| Core races | |||
| Allied races | |||
- This article is about the playable race. For the night elf lore, see Night elf. For the in-game faction, see Darnassus (faction).
 Night elves | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Character classes |
Druid, Hunter, Priest, Rogue, Warrior,  Death knight,  Mage,  Monk,  Demon hunter,  Warlock |
| Main language | Darnassian |
| Secondary language | Common |
| Starting zone |
Shadowglen, Teldrassil Exile's Reach |
| Racial leader |
 Tyrande Whisperwind Malfurion Stormrage |
| Capital | Darnassus † |
| Racial mount |
 Nightsaber |
The night elves of Darnassus are one of the playable Alliance races in World of Warcraft. Amongst the oldest races on Azeroth, this ancient people saw the world nearly sundered by their own reckless use of magic. Forsaking the primal magics of their past, the elves then went on to live harmoniously with nature. After thousands of years in isolation, the night elves eventually made contact with the younger races and found common goals alongside them, resulting in their Alliance with the races of men, dwarves, and gnomekind.
They start in Shadowglen, an area located inside the great tree Teldrassil. The elven capital was Darnassus, where their High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and her husband Malfurion Stormrage led their people. After the great boughs of their home were burned down by the Horde, however, night elves canonically have no main base of operations. The night elves has long rode the mighty nightsaber, and their racial language is Darnassian. The Common tongue is a secondary language they share with their allies.
For the Alliance, the druid class was exclusive to the night elves until the addition of the Worgen in Cataclysm.
Customizations for this race include the ability to depict a dark ranger/darkfallen elf rather than a standard kaldorei.
Background[]
- Main article: Night elf#History
Creation screen description[]
- Ten thousand years ago, the night elves founded a vast empire, but their reckless use of primal magic brought them to ruin. In grief, they withdrew to the forests and remained isolated there until the return of their ancient enemy, the Burning Legion. With no other choice, the night elves emerged at last from their seclusion to fight for their place in the new world.[1]
Classic guide[]
An ancient and mystical race, the once-immortal Night Elves have had a hand in shaping centuries of Azeroth's history. They are bound inextricably to the natural forces around them and live a self-sufficient, reclusive lifestyle.[2]
Classic opening cutscene[]
For ten thousand years, the immortal night elves cultivated a druidic society within the shadowed recesses of Ashenvale Forest. Yet recently, the catastrophic invasion of the Burning Legion shattered the tranquility of their ancient civilization. Led by the Arch-Druid Malfurion Stormrage and the Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, the mighty night elves rose to challenge the demonic onslaught. Though victorious, the night elves were forced to sacrifice their cherished immortality and watch their beloved forests burn. Seeking to regain their immortality, a number of wayward druids conspired to plant a special tree that would reestablish a link between their spirits and the eternal world. Despite Malfurion's warning that nature would never bless such a selfish act. The druids planted the great tree, Teldrassil, off the stormy coasts of northern Kalimdor. Among the twilight boughs of the colossal tree, the wondrous city of Darnassus took root. However, the great tree was not consecrated with nature's blessing and soon fell prey to the corruption of the Burning Legion. Now the wildlife and even the limbs of the great tree itself are tainted by a growing darkness. It is your sworn duty to defend Darnassus and the wild children of nature against the Legion’s encroaching corruption.
Cataclysm opening cutscene[]
After years of imprisonment within the Emerald Nightmare, Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage has finally returned to the mortal world. Reunited with his love, Tyrande Whisperwind, Malfurion endeavors now to heal the corrupted world tree, Teldrassil, and rejuvenate the spirit of the night elf people. Yet, as the Great Cataclysm shakes the boughs of their colossal tree, the night elves brace themselves against the coming storm. As war and destruction close in from all sides, is falls to night elves like you to stand strong and protect the enduring legacy of your people.
