List of pop culture references in Heroes of the Storm

This page contains a list of known real-world pop culture references found in Heroes of the Storm.

Video games

Skins and tints
E.T.C.
Doombringer L800 E.T.C. is a reference to the Marine, the protagonist from the Doom franchise. E1M letters that appear on his shoulder are a reference to the code names of levels from the first episode of Doom I, namely Knee-Deep in the Dead: E1M1, E1M2 and so on.
Genji
Master Dragon Genji is a reference to the character Master Chief from the Halo franchise.
Lt. Morales
Hunter First Lt. Morales is a reference to the character Samus Aran from the Metroid franchise.
Mega Love Doctor Lt. Morales is a reference to the character Mega Man from the Mega Man franchise.
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Lunara
Enchanted Sentinel Lunara is a reference to the Enchantress from Dota 2.

Quotes
Diablo
That's a nice soul you've got there. It'd be a shame if something happened to it!
It is a reference to the popular setup "That's a very nice [blank] you have there. It'd be a shamed if anything happened to it," originally contributed to a joke surrounding creepers from Minecraft.
Falstad
Do a barrel roll! Eh?
It is a reference to the Star Fox franchise.
Gazlowe
Hey, check it out, I added a new feature... [to self] Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, [louder as if demonstrating] annnnd start! [ROBOT: "Goblin extermination mode activated."] Oh, gee- yeah, that seems bad.
It is a reference to the Konami Code.
Kael'thas
Blood for the blood elves! Sun for the Sun King!
It is a reference to the Khornate warcry "Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!" from Warhammer 40,000.
Kharazim
You must defeat Shenlong to have a chance. And he's been dead for a millennia. Good luck to you.
It is a reference to Street Fighter joke character Sheng Long.
Lúcio
Sometimes, you just gotta go fast!
It is a reference to Sonic the Hedgehog.
Malfurion
I'm an archdruid, not a prophet. Get your lore straight.
It is a reference to Dota 2's character Nature's Prophet.

Misc.
On the Braxis Holdout map, an arcade machine can be found with the title "Samuro Shodown," and when clicked, two holographic orc blademasters start to duel. This is a reference to Samurai Shodown.
Probius' level 7 talent, "Tower Defense", which allows him summon several Photon Cannons at the same time, is a reference to the video game genre of the same name, where players construct static defenses to hold off hordes of enemies.
Probius' level 20 talent, "Shoot 'Em Up", is also a reference to the video game genre of the same name. It makes his Warp Rifts fire Disruption Pulses in random directions in similar manner to that which presents in some Shoot 'Em Up video games.

Film

Skins and tints
Diablo
Kaijo Diablo is a reference to the Japanese film term "Kaiju," or giant monsters, specifically Godzilla.
Garrosh
Mad Axe Garrosh is a reference to the Mad Max film franchise.
Kerrigan
Countess Kerrigan is a reference to Elsa Lanchester's look in Bride of Frankenstein.
Stitches
Psycho Stitches's name and look is a reference to several characters from various horror films. This includes Psycho, Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Jason from Friday the 13th, etc.

