Key things
- The conflict between the Alliance and the Horde was central to Warcraft, with various battles and betrayals over resources.
- The Battle for Azeroth marked a major turning point, ending the conflict but leaving behind a legacy of bloody battles.
- Various story arcs such as the Battle for Azeroth and the Siege of Lordaeron showcased key moments in the ongoing war between the factions.
One of the central storylines and themes Warcraft universe is a conflict between the world's two main factions: the Alliance and the Horde. The Horde first consisted of the orc clans of Draenor as they attempted to conquer the new world, while the Alliance was a pact formed between humans, dwarves, and high elves to defend their lands against the Horde. However, the composition of these factions has changed over the years.
Across all Warcraft games, the two pacts were part of a never-ending battle for supremacy, whether due to resources, differing ideals, or external manipulation. IN Battle for Azeroth, the conflict appears to have reached its conclusion and has not continued since. Yet the factions left a trail of battles as bloody and devastating as they were epic and grand in scope.
Related
What are your predictions for WoW: Midnight?
We know that we will somehow return to Quel'Thalas in World of Warcraft: Midnight, that the powers of the void are trying to destroy the Sunwell, and that the scattered elven people will somehow come together. Based on all of this, I think Xal'atath will be victorious in some way at the end of The War Within, and since the Sunwell is basically made from a vial taken from the original Well of Eternity, it could be a catalyst for Xal'atath to become greater , than she already is—perhaps to become powerful enough to completely corrupt Azeroth's World Soul, or at least powerful enough to achieve her goals, whatever they may be. I think Xal'atath will be the final boss of WoW: Midnight and since “things don't always go according to plan” she will somehow succeed in her goals and the final expansion will see us team up with the Titans. save the World Soul from complete corruption.
11 Stormheim expedition
Genna's quest for revenge
The Legion the expansion began with tragedy for both factions. Despite a united front between the Alliance and the Horde on the Broken Shore, the retreat of the Horde due to the mortal wounding of their warchief resulted in the loss of Varian Wrynn, King of the Alliance. Genn Greymane and his companions sought revenge against the new warlord Sylvanas.
Genn's sudden attack on Stormheim interrupted the hunt for the Aegis of Aggramar and turned the ancient land into a war zone between the two factions. In the end, Genna managed to engage Sylvanas in a quick but furious duel, stealing her offer of an immortal existence for herself and the other forsaken right before her eyes.
10 Battle of the Black Temple
Draenor Torn
The Alliance's expedition to Draenor was a bold attempt to destroy the Horde before it launched a counterattack. It was led by Paladin Turalyon, Archmage Khadgar, and Alleria Windrunner. Their army clashed with the remnants of the Horde led by Ner'zhul throughout Draenor until the climactic battle at Shadowmoon Valley.
This battle was close to a decisive victory for the Alliance. Nevertheless, Ner'zhul unleashed his final trick: magical earthquakes that appeared due to the countless portals simultaneously opening around Draenor. This led to the destruction of the world and its transformation into Outland, as well as the Alliance military being stuck on the other side of the Portal.
9 Krasarang Wilds campaign
Offensive On The New Continent
The moment Pandaria was discovered, the leaders of both the Alliance and the Horde saw an opportunity as the land was brimming with resources, secrets, and potential allies. This led to Varian Wrynn and Garrosh Hellscream launching offensives into the southernmost part of the continent, the Krasarang Wilds.
The campaign spread across Pandaria, involving members of various races, but the Wildlings became the epicenter of the battle. Soldiers from both factions clashed mercilessly, forever staining the once peaceful land with bloodshed and war.
8 The Siege of Stormwind
City razed to the ground
The First War ended with the devastating conquest of Stormwind. The Horde, still under the influence of the Legion's demonic powers, invaded the city and destroyed anyone in its path. Stormwind was razed to the ground. The victims were countless, including King Llane Wrynn, who was murdered by the assassin Garon.
However, this desecration paved the way for the birth of the Alliance. Anduin Lothar was in charge of defending the city and bringing the survivors to Lordaeron. After it became clear how dire the Horde's threat had become, the remaining kingdoms united in the Alliance, which became the Horde's main opposing force.
