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.

World of Warcraft (Classic)
Argent Dawn ![]() |
(related to Naxxramas, Stratholme & Scholomance) |
Bloodsail Buccaneers ![]() |
(enemies of Booty Bay) |
Brood of Nozdormu ![]() |
(related to Ahn'Qiraj) |
Cenarion Circle ![]() |
(related to Ahn'Qiraj) |
Darkmoon Faire ![]() |
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Gelkis clan ![]() |
(enemies of Magram clan) |
Hydraxian Waterlords ![]() |
(related to Molten Core) |
Magram clan ![]() |
(enemies of Gelkis clan) |
Ravenholdt ![]() |
(related to Rogues) |
Shen'dralar ![]() |
(related to Dire Maul) |
Syndicate ![]() |
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Thorium Brotherhood ![]() |
(related to Molten Core) |
Timbermaw Hold ![]() |
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Zandalar Tribe ![]() |
(related to Zul'Gurub) |
Horde/Alliance
Horde
races
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(related to Trolls) |
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(related to Orcs) |
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(related to Tauren) |
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(related to Forsaken) |
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(related to Blood elves) |
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(related to Goblins) |
Alliance
races
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(related to Night elves) |
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(related to Gnomes) |
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(related to Dwarves) |
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(related to Humans) |
Wintersaber Trainers | (related to night elves and Winterspring) |
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(related to Draenei) |
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(related to Worgen) |
Horde/Alliance Forces
Horde Forces 
The Defilers | (related to Arathi Basin) |
Frostwolf Clan | (related to Alterac Valley) |
Warsong Outriders | (related to Warsong Gulch) |
Alliance Forces 
The League of Arathor | (related to Arathi Basin) |
Silverwing Sentinels | (related to Warsong Gulch) |
Stormpike Guard | (related to Alterac Valley) |
Steamwheedle Cartel 
Booty Bay | |
Everlook | |
Gadgetzan | |
Ratchet |
Other
Syndicate | (enemies of Ravenholdt) |
Wintersaber Trainers ![]() |
(related to Winterspring) |
In The Burning Crusade
Ashtongue Deathsworn ![]() |
(related to Black Temple) |
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(related to Coilfang Reservoir) |
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(related to Auchindoun) |
Honor Hold ![]() |
(related to Hellfire Citadel) |
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(related to Caverns of Time) |
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(related to Shadowmoon Valley) |
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(related to Blade's Edge Mountains) |
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(related to Battle of Mount Hyjal) |
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(related to Zangarmarsh) |
Thrallmar ![]() |
(related to Hellfire Citadel) |
Tranquillien ![]() ![]() |
(related to Ghostlands) |
The Violet Eye ![]() |
(related to Karazhan) |
Horde
races
Silvermoon City ![]() |
(related to Blood elves) |
Alliance
races
Exodar ![]() |
(related to Draenei) |
Shattrath City 
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(enemies of The Scryers) |
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(related to Auchindoun) |
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(enemies of The Aldor) |
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(related to Tempest Keep) |
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(related to Skettis) |
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(related to Magisters' Terrace & Sunwell Plateau) |
Nagrand 
Kurenai ![]() |
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The Mag'har ![]() |
In Wrath of the Lich King
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(related to Icecrown Citadel; added in Patch 3.3) |
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Horde Expedition/Alliance Vanguard 
Horde Expedition 
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The Sunreavers | |
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Alliance Vanguard 
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The Silver Covenant | |
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Sholazar Basin 
Frenzyheart Tribe ![]() |
(enemies of The Oracles) |
The Oracles ![]() |
(enemies of Frenzyheart Tribe) |
In Cataclysm
Avengers of Hyjal ![]() |
(related to Mount Hyjal/Patch 4.2) |
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(related to Mount Hyjal) |
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(related to Uldum) |
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(related to Vashj'ir) |
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(related to Deepholm) |
Horde
races
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(related to Goblins) |
Alliance
races
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(related to Worgen) |
Twilight Highlands 
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(opposes Wildhammer Clan) |
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(opposes Dragonmaw Clan) |
Tol Barad 
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(opposes Hellscream's Reach) |
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(opposes Baradin's Wardens) |
In Mists of Pandaria
Bizmo's Brawlpub (Season 1) - Brawler's Guild faction; changed to add "(Season 1)" in
