith - At least one wraith can be found among the ranks of the Forsaken - Ophelia Montague, a banker in Undercity.
 * Gargoyle - The Forsaken were seen employing gargoyles in their fight against the night elves in Darkshore.
 * Geist - The Forsaken were seen employing geist in their fight against the night elves in Darkshore.
 * Undead night elf - These former night elves chose to accept rebirth at the hands of the Val'kyr.

Silvermoon.png Kingdom of Quel'Thalas
- The sin'dorei of Quel'Thalas preside over the other major kingdom of the Eastern Horde from their capital of Silvermoon City in Eversong Woods. After the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas essentially culled the high elven race during the Third War, with over 90% of their people killed, the remaining 10% vowed to avenge the destruction of their once-great nation and dubbed themselves the "blood elves" in honor of their fallen brethren. The blood elves worked tirelessly to reclaim their homeland from lingering Scourge and the ever-vengeful Amani tribe, with the volatile new powers the magisters advocated, the kingdom of Quel'Thalas was offered aid from an unlikely source - the Forsaken, whose queen, Lady Sylvanas Windrunner, a former Ranger-general of Silvermoon who had lost her life during the Scourge invasion. With their assistance, the blood elves were able to fend off the lingering Scourge in the kingdom and were able to enter the Horde as an equal nation of its own.

Quel'Thalas suffered another dark hour in recent years when its twisted scion Kael'thas Sunstrider attacked his homeland in a mad bid to usher the Burning Legion's master into Azeroth. He was put to death for this on Quel'Danas, and Lor'themar Theron has thus become the sole leader of the blood elven people. With the Sunwell restored and the monumental betrayal of their prince behind them, a bright future now lies ahead for the blood elves of Quel'Thalas. Following the Battle for Lordaeron, they are one of the final bastions of Horde power left within the Eastern Kingdoms.
 * Led by Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron.


 * Magisters - The primary magic users of Quel'Thalas.
 * Led by Grand Magister Rommath.


 * Farstriders - The ancient order of Thalassian rangers. Now blood elves, they are dedicated to safeguarding their homeland from any and all threats, near and far while maintaining the old, nature-revering ways of their people.
 * Led by Ranger-general Halduron Brightwing.


 * Blood Knights - Silvermoon's order of blood elf paladins formed after the capture of the Naaru M'uru at Tempest Keep. Once, they drained power from the Naaru but, after the events at the Sunwell Plateau during the invasion of Outland, the Naaru's spark transformed the Sunwell into a font of Holy Light from which these paladins could draw power.
 * Led by Lady Liadrin.
 * The Sunsworn - A military force of blood elves on . Headed by the Blood Knights, they have combined forces with rangers and magi and based themselves in Talador. They have also deployed the blood elves' recently-acquired blood golem technology.


 * The Sunreavers - A faction of blood elves who represented the Horde in Dalaran. Named after, the Sunreavers sought to have the blood elves admitted as members of the Kirin Tor, and joined the Horde Expedition in Northrend. They were eventually forced to leave the city some time later after Jaina Proudmoore came into power.
 * Led by Aethas Sunreaver
 * The Sunreaver Onslaught - The Sunreaver Onslaught is the Horde reputation faction introduced in Patch 5.2. It is personally led by Lor'themar Theron, Regent Lord of Quel'Thalas, and bears the namesake of the Sunreavers.
 * Led by Lor'themar Theron


 * The Sunfury - A ruthless blood elven military force once under the command of Prince Kael'thas. Many have since returned home to Quel'Thalas, following the betrayal of their prince for the Burning Legion.


 * The Reliquary - A group of examiners and archaeologists out to give the Horde a monopoly on magical artifacts.
 * Led by Tae'thelan Bloodwatcher.


 * The Blood Hawks - The guards of Eversong Woods.
 * Led by Aeldon Sunbrand.
 * They also have holdings in the Ghostlands, alongside the Forsaken and an encampment in Hellfire Peninsula in Outland, to support blood elf pilgrims traveling through the Dark Portal from Azeroth. The Reliquary has a number of blood elven camps in and adjacent to the Badlands, Tanaris, and the Blasted Lands.


 * Arcane Guardian - The blood elves use arcane guardians to protect themselves from invaders, the golems patrol all around Silvermoon City.