7 The Battle of Gilneas
Undead vs Cursed
While this conflict began with a Horde attack on a neutral kingdom, it eventually became part of a larger conflict. Genn Greymane and his people hid behind the great wall that separated their peninsula from the rest of the world, but the Cataclysm damaged it, creating an opportunity for the Forsaken to attack.
First, Sylvanas's Armin's drove the Gilneans from their home, which brought them into the Alliance with the help of the Night Elves. After the counterattack, Gilneas became a battleground between Alliance and Forsaken forces for many years, a conflict that was not resolved until the Battle for Azeroth.
6 The Battle of Dazar'alor
Alliance counterattack
The Battle for Azeroth began with devastating defeats for the Alliance, most notably the burning of Teldrassil. However, the faction was preparing a counterattack. In patch 8.1, Tides of Vengeance, the Alliance attacked the Zandalar city of Dazar'alor in full force. The battle began with the destruction of the Zadalari fleet and the advance of the Kultiran navy into the port.
This battle is unique because it becomes a raid with different perspectives depending on the faction the player belongs to. It includes a climactic battle against King Rastakhan in his throne room and one against Jaina Proudmoore as she secures the safe escape of her fleet.
5 The Battle of Ashenvale
Endless struggle for resources
Kalimdor remained a peaceful continent for 10,000 years, but that changed once the Orcs entered its land. They lived in the harsh region of Durotar with few resources to spare, while the Kaldorei had fertile forests at their disposal. This led to a long-term conflict between these factions, which became more pronounced in The flood.
The bulk of the conflict took place between the Orcs and Night Elves, with the two races fighting for control of Ashenvale. The Horde used various technological marvels such as shredders to cut down trees, while the Night Elves relied on the power of nature and druidism to protect their lands.
4 Fall Of Theramore
Garrosh's Onslaught
At the time of its announcement, Mists of Pandaria it looked like a lightweight expansion to contrast with Cataclysm, but its introduction painted a completely different picture. Garrosh marched his armies to Theramore, a city that had belonged to Jaina Proudmoore and had been established as a place of importance back in Warcraft 3.
Players of both factions were given a playable scenario showing the fall of Theramore, with different versions for the Horde and the Alliance. This battle shows how ruthless Garrosh can be, setting him up as the expansion's antagonist while also showing Jaina's transition from an idealistic pacifist.
3 War of Thorns
Declaration of war
The War Of Thorns was a quick and bloody start to the Battle for Azeroth. Sylvanas Windrunner began her campaign against the night elves to secure Kalimdor for the Horde. While her motives were later revealed to be selfish, most of the Horde followed the plan and fought in the conflict.
As the Horde soldiers passed through Ashenvale, they had to fight the night elves, including their powerful leaders such as Malfurion Stormrage. Eventually, Sylvanas ordered the burning of Teldrassil, which enraged Varok Saurfang and sparked the last great war between the two opposing factions.
2 The Battle of the Dark Portal
Fall of the old horde
The Second War ravaged the Eastern Kingdoms as the Horde pushed north and tried to conquer everything. His streak of victories was broken by Gul'dan's betrayal, leaving the Horde open to a counterattack by Alliance forces. They were led by Anduin Lothar, who lost his life in battle against Orgrim Doomhammer.
After Lothar's death, his protégé Turalyon took command. He drove the Horde south back to the Dark Portal where there was an all-out battle between the factions. Despite heavy losses on both sides, the Alliance was victorious, crushing the armies of the Horde and bringing Doomhammer to his knees.
1 The Siege of Lordaeron
A devastating clash
After Teldrassil burned, it was only a matter of time before the Alliance responded. This resulted in an all-out assault on Lordaeron to end Sylvanas' rule. The battle destroyed the Undercity and resulted in the surrounding lands being poisoned by a plague and only Jaina was able to make her way through it.
The siege included numerous technologies such as siege towers, dwarven constructions, and abandoned defenses. Leaders like Jaina, Alleria, and Sylvanas performed remarkable feats during the battle. The battle between Saurfang and the Alliance heroes served as the culmination of an epic battle between the factions.
