Yet another topic I referenced the other day that I feel like going into in more depth 🙂
I said about finding joy in the game, and that there were more reasons to be invested than just chasing better gear. Anyway one of the reasons I gave was about story and lore and that animations and just getting into the feeling of playing different classes, meant it was more than just pushing a different combination of buttons. I said that I tried to pick my race/class combos based on what made sense to me lore-wise.
Right so that’s what I’m saying with this post! It’s not anything clever, it’s just me running down the different races/classes and saying what I think works, and what doesn’t, and why. It’s all opinion-based and probably quite rambling 🙂 I thought about doing this per-class but I opted for race in the end. So starting from the top:
FOR THE ALLIANCE
Draenei
Can be: Hunter, Mages, Paladins, Priests, Shaman, Warrior, Death Knight and Monk
YES
– Paladins: the draenei are very close to the naaru so a big yes because they are close
to the light.
– Priests: because naaru do have a shadow/light cycle so all specs would be
reasonable.
– Shamans: they are close to nature/the elements yup makes sense
– Hunter: yeah ok, maybe but with a bow not a gun, respectful of nature, hunting for
food and for justice, not for the ‘glory’.
– Warrior: I suppose, it’s pretty basic, pick up a sword and defend the home, ok
NO
– Mages: I’m sorry I just don’t see it. I know Velen has some kind of power but I think it’s
the light. Magic to me is a different source of power, even if it’s fire/frost it’s still arcane
flavoured and perhaps because of Kael’thalas and his addiction, perhaps because of
the Legion and how magic broke up two of their homeworlds! I just can’t see them
being comfortable with it.
– Death Knight: Considering I thought that the Death Knights were raised canonically during a battle pre-Warcraft itself, how could draenei actually be DK’s when they weren’t around then? So no.
– Monk: It requires flexibility and especially draenei males, they are so solidly built that I
just can’t see them being able to do the moves required
Dwarf
Can be: Hunter, Mages, Paladins, Priests, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk (basically everything but Demon Hunters or Druids)
YES
– Hunter: Obviously 🙂 it’s straight from the cinematic
– Shaman: Yup! Again it’s about being close to the elements.
– Warrior: They are fierce, charging in and smacking the boss in the face – definitely!
– Death Knight: I guess they were around at the time so ok sure
NO
– Mage: not pure dwarfs, they broke with the Dark Iron
– Warlock: same reason as above, just not right for standard dwarfs
– Paladin: I don’t think there’s a single legendary lore dwarf paladin, like they can be but
why? how did they get the call to the light?
– Priest: they look very bad in robes, also see above
– Rogue: how can they be sneaky when they are so solid?
– Monk: same as above, they just don’t have the build for it
Gnome
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk
YES
– Hunter: they’d be fantastic with traps and guns, all about mechanics
– Warrior: kinda saying yes because gnome tank is a funny concept
– Monk: absolutely! It’s a perfect fit as they are small and love learning and it’s a fun
class for a race that always seems so bubbly
– Mage: yup! I can see them learning new spells and accidentally burning everything
– Priest: I think gnomes are kind, not so sure about the shadow spec as that’s a bit dark,
but I could see holy or disc. I am holding out hope for gnome paladins one day, I think
that fits more because gnomes are practical and wearing armour is more practical
NO
– Death Knight: I guess they were around at the time but I just can’t see Arthas
bothering because they don’t have the intimidation factor
– Rogue: they are certainly little enough but I am dubious as they seem
too bouncy and full of energy to have the patience
– Warlock: how can gnomes be dark? I’m sorry but no
Human
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk
I’m not even going to bother with this. I suppose humans are the default in a way so it makes sense that there are great examples for all the options.
Night Elf
Can be: Druid, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk, Demon Hunter
YES
– Druid: it’s quintessential, I mean Malfurion so yeah
– Priest: they worship Elune so yeah
– Warrior: recent convert to this because I noticed the Sentinels
– Demon Hunter: obviously, it’s Illidan
– Hunter: I guess? I can see it, I just don’t think it’s a very interesting choice
NO
– Mage: they split their society over this so nope
– Rogue: their animations/movement just don’t say sneaky to me I don’t know why
– Death Knight: it’s certainly possible but I just don’t like the look
– Monk: they are an ancient race that lives for thousands of years, this is too new
Worgen
Can be: Druid, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight
YES
– Druid: well they are part beast anyway, taught up the night elves so definitely
– Hunter: sure because they were human pre-curse
– Mage: see above
– Priest: see above
– Rogue: see above
– Warlock: see above
– Warrior: see above
side note: seeing as they were human pre-curse shouldn’t they be able to be paladins? If they were before, they can obviously still access the light as they are priests.