 * Blood Golem - Lor'themar managed to acquire access to some of the Thunder King's Animus Golems during his campaign at the Isle of Thunder. The Blood Knights also bring them to.


 * Hawkstrider - Because of their beauty and grace the blood elves have decided to make the Hawkstriders their war mount of choice.


 * Dragonhawk - The elves of Silvermoon have used the majestic dragonhawks of Quel'Danas as mounts for centuries.


 * Leper Gnome Laborers - located in The Sanctum in Silvermoon City.

Bilgewater Cartel.png Bilgewater Cartel
s - The cunning Bilgewater Cartel goblins from Kezan, one of the most (if not the most) powerful goblin cartels that dominates trade in the south seas, have recently joined the Horde. After Deathwing assaulted Kezan and the goblins were forced to flee, their first escape ships were attacked by an Alliance fleet in the Battle of the Lost Isles. With a common enemy, the goblins assisted the captive former Warchief Thrall in breaking his bonds and obliterating the Alliance on the Lost Isles. Their future was tested when their leader, the angered Trade Prince Gallywix, attempted to defeat Thrall and take over Azshara for himself, though this ultimately ended in failure. Thrall mercifully allowed him to retain his position as Trade Prince, and thus the Bilgewater goblins were accepted into the Horde, founding Bilgewater Harbor in the heavily-reshaped Azshara and the Goblin Slums of Orgrimmar led by Boss Mida
 * Led by Trade Prince Gazlowe.


 * Bilgewater Battalion - The new army and defense force of the Bilgewater Cartel of goblins created after the cartel pledged allegiance to the Horde.
 * Led by Uncle Bedlam.


 * Gob Squad - The Gob Squad is an elite goblin squadron working for the Bilgewater Cartel.
 * Led by.


 * Hobgoblins - Huge chemically altered goblins have come with the goblins. In-game goblins can summon them to access the bank.


 * Trike - The Trike is a goblin three-wheeled mechanical vehicle similar to the choppers.

Huojin.png Huojin Pandaren
Pandaren - These pandaren who hail from the Wandering Isle follow the path of the Huojin, a philosophy among the pandaren that inaction is the greatest injustice, and that there is no shame in defending one's homes and loved ones regardless of cost. Those pandaren who follow the path of Huojin are allies of the Horde, and are represented and led by the intrepid Ji Firepaw, a staunch adherent of this philosophy.

The Huojin are quick to act and quicker to fight for what they believe in. Impulsive and practical, they feel that the ends can justify the means. These followers now integrated into the Horde community and have a small base of operations in Orgrimmar's Valley of Honor.
 * Led by Master Ji Firepaw


 * Dragon turtle - The pandaren have long sought mounts that embody their values: patience and strength. With a naturally armored hide, even gait (no matter how heavy the passenger), and the relaxed attitude that welcomes long journeys, the Dragon Turtle is perfect for the pandaren adventurer.

Nightborne Crest.png Kingdom of Suramar
- The shal'dorei are a powerful and mystical race of night elves who live in Suramar City in Suramar. Since the city was first separated from the rest of the world over 10,000 years ago, isolated behind a protective barrier, they have evolved by the Nightwell into an arcane-enhanced version of their former selves, and in the process, grew increasingly dependent upon its arcane magic. To protect this font of power, the leaders of the nightborne struck a bargain with the Burning Legion that plunged their kingdom into civil war. After fighting for freedom from their demonic masters, the nightborne seek allies to help them reclaim their place in the world.

After the death of Grand Magistrix Elisande and the end of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the shal'dorei wished to rejoin the world. After a harsh exchange between Thalyssra and Tyrande Whisperwind, and an offer of mutual friendship from Lady Liadrin, the shal'dorei leader decided that it would be best to ally with the Horde, who share ideals similar to those of the nightborne.
 * Led by First Arcanist Thalyssra.


 * The Duskwatch - The primary body responsible for maintaining law and order in the city of Suramar. Boasting a wide array of skilled mages and warriors alike, the Duskwatch represents the bulk of Nightborne armed forces.
 * Led by First Arcanist Thalyssra and secondarily by  First Blade Victoire.


