Post
by Kingaderic » Thu Apr 20, 2023 6:40 am
Thank you for asking this question Headhunta! I’m a huge fan of Iconic Lore Race Class combinations! Below is my opinion on iconic lore class combinations for the races of Azeroth. My goal here is not only be iconic from a lore perspective but to also have it aesthetically pleasing for armor sets and class abilities as well. (I hope you enjoy my book length reply! LOL)
Night Elf Druid
Druidism originates from the teachings of Cenarius who instructed the night elf Malfurion Stormrage, who became the first mortal druid within Azeroth. Night Elf culture is deeply rooted in druidism in general. Their love of nature and keeping within its balance again, these are all concepts deeply ingrained within their society due to their leader Malfurion. Not only does the druid class showcase their deep connection to Cenarius it even references their patron Goddess Elune. For example you’ll notice the tattoo on the bear and cat forms in game have the symbol of the crescent moon which is the sacred symbol of Elune. The Tauren were only recently instructed on the art of druidism by Malfurion himself, specifically teaching Hamuul Runetotem. From a lore and class ability aesthetic night elves and this class are practically intertwined. One truly represents the other in this case.
Troll Hunter
In general Hunter is a neutral class that may fit with a variety of races. Troll on the other hand is unique in that its iconic classes from an RPG lore is the “Witch Doctor” or “Berserker” class. Now in a sense warrior could be considered a berserker, however, we are limited on cosmetic set options. Plus the warrior class is needed elsewhere for this list to be signature iconic. We have aspects of the witch doctor class within shaman and priest, therefore it's truly not one hundred percent complete. This points us to the hunter class as the remaining signature option for a troll. Here an official expert from Blizzard: “The (darkspear) tribe considers a raptor to be the purest embodiment of the hunter’s essence, and as such, a tamed reptilian is prized as a mount.” Plus there is a book within Dire Maul titled: “The Greatest Race of Hunters” which is told by a female troll and her tiger. Add the class's aesthetic abilities like “Raptor Strike” or “Shadow Resistance” and it's simply a chief’s kiss mix.
High Elf Mage
The High Elves originate from the Highborne nobles of ancient times and it was the Highborne who first discovered and then mastered the arts of the arcane. They fostered a mighty empire before the Great Sundering occurred. Afterwards, under the highborne under the leadership of Dath’Remar Sunstrider were exiled by the remaining Night Elves who now shunned the Arcane arts. Under his leadership the elves sailed across the Great Sea eventually landing in northern Eastern Kingdoms and founding the magnificent kingdom of Quel’Thalas. For thousands of years these elves continued not only their study but reliance on their magical addiction to the arcane power itself. It was they who taught the humans of Eastern Kingdoms the mysterious ways of mage. There is no other race more suited for this class than this race. If you compare racials and the class abilities they are one in the same with a long history to back it up.
Human Paladin
It was the race of humanity who the first ones discovered the enigmatic power known as “Light”. A potent holy energy capable of healing fatal wounds, miraculous or calling down divine wrath against the demon and the wicked alike. It was humanities missionaries that spread the teachings of the Holy Light to their High Elf and Dwarven allies. The Light is unique to wear; it operates via the user's faith rather than study as a mage does. During the events of the First War against the demonic orcish Horde many human clerics were slain during front line battles. As the Second War was fast approaching Archbishop Alonsus Foal devised a new strategy to assist their fragile healers for this next upcoming conflict. He would take the advantage of the full armored knights that fought during the first war as well as the noble clerics and combine their training to create the paladins. The paladins proved far more robust during the Second War against the orcs' strength. The Order of the Silverhand was founded and would continue on into the events during the Third War. In general even the human greeting in game “Light be with” is very much ingrained within their society. As High Elves have had a long history with the Arcane humans have had the longest history with the Holy Light.
