Thanks to Blizzard’sWarcraftfranchise, fans got treated to a more action-packed take on a fantasy story.Warcraft’s Azeroth has powerful and mystical Elves, technologically-advanced Gnomes and Dwarves, and even the alien Orcs from a doomed planet. Moreover, alongside these races came various personalities — leaders, villains, and heroes — who made a mark in the hearts of gamers across the strategy game franchise’s story.
RELATED:Things That Make FF 14 The Best Modern MMO (& Why It’s Still World Of Warcraft)
Additionally,Warcraft’s fame led toWorld of Warcraft, an MMO that further expanded on the lore of the games.WoWallowed fans themselves to take part in stories involving the future of Azeroth. However, aside from player characters, the MMORPG also introduced new sets of villains and heroes. Outside universal beings themselves, who are themost powerfulWarcraftcharacters?
Updated on July 04, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:With World of Warcraft: Dragonflight bringing the long-lost Dragonflights to the front and center as Azeroth’s restored protectors, it’s up to them and players across the Alliance and the Horde to defeat the new threat of the Primalist proto-dragons. And while their nature as some of Azeroth’s oldest beings makes them extremely powerful, they don’t immediately hold a candle to some of the characters that have graced lore before. Fans of the Warcraft story interested in meeting powerful NPCs from the lore may not necessarily have to look further, as one of them is Pandaria’s oldest ruler, the other is the Night Elves’ longest-standing leader, and another is the former arbiter of Azeroth’s version of hell.
18Lei Shen, The Thunder King
Known as the first and most powerful Mogu warlord,Emperor Lei Shenbecame theThunder Kingafter stealing the power to control storms from Ra, the Titan Keeper. When the Zandalari allies of the Mogu resurrected Lei Shen in the hopes of ushering in a new Mogu Age, Lei Shen transformed into themain villain of theMists of Pandariaexpansion.
At its core, Lei Shen is known for his ruthlessness and pride, whose status as the Thunder King made him think of himself as an actual god. He was under the belief that the Mogu would find a sense of purpose under one unified ruler, and the weaker “lesser” races should worship the Mogu as the superior, much “stronger” kind.
Lei Shen, The Thunder King’s Feats
Much of Lei Shen’s feats are divided among his achievements as King of the Mogu and as a warlord himself. Under his leadership, Lei Shen shaped much of the landscape in Pandaria. Not only did he lead the creation of the Serpent’s Spine that divided the continent from the harsh lands of the mantid, but he also managed to conquer the neighboring mermen Jinyu and monkey-people Hozen.
Such was Lei Shen’s strength that he even managed to best Xuen the White Tiger, known as one of the powerful Wild Gods. Never to refuse combat, Lei Shen often leads his forces to victory, fueled by the pride and hatred that the Mogu are known to possess.
17Tyrande Whisperwind
Despite her first appearance as a priestess,Tyrande Whisperwindof the Night Elves served as a central figure for the race due to her impact in Azeroth since the War of the Ancients. Raised alongside Malfurion and Illidan Stormrage,Tyrande pursued the leadership and the protection of the Night Elveswhile Malfurion became Archdruid of the Emerald Dream and Illidan pursued his own path as a Mage.
Throughout the series, Tyrande became a figurehead to her race as well as Elune, eventually being relegated as her High Priestess. Tyrande is as passionate as she is rash, but she has a deep and caring soul. She protects all she loves with whatever capabilities she possesses, with the wisdom of age transforming her into a more open and amiable person.
Tyrande Whisperwind’s Feats
Given her age, Tyrande’s feats go way back to her childhood. Despite Illidan and Malfurion growing into the best members of their respective crafts, Tyrande bested them while they were children. As they grew up, Tyrande’s skill as a priestess was augmented with the need to lead the Night Elves, transforming her into a formidable general.
