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.
Race ideas represents the best efforts of the Wowpedia community to create a fact-based analysis regarding why a race may or may not be included as a playable race as World of Warcraft expands.
Please do not add any datamined content or speculation based on datamined content (see WP:DNP).
Important information[]
Legend[]
+ Lime green — Strongly for
+ Dark green — For
? White — Neutral, could influence either way
Also used for speculation and comparisons that may have some support in lore or World of Warcraft game mechanics. Must be cited (must be proven to be relevant to the topic).
- Orange — Against
- Red — Strongly against
Gray — Additional info
Used for observation or speculation related to the main point.
Arguments that aren't neutral are preferred to be cited.
Race qualification factors[]
It is mandatory that new race sections are not added unless they have been agreed upon by majority consensus in the talk page.
When proposing new race ideas please use your common sense and try to stick to Humanoid-type races rather than monster types — the Scourge, for example.
This page includes races directly connected to current playable races as protospecies/protoraces or subraces/subspecies (as this concept has officially entered into the game with the introduction of allied races in Battle for Azeroth). Note that Blizzard in the past appeared to have had a policy of choosing original and unique races.
Race ideas that don't have enough reason to have a separate section, but are comparable to current playable races are listed in the Other sections at the bottom.
Most races with physical attributes that are not comparable to current playable races are most likely impossible as a playable race such as nonbipedal races, winged races and giant-sized races. However a few of those races have been established as ideas for playable races, naga, vrykul and a few four-legged humanoid races.
Also note that race ideas for draconic humanoid races, primate races, pig humanoids and feline/cat humanoids are listed together in sections as general ideas as they represent similar looking groups.
If you think something on this page is inaccurate, please check the discussion tab before you change it yourself. Let people know you think it is incorrect, and leave your ideas and sources for your information. Together, we can agree on how feasible it is. Only add verifiable and cited information. If something is added that lacks a source and proper citation, it will probably be viewed as speculation and will be removed or demoted to the neutral "?".
It is mandatory that anything other than minor edits are discussed through peer review here and agreed upon by group consensus. Please discuss ideas on the talk page if you feel there should be changes to the main article, so the page does not become a battle field for clashing ideas. If you do not follow the above, you may be prevented from editing.
So far no playable race has wings like the arakkoa. Winged arakkoa only appear on alternate Draenor, in the main universe only the cursed arakkoa are left.
Keepers of the grove and dryads are members of the Cenarion Circle and have a strong connection to the Emerald Dream(which may be added in an expansion). Cenarius serves as one of the leaders of the Cenarion Circle and appears as faction neutral.
Neutral
According to lore dryads are immune to magic.[1][2]In WC3 many units that were immune to magic are now vulnerable.
It may just be a racial ability, like passive or active resistance.
As keepers of the grove (male) and dryads (female) have four legs it could introduce a technical difficulties in reworking WoW for the new animations, abilities, mounts, and clothing.
In World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 it's stated that the Horde met Warug and his Magram centaur clan with who they defeated Theradras, the Magram became the leaders of the united centaur, yet none knew how long they would stay on the path of peace.
For
Maraudon and a quest line indicate that the race may be poised to undergo a reformation and may be willing to join the Horde or Alliance.
In the quest [Seed of Life], Zaetar's spirit is freed and seeks to bring hope to his children.
For
The obsolete quests ( [33] Gelkis Alliance and [33] Magram Alliance) in Desolace shows Horde as interested in an alliance with a centaur tribe in order to defeat all the clans, and the obsolete quests ( [35] Strange Alliance and [35] Brutal Politics) in Desolace shows Alliance as interested in friendship with the centaur.
Lost Ones first seen in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Broken first seen in The Burning Crusade
General
For
Male broken draenei from Outland already have graphical support for utilizing equipment, armor (minus helmets) and weapons.
Broken draenei have the same animations as the playable tauren male.
In the art for a short story titled Unbroken a foot of Farseer Nobundo is depicted differently than the model in-game.
For
Male Broken on Argus have a new character model, although they don't support player armor, they do have the same animations as male playable draenei (and male lightforged draenei).
Most Broken and Lost Ones appear to be strongly tied to two worlds outside Azeroth: Outland and Argus
Join the Alliance?
Strongly For
Broken draenei that traveled with the draenei in the Exodar to Azeroth are already part of the Alliance and many train draenei in shamanism.
Strongly For
Kurenai a tribe of broken draenei in Nagrand are already loyal to the Alliance.
Neutral
A draenei Anchorite Ahuurn expressed interest in recruiting the feralfen tribe of lost ones. However their leader Elder Kuruti rejected these attempts due to a desire for the lost ones to pursue their own destiny as a separate and proud people, and being annoyed that the messenger attempted to deceive him through a disguise. [6]
Drakonid (and/or idea for another draconic humanoid in general)[]
The playable dracthyr are a draconic playable race in the Dragonflight expansion.
