
"Awaiting orders!"
Footmen are warriors and versatile foot soldiers[1] who serve as basic infantry in armies of the human nations. Comprising the bulk of the Alliance army, the footman is the heart of the war machine for elves, humans and dwarves. Fighting in close formation, they use proven tactical methods: advance slowly with shields raised, then draw swords and close to melee range.
Footmen appeared as units on the human or Alliance side in Warcraft, Warcraft II and Warcraft III. They are the classic counterpart to grunts but despite their heavy armor they are weaker than them in Warcraft III (they do, however, cost much less). This may be explained by the fact that the footmen of the Third War are mostly volunteers lacking the plate armor and specialized training of their predecessors.[2]
First War
- Main article: Footman (Warcraft I)
Footmen were the backbone of the King's armies. They were foot soldiers trained in the art of melee combat using the sword and shield. Well armored for maximum defense against attacks, they could also deliver a solid blow with their double edged weapons.[3]
Second War
- Main article: Footman (Warcraft II)
Footmen were the initial line of defense against the Horde. Arrayed in hardened steel armor, they courageously wielded broadsword and shield in hand-to-hand combat against their vile orcish foes. The valorous footmen were ever prepared to heed the call to arms.[4]
Third War
- Main article: Footman (Warcraft III)
The vast ranks of the Alliance armies have been replenished since the devastating battles of the Second War. Trained in the arts of swordsmanship, the stoic footmen of the Alliance serve as Lordaeron's first line of defense. Armed with broadswords and heavy kite shields, footmen are capable of breaking any enemy charge.[5] Though these fierce warriors lacked the shining plate mail and specialized training of their noble predecessors, they still fought with bravery and honor on the field of battle.
Warcraft III: Reforged cinematic model.
Warcraft III: Reforged unit model (on the left).
Warcraft III: Reforged promotional art.
World of Warcraft

The Human Footman chess piece in World of Warcraft.
- During the World of Warcraft alpha, the Imperial Plate set was intended to equip human footmen.[6]
- Footmen are now commonly used as city and town guards in human-controlled lands like Stromgarde Keep, Stormwind City, Theramore Isle, and Honor Hold.
- It is also shown that many dwarves were footmen too,[7] even during the Second War.[8]
- During the war against the Lich King human footmen were given cloaks to combat the cold weather of Northrend and had slightly bigger pauldrons. Human footmen were given another upgrade during the Fourth War.
- Human marines are a force of specialized footmen.
- The Stormwind Set can be used in order to look like a Stormwind footman.
Notable
Danath Trollbane
Thornby
Garth
Guard Marcus
Guard Trogdar
Guard Troy
Guard Seth
Rolf Hartford
Malakai Stone
Footman George - Borean Tundra
Footman Chuck - Borean Tundra
Footman Rob - Borean Tundra
Footman Mitch - Borean Tundra
Footman Hordum - Zul'drak
Footman James - Culling of Stratholme
Footman Maxwell - Culling of Stratholme
Types
- Warcraft III
- World of Warcraft
Hillsbrad Footman - Hillsbrad Foothills
Refuge Pointe Defender - Arathi Highlands
Stromgarde Defender - Arathi Highlands
Nijel's Point Guard - Desolace
Dark Iron Footman - Searing Gorge
Nethergarde Footman - Blasted Lands
Ironforge Brigade Footman - Silithus
Anvilrage Footman - Blackrock Depths
Unyielding Footman - Hellfire Peninsula
Alliance Footman - Battle for Mount Hyjal
Human Footman - Karazhan
Valiance Keep Footman - Borean Tundra
Scourged Footman - Borean Tundra
Fordragon Footman - Dragonblight
Forgotten Footman - Dragonblight
Onslaught Footman - Dragonblight
Amberpine Footman - Grizzly Hills
Westfall Brigade Footman - Grizzly Hills
Argent Footman - Zul'drak
Scourged Argent Footman - Zul'drak
Lordaeron Footsoldier - Icecrown
Boneguard Footman - Icecrown
Lordaeron Footman - Culling of Stratholme
Spectral Footman - Halls of Reflection
Stormwind Infantry - Elwynn Forest
Honor's Stand Footman - Southern Barrens
Triumph Vanguard - Southern Barrens
Northwatch Guard - Southern Barrens
Northwatch Infantry - Stonetalon Mountains
Marshtide Footman - Swamp of Sorrows
Marshtide Invader - Swamp of Sorrows
Baradin Guard - Tol Barad
Fallen Footman - Tol Barad
Time-Twisted Footman - End Time
Theramore Footman - Theramore's Fall
Shipwrecked Footman - Jade Forest
Sha-Touched Footman - Shrine of Seven Stars
Shieldwall Footman - Krasarang Wilds
Lion's Footman - Domination Point
Stormwind Footman - Purge of Dalaran
Lunarfall Footman - Lunarfall
Stormshield Footman - Ashran
Stormshield Vanguard - Ashran
Fort Wrynn Footman - Talador
Southport Footman - Spires of Arak
Telaari Footman - Spires of Arak
Lion's Watch Footman - Tanaan Jungle
Alliance Infantry - Battle for the Broken Shore
Gilnean Footman - Battle for the Broken Shore
Fort Victory Footman - Nazmir
Gilnean Footman - Darkshore
In the RPG