Brawl'gar Arena (Season 1) - Brawler's Guild faction; changed to add "(Season 1)" in
Shang Xi's Academy - exclusive to the Wandering Isle
Forest Hozen - based in the Jade Forest only; no quartermaster as of Patch 5.3
Pearlfin Jinyu - based in the Jade Forest only; no quartermaster as of Patch 5.3
The Tillers - farming faction primarily in the Valley of the Four Winds
Friend factions:- Chee Chee (faction) - Chee Chee's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Ella (faction) - Ella's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Farmer Fung (faction) - Farmer Fung's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Fish Fellreed (faction) - Fish Fellreed's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Gina Mudclaw (faction) - Gina Mudclaw's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Haohan Mudclaw (faction) - Haohan Mudclaw's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Jogu the Drunk (faction) - Jogu the Drunk's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Old Hillpaw (faction) - Old Hillpaw's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Sho (faction) - Sho's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
- Tina Mudclaw (faction) - Tina Mudclaw's faction in Valley of the Four Winds
The Anglers - headed by Nat Pagle and located primarily in Krasarang Wilds
Friend factions:- Nat Pagle (faction) - several quests, but only 1 reward, [Nat's Hat] (has +150 lure effect)
The Lorewalkers - lore faction based in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms
Order of the Cloud Serpent - based in the Jade Forest with representatives in the faction capitals of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms
Golden Lotus - based primarily in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms with representatives in Kun-Lai Summit and Townlong Steppes
The August Celestials - based in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, but with quests throughout Pandaria
- The Black Prince - Wrathion's faction
Shado-Pan - primarily based in the Townlong Steppes, but a few representatives in surrounding zones
The Klaxxi - Mantid faction in the Dread Wastes
Patch 5.1
Dominance Offensive - primarily in Krasarang Wilds
Operation: Shieldwall - primarily in Krasarang Wilds
Patch 5.2
- Shado-Pan Assault - focused on the Isle of Thunder; sub-faction of the Shado-Pan for {[quality|epic}} item level 522 rewards
Kirin Tor Offensive - focused on the Isle of Thunder
Sunreaver Onslaught - focused on the Isle of Thunder
Patch 5.3
Patch 5.4
Unlikely
The Brewmasters? - appeared in Beta as more of a plan than a faction with no related rewards and very few related quests; never really materialized
In Warlords of Draenor
Arakkoa Outcasts
Barracks Bodyguards
Council of Exarchs
Frostwolf Orcs
Laughing Skull Orcs
Sha'tari Defense
- effectively removed from AlphaShadowmoon Exiles
Steamwheedle Draenor Expedition[citation needed]‡
Steamwheedle Preservation Society
Vol'jin's Spear
Wrynn's Vanguard
Bizmo's Brawlpub - Brawler's Guild faction; replaced previous original from
in
Brawl'gar Arena - Brawler's Guild faction; replaced previous original from
in
‡ It's not clear if this faction is really a reputation faction, but quests are attached to it.
Patch 6.1
Patch 6.2
In Legion
- Class-related factions?
Illidari -
Demon hunter for starting zone?
Uncrowned -
Rogue-related; not really a faction
- Professions-related factions
Conjurer Margoss - a friend faction NPC and vendor for Template:Prolink on a floating islet outside of
Dalaran
The First Responders -
First Aid-related?; not really a faction
- Zone-related factions
Court of Farondis - associated with Azsuna
Dreamweavers - associated with Val'sharah
Highmountain Tribe - associated with Highmountain
The Nightfallen - associated with Suramar
Arcane Thirst (Oculeth) - Mini-faction for tracking unlock of NPC using
[[Ancient Mana|[Template:Arg}]]]
Arcane Thirst (Thalyssra) - Mini-faction for tracking unlock of NPC using Ancient Mana
Arcane Thirst (Valtrois) - Mini-faction for tracking unlock of NPC using Ancient Mana
Jandvik Vrykul - for tracking to adjust friendliness of Suramar NPCs
Valarjar - associated with Stormheim
The Wardens - associated with Azsuna, but via world quests
- Others
?
Gilnean Survivors- Bradensbrook faction removed in development??
Moon Guard- removed in development??
Moonguard- tracking faction for Artifact Weapon campaign? removed in development?Talon's Vengeance - related to Falcosaur questlines added in Patch 7.1.5
- Conjurer Margoss -
Fishing-related
In Battle for Azeroth
- 7th Legion
- Kul Tiras - Drustvar
- Kul Tiras - Stormsong
- Kul Tiras - Tiragarde
- Order of Embers
- Proudmoore Admiralty
- Storm's Wake
- Dino Training - Pterrodax
- The Honorbound
- Talanji's Expedition
- Tortollan Seekers
- Voldunai
- Zandalari Dinosaurs
- Zandalari Empire
Removed factions
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(added in ![]() ![]() |
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(added in ![]() ![]() |
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(added in ![]() ![]() |
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(removed in ![]() ![]() |
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(seen at BlizzCon 2007, removed before Wrath of the Lich King Beta)[citation needed] |
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(primarily in Black Temple, Shadowmoon Valley, Outland; removed in Patch 5.3?) |
See also
External links
- Official
- Battle.net pages were removed with
Warlords of Draenor.
- Info
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