The Warcraft Universe is a lush and beautiful world, but also an incredibly dangerous one to live in. Across multiple games and expansions, Azeroth and other worlds have been ravaged by armies of demons, undead, or chthonic spawns of the Old Gods. This means the heroes of Azeroth have their work cut out for them as they find themselves in a constant struggle against their foes.
Unsurprisingly, the universe has seen its fair share of antagonists and villains. Some fight for their own selfish gains; some have been corrupted by outside forces; others cling to the belief that their actions are noble. One way or another, they conflict with the heroes of Azeroth and other Warcraft characters, which serves as the core of much of Warcraft’s story.
11 Yogg-Saron
The God Of Ulduar
Yogg-Saron is one of the Old Gods and the secondary antagonist in the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. He is a manipulative creature who has been trapped within the halls of Ulduar for centuries, but he managed to be a threat even from the depths of his prison by corrupting multiple guardians and turning Ulduar into his own fortress.
The storyline of the Storm Peaks zone involves the players dealing with Yogg-Saron and his main puppet, Lokin. The more they progress, the more they see the extent of his corruption. In Ulduar, Yogg-Saron has a memorable encounter, driving the player characters insane by showing them visions of the past.
10 Lei Shen
The Emperor Of Eld
Lei Shen is one of the Titans’ most powerful creations. He was the leader of Mogu and the ancient Emperor of the land that is now known as Pandaria. He was in long slumber, but during the storyline of Mists of Pandaria, he was reawakened by the Zandalari forces. He became a prominent antagonist later.
Patch 5.2 focuses on Lei Shen and his domain, the Isle of Thunder, which becomes the subject of an invasion by Alliance, Horde, and Pandaren forces. Lei Shen presents a memorable encounter as he challenges theplayers, using the powers of lightning and ancient Mogu artifacts as his weapons.
9 Azshara
The Undersea Queen
Azshara is one of the most influential Warcraft characters, as her decision back in the ancient days allowed the Burning Legion to invade Azeroth. She made a deal with Sargeras and N’Zoth, who transformed her and many followers into Naga, the serpentine creatures.
Azshara was a background force throughout the Warcraft story, manipulating Naga in such locations as Vasj’ir or Azsuna, but she didn’t make an appearance until late in Battle for Azeroth when the players were finally able to face her in her palace. Azshara escaped death, and her final fate remains uncertain.
8 N’Zoth
The Mastermind Of Corruption
Another Old God who manipulated many events in the universe is N’Zoth. He was the one who corrupted Deathwing and acted as a reclusive force in the War of the Ancients. He also was behind many of the Cataclysm expansions, with the Twilight Hammer cult being a prominent force.
N’Zoth returned in Battle for Azeroth, producing an array of new pawns, such as Lord Stormsong, that helped him sow chaos throughout the newly-added continents. In the end, N’Zoth launches a full-scale invasion against Azeroth, but the heroes of Azeroth manage to defeat him for good.
7 Kel’Thuzad
The Manipulative Lich
Kel’Thuzad is one of the oldest antagonists in Warcraft, known as the loyal servant of the Lich King. Once an ambitious mage, Kel’Thuzad turned to the art of necromancy and began to corrupt human villages in eastern kingdoms. He was defeated by Arthas and Jaina, who killed him, but he was reborn in the Sunwell.
Kel’Thuzad served Arthas as a loyal ally, helping him bring chaos to Lordaeron and Dalaran. Kel’Thuzad helped Arthas escape Northrend and later took on his place as the master of Naxxramas. He was defeated once in vanilla WOW before returning to the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, where he is killed again.
6 Archimonde
The Defiler
Archimonde was the first major Eredar character that Warcraft players encountered. In Warcraft 3, Archimonde is summoned as the commander of the Burning Legion. He serves as the main antagonist for Reign of Chaos, and the combined forces of Alliance, Horde, and the Kaldorei defeat him by exploding the world tree.
When it was revealed that the demons could only be killed in the Twisted Nether, Archimonde’s return was a question of time. The ruthless defiler returned in Warlords of Draenor, where he allied himself with Gul’dan in subjugating what remained of the Iron Horde. Archimonde was killed for good by the heroes of Azeroth.
5 Deathwing
The Corrupted Aspect
Deathwing, originally known as Neltharion, was the aspect of Earth. Once, he was a noble and protective creature that maintained order in the world, but after falling to N’Zoth’s influence, he became cruel and hellbent on the destruction of everything, known as Deathwing. He attempted to take the Dragon Soul artifact for himself.
The murderous dragon is the main antagonist of the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm expansion. Deathwing unleashed destruction upon Azeroth, and sought to destroy the other Dragonflight leaders. Eventually, he was destroyed by the combined efforts of Thrall, the heroes of Azeroth, and the Dragonflight.
4 Illidan Stormrage
The First Demon Hunter
Illidan Stormrage has been both a hero and a villain across different periods of Warcraft history, but in Burning Crusade, he served as one of the main antagonists. The Demon Hunter started out as a selfish elf who wanted to gain more power for himself, but eventually, this selfish desire changed into a goal to stop the Legion at all costs.
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In Burning Crusade, Illidan shows his radical side. He is willing to enslave and terrorize the population of the Outland to create an army and gather resources for himself. Illidan wages wars against the Aldors and the Scryers and trains new demon hunters right until he is killed by the heroes of Azeroth.
3 Garrosh Hellscream
Warchief Of The True Horde
Garrosh has undergone a big transformation throughout Warcraft's history. In Burning Crusade, he is depressed and has no faith in himself, but by Cataclysm, he becomes the war chief of the Horde. Starting out as a ruthless yet honorable leader, Garrosh quickly becomes deranged.
He ends up alienating most of the Horde races, as he considered them useless and believed in the supremacy of orcs. He also commits war crimes, such as corrupting Pandaria or torturing the surviving citizens of Theramore. Garrosh would later be corrupted by the show’s influence and get defeated by Alliance and Horde.
2 Arthas Menethil
The Lich King
Arthas Menethil needs no introduction, as he is the most iconic Warcraft character. Starting out as the protagonist of Reign of Chaos, he is an arrogant but good-natured prince who gets corrupted by Frostmourne and becomes a death knight. Later, he ascends to the seat of the Lich King in the Frozen Throne.
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In Wrath of the Lich King, Arthas serves as the main antagonist. He is the ruler of Northrend who challenges both factions and sends countless undead their way, proving to be one of the most formidable opponents Azeroth faced yet. In the dramatic battle in the Icecrown Citadel, he is finally defeated and brought down by Tirion Fordring.