Lore ·
The Blackrock Clan Explained: Blackhand, Orgrim Doomhammer, Rend and the Dark Horde
The Blackrock clan is the orc clan that gave the Old Horde its first two Warchiefs, Blackhand and Orgrim Doomhammer, and whose survivors, led by Blackhand's son Rend, held Blackrock Spire as the "Dark Horde" under the black dragon Nefarian. In World of Warcraft: Forever (WoW Forever), set in the first year of World of Warcraft (year 25 after the Dark Portal), Warcraft Tavern lists Blackrock Depths, Lower Blackrock Spire and Upper Blackrock Spire among the dungeons.
Quick answer: Blackhand led the Blackrocks and was made Warchief with Gul'dan's backing. Orgrim Doomhammer killed him and led the clan through the Second War. After that war Blackhand's sons Rend and Maim took Blackrock Spire, where Nefarian, son of Deathwing, made the Blackrock orcs his laborers and troops.
Some clans have a throne. The Blackrock had a mountain, and the mountain outlived their Warchiefs.
Key facts
- Warchiefs: Blackhand, then Orgrim Doomhammer (Warcraft Wiki, Wowpedia)
- After the Second War: Rend and Maim, Blackhand's sons, took Blackrock Spire (Warcraft Wiki, Wowpedia)
- Master of the Spire: Nefarian, son of Deathwing (Warcraft Wiki, Wowpedia, Engadget)
- Name for the Blackrock orcs under him: the Dark Horde (Warcraft Wiki, Wowpedia)
- Neighbors in the mountain: the Dark Iron dwarves, pushed down into Blackrock Depths (Engadget; Warcraft Wiki on the Spire)
- In WoW Forever: Blackrock Depths (52 to 60), Lower Blackrock Spire (57 to 60) and Upper Blackrock Spire (60) in Blackrock Mountain (Warcraft Tavern)
Who were the Blackrock Warchiefs?
Warcraft Wiki and Wowpedia both say Blackhand led the Blackrock clan and was made the Horde's first Warchief with Gul'dan's backing. Both say Orgrim Doomhammer, Blackhand's lieutenant, killed him in a mak'gora duel and took the clan and the title. Warcraft Wiki says the Blackrocks stayed loyal to Orgrim through the Second War, and Wowpedia calls them fanatically loyal.
Read Who Is Orgrim Doomhammer? for the Warchief who lost the war, Who Is Gul'dan? for the warlock who backed Blackhand, and The Orcs of Azeroth for the wider history.
What happened to the Blackrocks after the Second War?
Defeat did not end the clan. Warcraft Wiki says that after the Horde's defeat the Alliance interned many Blackrocks, and the free survivors joined Blackhand's sons Dal'rend, called Rend, and Maim, who blamed Orgrim for their father's death and retook Blackrock Spire through a bargain with the Dark Iron dwarves that the orcs never meant to keep. Wowpedia agrees that Rend seized the Spire and declared himself Warchief, and says he blamed Orgrim.
Engadget's 2010 Know Your Lore on Horde politics says Rend proclaimed himself the true leader of a "New Horde" of Azeroth, with Nefarian, there called Lord Victor Nefarius, protecting his claim.
Who are the Dark Horde, and who rules Blackrock Spire?
The Spire passed from a Warchief's son to a dragon. Warcraft Wiki and Wowpedia say the black dragon Nefarian gained control of the Spire and the Blackrock orcs, and that they were used as laborers and expendable troops. Wowpedia adds that Rend served under him, and Engadget calls Nefarian a son of Deathwing. Engadget says Nefarian was charged with overseeing the Spire and keeping the orcs under the black dragonflight's control. Wowpedia says the Dark Horde is the name for the Blackrock orcs and their allies who served the black dragonflight.
Warcraft Wiki's Blackrock Spire page describes the Dark Horde as orcs, ogres and forest trolls living in the lower spire, and says Nefarian's forces took control of the upper spire, though its intro places the black dragonflight in the lower spire. Engadget says the Dark Iron dwarves were pushed down into Blackrock Depths while Nefarian and the "New Horde" ruled the spires above. Warcraft Wiki's Spire page says the fortress was held by the Dark Iron dwarves for centuries. Read Deathwing explained, Onyxia explained and The dwarves of Ironforge explained.
Where do you meet the Blackrock clan in WoW Forever?
Inside the mountain. Warcraft Tavern's dungeon list gives Blackrock Depths levels 52 to 60, Lower Blackrock Spire 57 to 60 and Upper Blackrock Spire level 60, all in Blackrock Mountain. Warcraft Wiki's Patch 1.60 page lists Blackrock Depths at levels 52 to 60 and Lower Blackrock Spire at 55 to 60 among the dungeons for levels 40 to 60. Warcraft Wiki's Blackrock Spire page names Rend as a general defending the peak for Nefarian.
Neither Warcraft Wiki's Patch 1.60 page nor Gfinity's October 14 raid schedule lists Molten Core or Blackwing Lair among Forever's launch raids, which are Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia's Lair. For the full dungeon list, read the dungeons guide, and for the 60 path read the level 60 progression guide. The free Lore Forever add-on adds readable background in each place, and the optional Willo voice companion answers lore questions. Both are fan-made.
Later in the timeline, outside WoW Forever, Warcraft Wiki says Garrosh Hellscream gave many Dark Horde Blackrocks amnesty. This article leaves that there.
What is not confirmed yet
- Blizzard has not published Forever-specific Blackrock clan lore or quests. The dungeons are listed, but their bosses and story are not described in the sources I opened.
- Warcraft Tavern lists Lower Blackrock Spire at levels 57 to 60 and Upper Blackrock Spire at 60; the part of Warcraft Wiki's Patch 1.60 page I read gives the lower spire as 55 to 60 and does not list the upper spire.
- Warcraft Wiki's original-game section has Blackrock forces raiding Lakeshire and Redridge from Stonewatch Keep, while Wowpedia says the keep became their high command's final stronghold in the Cataclysm, outside Forever's setting. The Redridge Mountains guide covers the zone.
Frequently asked questions
Who leads the Blackrock clan?
Orgrim Doomhammer led it after killing Blackhand, according to Warcraft Wiki and Wowpedia. After the Second War, Blackhand's son Rend declared himself Warchief at Blackrock Spire.
Who is Rend Blackhand?
Rend, or Dal'rend, is Blackhand's son who took Blackrock Spire and declared himself Warchief, says Wowpedia. Warcraft Wiki says he and his brother Maim blamed Orgrim for their father's death.
What is the Dark Horde?
The Dark Horde is the name for the Blackrock orcs and their allies who served the black dragonflight, says Wowpedia. Warcraft Wiki says Nefarian used the orcs as laborers and expendable troops.
Is Blackrock Spire in WoW Forever?
Yes. Warcraft Tavern lists Lower Blackrock Spire at levels 57 to 60 and Upper Blackrock Spire at level 60, and Warcraft Wiki's Patch 1.60 page lists the lower spire at 55 to 60.
Who killed Blackhand?
Orgrim Doomhammer killed Blackhand in a mak'gora duel and became Warchief, according to Warcraft Wiki and Wowpedia.
Sources
Reviewed October 27, 2026. This article covers history before and during Forever's setting and does not treat later events as Forever canon. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.