Dragonspawn first seen in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Drakonid first seen in World of Warcraft
"Dragonman" first seen in Cataclysm
Tarasek first seen in Dragonflight
General
For
"Dragonman" and tarasek have the same character animations as male worgen in-game.
"Dragonman" are either a separate race or possibly a type of drakonid.
For
In a 2009. VideoGamer.com interview Tom Chilton mentioned as a possibility for a future playable race drakonids, and said that they could continue to expand on the depth of the drakonid race and that sort of race.[7]
Neutral
Draconic is shared with other dragonkin races, it's already spoken by the current dracthyr playable race. Draconic humanoids generally live where there are dragons and do not possess their own unique settlements.
Neutral
Female versions of bipedal draconic humanoid do not currently exist in-game. But they could like the dracthyr's dracthyr form just have one body type for both genders.
Female dragonspawn exist in-game (four legged). Though it's not known if other draconic humanoids show much sexual dimorphism.
Many draconic humanoid NPCs also appear to be huge compared to player characters.
Join the Alliance?
Neutral
It is believed that they may have evolved from humans. It is true that one was a human, at least: Maloriak.
Join the Horde?
Against
The Horde has previously had strong connections with dragons, but these have been through dark deals or use of force. Alexstrasza the queen of the red dragon brood was enslavement by the orcs in the Second War.
Red dragons are neutral and aid both factions in Wrath of the Lich King.
Frostborn models have the same animations, hair and facial hair options as the playable dwarf male, and also have the ability to wear all player armor.
Only male versions of frostborn exist in-game.
For
Frostborn already have a racial capital, Frosthold (this is their only known settlement). Frostborn use Stormcrest Eagles as flying mounts. Frostborn have a unique largely unknown origin and history.
Join the Alliance?
Strongly For
The Frostborns are already the main allies of the Alliance in Northrend.
The Protectorate and Consortium are ethereal factions that can be befriended by player characters in Outland.
For
Ethereals are already shown to be able to wear armor types over a base layer of mummy-like bandages, including armor for the head, shoulders, wrists, hands, chest, legs and feet.[10]
They maintain a humanoid shape only when wearing specially enchanted wrappings that keep their energy forms bound within their humanoid shapes. They are affected by spells that affect other humanoids. Also, the cloth acts as base layer of "underwear" upon which armor is placed.
Ethereals lack a face, which eliminates a customization option.One solution would be to make the playable ethereal faction wear masks of some kind.
Neutral
Female models for ethereals do not currently exist in-game. Whether a race of energy-based beings would have biological genders is a subject of debate.
Ethereals used to be a biological race, as such, they will have individuals that used to be biologically female before the transformation.
Ethereals seem to be tied largely to locations outside Azeroth. Nevertheless, their nomadic nature and ability to travel between worlds using the Twisting Nether means they could always show up.
Ethereals have an outstanding conflict with the forces of the Void. This might give them reason to seek aid from the Alliance or Horde in a future war.
Against
Ethereals supposedly possess the ability to change shape or become unconfined masses of pure energy.
They can't stay in this state however, as their souls require a physical structure to survive in the physical realm for prolonged periods of time.
An ethereal's true form is not likely to be playable as it is elemental rather than humanoid. In their true forms they are an insubstantial beings of pure energy, so lack distinguishing features and cannot wear armor (technical difficulty).
Although it could be used as a racial ability.
Join the Alliance?
For
There are ethereals in the Telogrus Rift friendly to the void elves after they join the Alliance.
The Barkskin tribe of furbolgs united with the night elves, Thrall's Horde and Jaina's survivors of Lordaeron in the battle of Mount Hyjal against the Burning Legion. They are tied to Mount Hyjal, which was featured in Cataclysm, and the tribe isn't featured in WoW.
For
Furbolg fought in the War of the Ancients with the night elves against the Burning Legion, their spokesman was Unng Ak.
For
Furbolg have their own unique architectural style and settlements, with probably the largest settlement being Grizzlemaw. Furbolg have their own unique language, Furbolg. Furbolgs are widespread, and can be encountered in various regions of Azeroth.
Tyrande Whisperwind saved a furbolg shaman from corruption of a small band of cave-dwelling furbolgs in the Barrow Deeps, the shaman gave a talisman that was able to summon furbolgs for aid in a fight.[11]
For
Tyrande Whisperwind located ten missing furbolgs of a furbolg tribe in Ashenvale, as a reward a Furbolg Champion and two Furbolgs were given to her aid.[12]
Sayge is a friendly gnoll showing they can work with others.
There are gnolls that are part of the player hostile Venture Company, but even hostile it shows gnolls can work with other races.