Typical Footman in the Alliance Player's Guide.
This grim, mud-slogging soldier initially appears to be a grizzled veteran, until you get a glimpse of his young face. His weapons and armor look worn, like they were scavenged from a battlefield.
Footmen like to travel in small groups and form ranks. They are attuned to formation fighting, and coordinate their attacks. They're capable of bringing down well-armored opponents.[9]
Quotes
Action figure

Footman action figure.
The "Human Footman" was also an action figure of the "Epic Action Figures, Collection I: Warcraft II", produced by Blizzard Entertainment.
Accessories
[Broadsword]
[Tower Shield]
- Full Helm
Description on card back
- Humans
Joined by the stoic Dwarves and the reclusive Elves, the Human denizens of Lordaeron prepare to wage war against a terrifying enemy. United in arms against a common foe, this new Alliance stands upon the shores of destiny and awaits the coming of the Orcish Horde.
- Footman
- Allegiance:
- The Alliance
- Leader:
- Equipment:
Footmen serve as the initial line of defense for the lands of the Alliance and are the backbone of the King's armies. Clad in armor of hardened steel, they wield broadsword and shield in pitched hand-to-hand combat against the enemies of humanity.[10]
Trivia
- In Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, it is a rank you can achieve.
Speculation
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This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
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Stormwind, Kul Tiras, Stromgarde, Theramore, Lordaeron and the Sons of Lothar are depicted as having "classic" footman armor matching the color of their faction. Nethergarde, Hillsbrad and the Baradin's Wardens had footmen with different armors. Dalaran and Gilneas have their own infantry corps, respectively in the form of the Kirin Tor Guardians (of which the Violet Hold Guards may be a sub-division, as seen in the Nighthold) and Gilnean Royal Guards. It is unknown if Alterac had footmen, but the Syndicate Enforcers and Watchmen could have been remnants of them.
Gallery
- In World of Warcraft
Lordaeron footman.
Stormwind footman.
Stromgarde footman.
Theramore footman.
Triumph footman.
Scarlet footman.
Valiance Expedition footman armor.
Warlords of Draenor-era Stormwind footman.
Battle for Azeroth-era Stormwind footman.
Storm's Wake Footman, from Kul Tiras.
- World of Warcraft cinematic stills and art
Footmen and riflemen during the Battle for Lordaeron.
A cinematic still of a Alliance soldier from the Battle for Azeroth intro.
"A Lion Among Wolves" by Samwise Didier.
- Other
In the film universe.
Footman minion in the animated short Hearth and Home.
Alliance Footman from the Alterac Pass battleground in Heroes of the Storm.
Varian Footman skin from Heroes of the Storm.
BlizzCon 2019 footman statue.
Stormwind Champion in Hearthstone.
Kul Tiran Footman in Hearthstone.
Footman art by Cole Eastburn.
Footman in Warcraft Arclight Rumble
Fan art
Fan rendition of footmen from the Seven Kingdoms.
Footmen models for Warcraft: Chronicles of the Second War fan-made mod for Warcraft III: Reforged.
References
- ^ The Defense of Strahnbrad (WC3 Human)
- ^ Battle.net
- ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Azeroth Army of the First War, Footman
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Ground Units, Footman
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Manual, 9 - 10.
- ^ File:WoW computergaming extract.jpg
- ^ Nethergarde Footman
- ^ Honor Hold Defender
- ^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 184-185. ISBN 9781588467737.
- ^ http://www.avalonprime.com/figures/footman.html