However, perhaps the most impressive of Tyrande’s achievements was her transformation into Elune’s divine agent: the Night Warrior. Replacing her bow with twin blades, Tyrande became a god-fueled agent of vengeance, now powerful enough to channel Elune’s wrath to otherwise incredibly-powerful individuals such as Nathanos Blightcaller. She is even powerful enough to contend with the Maw-empowered Banshee Queen Sylvanas herself.
16Zovaal, The Jailer
Belonging to the Primordial Eternal Ones that governed over death,Zovaalwas once known as the Arbiter who judged souls entering the afterlife. When the Eternal Ones didn’t listen to Zovaal’s premonition of a coming threat that the First Ones’ creations (Azeroth and its Ordering) couldn’t face, Zovaal attempted to usurp the Eternal Ones’ power for himself only to be imprisoned in the Maw of which he was given absolute control.
As the Jailer of Souls, Zovaal was left in charge of the fate of the damned sent to his realm, which was a role he cherished. However, what he truly desired was to go to Azeroth and claim the world, and then put countless others under his control. He aspired to do this through Sylvanas, who he fooled into thinking all he wanted was to provide freedom beyond life and death. Had it not been for the efforts of both the Alliance and the Horde, Sylvanas’ betrayal, and even an intervention from Azeroth’s resting spirit, Zovaal was driven to nonexistence.
Zovaal, The Jailer’s Feats
As an Eternal One, Zovaal’s powers rival that of the Titans among the First Ones. Zovaal is technically capable of manipulating reality itself with enough power, only this time his machinations are limited by his confinement in the Maw. His knowledge of the inner workings of both the universe and death itself fueled his desire to rewrite the entirety of reality via the First Ones’ sigils, all of which are locked inside the secret realm of the Sepulcher of the First Ones.
RELATED:World Of Warcraft: Best Final Boss Fights In The Expansions, Ranked
PerhapsZovaal’s most interesting featsare related to how he slowly manipulated some of Azeroth’s most malevolent beings into working for his plans without them knowing. Zovaal managed to imprison his brothers, the Primus, and forced them to create the Helm of Domination as well as the Frostmourne. These instruments formed the Lich King, which Zovaal intended to use as heralds for his arrival in Azeroth.
15Kil’jaeden
Who better to become one of the most powerful in Azeroth than the Dark Titan’s second-in-command himself? Kil’jaeden served under Sargeras as one of his lieutenants, the other being Archimonde, when Sargeras arrived and tempted the knowledge-seeking race.
Whereas Velen would find the Eredar after refusing Sargeras’s “blessing,” Kil’jaeden and Archimonde would receive incredible power. However, it’s Kil’jaeden that would become Sargeras most trusted.
Kil’jaeden’s Feats
Prior to his corruption, Kil’jaeden himself would be known for his sheer intellect. It’s through his genius and cunning that Sargeras would use Kil’jaeden to further the Burning Legion. With this and his newfound powers, Kil’jaeden would tempt and corrupt other beings as well. For instance, it’s Kil’jaeden that would impart Fel energies to Gul’dan to exact revenge on his clan.
Likewise, it’s KIl’jaeden that would spearhead the Orc’s corruption into siding with the Burning Legion. While the forces of good would thwart Kil’jaeden’s plans for the Burning Legion, it’s still Kil’jaeden that brought a lot of individuals down a path of destruction.
14Deathwing
Serving as the primary antagonist ofWorld Of Warcraft: Cataclysm,Deathwingisn’t simply an angry dragon with awesome fire-interior detail. Rather, he’s actually served as one of the five Dragon Aspects, empowered by the Titans to serve a particular purpose in the realm. Unfortunately, corruption by the Old Gods transformed Deathwing - formerlyNeltharion the Earth-Warder- into the vengeful and vicious beast that he’s currently presenting himself as.
