World of Warcraft’s Undermine Factions Explained

World of Warcraft’s goblins have been some of the game’s most chaotic and entertaining characters, combining keen engineering with reckless bravado. They’ve always added a spot of levity to the Horde, and to factions beyond. In The War Within, goblins have made a firm impact, claiming the spotlight for the expansion’s first major patch.

With the introduction of the city known as Undermine, the true scope of goblin society has finally been fleshed out. Their simplistic hierarchy of plutocrats has always been a given, as the richest goblins are also the most powerful. However, despite World of Warcraft players having interacted with these head honchos before, they’ve never been seen all in one room, or one city for that matter. There are five cartels in the zone of Undermine, four of which can be befriended. The fifth, known as the Darkfuse, is loyal to Trade Prince Gallywix, the patch’s main antagonist and final boss in his own raid.

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Marin Noggenfogger’s Steamwheedle Society

The Steamwheedle Cartel is the oldest existing goblin cartel, and they’ve dabbled in a huge variety of enterprises. From operating public arenas to lending out zeppelins, these goblins have a finger in every corner of Azeroth. For the most part, they’ve remained strictly neutral in Horde versus Alliance conflicts over the years, only pledging loyalty to gold. Marin Noggenfogger, the Steamwheedle leader, is a fair and good-natured fellow with a particular fascination for alchemy. Gallywix’s takeover never sat well with him, and despite having his arm twisted, he was still able to help freedom fighters where he could.

Ethical Piracy Under the Blackwater Flag

The Blackwater Cartel is a motley, diverse array of buccaneers, rogues, and pirates who try to follow the rules (most of the time). They’ve long been the folks in control of commerce at the famed Booty Bay, with their trade prince, Baron Revilgaz, at the helm. Despite being scalawags, the Blackwater Cartel does have one rule, and that’s to only kill when absolutely necessary. Within the Undermine, Blackwater handles mostly cargo, with a soupçon of smuggling on the side.

The New Venture Company in WoW

The mere mention of the Venture Company dredges up memories for countless players. These capital-hungry cronies have shown up all over Azeroth across a wide array of expansions, threatening the local ecosystems wherever they go. The company was founded by Mogul Razdunk, who ran the show for years until his timely demise in Battle for Azeroth. These days, the current leader is Grimla Fizzlecrank, who’s been trying her best to steer the cartel into more ethical ventures. She’s practical, however, and is fully aware of how many goblins depend on Venture Company profits. She won’t allow anything truly despicable like Razdunk did, but this cartel isn’t giving up any time soon.

The Horde’s Bilgewater Cartel

Last but not least, the Bilgewater Cartel is the most important goblin faction where players are concerned. Led, or often coerced by Gallywix, the members of this cartel joined the Horde in Cataclysm, remaining staunch allies ever since. They lent their weapons and engineering expertise to the Warchief for many years, until Gallywix abandoned his cartel in Battle for Azeroth. Monte Gazlowe, a far nobler goblin, took charge of Bilgewater, becoming spokesperson for the new Horde’s goblins. Gazlowe wasn’t keen on returning to his old city, but like always, he steps up when others need him. The Bilgewater Cartel still makes wacky machines and questionably safe gadgets, but their love for invention and efficiency is what shines through.

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