Summary
One of the many perks thatWorld of Warcrafthas compared to other MMORPGs is that the different races in the game are not just for show. Since the game’s original release in 2004, each race inWorld of Warcrafthas had different abilities and traits that set them apart from their contemporaries while staying true to their core identities and lore. With two dozen races forWoWplayers to pick from, another will soon enter the fray.
First revealed for The War Within at BlizzCon 2023, the Earthen will be the game’s 25th playable race. Despite their dwarf-like appearance, the Earthen will be the third race inWorld of Warcraft’s long history that can choose to join either the Alliance or the Horde at character creation, following the Pandarenand the Dracthyr Evokers. However, the Earthen have been inWorld of Warcraftsince the start. Initially seen as stone-faced guardians of Titan facilities such as Uldaman and Ulduar, their role was expanded in Wrath of the Lich King.With the Titans' imminent return in The Worldsoul Saga, the Earthen of Khaz Algar will soon coexist with other races such as the Orcs and the Draenei. Even though they are a progenitor race, the Earthen are not without some mysterious traits and abilities of their own.
The Earthen May Be One With the Minerals
As a race tied deeply with the lore ofWorld of Warcraft’s origins, the Earthen made the deep places of Azeroth their home, tasked with shaping the caverns of the world and maintaining a semblance of order. However, the Old God Yogg-Saron’s Curse of Flesh transformed many of the Earthen into the Dwarves seen inWorld of Warcrafttoday. Though most of the world’s Dwarves have joined the Alliance sincethe events of the Battle for Azeroth expansion, the Earthen largely stayed away from the Alliance-Horde conflict. On the contrary, the Earthen of Khaz Algar have faced some faction conflicts of their own, as the Oathsworn, Machine Speakers, and Unbound factions each have their own goals.
Despite their differences, the Earthen are natural mining experts who could shape different ores and gems to their liking. With this expertise in mind, the Earthen could have a racial ability that would give a boost to their gathering capabilities, such as increased Perception and Finesse when Mining. Likewise, the Earthen could turn to their tools to turn these metals into weapons and armor for themselves and their allies to use or sell. A passive boost to Blacksmithing, Jewelcrafting, and Engineering skill gains, or a crafting statistic such as Resourcefulness, would give the Earthen a way tocontribute to the player-run economy ofWorld of Warcraft.
The Earthen Could Be Unyielding As Stone
Knowing that the Earthen are the Dwarves' progenitors, each Dwarven clan may carry part of their Earthen heritage within their respective racial kits. For example, the Bronzebeard Dwarves' Stoneform bolsters their physical defenses. By comparison, the Dark Iron Dwarves' Fireblood increases their class' primary statistic. Both Stoneform and Fireblood can purge all poison, disease, bleeding, magic, and curse effects from the user, so it stands to reason that this power would carry over to the Earthen. From a visual standpoint, the Earthen could tap into theirlink to Azeroth’s World Soulfor a short time, which could sway someWorld of Warcraftplayers' decisions when choosing what race and class to play.
Though the Earthen can play all classes except Demon Hunter, Druid, and Evoker,the upcoming Hero Talent system in The War Withinwill also give players more choices to consider when creating an Earthen character. With The War Within alpha and beta tests coming in early 2024, only time will tell how the Earthen will shape up.
