World of Warcraft features decades worth of exciting, ruthless and charming female characters. Many of them are loved or hated by their in-game actions. Whether they’re heroes, villains, or somewhere in the gray zone, there are definitely some who stand out.
Some pieces contain detailed stories that span the entire existence of the series. Other female characters are more subtle and less informative, but still compelling. Multidimensional characters are interesting and often make you speculate about their motives and what they will do next. It’s also a relatable aspect that makes the character so interesting. Warcraft has an abundance of beefy female characters, one of the many reasons why so many players gravitate to her Warcraft lore.
8 Vanessa Van Cleef
Vanessa Van Cleef is the daughter of the famous character Edwin Van Cleef. Her father was a member of the Masons Guild who rebuilt Stormwind, which had been looted by the Horde. Abuse from the nobility led to the formation of the Defias Brotherhood, which rebelled against the nobility of Stormwind.
Edwin was killed by the player character in front of his daughter who was still a child. She survived and intended to continue her father’s business in secret at Westfall. A master of poison, she led Defia for a short time until she was forced to fake her death. Years later she returned, but her Defia turned against her, and she no longer cared about the innocent people of Westfall. She concludes that Defia is no longer made up of people seeking justice for their abuse and should stop trying to fulfill her father’s legacy.
7 Mrs. Liadrin
The Patriarch of the Blood Knights, a paladin order of the Blood Elves, is a ferocious and mighty soldier. Liadrin was once a pious priestess, but she lost her faith when the Light failed to protect her people from calamity. To assuage her guilt, she began enhancing her combat prowess with her ruthless aggression.
When the Blood Elves captured Gnarl, Liadrin used it as a source of power. Although she had no desire to serve the Light, she mastered it and eventually became one of the most powerful paladins. Liadrin formed the Blood Knights, and she gradually developed a better relationship with the Light. She has fought valiantly for the Horde and for Azeroth, even in the face of personal ruin. Despite the loss of her mentor and student, and the face of magical addiction and betrayal, she continues to teach the paladin the path of light.
6 dragon
Draka was born a sickly child to the Frostwolf clan of Drainer. She was discriminated against by most orcs, as she was believed to bring dishonor to her race. Draka went hunting in search of a cure for the disease. But it was her hunting journeys that defined her. She became strong and determined and caught the eye of Durotan, who became her companion.
They had a child named Goel, better known as Thrall. However, they are betrayed and killed by an escort. After that, Draka’s soul would be inherited by Mardraxus of the Shadowlands. She trained as a spy and adapted well to her new surroundings.
Five Lady Vashji
Vasij was born the daughter of Lestaria Vasij, ruler of the city of Hyborn, Vasiil. She served as Queen Azshara’s handmaiden, demonstrating her extraordinary devotion to her. She believed it was her birthright to serve her Queen. When Azshara offered Tyrande Whisperwind a position as her handmaiden, Vashuji felt so threatened that he tried to kill Tyrande. After Thundering, she was turned into a Naga.
She joined Illidan’s army in Outland and ruled the Serpenshrine Caverns until she was defeated by the player. Her soul then went to Mardraxus to become a spymaster. Vashji kept her Naga form because she felt that the Highborn Elf form was only valued for its beauty rather than its cunning. She served the House of Eyes faithfully, determined to become a Margrave for her skill and her fortitude. In Maldraxxus she also became interested in her hobby of fishing. She can bring items from her past location and she can create fishing lures. She appreciates her memories associated with her items.
Four Valeera Sanguinal
When Valeera was a child, her parents were killed by bandits. She learned to survive as a thief, but she was eventually captured and sold as a gladiator. For a time she trained alongside Brol Bearmantle and the amnesiac Valian Lynn. They became fiercely close as a team and eventually escaped ties. After Varian regained his memories, they set out to reclaim the throne of Stormwind. During her journey, Valeera was plagued with Fel addiction and demonic possession.
Despite being tortured, she remained strong. Regaining her strength and heart, she reunited with her allies and served Barian loyally as her bodyguard and spy. She also came to protect Varian’s son Anduin, and when he became king she served him. Blood Despite being an elf, Valeera does not side with the Horde or the Alliance. Her loyalty is to those she holds dearest.
3 alektrassa
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 has fought various enemies for thousands of years and strives to protect all life. Alexstrasza’s strength has been proven time and time again. She fought Deathwing one-on-one and he barely survived.
In her service to Azeroth, she has faced enslavement, torture, betrayal, and loss, and has suffered greatly. However, she claims that her heart is never dirty and that she loves all life. Her compassion is one of her most distinctive traits. She even states that if her torturers really want it, they will.
2 Sylvanas Windrunner
Sylvanas is one of the most famous female characters in the Warcraft universe. She is either loved or hated by players, but she is arguably one of the most interesting characters in the game. Sylvanas started out as a devoted Ranger General, but she died defending her homeworld from the Scourge. She reanimated into the undead as a banshee and was tormented by the Lich King. Eventually, she got her own body back and built her Forsaken. Her undead characters became fiercely loyal to her because she saved them from servitude.
Sylvanas later teamed up with the jailers and became very powerful and even ruthless. Her goal was to remake the universe so that no one would suffer in an unwanted afterlife. In fact, the jailers had all planned to serve him, but Silvanus refused. He then reunited the halves of her soul that split when she died as punishment for her. Sylvanas awakens to face justice for his war crimes.
1 Jaina Proudmoor
One of Azeroth’s most powerful sorcerers, Jaina is an iconic female Warcraft character. Her long story features a student of magic who wanted nothing but peace. She chose to betray her father to avoid war, resulting in her father’s death. Jaina also refused to stand next to Arthas during the Straholm culling. These acts weighed heavily on her mind. One of her greatest losses was the destruction of Ceramoa at the hands of the Horde.
Mad with revenge, Jaina nearly destroyed Orgrimar. She returned to Curtilas’ home to face her family, her people, and herself. Her learning to forgive herself is a satisfying arc for her character and makes her one of the best female characters in World of Warcraft.