 * Nightborne Construct - The nightborne use them to protect themsleves from invaders, the constructs patrol all around Suramar City.


 * Manasaber - The Nightborne have always had an affinity for the great cats that prowl their lands.

Highmountain Tauren Crest.png Highmountain tauren tribes
- The Highmountain tauren are found in the region of Highmountain on the Broken Isles in their capital of Thunder Totem. Divided into four tribes (Highmountain, Rivermane, Skyhorn and Bloodtotem), they are the direct descendants of the tauren led by Huln Highmountain who assisted the Kaldorei Resistance during the War of the Ancients. During the war, Huln received a blessing from Cenarius, so that his people would forever have the demigod's favor, granting them the Horns of Eche'ro: moose-like antlers. The highmountain tauren honor the spirits of earth, river, and sky.
 * Led by High Chieftain Mayla Highmountain.


 * Highmountain Tribe - The dominant tribe of the Highmountain tauren of the Broken Isles, they are led by Mayla Highmountain.
 * Led by Mayla Highmountain.


 * Rivermane tribe - They are a highly peaceful and diplomatic tribe, focused on fishing, agriculture and shamanism. In exchange for protection and equipment, they provide the other tribes with food and healing.
 * Led by  Jale Rivermane


 * Skyhorn tribe - A proud people, the Skyhorn sports some of the greatest pathfinders and hunters Azeroth has ever known.
 * Led by Lasan Skyhorn.


 * Bloodtotem tribe - During third invasion of the Burning Legion the Bloodtotem pledged their allegiance to the Burning Legion and became Fel Totem. However, in the aftermath of the Legion's defeat on Argus, Bloodtotem who rejected to serve the Legion have emerged and rejoined their people at Thunder Totem.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * Moose - The Highmountain tauren train these sure-footed highland moose to safely traverse the paths and peaks of Highmountain.


 * Eagle - The Skyhorn are masters of the skies, they ride on enormous eagles, which allows them to reach areas that no other tauren can reach.

Mag'har crest.png
Mag'har orc - The Mag'har are a noble race with a shamanistic tradition cultivating a mighty tribal society that was centered around survival, regulating themselves through ritualized combat and personal honor. For untold generations, the orc clans of Draenor battled one another in endless war, but when offered them the blood of his demonic masters, the disparate tribes of Mag'har — the orcish word for "uncorrupted" — refused the dark bargain and banded together to drive out the Burning Legion, after their victory, the clans stood united as one tribe under the leadership of.

After their escape from and their  sacrifice against the fanatical crusade of the Lightbound, the clans pledged their loyalty to the Horde, residing in Orgrimmar.
 * Led by Overlord Geya'rah.


 * - A disciplined, organized, and militaristic clan who boast expert smiths and metalworkers. Well armored, they utilize brute strength and weaponry to destroy their foes.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * - A fanatical and crude clan who fight with a berserker fury and gain the boon of prophecy from their elders, who sacrifice an eye to see into the future.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * - A powerful clan known for their deadly blademasters.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * Frostwolf clan - A strong, close-knit clan renowned for their prowess as one-on-one combatants and their bond with wolves only adds to their strength, though their numbers remain smaller than most clans. The clan spends much of their time in Frostfire Ridge, they migrate to Nagrand with the seasons.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * Laughing Skull clan - Known for their violent and bloodthirsty nature, these orcs take great pride in their clan identity. In an attempt to avoid extinction from the Iron Horde, the Laughing Skulls have allied with the Frostwolves and the Horde.
 * Led by Kaz the Shrieker (presumed)


 * - A highly spiritual clan, they have always spoken the language of the stars and the earth.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * - They are sadistic warriors who maim their bodies, perhaps in a show of solidarity or perhaps because they simply enjoy the pain.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * - The clan is known for their excellent hunters, who are specialized in hunting down (and even taming) rylaks and other beasts, and even gronn and magnaron.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * - A warlike orcish clan, their war cries inspire their allies and strike fear into all those who dare get in their way.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * - This clan of ogres was subdued by the Mag'har to further strengthen their forces


 * Gronn - The Mag'har have managed to subjugate and strapping great cannons to their backs using harnesses engineered in such a way that the gronn hardly notice the weight and can fire the cannons at will.


 * Gronnling - The Mag'har have managed to subjugate them to strengthen their army.