Neutral
Decatriarch Wratheye is a female that looks the same as a male model in-game, while Cackle in Traveler is a female with a unique appearance.
Neutral
Gnolls in the Dragon Isles have their own settlements that are larger then the camps and caves they inhabit in other contintents.
Against
Almonst all gnolls have been shown as hostile to player factions.
Gnome variants[]
The playable Gnome race characters are from the faction that escaped the irradiation of Gnomeregan, additionally a variant of gnomes is a allied race the playable Mechagnome allied race from Mechagon.
An item called [Discombobulator Ray] seems to imply being a leper gnome is a disadvantage.
Neutral
Leper gnomes racial language is Gnomish, also already used by the Alliance gnomes.[15] Leper gnomes use Mechanostriders as mounts.
Against
The leper gnome home and capital Gnomeregan, is already used as a dungeon, and their leader Sicco Thermaplugg is killable.
If Thermaplugg is killed in lore, it would give the leper gnomes a reason to find a new leader.
Join the Alliance?
Neutral
There are gnomes in the Alliance trying to find a cure for leper gnomes seeing them as being only sick. Although a cured leper gnome would be a true gnome.
True gnomes, are considered leper gnomes worst enemies, in their minds. They are whom they blame for their current existence. They regard High Tinker Mekkatorque as a demon, and his followers not much better. A leper gnome never associates with a regular gnome, preferring to kill or torture them rather than to work with them.[16]
Several in-game characters Ganoosh, Apprentice Crispin and Jennings work with the Forsaken, although it's unclear if they are leper gnomes, or if it's a simple case of model re-usage and they are meant to represent undead gnomes.The Forsaken could see leper gnomes similar to themselves, afflicted with an incurable "affliction"?
Blingtrons are involved in something simply called The War.
Lore
Mechagnomes are the original titan keeper Mimiron iteration of gnomes. Also Gearmaster Mechazod who was rebuilt by the gnomes from parts found near Fizzcrank Airstrip transformed gnomes into mechagnomes, which he intended to do to all living gnomes, in pursuit of which he has set about "curing" living gnomes of their fleshy affliction.
Blingtron is the name of a series of constructs resembling gem-encrusted mechagnomes.
Gilgoblins have the same animations as playable goblins. Gilgoblins have both male and female versions in-game. Gilgoblins have unique physical attributes and skin colors.
Neutral
Gilgoblins seem to mostly exist in underwater areas. Unknown if long time duration on land would have adverse effects.
Gilgoblins being able to breathe underwater would not be an unfair advantage as the Forsaken already have that ability.
Join the Horde?
For
The Horde closely works gilgoblins in Nazjatar among a group of former naga slaves called the Unshackled.
Neutral
Hobart Grapplehammer, a Horde goblin, somehow created them in an undefined incident. Because of this, they may want to join their creator or he could create more.
Though it's unknown why they left or how they were created in the first place.
It's shown in a quest that a hobgoblin is effected by [Kaja'Cola] and thus Kaja'mite, this means hobgoblins have the potential to improve their intellect.
Neutral
Hobgoblins physique is quite different from goblins. The in-game hobgoblin model has the same animations as ogres.
No female version in-game.
It could get a bit confusing if both bank (goblin racial ability: [Pack Hobgoblin]) and player hobgoblins had the same model.
Hobgoblins are shown to have diverse appearances in concept art.
Against
Hobgoblins lifespan is very short. Most don't live past their third year.
Join the Horde?
Strongly For
Hobgoblins are already part of the Horde, via the goblin Bilgewater Cartel.
There are only two male half-elves in-game: paladin Arator the Redeemer (who uses a blood elf character model) and Alodi who was the first Guardian of Tirisfal (who uses a human character model).
The blue dragon Kalecgos shapeshifts into a unique model that is established to be a half-elf appearance, but its potential wide use is questionable.
Half-elves are members of the Alliance. Half-elves heritage places them in the Alliance at both ends, and many served in the First, Second and Third Wars. Half-elves socialize with humans more than with high elves, as the former are generally more accepting — and easier to find.[17]
Join the Horde?
Neutral
Blood elves are related at one end of the heritage of half-elves.
Vrykul have both male and female unique models in-game, male models are capable of already wearing most armor in-game, and the female models have armor that is in appearance player like.
For
Vrykul of the Valarjar are friendly with player characters. They have a home realm Halls of Valor that has it's own unique architecture.
The unique transformed vrykul: Stormforged Valarjar (a group of iron vrykul) only has a male version in-game.
Neutral
Vrykul have a own settlements, unique culture, history, ships, architecture, lifestyle and their own unique language, Vrykul.
Vrykul are a predecessor race to humans in the World of Warcraft lore.
Neutral
Future relations of both Northrend and Stormheim vrykul are unknown.
