Unlike other MMOs,World of Warcraft’sfaction system remains an integral component of player interest. After all, both the Alliance and the Horde have vastly different ideologies regarding the welfare of Azeroth as a whole. In turn, both factions frequently clash throughout theWarcraftMMO’s various expansions. Essentially, members of the Alliance find themselves rooted in ideologies of sacrifice, justice, faith, honor, and nobility. As such, fans ofBlizzard’s hit IP consider the Alliance as a pinnacle of order in the realm.
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However, as with all historical factions, the Grand Alliance has more than meets the eye. It seems its historical relevance in Azeroth’s politics won’t always have historians look at the Alliance’s lion crest and think of their faction as representing pure order. Moreover, the diversity of races and political sub-factions in the Alliance makes it an interesting side to look at on its own. Just what significance does the Alliance hold over Azeroth’s fate?
Updated on June 09, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:With Blizzard having announced Dragonflight as the newest expansion to its acclaimedWorld Of WarcraftMMO, fans of the franchise may be currently scrambling to meet the current endgame to start on the frontlines as soon as Dragonflight releases. However, players might want to know Allianceto further understand how the current expansion can affect this faction - especially when it comes to their territories, their potential weaknesses, their relationships with other factions, as well as the waythe Alliance is presented in the context of the Warcraft RPG.
15The Eastern Locales
Compared to the Horde and their prevalence in the continent of Kalimdor, the Alliance primarily holds domain over a lot of territories in the Eastern Kingdoms. Their zones of influence primarily focus on southern Eastern Kingdoms, Northern Kalimdor, Khaz Modan, and the central and southeastern portions of Kul Tiras.
As such, it makes sense that their capital cities are also located within these territoriesas well. These include Stormwind (Humans), Ironforge (Dwarves), the Remains of Darnassus (Night Elves), Gnomeregan (Gnome), the Exodar (Draenei), and what remains of Gilneas (Worgen).
14A Weakness In Principles
Given how the Alliance has come from the Grand Alliance that was formed simply to combat thethreat of the Horde and the Burning Legion, it makes sense that its major factions are conflicted in terms of the principles they hold and how these affect their overall decisions with regards to the Alliance. After all, their unity was that of necessity - and with the Horde presenting a common and peaceful presence in Azeroth, there’s not much need for a “Grand Alliance” to function the way they have been.
As such, it makes sense for the Alliance to see their biggest downfall in the form of their pride. Considering how a lot of their members seem “learned and sophisticated” in the way of skills such as technology and arcane magic, a lot of Alliance members often look down on the Horde. This makes the Alliance prone to underestimating their opponents, which almost always results in a rough awakening.
13A Home To Unique Factions
Interestingly, throughout the variousevents in Azeroth’s history, the Alliance has become home to other unique and smaller fractions as well. While these factions don’t hold a lot of sway in the decisions of matters concerning the greater Alliance, citizens belonging to these fringe factions can enjoy the same protections and privileges as regular Alliance members.
These races include the brawnier Kul Tiran humans, the technologically-advanced Mechagnomes, the independent Dark Iron Dwarves, the Holy Light-imbued Lightforged Draenei, and the Void-infused Void Elves. While they exist as a form of unique Allied Races in the game, their presence does add a flair of sophistication to the Alliance.
12Dark Arts Is A Frowned Upon Asset
Given their reverence to the more sophisticated Arcane Magic and the light-leaning Holy Magic, it makes sense for Alliance members to frownupon the dark arts- particularly Fel Magic and unknown magics that hail from rather unstudied and unsurveyed sources. This lack of trust also made Alliance members hesitate to cooperate with the likes of Warlocks and especially Demon Hunters who tap into these powers to serve their goals.
However, the Alliance is consistently proven wrong by their perceptions of these magics, especially when the control Warlocks and Demon Hunters have over Fel Magic has proven time and time again to be helpful against Burning Legion. While their opinions regarding dark magic stay the same, Warlocks and Demon Hunters are held in high regard (and sometimes, high distrust) over their unique assets.
