Hero class

A hero class is a character class derived from the base classes, but with exclusive perks. Examples of these perks include a higher starting level, better starting gear, unique abilities, and class mounts. Introduced in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, the death knight uses the rune system which no other class has. The second hero class, the demon hunter, was introduced with the World of Warcraft: Legion expansion. Prerequisites are required to "unlock" the hero classes for play. The concept of a hero class is derived from the Warcraft III hero units.

Blizzard's Meaning of "Hero Class"

When Blizzard said "Hero Class" they never had any intention of saying a class is more powerful as if you were a hero. It just means a class is more unique in play style. The word hero often seems to confuse players to think the opposite of what Blizzard defined it as.

"It's also important to keep in mind that even though the death knight is a hero class, that doesn't mean it is more powerful than the other classes, just that it will offer a very different playing experience."

— Quoted from the official Q&A on Death Knights.

Death Knight

This section concerns content exclusive to Wrath of the Lich King.

Main article: Death Knight

At Blizzcon 2007, Blizzard announced that the death knight hero class was to be a new addition in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion pack. Nethaera posted on the Wrath of the Lich King forums that the current plans are to introduce one new hero class per expansion set. Death knights do not have a mana, rage, or energy bar; instead they have a runic power bar and use runes.

The death knight can have two roles: tanking and damage dealing (or DPS). They do not use shields while tanking, instead using two-handed weapons or dual-wielding one-handed weapons. Non-melee magic abilities can also play a role during combat.

Pre-requisites

There used to be an old requirement that to create a Death Knight, one must've had at least 1 level 55 character, and only 1 per realm. Recently, this restriction was lifted.

Unique perks

• Death knights start at level 55.
• Death knights have no race restrictions (until the Mists Of Pandaria expansion, as the Pandaren race didn't participate in battles with the Lich King).
• Death knights quickly obtain a full set of rare gear right in their starting area(by completing a long quest-chain).
• Because they start the game at such a high level, they are given the flight paths for the original continents.
• Their Runeforging ability allows death knights to enchant their own weapons.
• Only death knights can obtain the Acherus Deathcharger and Winged Steed of the Ebon Blade mounts.

Demon Hunter

This section concerns content exclusive to Legion.

This section concerns content that is not yet released.

Main article: Demon hunter

At Gamescom 2015, Blizzard announced that the demon hunter hero class was to be a new addition in the World of Warcraft: Legion expansion pack. Demon hunters use Demonic fury as their resource.

The demon hunter can have two roles: tanking and damage dealing (or DPS). They are the only class with two talent specializations, instead of the typical three.

Pre-requisites

Pre-requisites are unknown at this time.

Unique perks

• Demon hunters start at level 98.
• Because they start the game at such a high level, they are given the flight paths for the original continents.
• Demon hunters are the only class that can double jump.
• Demon hunters also are the only class that can see through walls, stealth, and invisibility with their Spectral Sight.

Bard

Main article: Bard (hero class)

The Bard hero class was announced on April 1st 2008, as a Blizzard April Fools' Day hoax.

According to the announcement, the Bard "can vanquish evil with the power of ROCK!" and wields a two-handed "axe" (that is, an electric guitar). Screenshots revealed a new "Fret Bar" interface (resembling that of the Guitar Hero games) powering the Bard's "Groove" resource system. Blizzard claimed that the Wrath of the Lich King expansion would ship with a Frostmourne-themed "guitar-based keyboard peripheral".

Two Talent trees were revealed, including Metal Talents (such as Starstruck, Epic Solo, and Axe Specialization), and Punk Rock Talents (such as Shred, Mosh Pit, and Rock 'N Roll Racing).

Original announcement: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/bard/bardclass.xml

Pre-World of Warcraft hero classes

This section concerns content exclusive to Warcraft III.

Paladins were a hero class in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos but were changed to a normal class when World of Warcraft was released. Paladins were also originally considered being made into a hero class in WoW.

Other possible hero classes

In Blizzcast 7, it was revealed that while making Wrath of the Lich King, Blizzard considered a number of ideas for the hero class, which they narrowed down to four front runners. Besides the death knight, they also considered:

• Necromancer
• Runemaster
• Monk

Monks eventually became a primary starting class in Mist of Pandaria expansion, not a hero one.

Although they did not ultimately choose to implement the class, some of the ideas for the necromancer class were incorporated into the death knight instead.

Note that, during the Blizzcast interview, J. Allen Brack mentions a figure of "29 hero classes that we've got completed". However, some sources quoting the interview frame this as "Brack joked that ...", and the interviewer who was face to face with him during the interview laughed after he made the statement. However, he delivers the statement deadpan, and some people have taken the comment seriously and literally. In any case, regardless of the actual number, it is clear that Blizzard has a number of ideas beyond the one we've seen implemented so far.

See also

• Warcraft III hero units, the inspiration for hero classes.

External links

WoW Insider Would you want to see another hero class? by Matthew Rossi Sep 6th 2012 5:00PM