The Legion is coming to an end, and the new addon for World of Warcraft, Battle for Azeroth, is already at the starting gate. We have fought many villains, and perhaps even defeated the Legion once and for all – but who do you think has been the main villain in WoW so far?
Whether demonic warlord, power-hungry warmonger, or cunning mastermind, the villains of World of Warcraft shape the story of the world. They pull the strings and craft plans to achieve their goals, forcing us to act time and again.
Without the antagonists, World of Warcraft would be a dull battleground with the same conflict between two factions. But even among the rogues, there is one supervillain who stands out from the rest.
We have made a small preliminary selection of those scoundrels who have shaped Azeroth the most and have had the greatest impact on history – and you can choose who is the worst, most cunning, or brutal among them.
Gul’dan: The exiled shaman of the Shadowmoon clan was the first orc warlock. His crimes include the creation of death knights, the corruption of the Orcs, and the murder of King Llane Wrynn.
The Lich King, Arthas Menethil: Prince Arthas Menethil was not the original Lich King, but perhaps the most prominent. Believing he was doing the right thing, he was corrupted by Frostmourne and Ner’zhul, ultimately becoming the ruler of the Scourge he intended to destroy.
Magatha Grimtotem: The matriarch of the Grimtotem clan is the true reason for the conflicts of Mists of Pandaria and Warlords of Draenor. Through her betrayal in an honorable duel between Cairne Bloodhoof and Garrosh Hellscream, she coated Garrosh’s weapon with a poison that brought him victory – and doom to the Horde.
Lady Katrana Prestor, alias Onyxia: The black dragon Onyxia, daughter of Deathwing and sister of Nefarian, was a threat not only because of her power. Her intrigues at the court of Stormwind were the reason why the Defias Brotherhood was even formed.
Deathwing: Once the Earth-Warder Neltharion, Deathwing was driven mad and since then has planned to subjugate Azeroth. Despite his madness, he was a cunning opponent who ultimately cost the other dragon aspects their power.
Garrosh Hellscream: Garrosh was the fanatical offspring of the hero Grommash Hellscream, who once killed Mannoroth. With his intention to restore the Horde under the leadership of the Orcs to new glory, he almost destroyed Pandaria and tore a hole in time itself.
Sargeras: The fallen titan and Lord of Demons is responsible for the creation of the Eredar as demonic generals and the destruction of countless worlds. With his Burning Legion, he has invaded Azeroth several times, bringing war and devastation.
Kil’jaeden, the Deceiver: As a former council member of the Draenei, Kil’jaeden joined Sargeras alongside Archimonde as the first of his kind. He not only attacked Azeroth with demonic armies but is also the reason the undead Scourge exists.
Mannoroth: Mannoroth was a powerful pit lord sent to Draenor by Archimonde and Kil’jaeden to subjugate the Orcs living there. His blood corrupted the clans that followed Gul’dan, turning them into the creatures that then invaded Azeroth.
Xavius: One of the few villains that has been causing havoc since Classic is the satyr Xavius. He distorted the Emerald Dream, held Malfurion captive and tormented him, and is responsible for Ysera’s death.
Varimathras: Dreadlords are known for their double-dealing and betrayal. Varimathras appeared to betray his masters when he joined Sylvanas – only to betray her and secretly lead the Apothecary Society. Under him, Grand Apothecary Putress unleashed the new plague in Northrend, thus fueling the conflict between Horde and Alliance in Wrath of the Lich King.
Yogg-Saron: Yogg-Saron, the beast with a thousand mouths, is one of two old gods that we can fight in WoW. He forced the keepers of Ulduar under his control to destroy Azeroth. His blood, known as saronite, was used by the Scourge to construct necropolises, weapons, and armor.
Lei Shen: The Thunder King was one of the greatest tyrannical rulers of the Mogu. Under him, the Mogu rose to become the ruling race over Pandaria and subjugated every other living people there – except for the Klaxxi.
Blackhand: Blackhand truly earns his title “the Destroyer.” He was perhaps one of the most dangerous warlords of Draenor and more power-hungry than all others. His greed made him the most brutal warmonger of the Iron Horde.
Majordomo Fandral Staghelm: After leading the Night Elves during the long absence of Tyrande and Malfurion and having to cope with the death of his son, he felt betrayed by Tyrande’s return. He joined the Firelord Ragnaros and called forth the Druids of the Flame.
Queen Azshara: The highborn queen of the Night Elves was over 10,000 years ago the leader of her people, loved by all. Her vanity eventually led her to summon the Burning Legion into Azeroth, destroying the Well of Eternity and leading the elves to their doom.
Aedelas Blackmoore: Most people learn very little about the Lord of Durnholde. He was the one who imprisoned and enslaved the Orcs after the war with them. One of those slaves was the future Warchief Thrall, who could only escape with the help of his beloved Taretha Foxton. Blackmoore, who previously kept Taretha as a servant and pleasure slave, had her executed and tossed her head at Thrall’s feet.
The internment camp in Durnholde after its destruction.
Sylvanas Windrunner: The former ranger and now Banshee Queen of the Undead seems to pursue her own goals whenever possible and only supports the Horde when it benefits her. Despite the alliance, she often does not adhere to the rules – and thus destroyed an entire kingdom, Gilneas, through the use of the plague.
Kel’thuzad: Kel’thuzad was the right hand and advisor of the Lich King, after being slain and resurrected as a lich by him. The Frost lich was the supreme commander of the Scourge and significantly responsible for their incursions against the living.
You can now vote on which of the scoundrels can claim the greatest misdeeds. After the voting, we will provide a longer lore description of the most frequently chosen characters.
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