 * Ogron - The Mag'har have managed to subjugate them to strengthen the might of their army.


 * Goren - The Mag'har have managed to subjugate them to strengthen their army and fight in the defense of Zuldadar.


 * Dire wolf - These wolves are preferred by the Mag'har for their ferocity, loyalty, and for something to snuggle on those cool winter nights.


 * Clefthoof - The Mag'har bred clefthooves not only as sturdy pack animals but also powerful instruments of war.

Zandalari crest.png Zandalari Empire
- The Zandalari trolls in Dazar'alor of Zuldazar are a powerful and superstitious tribe descended from the first troll tribes, they settled on the highest peaks of this mountain range populated with loa, where they built crude shrines that eventually became the massive temple city of Zuldazar. These trolls are scholarly and value knowledge; they preserve troll history but are also deeply steeped in ritual and superstition. They are also masters of war and strategy, having led the trolls in many battles before, and having for many millennia tamed massive dinosaurs. Currently they possess one of the most formidable fleets in the known world, using it in their work to further the goals of troll society as a whole. But as enemies encroach upon the borders of Zuldazar, unrest within the king's council threatens to topple the empire.
 * Led by Queen Talanji.


 * Zanchuli Council - The council advises the ruler of the Zandalari Empire, and ensures their every command is executed upon.
 * Led by: Unknown


 * Zandalari army - The army has been an integral part of the survival of the empire throughout the many events following the Cataclysm.
 * Led by Queen Talanji and secondarily by  General Rakera.


 * Golden Fleet - Is the maritime military force of the Zandalari Empire.
 * Led by Queen Talanji.


 * Talanji's Expedition - An expeditionary force of Zandalari led by Princess Talanji into Nazmir enable to find a way to stop the blood troll threat. They are aided by Horde forces in the form of Darkspear led by Rokhan and the Gob Squad.
 * Led by Princess Talanji


 * Dire troll - Among the military of Zandalar are the elite dire trolls. These trolls are warriors who have perfected their arts, traded portions of their lives for the dark gift of brutal strength, and serve Zandalar as her greatest weapons of war.


 * Zandalari golem - The Zandalari use them as defenders and siege weapons, the golems patrol all around Dazar'alor.


 * Dinosaur - The Zandalari are masters in taming massive dinosaurs, strengthening the great beasts using ancient tribal magics.

Vulpera crest.png Voldunai vulpera
- The vulpera in Vol'dun are a keen and intelligent race of nomadic scavengers capable of turning what they find into opportunities to thrive. They travel in caravans, scavenging for supplies, trading where they can, and spreading information they pick up along the way. Dwelling in Vol'dun, the vulpera can't afford to waste resources. Over time, they have learned to take anything that looks even remotely useful and be creative using what they have, and they have learned to recognize value wherever it hides in the desert. Eager to join the ranks of the Horde, their caravans have departed from the dunes in search of adventure.
 * Led by Kiro.
 * Hyena - Hyenas are used by the Voldunai to quickly move unseen throughout the sands.
 * Alpaca - Alpacas are domesticated and used by the Voldunai to pull caravan wagons through the desert.
 * Vulture - Vultures are used by the Voldunai to flight across the desert of Vol'dun

Horde forces
While a huge portion of the Horde's military power consists of representatives from the faction's member states, there are also several examples of organizations within the Horde which do not belong to any of the member states and instead of answering to a particular racial leader, they are organized by the leader of the Horde, the Warchief, and their advisors. However, while these organizations are not tied directly to any of the member states, the sub-organizations within them are often sent by one of the member states.

Thrallmar - is the name for the Horde expeditionary forces to Outland, who quickly found many native allies. Consist of all the Horde races. The expedition's settlements are scattered all over Outland's zones, except Nagrand and Netherstorm.
 * Led by Nazgrel.