Quotes
Alexstrasza
Wait, what do you mean I'm not allowed to do the "Life, uh finds a way" joke? I'm a dragon! <scoff> Thanks, Dehaka.
It is a reference to Ian Malcolm's "I'm simply saying that life, uh...finds a way," from Jurassic Park.
I'll let you in on a secret. Ruby dragons don't actually use hearthstones. We just click our talons together a few times and we're home.
It is a reference to The Wizard of Oz.
Arthas
No man can defeat me. Although, 10 to 25 might do the trick.
It is a reference to The Witch King of Angmar's "You fool. No man can kill me. Die now," from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Hail to the King, baby!
It is a reference to Ash's "Hail to the king, baby," from Army of Darkness.
I'm afraid my condition has left me cold to your pleas of mercy.
It is a reference to Mr. Freeze's "Mercy? I'm afraid my condition has left me cold to your pleas of mercy," from Batman & Robin (1997).
Auriel
In truth, we angels are luminous beings. Not this crude metal.
It is a reference to Yoda's "Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter," from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.
Azmodan
[snoring] Neffalumps and woozles... Here! There! Everywhere! [wakes up an growls] These damned nephalem torment me even in my sleep!
It is a reference to the song "Heffalumps and Woozles" from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day.
Minions, remember there is nothing more toxic or deadly than a nephalem child. A single touch can kill you.
It is a reference to Henry J. Waternoose's "There's nothing more toxic or deadly than a human child. A single touch could kill you!" from Monsters, Inc.
Baleog
Norse by Norsewest!
It is a reference to North by Northwest.
Dehaka
A rival pack leader once tried to test me. I consumed his essence with terran fava beans and a nice chianti.
It is a reference to Hannibal Lecter's "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chi-an-ti," from The Silence of the Lambs.
Overmind tried to control the zerg. To direct and harness evolution. Life will not be contained. No. Life finds a way.
It is a reference to Ian Malcolm's "I'm simply saying that life, uh...finds a way," from Jurassic Park.
E.T.C.
Turned up to eleven!
It is a reference to Nigel Tufnel's "These go to eleven," from This Is Spinal Tap.
Garrosh
My plan was to team up with a time traveler, meet my father thirty years in the past, and erase his mistakes. But in the end, I just couldn't get back to the future.
It is a reference to the film Back to the Future.
Gazlowe
You ever dance with the devil in the pale moon's light...well have ya?
It is a reference to the Joker's "You ever dance with the devil in the pale moon's light?" from Batman (1989).
Falstad
Thank you for flying Wildhammer Aerie-lines. Your inflight entertainment today will be The Perfect Stormhammer.
It is a reference to The Perfect Storm.
Jaina
The cold never bothered me anyway.
After killing an enemy Jaina, it is a reference to the song "Let It Go" from Frozen.
By the way, If you're holding on for a "Frozen" reference, just let it go. [realizing] Oh, no... What have I done?.
It is a reference to Frozen.
I'm a sorceress, and a thumping good one too.
It is a reference to Hagrid's "A wizard! And a thumpin' good 'un, I'll wager, once you've been trained up a bit," from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Johanna
Oh Akarat, bless this, thy holy flail, that with it, thou mayest smite thine enemies into tiny, tiny, unfathomably tiny bits, in thy mercy. Let it be so.
It is a reference to "O Lord, bless this thy hand grenade, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy," from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Kael'thas
I sense something... elusive.
It is a reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi's "It's not about the mission, Master. It's something... elsewhere. Elusive," from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.
Kerrigan
I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last.
It is a reference to John Matrix's "You're a funny guy, Sully. I like you. That's why I'm going to kill you last," from Commando.
Phenominal psionic powers... Icky sticky living space.
It is a reference from Aladdin.
Leoric
So, we have a deal. No, wait, I'm altering it! Ah, much better. Hmm, this part could be altered further... Yes, YES! This deal is getting better all the time (available with the Space Lord skin).
It is a reference to Darth Vader's "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further," and Lando Calrissian's "This deal is getting worse all the time!" from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.
'If you ever build an impractical phenomenally large super weapon don't skimp on quality control. The smallest oversight often leads to disaster (available with the Space Lord skin).
It is a reference to the Death Star.
There are always two space lords. One, the master, the other an apprentice. Our meetings are lonely... and one-sided (available with the Space Lord skin).
It is a reference to the Rule of Two in Sith philosophy.
Li-Ming
I'm a whiz of a wiz. I mean, if ever a whiz there was, that is. [laugh] Get it?
It is a reference to the Munchkins' "You'll find he is a whiz of a Wiz, If ever a Wiz there was, If ever, oh ever, a Wiz there was," from The Wizard of Oz.
I love this glove's power. It's so bad.
It is a reference to The Wizard.
Muradin
You NEVER toss a dwarf. [beat] You HURL a dwarf... There's a difference.
It is a reference to Gimli's "Nobody tosses a dwarf," from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Nova
Is that a nuclear launch I detect? Or are you just glad to see me?
It is a reference to Mae West's "Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?" from Sextette.
Rehgar
We mortals are but shadows and dust....
It is a reference to Proximo's "Marcus Aurelius is dead, Maximus. We mortals are but shadows and dust. Shadows and dust, Maximus!" from Gladiator.
Rexxar
You kids these days... The mask isn't supposed to be a bat. It's a wolf. and a dark one at that.
It is a reference to the character Darkwolf from Fire and Ice (1983).
Sgt. Hammer
Tank you sir, may I have another?.
It is a reference to the film Animal House.
I love the smell of napalm in the... well pretty much anytime.
It is a reference to Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore's "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," from Full Metal Jacket.
Sonya
Let's see... Crush enemies... done. Drive them before me... of course. Hear the lamentations of their women... Eh, let's skip that one.
It is a reference to Conan's "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!" from Conan the Barbarian.
Stitches
Get in my belly!
It is a reference to Fat Bastard's "I'm higher in the food chain! Get in my belly!" from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
Me not afraid of no ghost! (referring to Nova).
It is a reference to the tagline "They ain't afraid of no ghost," from Ghostbusters.
Stukov
For my enemy, the day Stukov infested their team was the most horrifying experience of their lives. For me, it was Tuesday.
It is a reference to Bison's "For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day of your life. But for me, it was Tuesday," from the film Street Fighter.
Sylvanas
Fast is fine, but accurate is final.
It is a reference to Wyatt Earp's "Fast is fine but accuracy is final. You must learn to be slow in a hurry," from Wyatt Earp.
Tassadar
I come from a world where monsters destroy entire cities, and the only things that can defend against them are giant sentient robots. It's less fun than it sounds, trust me (available with his Mecha skin).
It is a reference to Kaijo Diablo, and both are a reference to "Kaiju" films or giant monster films.
Tyrael
Every time a bell rings, a suit of armor manifests as the physical representation of an angel's wings.
It is a reference to Zuzu's "Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings," from It's a Wonderful Life.
In heaven, everything is fine.
It is a reference to the repeated line "In Heaven, everything is fine," from Eraserhead.
Varian
Are you still clicking? Was that not enough jokes? Were you not entertained!? Sorry, uh... sometimes my gladiator past gets the best of me.
It is a reference to Gladiator.
Zul'jin
Make way for the bad guy (when locking in for a match with Zul'Jin)
Say hello to my little friend!
Both seem possibly a reference to the 1983 film Scarface.

