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Classic
The Burning Crusade Bc icon
Wrath of the Lich King Wrath-Logo-Small
Cataclysm Cataclysm
Mists of Pandaria Mists of Pandaria
Warlords of Draenor Warlords of Draenor
Legion Legion
Battle for Azeroth Battle for Azeroth
Shadowlands Shadowlands

A faction is a group of allies, either racial or ideological. Most in-game factions are described in Warcraft lore, but some were specifically introduced in World of Warcraft. The concept of a faction exists primarily in World of Warcraft. The use of factions in other Warcraft games is more for general grouping purposes and not quantitatively tracked like World of Warcraft.

Most factions are tracked in World of Warcraft by the reputation that a player character has with each faction. Some groups that are not tracked as factions appear in the organization list.

The term faction is also used to refer specifically to the two playable factions in World of Warcraft: the Alliance and the Horde. Each playable race is specifically aligned with one faction or the other, and all player characters of that race automatically belong to that faction. Pandaren characters are the exception and must choose a faction to leave the Wandering Isle, at around level 10. Once chosen, a character's faction cannot be changed through in-game means. However, there is a paid Faction Change service available that can perform this function. For all races except pandaren, using this service requires also changing your character to a new race, one that is aligned with the character's new faction.

A character's faction has numerous consequences. Characters can only talk, group, and create guilds with players from their own faction. Certain zones and cities in the world are also friendly to one faction while hostile to the other. The majority of the leveling experience will be determined by the character's faction, with different quests, NPCs and areas for each faction. Faction also determines a substantial amount of play: characters will fight the opposite faction in battlegrounds and world PvP; work to raise their reputation and earn the praise of the heroes of their faction; complete quests to aid their faction's efforts, and frequently fight against the other faction's NPCs; and generally spend the majority of their time in their faction's cities and surrounded by other members of their faction. Although many choose to play characters of each faction, some players develop a strong sense of faction pride, often leading to varying degrees of sparring and rivalry between players who identify with each faction.

Any organization or NPC not aligning to either playable faction are sometimes described as NeutralNeutral between the two.

Factions

Faction-Organigram

Classic WoW Icon update[]

Argent Dawn Neutral (Formerly related to Naxxramas, Stratholme & Scholomance)
Bloodsail Buccaneers Neutral (Enemies of Steamwheedle Cartel)
Brood of Nozdormu Neutral (Related to Ahn'Qiraj)
Cenarion Circle Neutral (Related to Ahn'Qiraj & Druids)
Darkmoon Faire Neutral (Related to Darkmoon Island)
Gelkis Clan Centaur Neutral (Enemies of Magram Clan Centaur, removed in patch 4.0.3, and returned in patch 8.0.1)
Hydraxian Waterlords Neutral (Related to Molten Core)
Magram Clan Centaur Neutral (Enemies of Gelkis Clan Centaur, removed in patch 4.0.3, and returned in patch 8.0.1)
Ravenholdt Neutral (Related to Rogues)
Syndicate (Enemies of Ravenholdt)
Thorium Brotherhood Neutral (Related to Molten Core)
Timbermaw Hold Neutral
Wintersaber Trainers Alliance (Related to Winterspring)

Horde Horde[]

Darkspear Trolls (Related to Trolls)
Orgrimmar (Related to Orcs)
Thunder Bluff (Related to Tauren)
Undercity (Related to Undead)
Silvermoon City Bc icon (Related to Blood elves)
Bilgewater Cartel Cataclysm (Related to Goblins)
Huojin Pandaren Mists of Pandaria (Related to Horde-aligned Pandaren)

Alliance Alliance[]

Darnassus (Related to Night elves)
Gnomeregan (Related to Gnomes)
Ironforge (Related to Dwarves)
Stormwind (Related to Humans)
Exodar Bc icon (Related to Draenei)
Gilneas Cataclysm (Related to Worgen)
Tushui Pandaren Mists of Pandaria (Related to Alliance-aligned Pandaren)

Horde Forces Horde[]

Brawl'gar Arena Mists of Pandaria (The Horde Brawler's Guild)
The Defilers (Related to Arathi Basin)
Frostwolf Clan (Related to Alterac Valley)
Warsong Outriders (Related to Warsong Gulch)

Alliance Forces Alliance[]

