Warcraft : Heroes of Azeroth Warcraft : Heroes of Azeroth was a new " Warcraft " game announced by Blizzard on April 1st , 2007 . Naturally , it turned out to be an Day joke : " " Heroes of Azeroth " " was just " " , described as a to " World of Warcraft " instead of its actual predecessor . Some speculate that the " WHoA " announcement was a light - hearted jab at " WoW " players who haven ' t played the other games in the series . Note : It is likely that the acronym " WHoA " is a play on the " World of Warcraft " acronym " WoW " , as ' wow ' and ' whoa ' are both words used to exclaim surprise . The Official Announcement . Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce the forthcoming real - time strategy game set in the World of Warcraft universe , Warcraft : Heroes of Azeroth ! As a prequel to World of Warcraft , Warcraft : Heroes of Azeroth details the events leading up to the creation of the Alliance and Horde . For the first time ever , you will be able to witness firsthand the momentous events that predated World of Warcraft , as well as the origins of famous World of Warcraft figures such as Illidan Stormrage and Lady Sylvanas Windrunner . You will also meet a brand - new villain more insidious than any the land has seen : the death knight Arthas Menethil . Warcraft : Heroes of Azeroth features a mix of battle tactics , resource management , and base building . The four playable factions offer different play styles that are based on each faction ' s strengths and weaknesses . Create dozens of units and buildings based on the colorful locations and denizens of World of Warcraft - it will be like experiencing a whole different side of Azeroth ! The brand - new addition of Heroes also ties in a key element of World of Warcraft : a powerful champion who advances in levels and gains equipment such as magical weapons and armor . As in World of Warcraft , the heroes have unique class abilities and skills . The heroes are also key figures in Warcraft lore , and they include the likes of Thrall , Kel ' Thuzad , and Jaina Proudmoore . Heroes gain experience for each enemy they defeat , growing increasingly powerful as they lead your forces to victory ! Featuring deep yet accessible real - time - strategy gameplay , as well as abundant Blizzard storytelling , Warcraft : Heroes of Azeroth will provide endless hours of single - player and multiplayer gaming for World of Warcraft players as well as those new to Blizzard games . Story . It is six years before the beginning of the current struggle between the Alliance and the Horde . Since the brutal Second War between the orcs and humans ended nearly fifteen years prior , Azeroth had been enjoying a time of relative calm unusual throughout its volatile history . An uneasy peace settled over the land while the drums of war were silent . The kingdoms of men grew complacent in their victory , and the defeated orcish clans have been regrouping under the banner of a new visionary leader . Now , a darker shadow has fallen over the world , threatening to extinguish all life - all hope . The drums of war play upon the winds once again - rising urgently toward the inevitable hour when the skies will rain fire - and the world will tremble before the coming of the Burning Legion . The Day of Judgment has come . . . and the Third War shall begin . Playable Races . Orc . The savage , green - skinned orcs are one of the most prolific races of the Warcraft world . Although few are aware of it , the orcs once cultivated a noble , shamanistic society on the world of Draenor . Human . Relatively speaking , humanity is one of the world ' s youngest races . Unlike elves and dwarves , humans live brief lives full of change and strife . Night Elf . The reclusive night elves were the first race to awaken in the World of Warcraft . These shadowy , immortal beings were the first to study magic and let it loose throughout the world over ten thousand years prior to the events of World of Warcraft . Undead . The horrifying undead army called the Scourge consists of thousands of walking corpses , disembodied spirits , damned mortal men and insidious extra - dimensional entities .