Although many groups in Azeroth are loyal to either the Horde or the Alliance, there are some factions that have not taken a side in the war and maintain strong relationships with both groups. Dungeons and Dragons players may find allies or enemies in each of these groups.

All Subfactions that Haven’t Taken a Side in the Horde/Alliance Conflict

In any Dungeons and Dragons campaign players have a chance to make friends and foes in each new area they visit. Adventures set in Azeroth and its surrounding realms for the World of Warcraft expansion will definitely be no exception.

The Horde versus Alliance conflict provides a ton of opportunities for politics and combat, but not every faction in the world has taken a side. Depending on where players go and what the DM has planned, there are a handful of factions that parties could run into that have not taken a side in the ongoing Horde and Alliance war.

Here are the biggest neutral factions that parties are likely to run into during their D&D: World of Warcraft games:

• Argent Dawn – The knightly Order of the Argent Dawn is dedicated to protecting Azeroth from the Burning Legion, the Scourge, and other forces that seek to destroy the world. Neutral in the continual conflict between the Alliance and the Horde, the Argent Dawn calls both factions allies in its higher purpose of resisting these forces of evil. The order’s headquarters is Light’s Hope Chapel, in the Eastern Plaguelands.
• Cenarion Circle – Named for the demigod Cenarius, the Cenarion Circle is a worldwide order keeping watch over Azeroth’s druids and protecting the natural balance. Since the end of the Third War, the circle has accepted druids from both the Alliance and the Horde.
• Earthen Ring – The Earthen Ring is a gathering of Azeroth’s most powerful shaman, working together to preserve the balance among the elements. The members of the Earthen Ring oppose destructive forces such as the Twilight’s Hammer cult and the Burning Legion. Insisting on a neutral stance in mortal conflicts, the Earthen Ring welcomes members from both the Alliance and the Horde.
• Explorers’ League & Reliquary – Affiliated with the Alliance and the Horde respectively, the Explorers’ League and the Reliquary are scholarly organizations dedicated to the practice of archaeology and the study of history. For most of recent history, the organizations were bitter rivals, but with the reemergence of the Dragon Isles and the discovery of Khaz Algar, the two have set aside their old rivalry and formed joint expeditions.
• Kirin Tor – The Kirin Tor began as a secretive mages’ guild within the Empire of Arathor. With the fall of Arathor, Dalaran became a nation in its own right, and the Council of Six who led the Kirin Tor became the rulers of this city-state. Razed during the Third War, Dalaran was eventually transformed into a flying island. Above the Isle of Dorn in Khaz Algar, it met its doom, but the survivors of the Kirin Tor remain in Dornogal, coordinating the magical defense of Azeroth.
• Steamwheedle Cartel – The Steamwheedle Cartel is one of the largest and richest goblin cartels, having maintained a careful neutrality in the conflict between the Alliance and the Horde since the Second War. The cartel’s hands are in virtually every line of work, with a specialty in premium-grade alchemy. Besides potions, the cartel also deals in fuels, poisons, and industrial chemicals—what some goblins describe as “liquid assets.”
• Valdrakken Accord – The Valdrakken Accord is the unified might of all dragonkind, seeking to protect not only the Dragon Isles but all of Azeroth according to the ancient charge given to the five Dragon Aspects. The accord has also expanded its mission to include dragons beyond the five flights.

Players who want to tie their background to one of these factions should make sure they consult their Dungeon Master first to ensure that the faction can fit into the larger story that is being pulled together for the full party.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates as the World of Warcraft gameplay expansion release date approaches.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and other similar online services. The Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft gameplay expansion releases on November 17, 2026.

The post Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft – All Factions That Remain Neutral In the Horde Versus Alliance War appeared first on VICE.

Dungeons and Dragons parties who are running an Alliance-focused campaign or adventure will have a long list of interesting allies and enemies to meet along the way.

All D&D: World of WArcraft Alliance Subfaction Groups

In any Dungeons and Dragons game, there are often lots of groups with their own allegiances to meet as players explore the world and work through their adventure’s hooks. That is no exception in the World of Warcraft-inspired Universes Beyond game and the primary factions are just the main two.