Bizmo's Brawlpub Mists of Pandaria (The Alliance Brawler's Guild)
The League of Arathor (Related to Arathi Basin)
Silverwing Sentinels (Related to Warsong Gulch)
Stormpike Guard (Related to Alterac Valley)

Steamwheedle Cartel[]

Booty Bay Neutral (Enemies of Bloodsail Buccaneers)
Everlook Neutral (Enemies of Bloodsail Buccaneers)
Gadgetzan Neutral (Enemies of Bloodsail Buccaneers)
Ratchet Neutral (Enemies of Bloodsail Buccaneers)

The Burning Crusade Bc icon[]

Ashtongue Deathsworn Neutral (Related to Black Temple)
Cenarion Expedition Neutral (Related to Coilfang Reservoir)
The Consortium Neutral (Related to Auchindoun)
Honor Hold Alliance (Related to Hellfire Citadel)
Keepers of Time (Related to Caverns of Time)
Kurenai Alliance (Related to Nagrand)
The Mag'har Horde (Related to Nagrand)
Netherwing Neutral (Related to Shadowmoon Valley)
Ogri'la Neutral (Related to Blade's Edge Mountains)
The Scale of the Sands Neutral (Related to Battle of Mount Hyjal)
Sporeggar Neutral (Related to Coilfang Reservoir and Zangarmarsh)
Thrallmar Horde (Related to Hellfire Citadel)
Tranquillien Horde Bc icon (Related to Ghostlands)
The Violet Eye Neutral (Related to Karazhan)

Shattrath City Bc icon[]

The Aldor Aldor (Enemies of The Scryers)
Lower City Neutral (Related to Auchindoun)
The Scryers Scryers (Enemies of The Aldor)
The Sha'tar Neutral (Related to Tempest Keep)
Sha'tari Skyguard Neutral (Related to Skettis)
Shattered Sun Offensive Neutral (Related to Magisters' Terrace & Sunwell Plateau)

Wrath of the Lich King Wrath-Logo-Small[]

Argent Crusade Neutral
Ashen Verdict Neutral (Related to Icecrown Citadel, formed by merging of Argent Crusade and Knights of the Ebon Blade)
The Kalu'ak Neutral
Kirin Tor Neutral (Related to Dalaran)
Knights of the Ebon Blade Neutral (Related to Death Knights)
The Sons of Hodir Neutral (Related to The Storm Peaks)
The Wyrmrest Accord Neutral

Horde Expedition Horde[]

The Hand of Vengeance
The Sunreavers (Related to Argent Tournament)
The Taunka
Warsong Offensive

Alliance Vanguard Alliance[]

Explorers' League
The Frostborn (Related to The Storm Peaks)
The Silver Covenant (Related to Argent Tournament)
Valiance Expedition

Sholazar Basin Wrath-Logo-Small[]

Frenzyheart Tribe Neutral (Enemies of The Oracles)
The Oracles Neutral (Enemies of Frenzyheart Tribe)

Cataclysm Cataclysm[]

Avengers of Hyjal Neutral (Related to Firelands, formed by merging of Cenarion Circle and Guardians of Hyjal)
Baradin's Wardens Alliance (Related to Tol Barad)
Dragonmaw Clan Horde (Horde faction in Twilight Highlands)
Guardians of Hyjal Neutral (Related to Mount Hyjal and Molten Front)
Hellscream's Reach Horde (Related to Tol Barad)
Ramkahen Neutral (Related to Uldum)
The Earthen Ring Neutral
Therazane Neutral (Related to Deepholm)
Wildhammer Clan Alliance (Removed in patch 2.0.3, re-introduced in 4.0.3, Alliance faction in Twilight Highlands)

Mists of Pandaria Mists of Pandaria[]

Mists of Pandaria This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.
The Anglers Neutral
The August Celestials Neutral
The Black Prince Neutral
Dominance Offensive Horde (Related to Krasarang Wilds)
Emperor Shaohao Neutral (Related to Timeless Isle)
Forest Hozen Horde (Related to The Jade Forest)
The Golden Lotus Neutral (Related to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms)
Kirin Tor Offensive Alliance (Related to Isle of Thunder)
Klaxxi Neutral (Related to the Dread Wastes)
The Lorewalkers Neutral
Operation: Shieldwall Alliance (Related to Krasarang Wilds)
Order of the Cloud Serpent Neutral (Related to The Jade Forest)
Pearlfin Jinyu Alliance (Related to The Jade Forest)
Shado-Pan Neutral
Shado-Pan Assault Neutral (Related to the Throne of Thunder)
Shang Xi's Academy Neutral (Related to the Wandering Isle)
Sunreaver Onslaught Horde (Related to Isle of Thunder)
The Tillers Neutral

