World of Warcraft has had decades of interesting, ruthless, and captivating female characters. Many of them are both loved and hated for their actions throughout the game. Whether they’re heroes or villains or somewhere in the gray zone, there are definitely things that stand out.
Some have in-depth stories spanning most of the series’ existence. The other female characters are less informative and subtle, but still compelling. Multi-dimensional characters are often entertaining and tempting you to guess their motivations and what they might do next. It is also a relevant aspect that can make a character very interesting. Physical female characters abound in Warcraft and are one of the many reasons many players invest in their Warcraft knowledge.
8 Vanessa VanCleef
Vanessa VanCleef is the daughter of the famous character Edwin VanCleef. Her father was a member of the masons’ guild that rebuilt Stormwind after it was sacked by the Horde. The nobles’ abuse led to the formation of the Defias Order, which rose against the nobles of Stormwind.
Edwin was killed by the player characters in front of his young daughter. She survived and secretly planned to continue her father’s work in Westfall. A master of her poisons, she led the Defias squad for a while until she faked her own death. Years later, she returned, but the Defias Dan turned her back on her and no longer cared for the innocents of Westfall. She concludes that the Defias group must stop trying to fulfill her father’s legacy, as they are no longer made up of people who want justice for their abuse.
7 Lady Liadrin
Head of the Blood Elf Paladin Order, the Blood Knight is a fierce and hardened soldier. Liadrin was once a devout priestess, but lost her faith when the Light failed to protect her people from the Scourge. She began building her fighting abilities with her ruthless aggression to suppress her guilt.
When the blood elves captured the naaru, Liadrin used it as a source of power. She did not want to serve the light, but she mastered it and eventually became one of the most powerful paladins. Liadrin formed the Blood Knights and gradually built a better relationship with the Light. She fought bravely for the Brood and for Azeroth, and faced personal ruin. Despite the loss of her master and disciple, and her addiction to magic and facing betrayal, she continues to teach the paladin the ways of the light.
6 dragon
Draka was born a sickly child to the Frostwolves of Draenor. She was discriminated against by most orcs, as they believed she brought dishonor to their race. Draka found a way to cure his illness through hunting. But it was her hunting journey that defined her. She grew stronger and more determined and caught the attention of Durotan, who became her mate.
Together they had a child named Go’el, better known as Thrall. However, they were betrayed and killed by their own jailers. Draka’s soul then travels to Maldraxxus in the Shadowlands. She has been trained as a spy and has adapted well to her new environment.
5 Lady Vashj
Vashj was born as the daughter of Lestharia Vashj, ruler of the Highbourne city of Vashj’ir. She served as Queen Azshara’s handmaid and displayed her obsessive devotion to her. She believed it was her birthright to serve her queen. When Azshara offered her handmaidship to Tyrande Whisperwind, Vashj felt threatened by her and tried to kill Tyrande. After The Sundering, she turned into a naga.
She joined Illidan’s forces in Outland and ruled the Serpent Altar before being defeated by the players. Her soul went to Maldraxxus to become a Spymaster. Vashj retained her naga form as she felt her Highbourne elf form was only recognized for her beauty instead of her cunning. Through her own skills and her tenacity, she loyally served her House of Eyes, determined to become her alter ego. At Maldraxxus, she also developed an interest in fishing. You can bring items from her past places to make fishing lures. She appreciates the memories associated with the item.
4 Valira Sanguinar
Valeera lost her parents at a young age when they were killed by bandits. She learned to survive as a thief, but she was eventually caught and sold as a gladiator. For a while, she trained with Broll Bearmantle and amnesiac Varian Wrynn. As a team, they became fiercely close and eventually fell apart. After Varian regained his memories, they set their sights on reclaiming the throne of Stormwind. During their travels, Valeera was cursed with hell poisoning and demonic possession.
Despite the torture she faced, she remained strong. Having regained her strength and mind, she was reunited with her allies and loyally served Varian as a guard and spy. She also protected Varian’s son, Anduin, and served him after he became king. Despite being a blood elf, the Valeera do not side with the Horde or the Alliance. Her allegiance is to those she cares about most.
three Alexstrasza
The Dragon Queen has proven to be one of the most resilient women in the Warcraft series. She was one of the five proto-drakes who defeated Galakrond and became the Dragon Aspect of all life on Azeroth. She struggles to protect all life, fighting various enemies over thousands of years. Alexstrasza’s power has been proven time and time again. She fought Deathwing one-on-one and he barely survived.
She suffered greatly while serving Azeroth, facing enslavement, torture, betrayal, and loss. However, she claims that her heart has never been tainted and that she loves all life. Her compassion is one of her most defining qualities. She even goes so far as to say that if she truly wants her forgiveness, she will forgive those who torture her.
2 Sylvanas Windrunner
Sylvanas is one of the most recognizable female characters in the Warcraft universe. She’s either loved or hated by players, but she’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting characters in the game. Sylvanas started out as a dedicated ranger general who died defending her country from the Scourge. She became undead as a banshee and was tormented by the Lich King. Eventually, she regained her body and founded the Forsaken. Her undead characters were fiercely loyal to her thanks to her saving them from enslavement.
Sylvanas later joined forces with the Jailer to become immensely powerful and more ruthless. Her goal was to remake the universe so it wouldn’t suffer an afterlife that no one wanted. In fact, the Jailer planned for everyone to serve him, and Sylvanas refused. He then reunited the two halves of her split soul as she died as her punishment. Sylvanas has awakened and will face justice for her war crimes.
One Jaina Proudmoore
One of the most powerful mages on Azeroth, Jaina is an iconic female Warcraft character. Her long story features a student of magic who wants nothing but peace. She chose to betray her father to avoid her war, which resulted in her father’s death. Jaina also refused to stand by Arthas during Stratholme’s Culling. This act weighed heavily on her heart. One of her greatest losses was the destruction of Theramore at the hands of the Horde.
Mad with a lust for vengeance, Jaina nearly destroyed Orgrimmar. She returned home to Kul Tiras to face her family, her people, and herself. Her learning to forgive herself was a satisfying arc for her character, easily making her one of the best female characters in World of Warcraft.