Misc.
Greymane's dance with his Ringmaster skins is a reference to the character Alex the Lion from Madagascar.

Television

Skins and tints

• Artanis
  • Crimson Purifier Artanis is a reference to the character Evangelion Unit-02 and Test Model Purifier Artanis is a reference to the character Evangelion Unit-01 from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

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• Chromie
  • Dream Genie Chromie's name and look is a reference to Barbara Eden's character in I Dream of Jeannie, especially the third tint.

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• D.Va
  • Fiery D.Va is a reference to the character Evangelion Unit-02 and its pilot Asuka from Neon Genesis Evangelion while Major D.Va is a reference to Motoko Kusanagi and a tachikoma from Ghost in the Shell.

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• Genji
  • Neon Dragon Genji is a reference to the character Evangelion Unit-01 from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

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• Kharazim
  • Nomad Kharazim is a reference to the character Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender.

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• Flame Dragon Kharazim is a reference to the character Roku from Avatar: The Last Airbender while Eternal Dragon Kharazim is a reference to the character Son Goku from Dragon Ball.

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• Li-Ming
  • Thunder Star Princess Li-Ming is a reference to the character Sailor Jupiter from Sailor Moon.

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• Lt. Morales
  • Automated First Lt. Morales is a reference to Arcee from the Transformers franchise.

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• Probius
  • Terran Probius 01 is a reference to the character Evangelion Unit-01 from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

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• Sylvanas
  • Woodland Ranger-General Sylvanas is a reference to the character Oliver Queen from Arrow.