King Ymiron was killed and Lich King Arthas defeated, giving reason to Northrend vrykul to find a new leader.
Possibly Northrend vrykul still serve the Lich King in the form of Bolvar Fordragon, and are hostile to everyone else.
All in-game vrykul and their related variants (Val'kyr, Frost vrykul, Kvaldir and Iron vrykul (as well as Stormforged Valarjar)) are "giants" or rather half-giants approximately twice as tall as humans. There are very few doors that giants can fit through in-game.
Join the Alliance?
For
After being freed from the influence of Loken and the Lich King, most vrykul have returned to worshiping the Titans and their lieutenants. As many Alliance members (such as humans, dwarves and gnomes) share a common culture and reverence for Titanic creation, they may find a common cause with them, while Horde members of titanforged origin either ignore it (orcs, goblins) or outright oppose Titan-aligned factions (human undead), whilst others (trolls, blood elves, undead elves) have had their cultures shaped by Titan Keepers and never show any kind of gratitude.
Against
Vrykul hate their human descendants, seeing them as "weak and ugly".[18]
However opinions may change, and the fact that they are related to humans might give a reason for vrykul to join the Alliance.
Human variety as more races or just more customization options[]
General speculation
Kul Tiran allied race
The Kul Tiran allied race are an allied race made up from the bigger bodytype of humans found on Kul Tiras, even though modern humans do not have sub-races established in lore currently.
Even though different looking humans aren't established as separate races in lore it's possible that the allied race system is simply used as a vehicle to introduce new playable body types to the game.
Unique human body types or characteristics as races?
Humans have unique body types and characteristics that can potentially be made playable by adding them as playable races.
1) Thin human males in Kul Tiras have a unique model that is already capable of wearing most armor in-game and have unique hair and facial hair.
Thin human males seem to have animations of the playable Undead female, but with a more upright posture.
Priscilla Ashvane is a female human with a unique model that has a more obese physical appearance.
Harlan Sweete the last boss in Freehold is a male human with a unique model who has the same animations as pygmies, grummles, wyrmtongues, and the goblin Jastor Gallywix.
Vanilla introduced unique humanmodels different from playable humans for NPCs, including different body types (examples: 1, 2, 3/4/5, 6/7/8, 9/10), or unique hair and facial hair (examples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
Human nationality as races?
Modern humans do have quite a lot of different kingdoms established in lore. Most of the different kingdoms are friendly which is why making nationality a customization option for humans could make sense.
When the vast empire of Arathor was divided, it split into seven human kingdoms each with different characteristics to take from. Four kingdoms have playable races associated with them Stormwind, undead from ruined Lordaeron, worgen cursed Gilneas and the allied race from Kul Tiras.
Female mogu have the same character animations as the worgen female, but their models have always clenching fists as the mogu have one more finger then the worgen, so they don't have their hand animations.
Neutral
At PAX East 2018 developer Daniel Stahl when talking in an interview mentioned mogu when talking about allied races: "what does that mean for the mogu, what does that mean for the dark iron dwarves, or all these allied races out there..."[19]
Murlocs are widespread, and can be encountered near virtually every large body of water. Murlocs have their own unique simple settlements. Murlocs have a language, Nerglish, though not unique to the murlocs (it is shared with other races of the sea).
This is also shown in the orc "Prologue campaign" Exodus of the Horde chapters three, four and five. The murlocs who worshipped the Sea Witch showed intelligence and even had dialogue.
Neutral
Murlocs don’t wear much.
Some murlocs have been shown wearing helmes in-game (examples: 1, 2, 3).
A murloc demon hunter with the same model as Murkidan: Murgulis appears when demons are invading Stormheim.
Neutral
It's not known if murlocs show sexual dimorphism.
Neutral
There are a number of related variants to murlocs, two of which are seen in World of Warcraft Gorloc and Deep sea murloc, with Mur'gul and Mutant murloc seen in Warcraft III but not seen in WoW and both are expanded on in the Warcraft RPG as separate from regular murlocs.
Morgl the Oracle alternate hero has a long tale and distinct facial features. In the left of the art for Murloc Escaping! a distinct murloc is shown with fish-like fins on his back and arm. In the art for Gentle Megasaur there are 2 murlocs shown with a horn on their head.
In a interview at BlizzCon 2017. Chris Robinson said that the idea of murlocs frequently comes up but that murlocs are not planned as an allied race.[24]
Naga have their own unique architectural style and settlements. Naga have their own unique language, Nazja. Naga have a racial capital in lore, Nazjatar. Naga are widespread, and can be encountered on virtually every coastline.
Naga were in the planned lineup of playable races for Vanilla World of Warcraft but were cut because of difficulty in creating mounting animations and armor that would fit the naga.[26]
Neutral
Naga being able to breathe underwater would not be an unfair advantage as the Forsaken already have that ability.
