Chimaera



A chimaera (sometimes spelled chimera - spelled "kai-mare-ah" in both cases) is a large, two-headed flying creature resembling a mix between a dragon and a wyvern. There are two types of creatures called chimaera in the Warcraft universe, one located in Azeroth and the other in Outland.

Azeroth Chimaera
The mysterious chimaera are deadly, territorial beasts who have developed an empathic bond with the night elf race. These fearsome, two-headed creatures fly above the dark forests of Kalimdor, spewing forth their terrible corrosive breath upon all who would defy the sanctity of the ancient woodlands. Just the sight of these dark, massive beasts is enough to drive most enemies to retreat. Chimaera are typically strong allies of the night elves, protecting the forests and the great tree Nordrassil from danger. They are highly reclusive, sentient creatures, but do not possess the ability to speak. They strive foremost to protect the balance of nature. Chimaera hate seeing any natural races or creatures being harmed or oppressed. Those who victimize such creatures under the chimaera’s protection will quickly find a chimaera’s wrath to be very formidable.

Most chimaeras in the game are found in the Stonetalon Mountains, Azshara, and Winterspring, but some larger specimens known as Chimaerok previously inhabited an island off the coast of Feralas. A northern variant have also been found in Northrend (see below).

Warcraft III
Chimaeras that night elves used in Warcraft III were bulkier creatures, with larger heads, feather-like scales, and solid bodies.

In Warcraft III, chimaeras used two different attacks, one effective against units (Magic/Msplash) and another effective against buildings (Siege/Missile).

Chimaeras are effective for hit-and-run skirmishes against enemy buildings and expansions.

Chimaeras are powerless against other air units. Once the enemy begins using air units against the chimaera you will need some hippogryphs or archers to protect them.

Outland Chimaera
Another type of chimaera (presumably unrelated to the Azerothian variety) can be found in Outland. They have smooth, vibrant skin and alien, bony features. Wherever they are found, they are typically considered a pest. They live in Shadowmoon Valley and Blade's Edge Mountains. One notable chimaera also live in Netherstorm. Interestingly, their bodies are very similar to the Outland-version of a hydra.

Northrend Chimaera
A few chimaeras have been found to live in Northrend, on the chilly isle of Kamagua located in the Howling Fjord. They are identical to the chimaeras found in Winterspring, but fly much higher. The Kalu'ak use their horns for rituals.



Cataclysm Chimaera
Beside the chimaeras in Azshara having their level reduced as the area was turned into a starting-zone for goblins, no new chimaeras have been added to the game. Nefarian have however, after somehow being resurrected, continued his experiments to create the ultimate dragonflight. One of his results is the abomination called Chimaeron which can be found in the Blackwing Descent. Chimaeron, albeit apparently having been made of dragon-parts, looks a lot more like a hydra than a chimaera. Its name likely refers to the original meaning of "chimaera" and not the creature found in the Warcraft-universe.

Resources

 * Nearly every type of chimaera in the game is somehow the objective of a quest.
 * Chimaera could previously be skinned in order to obtain Chimera Leather which were used in several Tribal Leatherworking patterns. This type of leather was made into a poor-quality item in Patch 3.1.0.
 * The chimaeras ("chimaerok") on the Isle of Dread were prior to the isle's destruction a part of the Scepter of the Shifting Sands-questline. Beside their leader being a vital 500 Pound Chicken they also dropped Chimaerok Tenderloins which at one point were an ingredient in the game's most powerful food, Dirge's Kickin' Chimaerok Chops.
 * The chimaeras in Howling Fjord can drop Chilled Meat which is also used in Cooking.

As a hunter pet
Chimeras are cunning pets and can use their Froststorm Breath to attack from a distance. Only hunters with the 51 talent point Beast Mastery will be able to tame these exotic beasts.

Notable Chimaeras

 * The Evalcharr
 * The Razza
 * Brumeran
 * Lord Lakmaeran
 * Nuramoc

Myth
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monstrous creature which was made of the parts of multiple animals. The Chimera's appearance is a source of debate, as descriptions merely claim it to be part goat, part serpent, and part lion. The most traditional representations have painted the Chimera as a lion with a snake for a tail and a goat's head sprouting from its back, though other interpretations can be found. All the heads could apparently breathe flame. There was only one Chimera in Greek Mythology, where it is the nemesis of the hero Bellerophon. The hero (like almost all of them, a son of Zeus) exploited the Chimera's one weakness- its inability to fly- and killed it from the back of the winged horse, Pegasus.

The word "chimera" today usually refers to something not quite natural that blends the features of several different animals. The two-headed, draconic creatures who have allied themselves with the night elves fit more closely with this definition, as there is no clear example of the mythological biology, and the original Chimera couldn't fly.

Trivia

 * Nuramoc is one of the most popular chimearae in the game, mostly due to his moderate rarity. Although he's one of the largest mobs in Netherstorm, he's still considerably smaller than Veraku and Tyrantus.