What has become of the blood elf Spellbreakers?
While they were already few in number to begin with, the ranks of this formidable fighting force were thinned drastically when their headquarters on the Isle of Quel’Danas was overwhelmed by Kael’thas and his Burning Legion forces. The lone squad that remains now exists as a relic of a bygone era, as the Spellbreakers have refrained from training any new recruits since Kael’thas’s betrayal.
- https://us.battle.net/forums/en/wow/topic/2721372142, Bashiok CDev 2011
For years, the order of the Spellbreakers remained dormant. A lone squad, the only survivors to live after the treachery of the late Prince Kael’thas and his demonic masters. The Isle of Quel’Danas suffered greatly, but through the combined might of Shattrath, Aldor and Scryers joined forces into the Shattered Sun Offensive. Liberated through the grasp of the Burning Legion, the Sunwell was rejuvenated and the blood elf people looked towards a new destiny. War has never been far behind; so return the Spellbreakers.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Purpose and Origin
- Attire and Equipment
- Abilities and Toolkit
Spell Reflection
Magical Immunity
Spell Stealing & Mana Draining- Conclusion
- Sources
1. Introduction:
Hello Argent Dawn, it’s your jawless Forsaken here!
After some discussion with friends I decided to finally compile resources in order to provide a place of reference and discussion alike. Credits to Thalandros, who came up with the idea in the first place!
This guide is meant to captivate the feeling and portrayal of the famous Spellbreaker unit, and encourage lovers of the concept to discuss and compile useful lore and their understanding of it, as well as theories and everything that may assist in the expansion of our knowledge and abilities as roleplayers. Despite the great symbolism they possess I found that there is very little provided throughout the Warcraft universe, and it is my belief that we should try and combine our creative minds with ways to improve that situation.
Lore references and speculation will be clearly marked throughout this topic, with all sources available and cited linked at the end. It has been a priority to have everything as accessible as possible to readers in order to ensure that no context is lost, as it may fuel discussion and allow for more interpretations to be voiced.
With all that in mind, let’s see what we can make of this.
2. Purpose and Origin:
To begin, we must explore the idea and concept behind the Spellbreaker. Anti-magical units have been a great interest to many creative concepts that involve sorcery throughout the years, however the blood elf unit remains one of the most notable ones. Does that mean that they were the first, however?
During the insurrection of Suramar, the player is tasked with assisting in the training of recruits and rebels. One of the most important items found is the book on strategy named Spellbreaking, the Art of Shieldbashing[1], a reference to the Glyph of Shield Slam item removed in the beginning of the Legion expansion—however the implications are clear: a more crude version of spellbreaking existed. Further in the player’s adventures throughout Suramar, we discover many Nighborne[2] who are capable and specialised in reflecting and mitigating spells.
To that conclusion, it is without question that the Thalassian people did not invent the magic of spellbreaking, nor is it restricted to them. Under speculation, they may have been aware and capable in that field, however it is for certain that they did not militarise their abilities until after the Scourge Invasion of Quel’Thalas when the Spellbreakers were founded[3]. While disbanded for many years due to the lack of numbers, their training has since been revitalised and we see the unit across the Isle of Thunder.
But the large question remains: what purpose did they serve?
To our understanding the Thalassian military is contained within greatly specialised forces, such as the rangers and Farstriders, the Blood Knights, and the Magisters (and a rumoured & mentioned Priesthood). It is unclear if Spellbreakers are a faction of their own, or if they serve under the banner of another, however their portrayal throughout the games has been undeniable: Spellbreakers are a front-line unit created to hunt and destroy enemy mages, often described as elite[4]. Whether they serve as a more defensive role is not confirmed, however it should be considered that they may empower their allies through the usage of Spell Steal[4].
3. Attire and Equipment:
The blood elf unit from Warcraft 3 arguably uses one of the most iconic equipment sets in the Warcraft universe. Paired with one of the most memorable art pieces of a Spellbreaker by Samwise Didier, their appearance hardly requires explanation and has been embedded in the minds of many.
Typically portrayed as armoured warriors, the Spellbreakers use plate and cloth in swathes of gold, ebony, and red. Their garb is designed with symbolism as the ceremonial phoenix hangs from their shoulders and great plate feathers mask their face. In their reinforced robes they captivate the necessary idea between sorcerer and warrior, making them perfect for the elite of Quel’Thalas.
Yet it is the glaive that is perhaps the most important part of the Spellbreaker, a two-bladed sword with sharp ends on mirror sides. Their slim tower shields finish the look of the legendary anti-mage, and both should be considered vital to their appearance. Sadly, they are currently unavailable in the game.
4. Abilities and Toolkit:
It has been frequently discussed among players whether a Spellbreaker’s abilities are magical or bound to enchantments and equipment. What are their abilities, and are they merely enhanced warriors or superior mages? And really, where should we draw the line between an enchanted warrior and a Spellbreaker? While there is no direct confirmation to anything, we can speculate correctly through our knowledge of the Warcraft universe.