Deathwing’s Feats
Despite his bestial form,Deathwing is actually extremely cunning and dangerous to deal with. He actually participated in the Second War to try and break the fledgling Alliance by posing as Lord Daval Prestor. Not only that, he’s manipulated circumstances around him to have the Horde enslave Alexstrasza the Life-Binder, his greatest rival. InCataclysm,Deathwing wanted to reshape Azeroth into his image - which would’ve succeeded had it not been for the players and the combined forces of the Alliance and the Horde.
Powers-wise, Deathwing had total control over the land and its features, courtesy of his original form of Neltharion. However, his corruption now allowed him to control lava himself - a quality he’s shared with his black dragonflight. Due to this, Deathwing can withstand extreme temperatures, with only Thrall and his empowered Dragon Soul managing to destroy Deathwing once and for all.
13Sargeras
Perhaps the most dangerous being inWorld Of Warcraftlore,Sargeras the Dark Titanwas one of the progenitors of the known universe. However, due to the corruption of the Old Gods, Sargeras sought only the universe’s destruction to ensure the stability of the universe.
It’sthrough Sargeras that the Burning Legion was created, and through his influence did the Burning Legion manage to create the likes of demons and other dangerous entities.
Sargeras' Feats
Due to Sargeras’ nature as a primordial force of nature, the scope of his powers isn’t necessarily complete. Theoretically, Sargeras can manipulate almost anything depending on his whims. Across the franchise, Sargeras has demonstrated feats such as telepathy and illusion creation, possession and resurrection, and even the creation of actual planets. According to the lore, immensely-powerful demons such as Archimonde and Mannoroth are “fleas” compared to Sargeras, making him an extremely powerful being indeed.
In fact, Sargeras being a primordial being means he cannot be annihilated at all. During the finale ofLegion, it’s only thanks to the efforts of the heroes of Azeroth and the other Titans that Sargeras became imprisoned in the Seat of the Pantheon.
12Aman’thul
Also known as the Highfather of the Pantheon,Aman’thulis the leader of the Titans, primordial beings responsible for the creation of the universe. When Aman’thul rose and led his fellow Titans during the “Ordering” or creation of the universe, Aman’thul is perhaps the oldest being to ever exist.
RELATED:World Of Warcraft: Rarest Mounts In The Game, Ranked
Given his lack ofinteraction with a lot of playersfor a majority of the franchise, not much about Aman’thul is known except for his feats throughout legend.
Aman’thul’s Feats
It’s said that Aman’thul is capable of nurturing World Souls until they become Titans of their own, which demonstrates immense knowledge and power on his part. Not only that, Aman’thul is said to have created the titan-forged to combat beings as powerful as the Old Gods, demonstrating his power of creation.
Moreover, Aman’thul is also capable of blessing other beings with abilities suited to their nature. For instance, Aman’thul blessed Keeper Odyn and Highkeeper Ra with their abilities, with the latter in particular possessing something known as the Fist Of Ra-Den that could manipulate the storms themselves. During the creation of the Dragon Aspects, Aman’thul gave Nozdormu the power to travel through time.
11Gul’dan
Gul’dan sought power for his personal gain, through whatever means necessary. As a result, his skills as a Warlock became amplified the closer he got to Sargeras and his Burning Legion. Essentially, Gul’dan sought power under the tutelage of the Burning Legion’s leaders.
As a result, Gul’dan gained enough power and influence to not just create the first death knights but also the Shadow Council that gathered mortals that believed in the Burning Legion’s cause. He is infamously known as the “Destroyer of Dreams” and “Darkness Incarnate” due to his powers.
Gul’dan’s Feats
As a child, Guldan’s clan shaman sensed potential in the former to become a Shaman himself. Unfortunately, the hatred he harbored for the clan’s mockery of his crippled state made even the elements themselves reject him. It’s through Kil’jaeden that Guldan accessed Fel energies and led him to slaughter his entire clan. From then on, Gul’dan would travel to the Stormwolf Clan and corrupt their society from within, starting with Ner’zhul.
