Allied Races in World of Warcraft expand your character options by adding new cosmetic and narrative layers atop existing races. These options come with specific requirements you must meet before a character can choose that race. This guide details each Allied Race and its prerequisites, covering reputations, story quests, zones, and faction standing so you can plan your unlocks without confusion.
Overview of Allied Race Unlocks
Allied Rues require completing prerequisite campaigns, raising a faction to Exalted, and often finishing specific questlines. Faction reputation is earned through quests, dailies, and world content in zones tied to each race’s story. Meeting these conditions unlocks the race for all characters on your account that meet the class restrictions. The table below summarizes key unlock inputs for quick reference.
Notable Race and Requirement Patterns
- Highmountain Tauren: Complete quests in Highmountain and attain Exalted with the Tauren of Highmountain.
- Void Elf: Finish the Broken Shore introductory scenario and the allied race questline for Void Elves.
- Lightforged Draenei: Complete the Argussian campaign in Argus and Exalt the Army of the Light.
- Zandalari Troll: Progress through Zandalar island zones and raise Zandalari Empire to Exalted.
- Machinist (Goblin): Complete the Mechagon quest chain and attain Exalted with Machinists.
- Wildhorn Horde Orc: Finish the introductory steps for the Alliance and complete the Wildhammer and Frostwolf questlines in the contested areas.
Faction Reputation Requirements by Race
Most Allied Races require Exalted reputation with a specific faction. Reputation is increased by turning in caches, running weekly quests, and completing story dailies. Some races also require you to reach a certain level in a zone or complete key story missions before the faction becomes available. The following table captures verified reputation targets and where to farm them.
| Allied Race | Required Faction | Reputation Level Target | Primary Farming Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highmountain Tauren | Tauren of Highmountain | Exalted | Quests in Highmountain, cache turn-ins |
| Void Elf | Kirin Tor Offensive | Exalted | Reputation quests in Dalaran, turning in Void elf items |
| Lightforged Draenei | Army of the Light | Exalted | Argus campaign dailies, caches |
| Zandalari Troll | Zandalari Empire | Exalted | Dailies on Zandalar, conquest caches |
| Machinist | Machinist | Exalted | Mechagon dailies, caches and quest rewards |
| Wildhorn Horde Orc | Wildhammer Clan | Exalted | World quests in Dun Morogh, turn-ins |
Class and Race Restrictions
Each Allied Race follows the class options of its parent race with minor adjustments. For example, Void Elves and Lightforged Draenei share many classes with their base races but sometimes add or remove specific combinations. Always check current class options for your expansion, as these can shift with patches. The list below summarizes common Allied Race class alignments.
- Highmountain Tauren: Shaman, Druid, Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Monk (where available).
- Void Elf: Mage, Warlock, Priest, Rogue, Hunter, Monk, Demon Hunter.
- Lightforged Draenei: Paladin, Priest, Shaman, Monk, Demon Hunter, Warrior.
- Zandalari Troll: Hunter, Priest, Shaman, Paladin, Monk, Rogue.
- Machinist: Shaman, Mage, Priest, Warlock, Demon Hunter.
- Wildhorn Horde Orc: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight.
Questlines and Story Prerequisites
Almost every Allied Race requires finishing an introductory questline that ties into the race’s narrative. Many also require you to complete a key scenario or reach a certain item level. These story steps often open reputation grinds by making factions available in your reputation list. Check in-game quest logs and the mission table to track progress. If a prerequisite feels unclear, consult the in-tooltip objectives or your class order hall/aspirant page for guidance.
Step-by-Step Unlock Checklist
Use this checklist as a repeatable workflow for each Allied Race. Prioritize the highest-yield activities first, such as weekly reputations and daily caches, while progressing necessary story quests. Adjust your zones and activities based on your current expansion content and level. This approach ensures you meet all conditions without redundant travel or missed reputation turns.
- Verify you meet the base level and any required quest or achievement gates.
- Complete the introductory scenario or questline for the race.
- Start and repeat weekly reputation quests for the target faction.
- Turn in caches, seals, and other items to increase reputation.
- Complete additional story missions that open reputation or access to vendors.
- Attain Exalted reputation and claim the race from the appropriate trainer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I unlock Allied Races on an existing character? Yes, once you meet the requirements, you can select the Allied Race at the trainer for any eligible character on your account.
- Do reputations carry over between expansions? Core reputations often persist, but some expansion-specific factions may reset or change depending on the expansion you play.
- Are class restrictions the same across specializations? Most Allied Race class options apply to all specs of a given class, but always verify because some specs may gain or lose options in certain expansions.
- Do achievements track Allied Race unlocks? Yes, many Allied Race unlocks are tied to account-wide achievements that grant titles, mounts, or toys.