Against
Naga are servants of the Old Gods. Some have sided with Illidan, and in Outland were enemies of both the Alliance and Horde.
Strongly Against
So far all playable races have been bipedal, as naga have no legs, rather a snake-like limb, it could introduce technical difficulties in reworking the WoW code for the new animations, abilities and clothing.
Naga brutes a version of a naga with legs have been introduced, but they are all larger then current player characters.
The naga mindset and background is similar to the blood elves and Forsaken undead. They also share the same views on the arcane as their fellow Highborne exiles, the blood elves. Blood elves get along well with the naga — with whom they share Highborne ancestry.[27]
Two-headed ogre and ogre magi first seen in Warcraft II
One-eyed one-headed ogre first seen in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
General
For
Ogres have their own unique culture, history, traditions, ships (juggernaughts), architecture and settlements. Ogres have their own language, Ogre. Ogres are widespread and can be encountered in various zones across Azeroth, Outland and alternate Draenor.
For
Ogri'la is a ogre faction in Outland that can be befriended by players of both factions.
Two-headed ogres and ogre magi appear as both having their twin heads act, think and speak independently of one another, such as Cho'gall, or their twin heads act in unison, such as Dentarg and Imperator Mar'gok.
In-game ogres are shown to pledge allegiance to the player that can best their previous leaders, as is the case of the Gordok (on a Tribute Run of Dire Maul North[29]) or the Bladespire and Bloodmaul clans (when the Gronn are slain, the player is declared king or queen of the ogres[30]).
Against
Female ogres don't currently exist in-game.
Only two known illustration of female ogres exist Karrga and Ogre girl.
Join the Alliance?
Neutral
Ogres, like draenei, humans and night elves, have suffered at the hands of orcs in the past, which could potentially give them reason to unite with the Alliance against the Horde.
Historic feud with the Alliance. However, this is interchangeable, as blood elves had a historic feud with the Horde prior to joining them.
Neutral
The Laughing Skull Clan an orc clan led by ogre mage Mogor the Ogre managed to betray the Horde of Draenor and aided the Alliance at one point. However Mogor although still alive in Outland, is hostile to everyone.
Strongly Against
Members of the Alliance generally view ogres as savages and enemies.[31]
Stonemaul clan ogres from alternate Draenor seem to be part of the Mag'har from alternate Draenor and came to Orgrimmar with the Mag'har orcs when they joined the Azeroth's Horde.
Two ogre mages were leaders of entire orc clans Cho'gall and Mogor. Ogre mage Dentarg was one of the most trusted servants of Ner'zhul.
Several ogre clans became members of the Old Horde willingly when they were freed from the Gronn.[33]
Orgrim Doomhammer was rather fond of his ogre bodyguards.[34]
Some ogre clans like the Stonemaul, are rejoining the Horde willingly; feeling that there's a bond with the orcs.[35][36][37]
Orc variants[]
The playable Orc race is the one who's skin turned green from the taint of the drinking of the blood of Mannoroth, additionally a variant of orcs is already an allied race in the Battle for Azeroth expansion the Mag'har orc.
3) Fel orcs from AU Draenor have skin that is a gray-black color, with the exception of some red-skinned dire orcs such as Felsworn Hulks and Gurtogg Bloodboil.
Fel orcs are corrupted orcs created by the continual consumption of pit lord blood, which has caused them to be completely consumed by madness and bloodlust.[38]
Orcs with red skin as first seen: Slave Master is the first and Jubei'Thos is the second red-skinned orc seen. After Grom Hellscream's orcs drank from the Chaos Well they become red-skinned fel orcs that were called chaos orcs. First seen with the name fel orcs are in Outland.
Join the Horde?
For
Caza'rez wants to create a cure for the Fel Orcs forcibly corrupted by the Illidari. [39]
Orc clan and body variety as races or just more customization options[]
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
General
Unique orc clans
There are a few orc clans with enough unique esthetics to justify them as a customization option.
1) Orc clans of the Dark Horde led by Blackrock clan centered in Blackrock Spire have had a unique esthetic (with gray skin that has a small shade of green) since Vanilla.
Eitrigg an orc who is from the Blackrock clan but was never part of the Dark Horde has the same unique esthetic.
2) The majority of the Dragonmaw clan has a unique esthetic with gray skin and glowing yellow eyes established since the Cataclysm expansion (prior to Cataclysm Dragonmaw clan orcs in the Wetlands used skin colors as other orcs).
Because they don't show a green pigment in their skin color this could possibly mean they never drank the Blood of Mannoroth and are in fact mag'har orcs.
