Warcraft

The original Warcraft logo

Warcraft is a game series created by Blizzard Entertainment. It is Blizzard's oldest mainstream game series, most expansive in terms of lore and in light of the financial success and spread of the MMORPG World of Warcraft, arguably its most successful. Originally, Warcraft was an RTS series though has since embraced an MMORPG format.

In terms of visual style, Warcraft is on the opposite end of the artistic spectrum from Diablo.

Development influences

Blizzard's experience with the Diablo franchise created a base of understanding of RPG elements. This likely influenced the integration of similar concepts into the Warcraft franchise. Both franchises, of course, also draw on classic skills and archetypes of the genre.

Warcraft III was the first Warcraft game with significant RPG elements in the form of hero units. Some choices may been inspired by Diablo II:

• Auras appeared on multiple heroes and other units in Warcraft III, and earlier were a signature feature of Paladins in Diablo II.
• The Far Seer hero can summon spirit wolves, just like the Diablo II Druid.

World of Warcraft logo

World of Warcraft (WoW) was the first full RPG in the franchise. Many of its design elements may have carried over from Diablo and Diablo II:

• The earlier versions of talent trees were essentially Skill Trees of Diablo II with mostly passive skills.
• Shout abilities used by warriors in WoW may have been inspired by Barbarian battle cries. They also have a Charge skill like the Paladins of Diablo II.
• Several mage spells are taken directly from the Sorceress, such as Frost Nova and Frost Armor. Mages also have Mana Shield, a spell from the first Diablo.
• The rogue combo point system is similar to the Assassin system in which players could accumulate charges and unleash finishing moves whose powers depended on the number of charges the player had.
• Druids possess shapeshifting abilities in both games.
• Paladins have multiple auras in both games.
• The necromancers in Scholomance and Stratholme use the Bone Shield spell and can raise skeletons, which are both Diablo II Necromancer powers.
• World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade introduced socketed items and gems, a notable Diablo II feature.

Lore similarities

This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.

• Diablo features an eternal war between the forces of the High Heavens and the Burning Hells. Warcraft has its own demons in the form of the Burning Legion and those who oppose them serving the Holy Light, such as the Naaru.
• The Light carries the same name in both universes, and operates in much the same way, sanctifying paladins and uniting the people of Sanctuary (even Necromancers) or Azeroth (even Warlocks) against their common foes.
• Demon Hunters are playable characters and an important class in both franchises, starting with Diablo III and Warcraft III respectively.
• The War of the Ancients bears resemblance to the Mage Clan Wars.

Easter eggs and references

This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.

Both franchises contain often-humorous references to each others' lore and game content.

In Warcraft games:

• One loading screen "tip" in World of Warcraft reads "There is no cow level". This is a reference to the Secret Cow Level, which was rumored but not actually present in the original Diablo, but was added for Diablo II.
  • The Secret Cow Level appeared in WoW during the 20th anniversary of Diablo, complete with unique Diablo-themed rewards.
  • The Cow King's Hide is a rare item in WoW, a reference to The Cow King who served as the boss of the Secret Cow Level in Diablo II.
• In reference to his demonic form in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, one of Illidan's gag quotes is "Wings, horns, hooves...what am I saying, is this Diablo?"
• Alternates of Wirt's Leg appear as items in Warcraft games. In Diablo II, Wirt's Leg could be found by his corpse in Tristram, and was required to access to the Secret Cow Level.
  • In The Frozen Throne, an item called "Wirt's Other Leg" could be found in one of the campaign levels after defeating The Butcher, a giant abomination named after the recurring boss from Diablo games.
  • Wirt's Third Leg was available in World of Warcraft for many years, although it has subsequently been changed to have an unrelated name.
  • Wirt's Gambled Leg is an object in the game world of the Battle for Azeroth expansion. This is probably a nod to Wirt's role as the gambling NPC in the first Diablo.
  • Several other versions of Wirt's leg drop as cosmetic rewards for the 20th anniversary event.

In Diablo III:

• Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker is a reproduction of Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker, a legendary weapon in World of Warcraft. Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker's chain lightning power is carried over from the original Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker. It was well known for being linked in game chat as a meme due to its long name.
• Corrupted Ashbringer is a reproduction of the Ashbringer, an iconic artifact from World of Warcraft. Its power to transform into a purified form is a reference to its evolution throughout Warcraft lore: it originated as an unholy object, was infused with holy power to become a powerful weapon against the undead, became cursed, and was purified again.

In Diablo Immortal

• Shadow of the Frozen Throne is a crossover event between Diablo Immortal and Warcraft. It runs from July 4th to 26th, 2024.

External links

• Warcraft Wiki