- Spell Reflection
The Warrior class has long-since possessed the Spell Reflection ability, inspiring many to utilise it as a fitting portrayal of the Spellbreaker. However the later expansion Legion has granted us insight into its origin through the artifact item Scale of the Earth-Warder. Due to the material and magical power imbued into the unique item the Warrior’s spell-reflective capabilities become enhanced[5][6], allowing us to understand that the shield is a natural part in this technique. A wild guess can involve the naming of Nightborne elites, Duskwatch Spellshield[2], in the discussion to further confirm that suspicion.
All this appears to remain in-line with the portrayal of Spellbreakers; warriors with deadly glaives and tower shields. But what of their fabled magical immunity?
- Magical Immunity
While there are NPCs in World of Warcraft that possess forms of magical immunity, we cannot draw parallels between them and the order of Spellbreakers. Firstly, how may one begin to amass magical immunity? In the large void of lore, we can only continue through speculation and tips mixed with references and examples.
I have concluded on two possibilities: exceptional skill and experience (Magical), or enchantments and gear (Physical). While both possibilities are correct in their own way, an open-minded skepticism is advised. It should be noted that one does not contradict the other, and nothing stops both from being used.
Magical
"The magics I speak of shape bodies and minds as a chisel shapes stone. As they empower us, they remove slivers of our being. This can kill even those who have spent their entire lives training for it." He pointedly shot a glance at Ko’ragh (alive, still).
“First, they learn the signs and patterns of a school of magic. Then, they must be struck by controlled infusions of that magic, like stitches or carvings, in the presence of this stone. Eventually, some of their life essence is peeled away, and a small part of it is replaced by the magic branded into their very being. They become immune.”[7]The Ogres of Draenor created a form of magical immunity conducted through the ritual described above. It suggests that one must first have knowledge and affinity for the magic they wish to become immune to, and even then may suffer the consequence of death. The magical aptitude of Gorian Ogres should not be underestimated[8], and we should understand that magical immunity is a potentially unknown or legendary power even among the denizens of Azeroth.
We may draw parallel between their incantations and the requirement of relics with enchanting[9], however that is entirely speculative and rides on the possibility that an individual may somehow be enchanted[10]. It is possible that there are similarities between the inscribed patterns granting immunity and those of the magical resistance for demon hunters[11] as they are both Arcane in nature[7][12].
We can conclude that magical inscriptions and tattoos can provide resistance to magic or specific types of it. However, we have no means of understanding what it would take for a blood elf to undergo such rituals nor how they could be conducted in the first place. This approach is something subjective to question, and does not necessarily hold a strong claim to written lore.
A more advisable route is utilising Abjurations and their castable effects such as elemental armour which may dampen magic or physical blows, and well-timed wards which have the potential to nullify a specific kind of elemental magic[13].
Physical
The enchantment of armour is a wide and varied field that can provoke many discussions and many more references throughout the novels and game. In that regard, it’ll need a guide in and ofitself. For the purpose of keeping this contained within the context of Spellbreakers, only the basics are required.
Through the use of magical reagents such as crystalised mana[9][10] items may be imbued with varied powers, some of which include elemental and magical resistances or physical resilience and armour[9][14]. A Spellbreaker’s fabled magical immunity may merely come down to a very powerful enchantment on their armour! This allows for unarmoured parts of the body to remain vulnerable—good for roleplay, but not the best for your spellbreaker.
This approach is far less thought-provoking and safe, however there is nothing to suggest that complete immunity is possible through enchantment. Certain materials are known to be stronger against elemental damage, and (under speculation) obsidian can be one of the best against magic[15], if considering its rarity. It would be nice if someone complied all of our knowledge of metals in one convenient link so that we may choose our armour’s materials more wisely.
The choice between the two (or both) is ultimately up to the player, and we have no confirmation as to what a Spellbreaker might prefer or be trained in.
- Spell Stealing & Mana Draining
While a Spellbreaker’s anti-magical abilities are infamous among the mage-caste, what truly separates them from a simple guardian is their affinity in shutting them down. As we have not really seen Spellbreakers in full action, we cannot confirm with certainty the range of their toolkit. Consider that before applying any of the below information in RP.
Counterspells
"Tarthen confronted Aegwynn in Stranglethorn Vale. In terms of the power used by the two magi, the duel that ensued was one of the greatest to have ever occurred between a Tirisgarde and the renegade Guardian. But it was also one of the shortest.
“Tarthen bore Ebonchill in battle–the greatstaff reported stolen some months ago. When he unleashed the weapon’s stored power on Aegwynn, she immediately turned the energies back on him with a counterspell. A storm of frost magic surged over Tarthen, encasing him in a layer of diamond-hard ice. […]”[16]Counterspell is a means to turn one’s spell against them through the use of magic. Spellbreakers are likely versed in similar fields, and the counterspell provides an alternative to physical spell reflection through the means of a shield. It is a point of contention if the magical variant should be reserved for sorcerers.