On alternate Draenor in Warlords of Draenor there are orcs with the same appearance as Dragonmaw clan orcs, unknown whether these orcs are intended to represent Dragonmaw clan orcs or are simply a case of model re-usage. However they aren't part of the Mag'har orc allied race.
This skin tone isn't part of Mag'har orc allied race as it exists ingame.
The Shattered Hand clan skin is attached to a unique esthetic from Warlords of Draenor that don't support player armor, and doesn't have a female variant in-game. Nevertheless, it is possible for their skin tone to be ported to the playable Mag'har in the future as shown by this fanmodel.[40]
Blackhand warlord of the AU Blackrock clan is depicted with a similar pale white skin.[41]Hans'gar a dire orc is also shown with a similar pale white skin.
Orc body variety
There are NPC body types that are different from playable orc races body types: 4) large male Dire orcs (present among orcs and mag'har orcs as well as fel orcs and pale orcs) and body types used by unique characters: 5) Thrall with a unique male orc body type introduced in Cataclysm and 6) Gul'dan with spikes on his back and with a unique posture.
Rexxar, half-ogre champion of the Horde killed many quilboar when population numbers became a problem for the Horde. Quilboar have not forgiven the Horde for this transgression, and hold bitter resentment against anyone allied with the Horde.[44][45] They have hatred especially the tauren and the orcs whom they believe to be trespassing on their ancestral lands.
Saberon (and/or idea for a cat humanoid in general)[]
Trolls in Zul'Gurub transformed into feline humanoids in Vanilla
Tol'vir first seen in Cataclysm
Saberon first seen in Warlords of Draenor
General
For
Several trolls in Zul'Gurub took on the aspect of the feline loa Shirvallah and Bethekk transforming themselfs into feline humanoid forms.
During Warlords of Draenor there was a Feral druid talent [Claws of Shirvallah] which made their [Cat Form] transform them into an appearance which looked the as same as a Draenor's Saberon.
For
Both saberon and male and female shapeshifted troll models have the same character animations as male worgen in-game.
For
Saberon have their own architectural style and settlements, although primitive.
Saberon generally live in caves.
For
Tol'vir have their own unique history, architecture and settlements. There is a faction of tol'vir called Ramkahen that can be befriended by players.
The body of the Sethrak model has the same character animations as female worgen in-game[46] with the addition of a tail, and a unique head structure.
There are female appropriate sethrak voice overs in-game,[47][48] so it appears that sethrak don't show much sexual dimorphism. Though Avatar of Sethraliss has breast armor.
Sylvar have both male and female versions and have the animations of female draenei.
Tauren related race varients[]
The playable Tauren race are native to modern Kalimdor, additionally a tauren offshoot is already a playable allied race, Highmountain tauren from the Broken Isles.
Introduced in World of Warcraft in game with Battle for Azeroth
General
For
Tortollans are friendly to player characters. Tortollan Seekers are a faction that can be befriended by player characters. Tortollans have their own settlements and are found on Zandalar and Kul Tiras.
It appears that tortollans don't show much sexual dimorphism, as there are both male and female characters using the same model but have gender appropriate voice overs.
On 11. june 2018. in an interview with IGN a day before E3 2018. production director John Haight said "don't be surprised if you don't see the opportunity to play as a blood troll at some point".[49] It was soon stated that the developer misspoke and that he was talking about zandalari trolls becoming a playable race not blood trolls.[50]
Neutral
Gottum is a neutral blood troll vendor, showing that not all blood trolls need to be hostile.
Shadowtooth clan of dark trolls fought together with the night elves, Thrall's Horde and Jaina's survivors of Lordaeron in the battle of Mount Hyjal against the Burning Legion.
Neutral
A female dark troll Speaker Ik'nal is located in Zuldazar. She is so far the first and only dark troll seen in-game in World of Warcraft.
Male forest trolls have a unique model that is capable of already wearing most armor in-game, they look like a stretched out version of the playable Troll race, and their animations are based on the playable Trolls from before the WoD model update. Female and some male versions in-game have the same animations as the playable Troll race and are capable of wearing all player armor.
The most recent unique NPC forest troll model was introduced in Mists of Pandaria.
Forest trolls of the Amani tribe have an enclave Tal'aman in Zuldazar. In the Terrace of the Speakers in Zuldazar there are forest troll Speaker NPCs from the Firetree, Mossflayer, Revantusk, Smolderthorn, Vilebranch and Witherbark tribes.
Neutral
Whilst their ingame model in World of Warcraft doesn't currently showcase this, Forest trolls are noted to be smaller in size compared to Ice and Zandalar trolls.[52][53][54]
Against
Members of the Alliance and Horde twice worked to defeat the Amani tribe of forest trolls in their racial capital of Zul'Aman and killed their most beloved leader Zul'jin and later the Zandalari connected warlord Daakara. Later in the Throne of Thunder they killed the next Amani leader Kazra'jin.
