by Tim Peters

Created on: February 15, 2010

Of all the World of Warcraft races, trolls are statistically the least-played according to the World of Warcraft Census.  The reasons for this aren't clear, but it's not for lack of presence.  They're tall with prominent tusks, tend to be dedicated to voodoo, and seem to be fairly laid-back about everything except killing humans and their allies.  Maybe it's the accents, or the not-so-versatile specializations.  Or even the hair.  Whatever the case, the players who do choose to get down with the voodoo will find their choice well worth it.

BACKGROUND

Trolls are an ancient race, with a few legends even suggesting that the venerable night elf race splintered off from them.  Their regenerative abilities are legendary, allowing them to recover far more quickly from injuries than normal.  They built vast empires - the Amani and Guribashi - spanning the entire continent of Kalimdor and lasting thousands of years.  Both would eventually fall, however, and the result are the numerous tribes that populate Azeroth today.  One such tribe, the Darkspear, swore allegiance to the Horde after forces under Thrall saved them from a Sea Witch and her murloc worshippers.  The Darkspear trolls today are led by the venerable Vol'jin, and live in Sen'jin Village to the south of the orcish capital of Orgrimmar.

STARTING AREA

Trolls share their starting area with orcs: the Valley of Trials, west of Sen'jin Village in southern Durotar.

AVAILABLE CLASSES

Trolls may be Hunters, Mages, Priests, Rogues, Shamans, Warriors, and Death Knights.

Upon the release of the Cataclysm expansion, trolls may also be Druids.

RACIAL TRAITS

All trolls start with fairly high Agility, Spirit, Stamina and Strength, but the lowest Intellect in the game (tied with the Tauren).  Troll Warriors start with a free throwing axe, making them the only Warriors in the game to begin with a ranged weapon.  Trolls also receive the following unique traits:

- Berserking: Increases attack and casting speed by 20% for 10 seconds.  This can be especially useful when combined with other haste effects.

- Regeneration: Increases health regeneration by 10%, and grants 10% health regeneration during combat.  Good in general for reducing down-time between fights.

- Beast Slaying: Adds 5% damage against beasts.  Good against many creatures in the game, particularly Hunter pets.

- Bow Specialization: Increases critical hit chance with bows by 1%.  Decent, but useless to spellcasters.

- Thrown Weapon Specialization: Increases critical hit chance with thrown weapons by 1%.  See above.

- Da Voodoo Shuffle: Reduces movement-impairing effect times by 15%.  A decent passive defense against being stunned or dazed.

If you're looking for a Horde race with an intimidating look and the racial bonuses to match, you can't go wrong with trolls.  Spirits be with ya, mon!

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