Is there sufficient lore in-game

[Hijacker-emerald-dream]

… for me to grasp it enough so as to partake in roleplaying? I’ve always been intrigued by the creativity and immersion of roleplayers. I have even wondered about trying it out myself, but really don’t know the lore of WoW whatsoever so would probably be more than useless.

I realize there is a vast knowledge of lore at websites like wowhead, however, I’d rather experience the lore while playing than reading it. And so I wonder, is it possible to get a decent grasp on WoW lore simply by playing, or do I have to resort to i.e. wowhead? Do I need to read WoW books? /lazy

What do you think? Any and all advice is welcome. I could really use some direction.

[Shellina-moon-guard]

Wowhead will give you next to nothing about lore since it’s more of a database.

Best is to use wowpedia and just read on different stuff since that gives you the best ‘‘history’’ wise idea of the warcraft universe.

Personally lore in wow itself is more about current events with hints to the past, but I find that it doesn’t give a good or full enough picture like lets say wowpedia.

Other form can be playing warcraft 3 (or the whole warcraft serie for that matter) To get the best chronicle experience. (Can watch cutscenes and stuff on youtube too.)

[Hagoth-dathremar]

When you have been playing for 10-12 years like some of us you end up picking a up lot of the lore just from in game but you actually have to take the time to read the quests.

[Tovi-moon-guard (Tovi)]

Best is to use wowpedia and just read on different stuff since that gives you the best ‘‘history’’ wise idea of the warcraft universe.

Read about Sargeras and elves specifically. The history of WoW centers around the two.

[Quixote-wyrmrest-accord]

Reading the quests should give you a really good understanding of the world. You could also consider playing the warcraft RTS games for the original lore of the horde vs alliance conflict.

I would say that you shouldn’t be scared of trying it if you want to though. You don’t need to know that much lore to have some fun.

[Rhielle-sentinels (Rhielle)]

A good way to learn is to start with what interests you on Wowpedia and then just keep hitting links! It ends up being a lot of fun.

Feel free to send me mail in game and I’ll toss you my Btag so you can ask questions if you’d like. I’m a bit of a lore junkie. lol

[Tragik-khadgar (Tragik)]

RP is easy and fun.

Simply macro /e to all your abilities accordingly

For example for shadowbolt I macro

/E channels dark energy from the void and focuses it into a single point and aims it as his target.
/Cast shadow bolt

Your group mates and guildies love the immersion it provides especially when you are chain casting.

For your shaman it would be something like

/E swings empowers his hammers with the power of al’akir, pleading for the power of wind to enhance his hammers

/Cast stormstrike

See! You don’t need lore. Try it! (Snicker)

[Tovi-moon-guard (Tovi)]

Actually, the best way to learn WoW lore is to stand in the middle of Stormwind and say something wrong. You’ll be deafened by the sound of a million soapboxes being dropped all at once.

[Wuzeh-wyrmrest-accord]

Outside of MoP, I’d say no. Most significant lore details are told to us out of game, or if you were a Kael’thas fan, not told to us at all.

We actually probably know more about the Pandaren lore and culture THAN THE ORCS.

[Sorelai-wyrmrest-accord (Sorelai)]

Try this:

Horde Roleplay: A Lore Guide for Beginners

This guide has been compiled by a number of individuals who have chosen Horde as their main faction. Please use this guide to fuel your own character ideas! Remember that roleplay lore is like a tool to write your own stories. It should feel inspirational, but never constraining. If you have an idea that goes beyond the general expectations for that race e.g. a blood elf druid or a half-dragon orc, just remember that authenticity comes from detail. The more background knowledge you have, and the…

I have found the three volumes of the Warcraft Chronicles to be a very concise overview of the lore. They cover about 20,000 years of history.

[Akston-bloodhoof (Akston)]

My suggestion is keep your character simple. Your character doesn’t have to know everything. It can even be part of your character’s “charm” for your first time dipping your toe in. It can lead to some fun RP moments when some people generally don’t know whats going on.

I had a tauren I RPed as part of the Prepfoot tribe during legion. Most people I ran into with open RP had no clue who the Prepfoot are. Or why I was so single minded on trying to get some specific supplies. Or what I was talking about when I flat out refused to acknowledge the entire Cata expansion, and pretended it didn’t happen.

Their lack of knowledge of the Prepfoot made the RP sorta…genuine.

So much RP (at times), in my personal opinion, seems to be based on characters knowing everything about everything.

[Felrond-anvilmar (Felrond)]

there are actual loremaster achieves, with rare books/scrolls all over the world. If you really look for them, it can be quite engaging.