Join the Alliance?
Neutral
There is possible motivation for the forest trolls to join the Alliance in order to mount an offensive against their mutual enemy, the blood elves.
Forest trolls are in conflict with the Wildhammer dwarves who are part of the Alliance in the Hinterlands.
Strongly Against
Forest trolls hate high elves and humans. High elves founded Quel'thalas on forest troll land and Silvermoon itself was constructed over the site of sacred troll grounds. Humans and high elves destroyed the Amani Empire in the Troll Wars.
Most descendants of high elves are blood elves (Horde members),those still calling themselves high elves are members of the Alliance.
With the creation of void elves, there is now another faction of former residents of Quel'thalas who have joined the Alliance.
Join the Horde?
Strongly For
Revantusk tribe of forest trolls in the Hinterlands are already aligned to the Horde.
Campaign chapter The Dark Lady Sylvanas quote: "Forest Trolls! I hate them even more than those cursed dreadlords. Slaugther them all!"
Strongly Against
Blood elves are in conflict with forest trolls in eastern parts of Eversong Woods and Ghostlands. There is mutual hatred between blood elves and forest trolls.
Zul'jin the former leader of the forest trolls feels betrayed by the Horde, his former allies, for joining forces with the blood elves.[55]
Male ice trolls have a unique model that is capable of already wearing most armor in-game, they look like a larger variant of the playable Troll race just like Forest Trolls, and their animations are based on the playable Trolls from before the WoD model update.
Female ice trolls use the same female model in-game as the playable Troll race.
Neutral
Ice trolls have their own unique architecture and settlements. Ice trolls have been shown riding several different mounts, the bat, mammoth, ram, raptor and rhino. There are 4 different tribes of ice trolls in-game all from different locations: drakkari, frostmane, icetusk and the winterax tribe.
The heaviest population of ice trolls were the drakkari centered in Zul'Drak, who have had their numbers diminished in the war with the Lich King.
The Drakkari ice troll capital, Gundrak, is already used as a dungeon, and their leaders are killable.
Neutral
In lore, Ice Trolls are noted to be bigger then Forest Trolls and the Zandalari, contrary to their current ingame model.[56][57][58]
Neutral
In Zuldazar there are ice troll Speaker NPCs from the Drakkari, Frostmane, and Winterax tribes.
Join the Alliance?
Strongly Against
The frostmane tribe of ice trolls have a historic feud with the dwarves over the lands of Dun Morogh they once ruled.
Troll body variety as races or just more customization options[]
General
Troll body variety
There are jungle troll and zandalari troll NPCs with body types different from playable trolls: large male Dire trolls (present among jungle and zandalari trolls as well as forest, sand and ice trolls), muscular male jungle troll body type found in Stranglethorn Vale ( similar to the Troll Berserker), Zul the Prophet is a zandalari troll that has the same posture and animations as a regular playable Troll male (in contrast to zandalari posture and animations) and there is a bigger female zandalari troll Aka'ali the Conqueror found in the Kings' Rest dungeon with the same animations as the big Kul Tiran human male (female dire troll, a female body type also found amongst blood trolls).
Some dire troll males are shown with skin color not seen on other trolls, such as white and orange (but some of these may be body paint).
Dire troll males are shown as having eyebrows (a characteristic among trolls only also seen on some sand trolls). There are trolls shown having beards (examples: 1, 2). Troll minions in Alterac Pass are also shown as having furlike hair on their arms and feet.
Other versions of undead humans different from the current playable Forsaken undead humans.
Recent/vitalized humans like Calia Menethil, or Nathanos Blightcaller or the vampyr pirates of the Red Blade, they already support wearing all armor in-game and have the same animations as the playable human.
Could be added as simply as a customization the same way dark ranger customization was added for elf races?
Skeletal humans are already built to support wearing some player armor, and have the same animations as the playable undeadmale.
There are also skeletal humans that use the same animations as the playable human male, but don't support player armor.
Denathrius has the same animation rig as a male draenei, but he is as far is known a unique character.
Against
Venthyr exposed to the Light for too long become ash ghouls wretches crawling on the ground. A playable venthyr would perhaps need a unique lore reason to be able to enter the area that can't be entered by NPC venthyr but can be entered by a player character.
Krennan Aranas managed to concoct a partial cure for the worgen curse. Upon experimenting it on captured Gilnean feral worgen, it allowed them to regain their sanity (giving them control of their minds), thus allowing them to retain the semblance of their past human selves. The night elves later offered a more effective cure: drinking from the wells of Tal'doren would allow them to transform back into their humans selves at will.
Possible options?
It is then possible to have either: unique worgen who were night elves and change back to a night elf form outside of combat (similarly to playable worgen), former night elves who are stuck in a worgen form, or humans who are stuck in a worgen form.