11Difference In The TTRPG
Despite their expanded nature in the core MMORPG, the Alliance in theWarcraft RPGremains quite young in terms of history. In the RPG,the Alliance has just been created in the fight against the Horde, and it’s around this time that the Night Elves have reluctantly joined the cause due to the lack of allies in their regard.
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In terms of geography, this new union did start commerce between the Night Elves and the still-existing city of Theramore, starting a valuable exchange of culture and resources between the two. And while relationships between the Night Elves and the Alliance have grown, the secretive nature of the Night Elves still had many of their territories barred from outsiders.
10Rooted In The Grand Alliance
Like the Horde, the Alliance finds its roots within the Grand Alliance, the coalition that fought the Orcish Horde’s “invasion” of Azeroth. Back then, Regent Lord Anduin Lothar convinced other human kingdoms to unite after his own Kingdom of Stormwind fell at the hands of the Orcs. Other races eventually joined the Alliance, such as the Dwarves, the Gnomes, and even the High Elves.
Throughout the rest of the RTS games, the Orcs will once again invade and this time make a home in some parts of Azeroth. Once again, the Grand Alliance, this time led by King Terenas Menethil II, tried to intervene. This continues when the Grand Alliance eventually becomes the Alliance inWorld of Warcraft, this time led by Varian Wrynn and eventually Anduin Wrynn.
9More Coalition, Less United Government
Despite upholding ideals of law and order, the Alliance doesn’t have “formal” leadership. Instead, its members have a vested interest in the kind of economic and military support their alliance has. In turn,diplomacy remains a key componentin the unity of their factions, and each race still has authority over what goes on in their respective lands.
As such, unified actions almost always happen in times of crises, such as wars, where each member state would have to give resources and military aid for the Alliance’s benefit. These take the form of Hero’s Call Boards, as well as memberships within the unified Alliance High Command (for the army), and the Alliance Naval Command.
8Unity In Different Interests
When the Orc Horde posed a threat to invade Azeroth during the First War, the Grand Alliance formed as a force to stop them. This loose coalition became more of a trend for the Alliance as a whole. After all, much of its membership stems from mutual convenience empowered by diplomacy.
For instance, the High Elves of Quel’Thalas tried to join the Alliance three times but failed due to poor renegotiations. Meanwhile, the Night Elves opted to join the Alliance after experiencing animosity from Orcs. Likewise, the Draenei refugees from Draenor joined the Alliance thanks in part to their affinity with the Holy Light.
7The Human Glue
People recognize the Alliance for their stance towards courage, nobility, and pride. Despite their rather “rigid” ways, it’s always their sense of tradition and honor that made them a consistent force of “good” in Azeroth. Essentially, stereotypes make the Alliance similar toWarcraft’s (and in turn,other strategy gameswith a thematic side of “order”) version of the Justice League.
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Interestingly, Humans have a special place in the Alliance. Despite the diplomatic inclinations of its other members, it’s Humans that always rallied the Alliance together. In turn, Stormwind’s symbol - the lion - also became the official symbol of the Alliance.
6Strength In Technology
Unlike the Horde, the Dwarves and Gnomes of the Alliance worked hand-in-hand in creating some of the most sophisticated pieces of technology among members of the Alliance. It’s thanks to the Ironforge Dwarves that the Alliance enjoys master-crafted plate armor and steel weaponry. Likewise, their specialization in gunfire and steam-based equipment made them far superior compared to the Horde’s Mulgore Tauren.
Meanwhile, the Gnomes and their specialization as tinkerers allow them to create a wide array of useful devices for those who need them. As a result, Gnomes pride themselves in their suits of mechanical armor, catapults, and other steam-powered machinery. In turn, only respected Mages from Kirin Tor and other secluded orders get to practice magic and study their enemies’horrible creatures and machinations.
