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This article lists the races that are able to become monks, along with the lore behind the teaching of the class.

Origins[]

When the pandaren were subjugated by the mogu centuries ago, it was the monks that brought hope to a seemingly dim future. Restricted from using weapons by their slave masters, these pandaren instead focused on harnessing their chi and learning weaponless combat. When the opportunity for revolution struck, they were well-trained to throw off the yoke of oppression.[1]

Nearly 12,000 years ago, long before the War of the Ancients, the continent now known as Pandaria was ruled by a monstrous race of warlords known as the mogu. Their reign was incredibly harsh and brutal. Mogu taskmasters forbade their slaves to carry weapons. During these dark times, many pandaren tried to lift the spirits of their beleaguered brothers and sisters. They were the storytellers, the brewmasters, and the healers who helped knit their oppressed society together in the midst of darkness.[2]

As the mogu empire began to fray, the pandaren saw an opportunity for a revolution. Because they had no weapons, they trained common people to fight with their unarmed fists and feet. They mastered the use of positive energy - or 'chi' - to empower themselves.[2] These unarmed resistance fighters would become the first monks.

Alliance[]

Humans[]

The humans of the Scarlet Crusade have shown to have monks in their ranks since Classic. These Scarlet Monks used their strength to battle the undead and invaders alike. Their leader, Brother Korloff, apparently learned martial arts from the pandaren.[3]

Horde[]

Orcs[]

Several Mag'har orcs have been shown to use unarmed combat in a manner similar to that of the monk. On Draenor, Forgemistress Flamehand fought using both fire and her bare hands to defend her warlord, Blackhand. Ma'ra Grimfang joined the Horde, claiming she used her power as a monk to slay many Lightbound foes.[4] Many of the Laughing Skull Orcs also show skill in fighting unarmed or with fist weapons, though they tend to be classified as rogues.

Other races[]

Over time the pandaren have taught the ways of the monk to other races, and are apparently quite willing to share this powerful knowledge with their friends and allies.

Long before the emergence of Pandaria from the mists, the pandaren of Tian Monastery were teaching other races including the jinyu and hozen the ways of the monk, and would teach anyone who wished to train, regardless of race.[5]

When the pandaren of the Wandering Isle made their way into Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms and joined forces with their respective factions, the monk trainers among them began to teach Alliance and Horde members the ways of the monk.[2][6][7] As well as residing in the factions' capital cities, individual monk trainers traveled to areas such as the Valley of Trials and Northshire Abbey to train young members of each race.

When the mists parted, and the Alliance and Horde discovered Pandaria anew, the monk trainers of the land were happy to instruct these newcomers further in their burgeoning training.[8]

Mojo Stormstout[]

One exception is the pandaren monk trainer Mojo Stormstout. First featured in Warcraft III, Mojo was introduced to World of Warcraft with Mists of Pandaria. According to lore he was wandering Azuremyst Isle before the Exodar crashed.[9] In response to his offers of help, he was invited to begin teaching fighting skills to some of the draenei.

While there were no monks among the playable or Exodar-bound draenei until Mists of Pandaria, Mojo's presence would mean that the draenei would have had access to pandaren monk teachings several years before the other races, although this was never evidenced. Note that the Auchenai Monks of Outland did not travel to Azeroth on the Exodar, and so could not have been taught by pandaren (see Other types of monk, below).

Speculation[]

Mojo's introduction seems likely to be a retcon. Given the disparate timelines between the different zones by the time of Mists of Pandaria, it would not be possible to have a monk trainer for draenei players without having that trainer exist on Azuremyst Isle immediately following the crash of the Exodar. Since it is necessary to provide new monks with a trainer, it was likely necessary to introduce Mojo retroactively. For more, see Mojo Stormstout#Speculation.

Starting attributes[]

Strength Agility Stamina Intellect Spirit Armor Health
Alliance Alliance DraeneiDraenei Draenei Mists of Pandaria 22 18 21 22 22 N/A
DwarfDwarf Dwarf Mists of Pandaria 23 17 24 21 19 N/A
GnomeGnome Gnome Mists of Pandaria 16 23 21 25 20 N/A
HumanHuman Human Mists of Pandaria 21 21 21 22 20 N/A
Night elfNight elf Night elf Mists of Pandaria 17 25 21 22 20 N/A
Void elfVoid elf Void elf Legion N/A
Dark Iron dwarfDark Iron dwarf Dark Iron Battle for Azeroth N/A
Kul TiranKul Tiran Kul Tiran Battle for Azeroth N/A
MechagnomeMechagnome Mechagnome Battle for Azeroth N/A
WorgenWorgen Worgen Dragonflight N/A
Lightforged draeneiLightforged draenei Lightforged draenei Dragonflight N/A
Neutral Neutral PandarenPandaren Pandaren Mists of Pandaria 21 19 22 21 22 37 123
Horde Horde Blood elfBlood elf Blood elf Mists of Pandaria 18 23 21 25 18 N/A
OrcOrc Orc Mists of Pandaria 24 18 22 19 22 N/A
TaurenTauren Tauren Mists of Pandaria 26 17 22 18 22 N/A
TrollTroll Troll Mists of Pandaria 22 23 21 18 21 N/A
UndeadUndead Undead Mists of Pandaria 20 19 21 20 25 N/A
NightborneNightborne Nightborne Legion N/A
Highmountain taurenHighmountain tauren Highmountain Legion N/A
Mag'har orcMag'har orc Mag'har Battle for Azeroth N/A
Zandalari trollZandalari troll Zandalari Battle for Azeroth N/A
VulperaVulpera Vulpera Battle for Azeroth N/A
GoblinGoblin Goblin Dragonflight N/A

Notes[]

Monk trainer Pao describes the blood elves as "well-suited" for the ways of the monk, and states that they have taken to it quickly.[10]

Other types of monk[]

The term 'monk' has been used before in World of Warcraft, long prior to the introduction of the playable monk class. There is some speculation regarding the origin of NPC monks, which has never been fully explained. However, no evidence currently suggests a connection between the pandaren monks and these other types of monk. It seems likely that similar class types could have developed separately, much as hunters, warriors, and rogues have been found in many races with effectively identical abilities, despite presumably separate origins.

References[]

 
  1. ^ The Monk. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2011-10-31.
  2. ^ a b c Wowhead - Mists of Pandaria 2012 Press Event Official FAQ (2013-03-19)
  3. ^ Brother Korloff#Background
  4. ^ Jadefire Masters (Alliance)#Quotes
  5. ^ N [10-35] Tian Monastery - "People come from all over Pandaria to train at the Tian Monastery, just to the north of here. Probably because they never turn anybody down. They'll accept jinyu, hozen... or even a foreign <race> like you!"
  6. ^ H Monk [3] Calligraphed Parchment - ...our Pandaren friend, Gato... visits from afar to grant us the honor of his wisdom, and to teach the ways of the monk.
  7. ^ A Monk [3] Calligraphed Letter - I've come from afar to teach your people the ways of the monk.
  8. ^ Monk trainers - all Pandarian monk trainers are neutral, and willing to train any player monk
  9. ^ Mojo Stormstout - "I'm just walking along, cataloging the local wildlife here in Azuremyst, when suddenly... BAM! <Mojo mimicks an explosion with his hands.> I don't think I've ever heard an explosion that loud in my life!"
  10. ^ H IconSmall BloodElf MaleIconSmall BloodElf Female Monk [3] Monk Training - Ah, welcome. I have been teaching your people the ways of the monk, and they seem to be well suited for it. Perhaps you too will take to it as quickly as they.
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