Individual NPCs[]

Warlords of Draenor Warlords of Draenor[]

Warlords of Draenor This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.
Arakkoa Outcasts Neutral (Related to Spires of Arak)
Council of Exarchs Alliance (Related to Shadowmoon Valley)
Frostwolf Orcs Horde (Related to Frostfire Ridge)
Hand of the Prophet Alliance (Related to Tanaan Jungle)
Laughing Skull Orcs Horde (Related to Gorgrond)
Order of the Awakened Neutral (Related to Tanaan Jungle)
The Saberstalkers Neutral (Related to Tanaan Jungle)
Sha'tari Defense Alliance (Related to Talador)
Steamwheedle Preservation Society Neutral (Related to Nagrand)
Vol'jin's Headhunters Horde (Related to Tanaan Jungle)
Vol'jin's Spear Horde (Related to Ashran)
Wrynn's Vanguard Alliance (Related to Ashran)

Legion Legion[]

Legion This section concerns content related to Legion.
Argussian Reach Neutral (Related to Krokuun and Eredath)
Armies of Legionfall Neutral (Related to Broken Shore)
Army of the Light Neutral (Related to Antoran Wastes and Krokuun)
Court of Farondis Neutral (Related to Azsuna)
Dreamweavers Neutral (Related to Val'sharah)
Highmountain Tribe Neutral (Related to Highmountain)
The Nightfallen Neutral (Related to Suramar)
Talon's Vengeance Neutral (Related to a special PvP system)
The Wardens Neutral (Related to rare mobs)
Valarjar Neutral (Related to Stormheim)

Individual NPCs[]

Battle for Azeroth Battle for Azeroth[]

Battle for Azeroth This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.
Champions of Azeroth Neutral
Honeyback Hive Alliance (Related to Stormsong Valley)
Honorbound Horde
Order of Embers Alliance (Related to Drustvar)
Proudmoore Admiralty Alliance (Related to Tiragarde Sound)
Rajani Neutral (Related to Vale of Eternal Blossoms)
Rustbolt Resistance Neutral (Related to Mechagon)
Storm's Wake Alliance (Related to Stormsong Valley)
Talanji's Expedition Horde (Related to Nazmir)
Tortollan Seekers Neutral
Uldum Accord Neutral (Related to Uldum)
The Unshackled Horde (Related to Nazjatar)
Voldunai Horde (Related to Vol'dun)
Waveblade Ankoan Alliance (Related to Nazjatar)
Zandalari Empire Horde (Related to Zuldazar)
7th Legion Alliance

Shadowlands Shadowlands[]

Shadowlands This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.
The Ascended Neutral (Related to Bastion)
The Avowed Neutral
Court of Harvesters Neutral (Related to Revendreth)
The Undying Army Neutral (Related to Maldraxxus)
The Wild Hunt Neutral (Related to Ardenweald)
Stitchmasters Necrolord (Related to Necrolord Covenant)
Ember Court Venthyr (Related to Venthyr Covenant)
Death's Advance Neutral (Related to Korthia and The Maw)
Archivists' Codex Neutral (Related to Korthia)
Automa Neutral (Related to Zereth Mortis)
Enlightened Neutral (Related to Zereth Mortis)

Individual NPCs[]

Ember Court NPCs

Removed factions[]

Revantusk Tribe Horde (Added in patch 1.5, removed in patch 1.11)
Royal Apothecary Society Horde (Seen at BlizzCon 2007, removed before Wrath of the Lich King Beta)
Shen'dralar Neutral (Added in patch 1.3, removed in patch 4.0.3, although still visible in reputation panel)
Silvermoon Remnant Alliance (Added in patch 1.6.0, removed in patch 1.6.1)
Theramore Alliance (Added in Patch 1.6.0, removed in patch 1.6.1)
Zandalar Tribe Neutral (Related to Zul'Gurub, removed in patch 4.0.3, although still visible in reputation panel)
Moro'gai Neutral (Faction of Lost Ones removed during the World of Warcraft beta)

See also[]

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