Due to his intimate relationship with the Burning Legion, Gul’dan received ridiculous amounts of power. He’s regarded as the most powerful mortal Warlock in history, and perhaps one of the most powerful beings to ever exist. He would hold so much power that even his skull served as a conduit for demonic energy, and a small fragment of Gul’dan’s soul lingered to whisper to anyone who held it. Furthermore, the skull would prove powerful enough to help the likes of Ner’zhul open the Dark Portal to get to Azeroth.
10Thrall
Despite his wishes to live a peaceful life with his family, Azeroth will continuously call on Thrall to unite the Horde.A harsh childhood will forge Thrall into a fierce but intelligent warrior. Thrall, who will eventually become the Warchief of Durotar, will unite the Horde’s races and become its Warchief.
However, behind his leadership is an Orc extremely in tune with the elements. Thrall will leave his post to become the leader of the Earthen Ring, the most powerful shamans of Azeroth. His incredible link with the elements allowed him to use their powers to empower himself and his allies, see visions of the future, and understand the nature of Azeroth as a living ecosystem.
Thrall’s Feats
Those familiar with the lore could say that Thrall owed much to both Humans and Orcs for his growth, but it’s his own perseverance that helped him restore honor among the Orcs. When Aedelas Blackmoore took him as a child, he had him trained in both the art of combat and strategy. And thanks to Taretha, Thrall learned to use these skills for good.
In addition, Thrall’s tutelage under Orgrim Doomhammer taught him the tenets of leadership. With the Doomhammer, Thrall learned to better channel his abilities. In the novels, Thrall even became familiar with Dark Magic and its machinations.
Thanks to Drek’Thar, the spirits themselves chose Thrall to serve as their avatar for the return of Shamanism to Orcs. As a result, Thrall served as the first renewed Orc Shaman and the most powerful at that. With his abilities, he’s gone toe-to-toe against the likes of the demon Mannoroth and earned the trust of the Prophet Medivh. In fact, Thrall became so powerful that he was able to take upon the role of Aspect of Earth itself in the battle against Deathwing.
9Jaina Proudmoore
Jaina served as one of the most talented sorceresses of the Kirin Tor, which is itself comprised of Azeroth’s most powerful mages. Over time, she will become the Grand Magus of the Kirin Tor and ruler of Dalaran. In time, Jaina will be hailed as the most powerful human sorceress on Azeroth.
As a sorceress, Jaina possesses the ability to detect magic, teleportation, and an incredible roster ofpowerful arcane spells. Moreover, Jaina will further get irradiated with magic, courtesy of the Mana Bomb that destroyed her city of Theramore. Due to her trials and hardships, the once-sweet Jaina has become colder and more merciless, swearing to fight the Horde and the Burning Legion.
Jaina’s Feats
Thanks to her noble background, the Proudmoores had Jaina surrounded by various tutors that helped her become familiar with the political scene of Lordaeron. In addition, her exposure to Proudmoore’s military history may have shaped her eventual future of leading Theramore prior to its destruction. As a child, Jaina always had a keen love for learning, which may explain her natural specialization in both magical investigation and research as one of the few female members of the Kirin Tor close to its highest officials.
Meanwhile, Jaina’s own magical potential made itself apparent at an early age. She became the protege of Archmage Antonidas, the leader of the Kirin Tor himself, at 11 years old. Jaina demonstrates a remarkable quick wit and magical prowess throughout her travels. Aside from spectacles to entertain audiences, Jaina can use cast fireballs, invisibility, and teleportation.
Jaina’s skill level allowed her to contend with the likes of the dreadlord Mal’Ganis, Archimonde, and even the forces of the Lich King Arthas. Additionally, Jaina proved skilled enough not just to protect the former Guardian Aegwynn but even become her student. As she grew with age, Jaina grew her knowledge of the magical arts outside the Alliance’s borders. Moreover, her close ties with Thrall and encounters with the likes of Sylvanas, Tyrande Whisperwind, and even the Stormrage brothers honed her familiarity with Dark Magic, Druidism, and ancient magics.