Forsaken Priest
The forsaken were once humans of the kingdom of Lordaeron. The kingdom that was tragically turned into a zombie wasteland by its very own prince… Being part of that nation the forsaken have a very firm grasp of the Holy Light and its teachings. When they were freed from the will of the Lich King by the Banshee Queen, the now undead Lordaeronians grew extremely bitter at the fate that had befallen them. They continued their practice of the Holy Light, however, in their darkest bitterness they discovered the ancient records of the teachings of Priestess Seline. And the cult of the Forgotten Shadows was born. The priest class in World of Warcraft uses a mix of Void and Light magic. Of all the races that would be able to appropriately duology that, it would certainly be the forsaken. We have forsaken characters that lean towards one more than the other and we also have forsaken characters that understand the need for both and the proper balance for that. Overall, when it comes to aesthetics both gear and ability wise its an excellent feel.
Goblin Rogue
In general the society of goblins are very greedy, always hustling or swindling and will do whatever it takes to make that coin. What does that sound like? Well here is a brief description of the rogue class: “For rogues, the only code is the contract, and their honor is purchased in gold. Free from the constraints of a conscience, these mercenaries rely on brutal and efficient tactics.” When the race and class descriptions start to line up like that it's a no brainer! Plus I would definitely go engineering as your profession choice! This will enhance that almost secret agent feel using your gizmos and gadgets along with thief skills to assist you in your adventures!
Tauren Shaman
I’d like to start off with this quote by the troll hunter trainer: “They were strong already: strong in shaman ways; strong in warrior ways. But the hunter path will not be their path... then.” Here we see each of the Horde races being mentioned in their respective iconic roles: Orc Warrior, Troll Hunter and Tauren Shaman. In fact it was the Tauren who assisted the orcs' rediscovery of pure shamanism as well as guiding the troll witch doctors to a more noble power. Interestingly for an aesthetic standpoint the shaman totems in classic were Tauren themed only. We actually did not have the racial totem skin options until Wrath. Even the Tauren quotes “Winds be at your back” and “Our ancestors be praised!” Directly relate to the elements and ancestor worship which is what the shaman class is all about. Even in the class description the shaman is a spiritual advisor and the Tauren truly are the moral guiding compass of the Horde.
Orc Warlock
Now this combination is unique. First off I will say that the most iconic class for an orc is a warrior. All orcs are natural born warriors. Their cultural greetings and sayings and etcetera. However, the goal of this exercise is to essentially have a new face for each class and only have each class once. Due to this the orcs have the most meaningful history with arts of the Warlock. The most famous warlock being Gul’dan. I mean orc warlocks have been around even before human paladins! That’s crazy! Though this race class combo is definitely more Warcraft 1 or 2 themed instead of Warcraft 3 it is certainly the most signature and iconic. Though modern orcish society disdains them, it is truly the orc race that has had the longest history into the demonic arts. In retail there is even an ability now named after Gul’dan.
Dwarf Warrior
And now we come to a close with the warrior class. Dwarves in World of Warcraft are heavily Tolkien and Warhammer inspired based. Stocky and strong build. They are expert and renowned smiths; their very city is called “Ironforge”. The Mountain King unit in Warcraft 3 is a dwarf warrior. In fact many of that unit's signature abilities are now found within modern WoW, such as the ability known as Avatar. For armor aesthetics there are some fantastic sets for dwarf warriors. The very statue as you enter Ironforge is of Modimus Anvilmar the legendary Mountain King and founder of the Bronzebeard clan itself. The dwarven heritage set in modern times is even based on Muradin's armor in Warcraft 3 too! Overall the dwarf warrior is very iconic.
Gnome
Now you will notice that I did not include gnome in this list. Though I love the gnomes, unfortunately, Blizzard never did put their iconic class as an option in the game which is the Tinker. For gnomes they do have a history with being part of the council of Tirisfal within Dalaran making them an option for mage, however, High Elves have such a deeper connection to the mage class then they do on a historical level. They could also be warlocks due to their bitterness at the fall of gnomeregan as the warlock trainer expresses in the questline but again orcs have a much richer history than that. And finally you do have Kelsey Steelspark who is a gnome rogue, part of the Gnomeregan Covert Ops, but in general the very race of goblins encompasses the very nature of what a rogue is better. Maybe one day we will get our tinker class….. (Gnomish sobbing in background)
If you made it this far then you're ready to read the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan! Good job! And thank you for taking the time to humor me. Either way Headhunta my friend, in the end do what feels right to you. What classes and races do you like best? Who would you consider to be your main character? There is lore to every race class combo in the end.