NO
– Death Knights: because they became worgen after the cataclysm, after wrath, after all
of that so how?
Void Elf
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Monk
YES
– Hunter: they were basically night elves pre-void and I said yes to that
– Priest: shadow spec definitely, not so sure about the light I think it would react badly?
– Warlock: interesting that this is new, as night elves can’t, and I think it proves my point
about the darker magiks, so yes.
– Mage: I guess they are done with night elf restrictions at this point so ok
NO
– Rogue: nope, same as for night elves. I know they can wrap themselves in shadow but I still don’t see it
– Warrior: I think with their magic upgrade they are beyond this
– Monk: same as night elf, nope
Lightforged
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Warrior
I suppose the argument could be made that they continued fighting however they did prior to being lightforged. I do think though that if they are fighting with anything other than the light it doesn’t seem right. So Paladin or I suppose Holy Priest only.
Dark Iron
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior, Monk
Everything I said for dwarf goes, except of course these are the Dark Iron so Mage and Warlock absolutely – that is what Dark Iron is!
So yes to Hunters, Mages, Shamans, Warlocks and Warriors
No to Paladins, Priests, Rogues and Monks
Kul Tiran
Can be: Druid, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior, Monk
They are basically human so why can’t they be Paladins? I understand they shunned dark magic so no Warlocks.
Basically a big yes to everything because they are human, plus they have the drust connection which enables the druidism and I guess that was a gateway for shamans too as it’s about connecting with nature so ok then!
FOR THE HORDE
Blood Elf
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk, Demon Hunter
Yes to everything (and they look fabulous doing it) except to Warlocks as I think that’s too dark a magic for them to be comfortable with, and Death Knights because I don’t think they’d have been there to get turned.
Goblin
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight
YES
– Hunters: like gnomes enthusiastic about mechanics but goblins also money
– Mage: it’s power and goblins like power
– Rogues: sneakiness is in their nature
– Shamans: I don’t want to say yes to this but we’ve met them in-game and the
elements were less revered and more bribed and turned on so I guess?
– Warlock: again it’s power and I can see goblins dabbling with forces beyond their
control quite easily.
NO
– Priest: They don’t care about anyone so how can they worship the light?
– Warrior: too in your face, also too heroic
– Death Knight: similar to gnomes, I just can’t see why Arthas would bother
Orc
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk
YES
– Hunter: back to their roots from Draenor, sure
– Mage: I think the robes look bad but Gul’dan so ok
– Shaman: again back to roots, I mean Thrall so definitely
– Warlock: orcs are on both sides of natures divide, again Gul’dan so ok
– Death Knight: they were there so sure
– Warrior: pure orc really, blood and honor
NO
– Rogues: biggest laugh ever, they are far too lumbering, this is hilarious
– Monk: similar to above, they just don’t have the build for it
Tauren
Can be: Druid, Hunter, Paladin, Priest, Shaman, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk
YES
– Druid: all about nature so absolutely
– Hunter: with bow and arrow, respectful of nature, sure
– Paladin: recent development, I’m not overly keen on it but I can’t speak against
because I have one as I didn’t want a blood elf at the time
– Priest: Tauren’s are a peaceful people so I can see them calling to heal, not so sure
about shadow spec though
– Shaman: they are close to the elements so absolutely
– Warrior: I can see that, they are protective I think
NO
– Death Knight: they were there but I just don’t like the visual
– Monk: I was wrong before, this is the biggest laugh, right up there with orc rogues
Troll
Can be: Druid, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk
I’m slightly biased as I do like Trolls. Basically yes to everything bar Warlocks because that’s too dark, Death Knights because I don’t think the loa would allow it and I think Warrior is too in your face.
Forsaken
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Death Knight, Monk
YES
– Mage: I don’t see why not, they were human once so yup
– Warlocks: again re: human but also they are now darker inclined so definitely
– Warrior: they have a lot of rage, so as long as they stay put together then sure
– Death Knight: it amuses me that they would be double undead so for the fun
NO
– Hunters: prey would smell them coming
– Priests: they are the opposite of the light so no
– Rogues: people would smell them coming
– Monks: if they bend their insides will fall out so no
Nightborne
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Monk
I know they got over their magic addiction but they were an all magic society for hundreds of years so I kinda think (like with lightforged) that anything that isn’t Mage isn’t right for this race.
