Steam armor Technology has given rise to advances in metallurgy , pneumatics , hydraulic s and powered mechanical systems . With the frequency of conflict in Azeroth it was only a matter of time before the power of phlogiston - driven technology hit the battlefield , and during the last war the goblin s arrived with a new weapon . The goblin harvester was the first insidious introduction to a new series of steam - powered armors . The suit could level forests and troops , and take an insane amount of punishment before falling to the withering hail of spells and gunfire that unfailingly targeted it when it appeared in battle . The harvester wrought incredible results — none could deny the power of such a creation . The gnome s and the dwarves stared in the direction of the gleefully wicked goblins running rampant with their new innovation , and collectively slapped themselves in the foreheads for not thinking of it first . Within a handful of years , a group of more complex and powerful suits arose , designed by dwarven and gnomish hands . The steam armor race was on . Early steam armor was built with crude plates of iron and a steam - driven inner framework of mechanical pistons and hydraulics that served as the armor ’ s muscle . Mechanical systems and drives interlocked to provide power to weaponry or tools mounted on the extremities . In most cases , the armor was built to resemble a humanoid form , although many incorporated some element of the fantastic : aspects of gargoyles , leering faces , griffin helms , and other flourishes that made the armors more fearsome and awe inspiring . Modern steam armor is based on modern technology and uses the refinements of dwarven and gnomish craftsmanship . Goblins rely on pell - mell construction ; the older suits having proven reliable enough , goblins don ’ t see much reason in adding to the design , and simply go on to build new devices . Gnomish and dwarven steam armor tends to be lighter and faster , and operates with a varying degree of maneuverability . Goblin steam armor is heavier and much more powerful , but not anywhere near as fast or customizable . Steam armor is almost always built with some form of integrated weaponry . Buzzing saws , blades , long piercing spikes , even steam powered ballistae and cannons have been seen attached to steam armor . Whether mounted on the arms , shoulders , or even the backs of steam armor , most of suits have at least one or two weapons they can use in combat . The Mechanics of Steam Armor . The operating parameters of steam armor allow for an individual to turn himself from a single man into a massive engine of destruction . Yet the armor has its vulnerabilities . Such complex systems of mechanical interactions are prone to fail at some point , and the stresses of combat and conflict cause even more strain on what would otherwise be sturdy systems . Yet the rigors of combat are exactly what steam armor is built to endure . Because of this property , those who rely on steam armor , the steam warrior s , often take to customizing and building the armor to suit their particular needs . There are a variety of devices and attachments that can be inserted into a suit of steam armor to enhance its functions and increase its capabilities . To ensure the armor lasts , most steam warriors also build redundancies , failsafe systems , and various features into their armor to ensure their survival . The dangers of using steam armor are usually not visible to the novice . For one thing , the armor is a tactical magnet for attention , causing even the shrewdest of commanders to direct his troops to defeat a suit of steam armor with the utmost effort and determination . So powerful is steam armor that even a couple of suits of the stuff can easily turn the tides of battle . In some cases the steam armor and the steam warrior inside save countless lives simply by showing up and proving that their force is indeed the superior one . Steam Armor Equipment . Most steam armor is more than just a collection of furnaces , armor plates and technological gizmos . A cunning steam warrior makes the most of his steam armor , adding components to it to increase its capabilities and its potential in battle . This means a variety of mounted equipment , weapons , integrated technological systems and other inventions . There are three types of steam armor equipment : weapons , shields and systems . Weapons deal damage . Shields are methods of defense . Systems are miscellaneous pieces of equipment that add to the steam armor ’ s functions . Steam Armor Weapons . Steam armor suits have gauntlets and can wield weapons . Characters can also integrate weapons into a suit of steam armor , attaching them directly to the armor ’ s frame . In addition to standard weapons , some steam armor suits wield weapons specifically designed for them , such as the following . Steam Armor Shields . Steam armor suits often use shields on the battlefield . Not only do these provide extra protection , but the immense size of some of these shields allows them to stopgap walls and bulwarks against enemy fire . Steam armor suits can carry shields just as creatures can . In addition to these standard shields , some steam armor suits include specialized defensive measures , such as the following . Steam Armor Systems . The following are steam armor systems : miscellaneous devices that enhance a steam armor ’ s power . In World of Warcraft . In the " World of Warcraft " steam armor takes on many different looks , from the goblin shredder s to the gnomish battle suits to even suits infused with arcane energies ( arcane titan s ) . First seen in Gnomeregan with Sicco Thermaplugg ' s heavily modified suit , they now appear all around Azeroth . The gnomes have recently been seen using crowd pummeler s as battle suits as well .