Horde Expedition - The military umbrella organization overseeing the Horde forces that have established themselves throughout Northrend, formerly unified under Garrosh Hellscream who had been chosen to lead the expedition by the Warchief.
 * Warsong Offensive - The main forces of the Horde in Northrend. It is named after the clan, but not a part of it.
 * Led by: Unknown.
 * Kor'kron Guard - the elite fighting forces of the Warsong Offensive in Northrend.
 * Hand of Vengeance - A group of Forsaken forces that have been sent to Northrend by Sylvanas Windrunner to bring Undercity's vengeance upon the Lich King. Their method is the delivery of the latest strain of their deadly Plague.
 * Led by,   and
 * The Taunka - Ancient relatives of the tauren, were thought to be lost until re-discovered by Garrosh Hellscream and his orc forces upon their arrival to Northrend. They are welcomed into the Horde soon after  is rescued.
 * Led by
 * Sunreavers - Former blood elven members of the Kirin Tor, named for their leader, Aethas Sunreaver. The Horde, traditionally barred from Dalaran, was allowed entry into the city due to the Sunreaver's efforts. However, they were, later, expelled from the city. Now they fight as a part of the Sunreaver Onslaught to strengthen the might of Quel'Thalas.
 * Led by Aethas Sunreaver



Krom'gar - An army named after it's leader, Krom'gar, given by Garrosh Hellscream with the intention to conquer the Stonetalon Mountains. Following the end of the questline, it is implied the army is dissolved entirely.
 * Previously led by Overlord Krom'gar

Hellscream's Reach - An elite Horde regiment comprised solely of veterans of multiple tours of duty. Handpicked by Garrosh himself, he has commanded them to take complete control of Tol Barad.
 * Led by Garrosh Hellscream until his deposal. Current leader unknown.

Dominance Offensive - The major Horde force for the Pandaria campaign.
 * Led by until his deposal. Current leader unknown.

Vol'jin's Spear - Horde forces in Ashran, stationed at Warspear.
 * Led by High Warlord Volrath.

Vol'jin's Headhunters - Horde forces in Tanaan Jungle, stationed at Vol'mar.

Honorbound - Special force of the Horde army tasked with disrupting Alliance operations within Kul Tiras.
 * Led by Nathanos Blightcaller until he joined Sylvanas in abandoning the Horde. Current leader unknown.

Other members and allies
Stonemaul - This faction joined the Horde after Rexxar bested Kor'gall in a duel for the leadership of the clan. After, Rexxar disappeared into the Barren wilderness and made the ogre Mok'Morokk the leader of the clan. Although Mok'Morokk fell prey to temptations of power after Rexxar's departure and so the Stonemaul Village, actual former capital of the clan, was raided by Onyxia's brood. Mok’Morokk led the clan to Brackenwall Village, current capital, where he ruled unquestioned until an unknown challenger drove him out.
 * Currently many support Tharg as a new leader.

Dunemaul - Shortly after the shattering the Dunemaul band joined the Horde due to the efforts of Megs Dreadshredder and the Dunemaul "Emissary" who are stationed at the Dunemaul Recruitment Camp.
 * Organized by Megs Dreadshredder.

Revantusk - Situated in the Hinterlands, the Revantusk have also been known to have Dire Trolls such as Ongo'longo among them. At Elder Torntusk's return, the Revantusk have joined the Horde as full members.
 * Led by Primal Torntusk and her husband  Elder Torntusk.

Shatterspear - Personally recruited by Garrosh Hellscream to fight against the night elves. Mostly situated the Shatterspear Village. The village was all but wiped out by night elf forces, and while there were some survivors that joined the Horde and various other organizations, the tribe itself effectively no longer exists. Several members of the Shatterspear tribe aided the Horde during the War of the Thorns.
 * Led by: Jor'kil the Soulripper.

The Mag'har of Outland - Mag'har orcs are orcs from various clans that escaped corruption and remained in Outland throughout all three wars.
 * Led by Greatmother Geyah. Secondary leadership include  Jorin Deadeye.

The Taunka - Ancient relatives of the tauren, were thought to be lost until re-discovered by Garrosh Hellscream and his orc forces upon their arrival to Northrend. They are welcomed into the Horde soon after their leader is rescued.
 * Led by

Grookin tribe - A faction of hozen that has made their home in Jade Forest and was in constant war against the Jinyu. They find themselves allied with the Horde after the Horde gains their favor by rescuing some of their members, sating their appetite for fish, and killing some of their most fearsome enemies. Armed and equipped by the Horde, this tribe of hozen are recruited to fight the Horde's war against the Alliance.
 * Led by.

