The orc clans have long fought against one another for supremacy on Draenor, but Grommash’s bid for unity has started to close some of the rifts between them, save for one holdout: the Frostwolf Clan. While you may be familiar with many of these clans from stories and songs, we thought we’d take a moment to reintroduce you to a few of them—as they may not be the orcs you’ve come to know.
Frostwolf Clan
Father of Thrall and namesake of the orc starting lands in Azeroth (Durotar), Durotan leads the Frostwolf Clan. Renowned for their prowess as one-on-one combatants, the Frostwolf are a strong, close-knit clan whose bond with wolves only adds to their strength—though their numbers remain smaller than most clans.
Shadowmoon Clan
Led by their chieftain Nerzhul, these orcs make their home within Shadowmoon Valley. They are profoundly linked to the spiritual world and have many seers, astrologers, and speakers of the dead among their ranks. Their strength lies within their mastery of the dark arts.
Shattered Hand Clan
Led by the twisted Kargath Bladefist, these orcs make their home among the Spires of Arak. These former slaves have been drawn together through a macabre joy of pain both self-inflicted and imposed upon others. It is through this pain that they believe they gather strength, and their reputation as relentless and dirty fighters is well-earned.
Blackrock Clan
Led by Blackhand himself, the Blackrock are a disciplined, organized, and militaristic clan who boast expert smiths and metalworkers. Well armored, they utilize brute strength and weaponry to destroy their foes.
Warsong Clan
Led by legendary Grommash Hellscream himself, this orc clan makes their home in the lush land of Nagrand. The mounted raiders of the Warsong favor speed and maneuverability in battle—they move quickly, strike swiftly, and are away before their enemies know what hit them. Their war cries inspire their allies and strike fear into all those who dare get in their way.
Bleeding Hollow Clan
Led by Kilrogg Deadeye, this clan makes their home in the jungles of Tanaan Peninsula. They are a fanatical and crude clan who fight with a berserker fury and gain the boon of prophecy from their elders, who sacrifice an eye to see into the future.