History[]
For ten thousand years, the immortal night elves cultivated a druidic society within the shadowed recesses of Ashenvale Forest. Then the catastrophic invasion of the Burning Legion shattered the tranquility of their ancient civilization. Led by the Arch-Druid Malfurion Stormrage and the Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, the mighty night elves rose to challenge the demonic onslaught. Aided by the newly arrived orcs and humans, the night elves succeeded in halting the Legion’s advance and defeating its master, the demonlord Archimonde. Though victorious, the night elves were forced to sacrifice their cherished immortality and watch their beloved forests burn.
In the aftermath of the horrific conflict, Malfurion and Tyrande helped their people rebuild their shattered villages. Slowly the night elves began to adjust to their mortal existence. Such an adjustment was far from easy, and there were many night elves who could not adjust to the prospects of aging, disease, and frailty. Seeking to regain their immortality, a number of wayward druids conspired to plant a special tree that would reestablish a link between their spirits and the eternal world. When Malfurion heard about this plan, he warned that nature would never bless such a selfish act. Shortly thereafter, Malfurion’s spirit was somehow lost within the depths of the Emerald Dream. Though his fellow druids attempted to find his wandering spirit, only his body remained sleeping within his Barrow Den.
With Malfurion missing, Fandral Staghelm – the leader of those who wished to plant the new World Tree – became the new Archdruid. In no time at all, he and his fellow druids had forged ahead and planted the great tree, Teldrassil, off the stormy coasts of northern Kalimdor. Under their care, the tree sprouted up above the clouds. Among the twilight boughs of the colossal tree, the wondrous city of Darnassus took root. However, the tree was not consecrated with nature's blessing and soon fell prey to the corruption of the Burning Legion. Now the wildlife and even the limbs of Teldrassil itself are tainted by a growing darkness.
It is your sworn duty to defend Darnassus and the wild children of nature against the Legion's encroaching corruption.[3]
Character[]
Starting attributes[]
| Base |  Druid |
 Hunter |
 Priest |
 Rogue |
 Warrior |
 Death knight |
 Mage |
 Monk |
 Demon hunter
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 17 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 104 | 17 | 18 | N/A |
| Agility | 25 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 28 | 25 | 77 | 25 | 26 | 32 |
| Stamina | 19 | 19 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 99 | 19 | 20 | 32 |
| Intellect | 20 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 29 | 23 | 22 | N/A |
| Spirit | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 20 | 42 | 22 | 20 | N/A |
Classes[]
Racial traits[]
 [Shadowmeld] - instant - 2 min cooldown
| |
|---|---|
| Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Any threat is restored versus enemies still in combat upon cancellation of this effect. | |
 [Elusiveness] - passive (rogue/druid only)
| |
| Reduces the chance enemies have to detect you while shadowmelded. | |
 [Quickness] - passive
| |
| Increased your chance to dodge melee and ranged attacks by 2%, and increases your movement speed by 2%. | |
 [Wisp Spirit] - passive
| |
| Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing speed by 75% (instead of 50%). | |
 [Touch of Elune] - passive
| |
| Increases your haste by 1% duing the night. Increases your Critical Strike by 1% during the day. | |
 [Nature Resistance] - passive
| |
| Reduces Nature damage taken by 1%. |
Quotes[]
- Main articles: Jokes#Night elf male, Jokes#Night elf female
- Main articles: Flirt#Night elf male, Flirt#Night elf female
Videos[]
- Night Elf opening cinematic since ''Cataclysm'' 4K UHD
- The previous opening cinematic from the beginning
Patch changes[]
Patch 9.2.5 (2022-05-31): Unlockable new skin color customization option with red eyes added. - Patch 8.1.0 (2018-12-11): Unlockable new skin color customization option with black eyes added.
- Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Night Elves now have access to the demon hunter class.
- Patch 6.0.2 (2014-10-14):
- [Touch of Elune] racial added.
- Model updated.
- Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28): Night Elves now have access to the monk class.
- Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Night Elves now have access to the mage class.
- Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14):
- [Elusiveness] racial added.
- Night Elves now have access to the death knight class.
References[]
- ^ World of Warcraft: Classic race description
- ^ Taking Your First Steps in World of Warcraft Classic
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment. World of Warcraft manual, 177.
External links[]
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