Unshackled - A faction of former naga slaves found in Nazjatar. An oppressed group consisting of gilgoblins, makura, and sea giants, these refugees have banded together to rise up and seize their freedom. When Horde forces arrive in Nazjatar, they ally with the Unshackled against the naga while the Alliance befriends the Waveblade Ankoan. Unshackled Mercenaries are gilgoblins that are troops that participate in various War Campaign missions.
 * Led by.

Although not officially part of the Horde, the following groups have allied themselves with the Horde:
 * Mok'nathal - This clan of hunters and beastmasters were discovered by Rexxar during his activities in Outland. After being impressed by Horde adventurers, they agree to aid the Horde.
 * Led by Leoroxx.


 * Twilight Highlands tribe - Another, seemingly Jungle Troll, aids the Horde in the Twilight Highlands; oddly, they are native to the region.
 * Led by Jon-Jon Jellyneck.


 * Eastwind Rest - After being aided in retaking their town, the pandaren of Eastwind Rest have joined the Horde.
 * Led by Elder Shiao and  Farmhand Ko.


 * Honeydew Village - Though not officially aligned with the Horde. The villagers of Honeydew Village appear affiliated with the Horde and grant Horde members sanctuary in their village.
 * Led by Mayor Honeydew.


 * Zandalari Exiles - These exiles from the Zandalari Empire use their knowledge of the sands to thrive where others would wither and die.


 * Scorched Sands tribe - A group of Zandalari troll outcasts that make their home within Vol'dun. The tribe seeks only to live in peace, but due to be constantly harassed by the thugs of Mojambo they have turned to the Horde.
 * Led by Razgaji.


 * Fogsail Freebooters - A pirate group found in Kul Tiras. They allow the Horde to use their base of Plunder Harbor as a foothold on the island after the Horde helped Owings pull a mutiny on the previous captain Rhenik for wanting to sell the crew out to the Ashvane Trading Company.
 * Led by Captain Owings.

Subjugated
These factions listed are not full members of the Horde but subjugated servants. Boulderslide - They became servants of the Horde thanks to the efforts of Subjugator Devo. Ettin -The Forsaken have managed to subjugate and utilize some of the Ettin to haul their wagons throughout the forest. Black Dragons - The Dragonmaw have enslaved members of the Black Dragonflight to serve them as mounts. - Garrosh domesticated many by holding their young hostage.
 * Led by Subjugator Devo.
 * Led in time by Zaela.

Bases of operations
🇨🇴 Capital cities

Kalimdor

Eastern Kingdoms

Outland

🇨🇴

Northrend

Pandaria



Broken Isles

Zandalar

Kul Tiras

Former members and allies
Dreadmaul - After losing Dreadmaul Hold a portion of the Dreadmaul tribe have become slaves to the conquering Horde forces while another portion of the clan fight to reclaim their former home. Some still remain and continue to fight the Horde for their home. They have managed to break free by allying themselves with the Iron Horde.
 * Led at the time by Okrilla.

The Dustbelcher band - These ogres were hired to assist the Horde, but betrayed them.
 * Led by:

Witherbark tribe - Joined the Horde sometime after the Third War, but betrayed Thrall, bringing on the wrath of the Darkspear tribe.
 * Led by: Unknown

Magram clan - They allied with the Horde during Year 25 to suppress the other centaur clans and kill Theradras.
 * Led by: Unknown

Val'kyr - Following the death of the Lich King, many Val'kyr swore fealty to Sylvanas and raised slain enemies as Forsaken. Ultimately loyal and bound to Sylvanas, the Val'kyr followed their mistress following her betrayal of the Forsaken and the Horde at large.
 * Led by: Sylvanas Windrunner

History of the Horde
Many orcs slipped through the portal to Azeroth before Khadgar's forces set up their defensive perimeter; among them was Grom Hellscream, who brought a large chunk of the Warsong Clan through the portal. The Warsong Clan became a nuisance for the humans, who had placed most of the remaining orcs in internment camps rather than simply slaughtering them.

