Warcraft universe physics This article looks at the general physics evident in the Warcraft games . Some of the examples can be traced to gameplay restrictions , and the info given here should not be taken as the exact workings of the Warcraft universe . Force . Conservation of momentum does not always apply . When a large object collides a smaller object , the smaller object can remain relatively stationary . Some magical beings can move without the need to push on something . Land creatures move by having the world push on their feet and their feet push on the world . Air creatures move by having the air push on their wings and the wings push on the air . Floating beings such as Lich es move by magic or soul substance pushing on the air . Titans can move without pushing on anything because the Great Dark is empty . Gravity . In Outland , there are rock chunks which float above the ground which generate their own unilateral gravitational field . A being who is above them feels the gravity below them , but below the rock chunks there is no gravity pulling beings up . Since these have been only seen in Outland , it is hypothesized that there are different physics at work on different planes ( such as the Twisting Nether , which the remnants of Draenor are now a part of ) . Magic can change gravity . The blood elves , for instance , have a magical city whose structures sometimes defy gravitational forces . Matter . Matter can be transformed into other types of matter through magic . Alchemists for example , have the ability to transmute raw materials into others . Time . In the Warcraft universe , beings can travel forward or backwards through time and have the ability to change history sometimes . In the Burning Crusade , beings can travel through time to battle Archimonde but their deeds will not affect later outcomes in history . This follows one theory of time , where time travel is not completely possible . Instead , traveling through time is equal to traveling to another dimension , with its own timeline . Before travel , it would have not existed , as it was the same as your origin dimension . Traveling back in time creates the dimension , following the timeline up to the point you travel to , before branching off to create a new timeline after intervention . Because it is a different dimension , the effects have no impact on your origin dimension . Medivh explained two different theories of time to Khadgar while he was still an apprentice . One followed the most common idea of a sequential series of events , while the other was one of predetermined history . He used the comparison between a clock and a sand time as a metaphor to explain himself . With a sand timer , all the events in time are there , what order in which they are determined ( passing through the sand timer ) is random , but that which we experience and see will appear to be in order , and still have the same outcome . There are two methods for this , divine and logical predetermination . With the former , a powerful being ( possibly a titan ) already plans out a course of , which it will purposely keep in check . This is similar to the concept of fate destiny . The latter is a more complex idea , where causes and effects are more predictable , thus the future is already known . However , even if they are not predictable , it is also possible for history to already be written , but the order of the events simply fall into place . Both theories share the idea that nothing people do can change the future , they need only play their part to lead up to it . A predetermined timeline , logical or divine , seems likely with the existence of a giant sand timer inside the Caverns of Time which controls the flow of time . Alternative planes . All known planes of existence have three physical dimensions or more . In no known dimension do its inhabitants flatten out ( 2D ) or become lines ( 1D ) . Alternative planes appear to all share the same timeline , but possibly not all share the same concept of measurable time . Souls . Bodies are moved by souls or magical means . Upon death , beings are turned into souls . These souls can inhabit different bodies and control them . For example , Sargeras co - inhabited Medivh ' s body with Medivh ' s soul and both fought for control of his body . These souls probably cause beings to move ( or infuse the being with the will to move ) because without them beings have not been seen to move unless they move by magical means such as golem s . Night elf players souls in WoW appear as wisps , cloud like sphere apparitions of ancient forests spirits , unlike regular souls of the mortal races . Again , this may be a personal projection , as NPC night elf souls have typically appeared like the other races . Like physical beings , souls can be trapped ( see : Malfurion in The Well of Eternity ) . Souls are different from ghosts who can have a profound impact on the world . The difference between souls and ghosts is not known . Sometimes souls can be reattached to former body , and new soul take control of other body .