There are tons of subfactions to meet in both the Horde and The Alliance. Here is a full breakdown of the major Alliance subfactions that players may encounter during their upcoming campaigns:

• Darnassus – The Darnassus faction represents the night elves of Azeroth, wherever they actually reside. The faction also encompasses the void elves, based in Telogrus Rift.
• Exodar – The Exodar faction represents the draenei who came to Azeroth aboard the eponymously named vessel.
• Gilneas – The Gilneas faction represents the nation of Gilneas and its people, including its worgen. Night elf druids taught Gilnean worgen a rite called the Ritual of Balance, which helps them control their transformation.
• Gnomeregan – The Gnomeregan faction encompasses gnomes and mechagnomes. Before the reclamation of Gnomeregan, the faction was known as Gnomeregan Exiles.
• Ironforge – The Ironforge faction encompasses dwarves who acknowledge the leadership of the Council of Three Hammers, the government formed by the union of the Bronzebeard, Dark Iron, and Wildhammer clans.
• Obsidian Warders – Charged with defending the allies of the black dragonflight and protecting its strongholds, this dracthyr weyrn journeyed to Stormwind City to warn the Alliance of impending danger and subsequently joined forces.
• Stormwind – The Stormwind faction encompasses the remnants of most of the human kingdoms of Azeroth, including Kul Tiras, Dalaran, and Stromgarde. Stormwind remains the strongest human nation on Azeroth.
• Tushui – Pandaren who follow the path of Tushui, which emphasizes meditation and careful discernment, naturally attracted them to the cause of the Alliance.

The Alliance is a military coalition whose leadership is dependent on the unified will of its member peoples. By default, the high king (or other leader) of Stormwind has served as commander of the Alliance. In practice, the human king leads as part of a council made up of all the Alliance leaders.

Players who want to incorporate one of the Alliance subfactions into their character’s backstory are encourages to do so, but should collaborate with their DM to make sure it fits into the larger story.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates as the World of Warcraft gameplay expansion release date approaches.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and similar online services. The Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft products release on November 17, 2026.

The post Dungeons and Dragons: World of Warcraft – Every Alliance Subfaction appeared first on VICE.

New York Comic-Con is now underway and Dungeons and Dragons is helping kick off the festivities by revealing new details about the upcoming Star Wars Universes Beyond gameplay expansion and adventure.

D&D Star WArs Core Rulebook and Tyro Squadron: Adventures Arrive in 2027

Dungeons and Dragons is kicking off its Universes Beyond line next month with the arrival of the World of Warcraft gameplay expansion, but some fans are already looking ahead to next year and what comes next.

When Universes Beyond for D&D was first announced, the team confirmed that Star Wars would be the next universe visited after Azeroth. The initial teaser didn’t provide any details, but now fans are finally getting a closer look at what in store for next year.

Two books, D&D | Star Wars Core Rules, and D&D | Star Wars, Tyro Squadron: Adventures are warping into the galaxy in 2027. Select artwork, including the cover of D&D | Star Wars, Tyro Squadron: Adventures, was also unveiled during the Disney / Lucasfilm publishing panel at New York Comic Con.

In D&D | Star Wars, Tyro Squadron: Adventures, take the fight to the Empire as part of a secret Rebel crew. Set during the Original Trilogy, these new stories unfold as Luke and Leia fight their own battles across the galaxy. Fly daring missions, explore new corners of the galaxy, and help shape the Rebellion’s story—your way. 

Additional details about D&D | Star Wars, Core Rules will be revealed later, and fans can also look forward to a star fighter encounter at Star Wars Celebration in April 2027.

Given how in-depth the World of Warcraft gameplay expansion is, it will be very exciting to see how the traditional D&D classes and subclasses may be altered to set things up for adventures in the galaxy far, far away.

Obviously DMs will be able to set their campaigns at any point and location that they would like, but it’s exciting to learn that the official adventure book is focusing in on the original trilogy timeline.

Be sure to check back soon for lots more Dungeons and Dragons news and updates in the coming months.

Dungeons and Dragons is available now at local game shops and digitally through D&D Beyond, Roll20, and similar online services. The upcoming Universes Beyond Star Wars books will arrive in 2027.

The post Dungeons and Dragons Confirms Title, Timeline, and Setting for Two Upcoming Star Wars Books appeared first on VICE.