During this time, the family of one of Lord Aedelas Blackmoore's servants raised Thrall for the first few years of his life. These fleeting years were more kind to Thrall than the next score; the young daughter of the servant's family befriended him and treated him as a younger brother. Her name was Taretha, and she was the closest thing to family that Thrall ever had. Sadly, Thrall was torn away from the servant family as soon as he was old enough to begin his scholastic training, and even that was brief; he was taught the basics of how to read before his military training would begin. Blackmoore intended to use Thrall as a gladiator at first but later developed a much darker plan to give himself power over the Alliance.

As the young Thrall trained, Grom Hellscream fought his guerilla war, and Doomhammer escaped from Terenas Menethil II. Doomhammer did not immediately join the rebel clans; rather, he became a hermit and spent his days in contemplation. Such was the way of many warriors who were not ready to give up the fight, but neither did they have the strength left to rally the fragments of the Horde.

Thrall's arena matches grew more brutal as time went on, and he eventually fled with help from his human "sister." He first sought the internment camps, getting captured and observing them from the inside, but finding it amazingly simple to escape. The orcs had fallen into a pitiful state of apathy; few resisted capture. Thrall investigated, eventually seeking out the legendary Grom Hellscream. After proving himself to Grom, Thrall learned that the orcs were in withdrawal; they had grown dependant on the demonic magics wrought by Gul'dan and his servants. Grom also told Thrall about the young orc's rightful clan, the Frostwolves; and Thrall sought them out, vowing to return and work with the mighty chieftain when he could.

Thrall nearly died of the cold trying to reach the Frostwolves, and they concealed their surprise at being reunited with the heir to their chieftain. The Frostwolves, now led by the shaman Drek'Thar, tested Thrall before accepting him into the clan. After he proved himself, he trained as a shaman. One day, a cloaked warrior wandered into the camp, and the Frostwolves offered him hospitality. Thrall thought the warrior was insulting him and his clan, and he challenged the traveler; the other orcs gasped as the wanderer threw off his cloak to reveal black plate and a massive hammer. Thrall, unaware who he faced, defeated the wanderer in a brief duel; the warrior then laughed and revealed himself to be Orgrim Doomhammer, the Horde's warchief. He made the mighty Thrall his second, and together they planned to assault the human camps and show their brothers how to fight again. Thrall reunited with Grom, and the three mighty warriors led the orcs in reclaiming the prisoners of war. Blackmoore hounded Thrall at every turn until finally Thrall turned his growing Horde toward Blackmoore's forces at Durnholde Keep and crushed him. Orgrim Doomhammer fell in the fighting, and Thrall took his place as Warchief of the Horde.

The Horde avoided conflict with the Alliance as much as possible for a time, sacking only the prisoner camps, until a mysterious visitor — the prophet Medivh — visited Thrall and told him that his people would find a home in the west, on the forgotten continent of Kalimdor. He made his offer to many, hoping to bring enough strength to Kalimdor to protect the World Tree when the Burning Legion arrived. Thrall was one of few who heeded Medivh's warnings, and he took the majority of the Horde across the sea, meeting with the Darkspear trolls and allying with them on the way.

When Thrall reached Kalimdor, the orcs encountered the shamanistic tauren, led by Cairne Bloodhoof. The two races allied, since the tauren were in need of aid against the centaur, and the orcs needed friends and guides in this foreign land. They found that their people were similar, but the tauren had fortunately not lost so many to the study of dark magic. After aiding the tauren against the centaur, Thrall and Grom split up for a short time while Grom's clan went to gather supplies in Ashenvale Forest. When the orcs took their axes to the ancient trees, the night elves responded, seeing it as an attack on nature. Hellscream fought a downhill battle against the elves, but just as the last of his troops were about to be defeated, a familiar figure entered the scene — Mannoroth the Destructor. Mannoroth secretly offered Hellscream a chance to regain his former fury and power — enough for his people to defeat the elves, and their demigod, Cenarius — if Grom was willing to drink from a well tainted with Mannoroth's blood. Grom knew the price of his actions, but he was not willing to lose in battle. He, and his troops, drank from the fel-tainted water and were imbued with demonic strength. They slew Cenarius and many elves in their berserker rage. After the battle, Mannoroth revealed himself to Grom and asserted his dominance.

