WoW Classic: All 4 Horde Races Explained

WoW Classic Horde races are some of the most popular choices heading into the early days of Blizzard's attempt at a perfect recreation of one of the most influential MMORPGs ever created. In the current version of WoW, it isn't difficult to put together whatever combination of racial traits and classes a player wants, and racial passives are hardly a consideration for most players.

That isn't the case in WoW Classic, however. There are significantly limited choices for both Alliance and Horde players, and WoW Classic Horde races feel like they pull players in very specific directions. Racial abilities matter in WoW Classic a lot more than they do in the current version of the game, and they can make big differences in the way that players both evaluate and enact PvE and PvP performance. Sure, some of the game is still going to be questionable for prospective players - WoW Classic has bugs, after all, and at its core it's over a decade old without any significant updates since - but that won't stop those who dive in from trying to gain an edge over PvE or PvP competitors.

The WoW Classic Horde races are some of the coolest-looking in the game, which often pulls people towards the faction when they don't have much familiarity with the actual finer points of the game. That's fine, though - Screen Rant has them covered. Here's a quick run-down on the WoW Classic Horde races and how they're positioned within Blizzard's trip down memory lane.

WoW Classic Horde Race: Orcs

Orcs are originally from Draenor, the home of the Burning Legion. They were used to conquer Azeroth, and were left over after losing the Second War, returning to their roots as Shamans and attempting to find a home for themselves in the land they had attempted to raze. Orcs are all about strength and honor through fighting, and their culture is a constant reminder of those values.

Orc Racials

Axe Specialization - Skill with Axes and Two-Handed Axes increased by 5.
Blood Fury - Increases base melee attack power by 25% for 15 seconds and reduces healing effects on the player by 50% for 25 seconds.
Command - Damage dealt by Hunter and Warlock pets increased by 5%.
Hardiness - Chance to resist Stun effects increased by an additional 25%.

Naturally, Command headlines here as an incredible bonus for late-game Hunters and Warlocks in PvP especially, but it's worth noting that pets don't do super well in WoW Classic raids and thus Hunter and Warlock can tend to struggle. Blood Fury is a great melee DPS option, though, and Axe Specialization is equally great for Warriors. Orcs have a strong set of racials and are extremely well-suited to melee classes.

Orc Classes

Hunter
Rogue
Shaman
Warlock
Warrior

Once again, WoW Classic Orcs are strongly geared towards either pet classes or melee DPS.

Starting Orc Zone

Orcs start WoW Classic in Durotar, a dusty desert with a focus on scavenger creatures and some cult activity.

WoW Classic Horde Race: Tauren

The Tauren are a WoW Classic Horde race that once again leans on being close to nature and worshiping a deity known as the Earth Mother. They're a peaceful race by-and-large, although they are extremely powerful and reliable allies when they are incited to fight.

Tauren Racials

Cultivation - Herbalism skill increased by 15.
Endurance - Total Health increased by 5%.
Nature Resistance - Nature Resistance increased by 10.
War Stomp - Stuns up to 5 enemies within 8 yards for 2 seconds.

WoW Classic Tauren racials aren't particularly impressive. Herbalism is good for making money in WoW Classic, while War Stomp is a solid additional skill for tanks in dungeons who need an extra ability for CC. Overall, though, it's not an interesting spread for Tauren players and there are likely better options for most classes.

Tauren Classes

Druid
Hunter
Shaman
Warrior

Starting Gnome Zone

Tauren begin in Mulgore and get funneled into Thousand Needles and the infamous Barrens. Their home city is Thunder Bluff.

WoW Classic Horde Race: Trolls

Trolls might be a bigger part of the plot in modern WoW, but WoW Classic Trolls tend to play second-fiddle to the Orcs in many of the major storylines in the game. That isn't to say they aren't important in their own right - they tend to just operate as a wiser, more subtle voice in the Horde that helps complement the intensity of the Orcs. Trolls have a lot of variety in terms of appearance, too, which makes them a popular selection for those concerned about aesthetics.

Troll Racials

Beast Slaying - Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
Berserking - Increases your casting and attack speed by 10% to 30%. At full health the speed increase is 10% with a greater effect up to 30% if you are badly hurt when you activate Berserking. Lasts 10 seconds.
Bow Specialization - Skill with Bow Weapons increased by 5.
Regeneration - Health regeneration rate increased by 10%. 10% of total Health regeneration may continue during combat.
Throwing Specialization - Skill with Throwing Weapons increased by 5.

Berserking is the star of the show here, as it's an incredible asset for Warriors, casters, and healers in PvE. Beast Slaying makes leveling a lot easier as there are a lot of beasts to kill, and Bow Specialization makes Trolls powerful Hunters - especially in PvE, where pets are less important for damage-dealing.

Troll Classes

Hunter
Mage
Priest - Trolls have two Priest-specific racials: Hex of Weakness, which Weakens a target enemy and reduces the damage they cause by 20 for 2 minutes, and Shadowguard, which deals 26.7% of Spell power damage to an attacker that hits the caster. Shadowguard has 3 charges, lasts 10 minutes, and causes no threat.
Rogue
Shaman
Warrior

Troll Priests have access to two great abilities, and that flexibility makes them a great choice in WoW Classic.

Starting Troll Zone

Trolls begin in the Valley of Trials by the Orcs, and share a capital city with Orcs as well in Orgrimmar - hence why they're often so closely associated with each other.

WoW Classic Horde Race: Undead

The Undead are remnants of the invasion of the Lich King's forces that reanimated many of Azeroth's citizens as new members of his army. Once the Lich King's hold began to weaken on them, though, a small faction of human Undead known as the Forsaken broke free and began their un-lives as a new group, eventually finding a leader in the form of the banshee Sylvanas.

Undead Racials

Cannibalize - When activated, regenerates 7% of total health every 2 seconds for 10 seconds. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yards. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.
Shadow Resistance - Shadow Resistance increased by 10.
Underwater Breathing - Underwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.
Will of the Forsaken - Provides immunity to Charm, Fear, and Sleep while active. May also be used while already afflicted by any of the previously mentioned afflictions. Lasts 5 seconds.

The Undead in WoW Classic have an excellent racial mechanic in both PvE and PvP. Cannibalize is an incredible leveling ability that reduces the downtime required to push through content, making it an appealing choice for returning players or those who want to rush to the end game as fast as possible. Will of the Forsaken is a very strong PvP ability that can break up some of the CC elements that are so crucial in that setting.

Undead Classes

Mage
Priest - Undead Priests have two class-specific racials: Touch fo Weakness, which makes the next melee attack on the caste do 10.7% Shadow damage to the attacker and reduce the damage caused by them by 20 for 2 minutes; and Devouring Plague, which afflicts the target with a disease that causes 896 Shadow damage over 24 seconds. Damage caused by Devouring Plague heals the caster.
Rogue
Warlock
Warrior

Undead Priests are another strong option thanks to two really useful class-specific racials.