The Burning Crusade expansion is on its way to World of Warcraft Classic. Dates have yet to be confirmed but an announcement at the recent BlizzCon event made it official. That means new gear, new quests, and whole new continent to explore, and two new races; the Blood Elves and the Draenei. These two races made up the main plot of the continuing history of Azeroth, and the Draenei were the lesser-known of the two.
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The Draenei are an alien race that emigrated to Azeroth like the Orcs. It turns out that they both came from the same place, although the Draenei were alien to the Orc homeworld at one point, too. Their culture is thousands of years old, and in that time they've become experts in various types of magic and science along with making some interesting friends and deadly enemies. Before players roll that new character or move their old one to join The Burning Crusade, here are a few important things they need to know about the Draenei.
10 The Exiled Ones, Literally
Draenei history goes back a long way, more than 13,000 years, and started on a planet called Argus where they were known as the Eredar. The demonic leaders of the Burning Legion, namely Sageras, offered the Eredar unlimited power if they joined them. Only one faction out of three refused the offer, and they were able to escape Argus with the help of the Naaru. From that time on, they called themselves Draenei, which translated means the Exiled Ones.
9 The Draenei Capital City Is A Spaceship
Eventually, the Burning Legion caught up to the Draenei. They were living peacefully with the Mag'har Orcs on Draenor. It was Kil'Jadeen, one of the leaders of the Eredar who had pledged his loyalty to Sargeras, that led the Orcs to turn on the Draenei. It was time for another interdimensional escape attempt, and although the journey could have gone better, the crash landing of the Exodar gave the Draenei something to work with as far as a home city is concerned. The structures you see on Azuremyst Isle are the remains of the ship, and where it came from is another story.
8 The Exodar Used To Be Part Of A Dungeon
Formerly a mobile Naaru Fortress that can travel through time and space, Tempest Keep is both a five-player dungeon and a 25-player raid. The dungeon itself and the bosses are intrinsically connected to Outland lore, including the former prince of the Blood Elves, Kael'thas Sunstrider, and his pet phoenix, A'lar.
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There are three wings for heroes to battle their way through, but there used to be four. The Draenei used one to travel to Azeroth as Outland crumbled into the Nether. It's now known as The Exodar and serves as the Draenei capital city.
7 They Were Able To Escape Thanks To The Blood Elves
The Blood Elves recognized that the arcane technology of Tempest Keep was nothing to overlook, and decided to take it over from the Naaru. They had come to Outland looking for a course of arcane energy, after all. That's why players who venture into the raid or dungeon today will face Blood Elves and their related pets and companions instead of demonic agents of Sargeras. The Draenei took this opportunity to escape, and they crash-landed because the Blood Elves who took the Keep at least had the presence of mind to sabotage the ship's engines.
6 The Faction Has Some Great Merchandise
It's easier to grind rep in TBC anyway, and the Exodar faction has some sweet loot available for players who decide to make nice with everyone's favorite space goat people. We're not just talking about that cool racial mount, either. There's a 16-slot bag available for those that are Revered, and few things are more precious than bag space. Kadu is the Exodar quartermaster and you can find him in his home city. Grab and equip that tabard and run those Outland dungeons, and your character will be up to Exalted with Exodar before you know it.
5 The Draenei Are Cool With Orcs, Sort Of
When the Draenei first arrived on the planet that they would name Draenor, there were already some previous residents. These were the Mag'har Orcs, and they had not been corrupted by the Burning Legion like the Orcs that initially invaded Azeroth. The two races lived in peace initially, and it was during this time that the Orcs taught their Shamanistic traditions to the Draenei.
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When Sargeras found out where the Draenei were hiding, he didn't attack them directly but manipulated their neighbors the Orcs to his will. The resulting war would eventually spill over into Azeroth when the Orcs would pass through the Dark Portal.
4 They Joined The Alliance Because They Met A Night Elf
After the crash of the Exodar and fighting off a few pursuing Blood Elves, the Draenei found a Night Elf in distress. Part of her discomfort was the Draenei themselves, who she first assumed were allied with the Burning Legion. After she explained who she was, and who her people were, the Draenei agreed to join the Alliance.
Okay, they're pretty, but wasn't this a dramatic reaction to the first sentient being met on a new planet? Maybe not, as this was also the side opposing the Orcs, the race that had tried to exterminate them on Draenor, which also might have been a deciding factor.
3 Draenei Have the Most Alliance Class Choices
At least, they did in The Burning Crusade expansion. The Draenei start out with no less than six choices when it comes to classes, with only the Rogue and Druid being unavailable. This didn't change until Cataclysm when the Shaman class was extended to Dwarves.
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The unique advantage of being able to play both Paladins and Shamans existed until very recently. Draenei was the only race that could be both classes until the Zanadalari Trolls were introduced as a playable race in the Battle for Azeroth expansion.
2 Draenei Ride Elekks
The Alliance needed something to compete with the impressive bulk of the Tauren Kodo on the Horde side, and the Elekk is a worthy counterpart. These graceful beasts are originally from Draenor, where they roamed the open plains in herds. They're mostly peaceful creatures, being too big for most predators, but are known to ram or crush enemies with their massive bulk. They aren't exactly the fastest mounts available, but their endurance and generally badass look makes up for their lack of speed.
1 Draenei Racial Bonuses Are Connected To The Naaru
Players will walk through a rather lengthy tutorial on the history and present-day status of the Naaru the first time you visit Shattrath City whether you like it or not. It grinds your progression through the Outlands to a screeching halt but it's not the worst way to do a The Burning Crusade exposition dump. That tour and lecture explain some of why the Draenei have an increased resistance to shadow magic and bonuses to abilities that are ideal for healers and tanks. Draenei are gifted with stones and gems and get a bonus to jewelcrafting, one of the expansion's new professions.
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