As Grom succumbed to the will of the Burning Legion, Medivh visited Thrall again. Thrall's orcs united with Jaina Proudmoore's human forces at Medivh's request, and together they captured Grom's spirit and freed him from his demonic taint. Thrall and Grom then went alone to seek their vengeance against Mannoroth. The two defeated the pit lord, but Grom suffered a mortal wound after saving Thrall's life. Thrall grieved for his friend, whom he had seen as a brother, but he knew that the orc's sacrifice had not been in vain.

As the Burning Legion and the Scourge took more of Kalimdor, the orcs and humans allied with the night elves, and together the three forces stood at Mount Hyjal, fighting the fury of Archimonde, lord of the Burning Legion. It was there that Archimonde fell, though at the cost of many lives from every race. The Legion retreated in the aftermath, and for a brief time, there was peace.

Thrall founded the city of Orgrimmar, named after Orgrim Doomhammer, in the valleys of Durotar, named after his noble father Durotan. Jaina of the humans and Malfurion of the night elves allowed the Horde to live in peace, and tauren constructed on their own city for the first time — Thunder Bluff in Mulgore. It was not long before tensions rose again, however.

Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, one of the leaders of the Alliance in the Second War, came to find his daughter Jaina. In spite of her protests, he launched assault after assault on the orcs, until Jaina was forced to aid the Horde against her father. Thrall honored her sacrifice by sparing those loyal to her within her city of Theramore, but the battle proved to many that lasting peace between the Alliance and the Horde was impossible. More and more battles sprung up in spite of the efforts of both leaders to keep diplomatic relations strong. Battlegrounds erupted threatening to plunge both sides closer to all-out war. And so, things grew worse and worse.

Back in Lordaeron, Sylvanas Windrunner, a banshee and former ranger general of Quel'Thalas, broke free of Arthas's control and created her own undead faction — the Forsaken. As the situation in Kalimdor grew bloodier, Sylvanas offered an alliance to Thrall, which he grudgingly accepted. The introduction of the undead to the Horde infuriated the Alliance further; while Jaina still did her best to stop the fighting, the humans in Stormwind took action against the Horde again, and the situation deteriorated. More recently, Thrall has been in communication with the Revantusk forest trolls, who agreed to a tentative alliance with the Horde. The Revantusk tribe is now loosely allied with the Horde. While not members of the Horde, they are its friends.

Notes and trivia

 * Until Thrall came to power and reformed it, females were not considered equals to males in the Horde. Similarly, peons were badly treated by their peers.
 * Warlocks in the ranks of the Horde are considered as pariahs, and must operate in the shadows of polite society to practice their dark arts within hidden enclaves, so that they can escape the prejudice of the public. However, during and following the war against the Lich King, they only started to be respected as powerful assets on the battlefronts.
 * As of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, the Horde has fractured into civil war twice within World of Warcraft's lifetime.
 * With the defection of Sylvanas Windrunner and the deaths of Cairne Bloodhoof and Vol'jin, Thrall is the only Horde racial leader from vanilla to be both alive and still aligned with the Horde.
 * When asked if the Horde symbol was "a crude drawing shared by the Draenor orc spiritual leaders based on their visions of K'ure inside Oshu'gun that was passed down for centuries and eventually chosen because it represented all orcs and not one clan" or "just some cool tribal [thing]", Chris Metzen amusingly answered "Uhhhh... in my mind - it's A. Yeah. That. It's always been that cool and well thought out!....."
 * Early in the game's development, when Metzen was still writing Warcraft III, the Horde was going to be the "evil faction" instead of the underdog/antihero faction.
 * As of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth three of the Horde's playable races had time frames in which they officially didn't have a leader.
 * The orcs went leaderless from the Darkspear Rebellion and the Siege of Orgrimmar in which they rejected and aided in the defeat of Garrosh Hellscream up until World of Warcraft: Legion revealed Varok Saurfang as their new leader.
 * The trolls went without a racial leader after Vol'jin's death in the Battle for Broken Shore up until Warchief of the Horde (quest), which established Rokhan as their new Chieftain.
 * The orcs and undead were leaderless following the death of Saurfang and the defection of Sylvanas in the Reckoning up until Warchief of the Horde (quest) revealed that Thrall and Lilian Voss, respectively, become the orc and forsaken leaders.

Speculation
The Horde military ranks of Legionnaire and Centurion may have come from the historical traditions of the Gorian Empire.