Disenchantment
While enchanting is not easy to learn and can prove expensive[10], it can provide great results under good usage. Specifically, the Arcane school of Enchanting can be used to reverse the effects of spells[10]. On a personal note, I’ve always been a fan of the whirling glaives Spellbreakers wielded in Warcraft 3; enchantment may provide the means for those non-melee flung attacks to become possible:
He has not only mastered the creation of potent magical weapons, but the prince has also learned to manipulate these objects remotely, allowing them to fight on their own.[10]
Draining & Destroying Mana
While it might appear as an unimportant detail, the siphoning and destruction of mana are possibly two different things! The schism between the two is simple: the utter destruction of mana is achieved only through chaotic[17][18] or shadow[19] magics—such as Mana Burn. It is known that Illidan passed down knowledge about siphoning magic[20], however that creates a gap between the return to Rommath[21] and the creation of the Spellbreakers[3]. This is likely an oversight, as early blood elves would not have utilised fel and chaos magic.
Contrary to popular belief, they could not originally drain fel magic either[22][23], and thus the aforementioned methods were impossible.
While modern blood elves are capable in the methods of mana siphoning[21][24][25], they are unnecessary with the Sunwell’s restoration[26]. It is possible that these methods have now become more specialised for the Spellbreakers’ toolkit, or perhaps it is their enchanted weapons that allude to the drain of mana.
This blood-elven two-bladed sword is the bane of any evil spellcaster.
-Magic & Mayhem, pg. 128While this may be used as inspiration, it should not be considered confirmed canon as it comes from the RPG. Ultimately, one of the most important details for a Spellbreaker is inconclusive.
On a personal note, I am willing to interpret this as indication that the weapons are crafted and enchanted with mana siphoning in mind, while later the Spellbreakers learned the magical means to siphon it—or, if they went towards unconventional and frowned-upon methods, destroy it.
5. Conclusion:
Roleplaying a Spellbreaker has bewitched the hearts of many, and I have to personally admit that I’m both fascinated and interested. There is very little to go with when it comes down to confirmed and well-defined lore surrounding the concept, however I believe that I have managed to capture the essence of what is required to understand before playing one—and if you already are, then hopefully you learned something new!
It should be a reminder that this is a guideline meant to allow source and inspiration from the Warcraft canon in order to better immerse oneself (and others) when it comes down to roleplay, and should not be etched to heart. Although if you do, that’d make us two!
I hope people continue to add things I’ve missed and are eager to point out mistakes or present arguments in order to add to the OP. I like to think I know & remember my lore, but I’m certainly not omniscient!
6. Sources:
Sources
[1] Object: Spellbreaking, the Art of Shieldbashing
[2] NPC: Duskwatch Spellshield
[3] https://twitter.com/MickyNeilson/status/627192991749312512
[4]http://classic.battle.net/war3/human/units/spellbreaker.shtml
[5] Spell: Reflective Plating
[6] Spell: Gleaming Scales
[7] https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/story/short-story/code-of-rule#tab=4
[8] Quest: Legacy of the Sorcerer Kings
[9] http://us.battle.net/wow/en/profession/enchanting
[10] Object: The Schools of Arcane Magic - Enchantment
[11] Spell: Empower Wards
[12] Quest: Opposites Repel
[13] Object: The Schools of Arcane Magic - Abjuration
[14] Enchanting Formulas
[15] Object: Large Obsidian Shard
[16] Archive of the Tirisgarde
[17] Spell: Mana Break
[18] Spell: Mana Rift
[19] Spell: Mana Burn
[20] Illidan Stormrage had taught Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider and his followers people how to siphon energy from artifacts, creatures, and the environment to sate their cravings for magic. Yet these methods only left the prince and the other elves wanting more. - Chronicle V3, pg. 139
[21] The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Blood Elves
[22] Kael’thas convinced Illidan to show him how to feed on fel energies. The prince proceeded cautiously, only drawing on small portions of the magic. - Chronicle V3, pg. 139
[23] The former night elf had only shared one way to siphon the chaotic energies, but there were others. The demon hunters had used these more refined techniques, and that was what made them so powerful. - Chronicle V3, pg. 139-140
[24] Spell: Mana_Tap
[25] Spell: Arcane_Torrent
[26] The Sunwell was reborn, and its return heralded a promising future for the blood elves. With the fount to draw on, they no longer needed to look elsewhere to satisfy their cravings for magic. – Chronicle V3, pg. 159
![:triumph:](https://d1bg94bbsh66ji.cloudfront.net/en/wow/images/emoji/twitter/triumph.png?v=6" ":triumph:")