It is unclear what would make them visually unique from playable worgen, possibly long night elf ears for worgen, or in general a more feral look.
Join the Alliance?
For
According to Denmother Ulrica several of the worgen in Talonbranch Glade, possibly including herself, had been around since Velinde Starsong first used the Scythe of Elune. This would make some of them former Druids of the Pack, and as such a night elven worgen.
For
Both night elves and human worgen are already part of the Alliance.
Other variants of current playable races[]
Other unique variants of current playable races not separately listed above that are shown in-game are listed below:
Druids of the Flame, night elves with red skin from the Firelands (also have a female version). Support player armor.
Felblood elf demonicly altered blood elves (also have a female version).
Felborne demonicly altered nightborne (also have a female version).
Infested orc, closer in appearance to an orc than (have the same animations as male playable orc) the more heavily infested.
Pale orcs are little more than husks bent by dark magics (among the pale orcs exist pale dire orcs).
Sand gnome only seen in the Bone Wastes (look exactly the same as playable gnomes, their lore is unclear).
Witches from Drustvar are female humans twisted by dark magic.
Withered and nightfallen are magic starved nightborne (nightfallen have bothgenders and the same animations as nightborne).
Wretched magicly deformed high and blood elves (have the same animations as male playable undead).
Variants of a current playable race that is currently only seen as a single NPC in-game:
Dragon Ysera shapeshifted into a night elf, but with the body type of the female blood elf model.
Lightforged human Turalyon (the only one, but with the Army of the Light joining the Alliance potentially more can be changed into lightforged).
Overweight goblin Jastor Gallywix (a body type can potentially be added as a race or as more customization options)
High Botanist Tel'arn has transformed himself to the point that he is scarcely recognizable as a nightborne elf.
Night of the Dragon also established Skardyn cursed descendants of dwarves of the Dark Iron clan beneath Grim Batol.
Additionally there are factions of races who aren't established as physically distinct but can potentially be established as separate playable races in the future such as the Grimtotem tribe of tauren (they have unique tattoos) or the secretive Shen'dralar Highborne night elves.
High elves have been added in a way by adding high elf apperance customization options to both Horde blood elves and Alliance void elves in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, but it can additionally be suggested that this lore wise may not have made the Alliance high elf option playable as the void elves have unique lore and specific racials compared to the high elf, so it can be addicionaly suggested making a seperate Alliance high elf playable race or making blood elves be playable by both factions (like the pandaren).
As there can be almost no difference bettween blood elf and void elf playable characters in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands a third playable race may not be imposible.
For
Alliance high elves have their own settlements and ships[60] in-game, however the styles used for them are just high elf themed versions of architecture and ships used by others. High elves have their own unique mount the [Quel'dorei Steed]. High elves language of Thalassian is currently used by both Horde blood elves and Alliance void elves. High elves have well established lore, although this can possibly apply only to the time until the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas.
Neutral
High elves still exist, although high elf numbers are diminished by war with the Scourge and then by the establishment of the blood elves.
High elf society exists, although the high elf race as a contemporary concept separate from blood elves is contentious.
Careful cross-referencing of data given by the RPG books, according to Brann Bronzebeard's official figures[61][62], high elves have a population of about 25,720, with most living in Stormwind: much higher than his total of 9,958 Darkspear trolls (a playable race) left on Azeroth.
Neutral
Void elves so far can't be the paladin and demon hunter classes so option for these classes may be a reason to have playable Alliance high elves or blood elves on both factions.
Neutral
& Elves from Warcraft II didn't have glowing eyes instead had white eyes, and high and blood elves from Warcraft III had white eyes with only priest units having glowing eyes.
Strongly Against
When asked about why high elves weren't added in Battle for Azeroth as an allied race at BlizzCon 2017, Game Director Ion Hazzikostas stated that high elves are essentially already playable as the blood elves on the Horde, and that the void elves are also another flavor of high elves that are playable on the Alliance.[63] In April 2018. he again stated that blood elves are basically high elves, but he also stated that anything is possible in the future but no plans in the near-term to add high elves as an allied race.[64]
Imp a race of demons (Grell are forest spirits similar in appearance to imps). A card Tiny Knight of Evil depicts a imp in armor riding a felhunter as a mount.
K'thir are faceless one characters that can be created by corrupting humans (have the same animations as male playable undead).
Maw necromancer characters from the Maw (have the same animation as male playable human).
Nathrezim (have both genders) are comparable to playable dracthyr as winged humanoids that can disguise themselves as regular humanoids.
^handclaw on Twitter: "@WarcraftDevs I know it's unlikely, but maybe you could add sometime a shattered hand skin tone for the Mag'har? It's quite distinct to other skin tones, as you can see in my proof of concept screenshots:"