Highmountain
Can be: Druid, Hunter, Shaman, Warrior, Monk
Just see my Tauren comments really. Hard no on the monk.
Mag’har
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior, Monk
YES
– Hunter: most definitely, I can clearly see that as close to nature
– Priest: regular orcs can’t be this, I’m a little iffy about orcs and the light but I think
Mag’har are more spiritual so yeah ok
– Rogue: weirdly I can see this for female mag’har, definitely not for males though
– Shaman: absolutely close to nature
– Warrior: blood and thunder, of course
– Monk: again I can actually see this for females, maybe if I squint for males, I think it’s
because they seem closer to nature and more flexible in spirit? I don’t know. In my
head they aren’t as bulky and lumbering. Although I haven’t seen them in game.
NO
– Mage: they turned away from Gul’dan so nope
Zandalari
Can be: Druid, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior, Monk
I am totally biased and not even going to hide it. Big fat yes to everything. Zandalari are just plain cool.
Pandaren (Neutral!)
Can be: Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior, Monk
YES
– Hunters: as they go round looking for stories and because they love food.
– Shaman: they seem close to nature and caring about balance so sure
– Warrior: basic fighting, makes sense
– Monk: they invented the class so has to be
NO
– Mage: I just don’t see them as magical, they are far too down to earth
– Priest: I nearly said they are more spiritual in my argument against mages and yeah
that’s true, I think they are, both not in the worship the light way
– Rogue: I know they can be monks but maybe female pandaren can be sneaky but
males are far too solidly built
What I have
Talking about class fantasy, well what did I buy into?
Alliance:
Draenei: I have one, a female paladin, completely unplayed as it’s locked at 80 for a
Herald of the Titans run I’ll probably never do.
Dwarf: One, a female shaman. I think it fits (obviously) but I don’t enjoy the class, it’s the
only one I think I’ve never maxed.
Gnome: Two! A monk and a mage 🙂 Both of them have wild hair and fun personalities. I
would totally love a gnome hunter but I’m too lazy to level another.
Human: Oh boy. My beloved female paladin obviously, my rogue SI-7 hehe, my Death
Knight because it’s just classic. In the past I had a male warrior (race
changed), female hunter (deleted, low level but I regret it as I think human
hunters do look cool), a male mage (my very first character, archived) and a
male priest (recently archived) which was mostly disc, sometimes holy.
Night Elf: Just the one, a Demon Hunter, which I don’t play much as I prefer the belf
Worgen: Oh boy again :p. A male druid because it’s alliance and not a night elf (also I
do love it), a female hunter because I thought about animals hunting (even
does the sniffing animation!) and then a male warlock because they are
already cursed.
Void Elf: One! A female shadow priest and I say shadow because that matters. I have
thought about re-rolling my warlock but I’m too lazy.
Lightforged: I main a paladin I had to! Although I do object because I think I should have
been able to lightforge my paladin, I did all the work in that recruitment
scenario! Anyway one! A male paladin I intend to level as holy so it’s
different, I haven’t played holy since Cata.
Dark Iron: N/A
Kul Tiran: Not in game and can’t unlock anyway but I’m planning on a druid because
they look cool!
Pandaren: this is what I race-changed my warrior too, a female pandaren! I love the
animations, it’s very fluid. I kinda hated my warrior before but not now 🙂
Horde:
Blood Elf: One! A female Demon Hunter which I adore, it’s so much fun to play and it’s
made me love Blood Elves as a race because they are very fluid.
Goblin: One (kinda), I have a female rogue I’ve played but I have done the starting zone
several times, they are a fun race. I have a warlock name-sitting.
Orc: N/A. I don’t like the look
Tauren: One but only because I wanted a Horde paladin. It’s too lumbering really, I
prefer smaller races as larger ones feel slower. Soon to be benched.
Troll: Technically none but I have got a male druid name-sitting.
Forsaken: None. I thought about a death knight but I don’t enjoy the class enough.
Nightborne: One! A mage because it’s just too fitting, only going to play as arcane 🙂
Highmountain: N/A
Mag’har: Can’t unlock yet but planning on a female beast mastery hunter
Zandalari: So excited! I want a druid because dinosaur! And a paladin (super nice
surprise that they can be pallys!).