Summary
- Nature Magic in Warcraft lore serves as a counterbalance to death and manifests as life within the physical realm.
- Arcane Magic is an intellectual form of order, controlling mana, and is used prominently by mages and night elves.
- Necromantic Magic is a tangible manifestation of death used to raise and control undead, such as by the Lich King.
The Warcraft franchise, most notably represented by World of Warcraft, has extensive and complex lore. This complexity is not just represented within its story and many characters, but in its very core, with there being extensive details about the fundamental structural factors at play within the universe. An example of this is the various magical energies that exist within, and make up, the core of the universe and storytelling.
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Magic in Warcraft lore is a fundamental and primordial factor that has existed since the dawn of time. These magical and cosmic forces have shaped the universe and have facilitated the creation and destruction of many civilizations. Many debates are had among fans regarding just how powerful each form of magic is and how many forms there are. The generally accepted broader forms of magic at play within the Warcraft universe are Nature, Arcane, Necromantic, Light/Holy, Fel, and Void/Shadow.
6 Nature
From The Pantheon Of Life
Nature Magic is the manifestation of Life within the physical realm. A cosmic force that acts as a counterbalance to the force of death. Nature Magic often serves as a form of power for Druids, allowing them to preserve and protect life. The Wild Gods of the Emerald Dream are other entities that use what is commonly known as Nature Magic to act as the guardians of life and are themselves primal manifestations of nature.
Nature Magic has been used in notable conflicts, most prominently in the War of the Ancients. Despite this, its more restorative nature means that it likely cannot be considered more powerful than any other form of magic. Of course, Nature Magic still holds great power, although there are plenty of other more destructive or far-reaching forms of magic in the Warcraft universe.
5 Arcane
From The Pantheon Of Order
Arcane magic is an intellectual form of magic that acts as a form of order, opposing the disorder of the Fel. Arcane magic can warp time and space, and it controls the flow of mana. Arcane magic is powerful and acts as the more ordered form of magic when compared to the chaotic nature of Fel magic. Arcane magic is prominently used by mages around Azeroth.
Arcane Magic, while notably used by famous mages throughout Warcraft lore, such as Medivh or Khadgar, is far more known for its effects on the Night Elves. It was Arcane Magic found within the Well of Eternity that supplied the Night Elves with immortality so long as they fed upon its power. However, this power is inherently volatile and requires great focus and training to wield it. This means Arcane is not as powerful as other forms of magic when compared to its raw power and strength.
4 Necromantic
From The Pantheon Of Death
Necromantic Magic is the manifestation of death itself and is the magic that is used to raise and control the dead. Necromantic Magic has been used many times throughout Warcraft history, but in Shadowlands it was revealed to have been harnessed by the Primus, who used it to create Necromancy.
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The effect of Necromantic Magic is far-reaching, acting as a tangible manifestation of death that can be used to reanimate or reconstruct any unliving flesh. The main example of a use of Death Magic is in Wrath of the Lich King, wherein Arthas Menethil, The Lich King, used necromancy to release an undead scourge upon Azeroth. Necromantic Magic is likely more powerful than the previous two entries, given the example wherein hordes of undead were released upon Azeroth, creating untold destruction. While Necromantic Magic may not be as broadly applicable as other forms, its pure destructive nature places it at this position on the list.
3 Light/Holy
The Magic Of The Naaru
The Light is one of the two main cosmic forces within the Warcraft universe, balanced alongside its counterpart, The Void. The Light manifests as an endless and expansive sea of energy and is wielded by those who have the power to act as conduits for its magic, Holy Magic. Holy Magic is mainly used by Priests and Paladins, offering combat magic alongside the far more prevalent healing powers.
The Light is another far-reaching and crucial magic within the Warcraft universe, even birthing the Naaru, who are made of pure Light energy. This power, along with its potent healing and combat abilities, means that the strength and power of The Light and Holy Magic cannot be denied. That being said, there are still more powerful forms of magic that exist within the Warcraft universe.
2 Void/Shadow
The Magic Of The Old Gods
The Void is the dark counterpart to The Light and is the cosmic power that has been fighting with The Light for all eternity. Neither force can exist without the other. Much like The Light, The Void cannot exist in its pure form and must manifest in the physical world through other forms of magic, in this case, Shadow Magic. Shadow Magic is wielded mainly by Shadow Priests and Warlocks.
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The Void is an immensely dangerous and potent form of magic, both destructive and corrupting by nature. It is notably ruled over by the Void Lords, who created the Old Gods as physical manifestations of the Voids' power. The Void is incredibly influential and malicious, destroying and corrupting worlds, wielded by the Old Gods who seek only destruction and evil. The Void and Fel could be interchangeable on the list, although more friendly classes and characters, such as Alleria, have managed to control and wield the Void or Shadow Magic for good.
1 Fel
From The Depths Of The Twisting Nether
Where other forms of magic, such as Arcane Magic, represent control and order, Fel represents pure unbridled chaos and destruction. Wielded for good by only two playable classes, Fel is often associated with the villainous Burning Legion and Demons from the Twisting Nether. Fel is the physical representation of the Twisting Nether, a realm of pure chaos that embodies the concept of disorder.
Not only is Fel incredibly powerful, but is a corrupting and ever-present plague on Azeroth and beyond. Members of the Burning Legion carry Fel in their blood and are always able to spread its destruction, and once spread, Fel cannot be erased. Where The Void is calculating and scheming, attempting to infiltrate and corrupt, Fel aims only to destroy and bring chaos, forever leaving landmasses and people malformed, corrupted, or destroyed. It is this pure destructive nature that makes Fel the most powerful magic within Warcraft lore.
World of Warcraft
- Released
- November 23, 2004
