Elementals were the first creatures to appear on Azeroth, created by a sect of “Old Gods”. Chaotic and destructive, they worshiped the Old Gods, but the gods were defeated by the Titans. The Titans took Azeroth because of a deep hatred for anything evil, and the Old Gods were described as “unimaginable evil.” The Titans then brought order and prosperity to a new Azeroth, where countless races and creatures were able to come into existence.

There are about 6 kinds of elementals. Earth elementals are made up of floating bits of stone, and sometimes used as minions for some centaur and the Kirin Tor. Fire elementals have burning bodies and are able to attack from a distance with fire, and are extremely hard to kill with physical attacks, because fire is hardly tangible. There are Water Elementals, commonly summoned by mages and wizards, which can cast Ice spells. While not pictured, Wind Elementals appear as small funnel clouds; they tend to have slashing abilities, and exist throughout the Arathi Highlands, Desolace and Silithus. Molten Elementals are based on lava with shale bodies, appearing similar to, but not quite like, earth elementals, and use fiery attacks; they can be seen in ex-Redridge Mountains, including Searing Gorge, Burning Steppes, and Molten Core. ‘Arcane’ Elementals can be seen in Dire Maul. These elementals of Twisting Nether can easily destroy mana-based classes like mages by burning mana, and, of course, are immune to arcane magic.

They are ruled by the Elemental Lieutenants: Ragnaros the Firelord (fire elemental, the only one that can be currently fought in World of Warcraft), Therazane the Stonemother (earth elemental, rumored to be the Earthmother the Tauren worship), Al’Akir the Windlord (air elemental, apparently the lieutenant with the least amount of story), Neptulon the Tidehunter (water elemental, stated to be the most evil of the lieutenants).

One thing to note is that these elementals are in fact not a part of the Burning Legion. Though demons can be controlled by Warlocks, elementals can’t be controlled by players; however they are also used as minions of NPCs. Elementals will fight the demons of the Burning Legion as well as the beings that inhabit Azeroth. They are merely trying to restore their masters (the Old Gods) to power and to free their elemental lieutenants (mentioned above) so these can once again rule the world.

Water Elementals seem to be a bit more passive, and players can get quests from certain ones, generally involving attacking fire elementals; however water elementals, along with all elementals, are often hostile to players of either faction.

The different elementals seem to be at war with each other; the most obvious version is the “pure” water elementals and their attempts to defeat the “hated” fire elementals.

Additionally, the saga to get the legendary weapon Thunderfury, Blade of the Blessed Windseeker tells the story that Ragnaros the Firelord imprisoned Thunderann who was a wind elemental lord.

In World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Water Elementals can be controlled by Mages who specialize in frost talents (41 points minimum).

Other Elementals and related creatures There are some other creatures in World of Warcraft that are categorized as elementals; these include tree ancients, bog beasts, golems, etc.; but the wind, water, earth and fire elementals are the only ones to have served the Old Gods. The Old Gods are also served by certain non-elementals.