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Quotes

• Cho'gall
  • "Prepare for trouble!" (Cho) and "And make it double!" (Gall) are a reference to characters Jesse and James from the Pokémon anime.
  • "What shall we do today?" (Gall) and "The same thing we do every day, brother... Try and destroy the world!" (Cho) are a reference to Pinky and the Brain.
• Chromie
  • "Look, a butterfly! Wait... Uh oh. Nobody step on it! I mean, unless you REALLY like dinosaurs that is," is a reference to The Simpsons episode "Treehouse of Horror V."
  • "Just to be clear, time is not a flat circle... That is way too simplistic. It's a little more wibbly-wobbly than that," is a reference to the 10th Doctor's "People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but, actually, from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly...timey-wimey... stuff," from Doctor Who.
• Dehaka
  • "We are the zerg. Your essence will be assimilated. Resistance is futile," is a reference to the Borg from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
  • "Change. Change. Spare some change," is a reference to the South Park episode "Night of the Living Homeless."
  • "You think I change too much? No such thing. This is not even my final form," is a reference to "This isn't even my final form," a phrase usually incorrectly attributed to Frieza from Dragon Ball Z.
  • "So many different kinds of essence. Hundreds, and more arise every year. Gotta collect them all," is a reference to the Pokémon franchise's slogan.
• E.T.C.
  • "We need more cowbell...Aw, come on! That's all you got for me?! How old is that joke, man? We need more cowbell...What we need is better writers. Forget this, baby! [microphone feedback] I'll be in the tour bus [door closing]," is a reference to Saturday Night Live's sketch "More Cowbell."
• Garrosh
  • "I am the warchief of the Horde! Respect my authority!" is a reference to one of South Park character Eric Cartman's catch phrases, "Respect my authori-tah!"
  • "Hey baby, wanna kill all humans? No? Then I'll make my own Horde! Without trolls and tauren! In fact, forget the Horde!" is a reference to Bender's "Yeah, well, I'm gonna go build my own theme park with blackjack and hookers. In fact, forget the park!" from Futurama.
• Gul'dan
  • "Don't let others fool you. It is much easier being green. In fact, why don't we talk about it... [Demonic Blood bubbles menacingly] over a drink... [evil laugh]," is a reference to Kermit the Frog's song "Bein' Green."
• Jaina
  • "I wonder if my teleport spells will work here. Now where'd that spell go? Ah here it is! Azeroth metrion zinthos. Wait, that's not right..." is a reference to the character Raven from the Teen Titans animated series.
  • "Let's just be clear... These aren't magic tricks... They're illusions. Tricks are something you do during in Hallows End for candy," is a reference to Gob Bluth's "Illusion, Michael. A trick is something a whore does for money...Or candy!" from Arrested Development.
• Kerrigan
  • "It's not easy being queen," is a reference to Kermit the Frog's song "Bein' Green"
  • "You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile," is a reference to the Borg from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
  • "The goggles? Yeah...they do nothing," (available with the Queen of Ghosts skin) is a reference to The Simpsons episode "Radioactive Man."
• The Lost Vikings
  • "You are bad, and you should feel bad," is a reference to Zoidberg's "Your music's bad and you should feel bad," from Futurama's episode "The Devil’s Hands Are Idle Playthings."
• Lt. Morales
  • "Listen, you can only be asked "What's up doc?" so many times before you start contemplating malpractice," is a reference to one of Looney Tunes character Bugs Bunny's many catchphrases.
• Muradin
  • "I'll take swords for 300," is a reference to Saturday Night Live's sketch "Celebrity Jeopardy."
• Sonya
  • "You! Death by snu snu!" is a reference to Futurama episode "Amazon Women in the Mood."
• Tassadar
  • "Bah weep gra na weep ninny bang. It's a-- what? What do you mean Illidan did this joke? The elf? That does not compute! I'm the robot!" (available with his Mecha skin) is a reference to the universal greeting in The Transformers: The Movie.
  • "Interlock: activated. Dynotherms: connected. Megathrusters are go," (available with his Mecha skin) is a reference to Voltron's repeated line "Activate interlock! Dynotherms connected! Infracells up! Mega thrusters are go! Let's go Voltron force!"
  • "Transforming into a jet? Awesome. Transforming into a gun? Dumb" (available with his Mecha skin) is a reference to both Starscream and Megatron from Transformers.
• Tracer
  • "Being lost in time was really scary! Sometimes I'd have these strange dreams about the olden days, like I was a kitchen maid in this grand house in the country!" is a reference to the character Ivy Stuart from Downton Abbey
• Tyrande
  • "I am High Priestess Tyrande, champion of justice. In the name of Elune, I will punish you!" is a reference to Sailor Moon's line "I am Sailor Moon! I stand for love and I also stand for justice. And in the name of the Moon, I will punish you!" from Sailor Moon.
• Valla
  • "Be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm hunting demons. [laughs]," is a reference to Looney Tunes character Elmer Fudd.

Misc.

• Alarak's Q ability, Discord Strike, is a nod to his voice actor, John de Lancie. He played a character named "Q" in the Star Trek franchise, and he voices another character named Discord in My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic.
• Nazeebo's HeroStorm spray "Friendship is Voodoo" is a reference to the animated series My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic.

Literature

Skins and tints

• Murky
  • Sir Murkalot is a reference to Sir Lancelot du Lac, one of the protagonists of the King Arthur legend.

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• Samuro
  • Monkey King Samuro is a reference to the character Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, from 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West.

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Quotes

• Auriel
  • "The wages of sin is death, and your debt is now paid," is a reference to the Bible verse Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• Diablo
  • "Only fools rush in where angels fear to tread," is a reference to E. M. Forster's novel Where Angels Fear to Tread.
  • "Better to reign in the Burning Hells, than serve in the High Heavens," is a reference to "Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven," from John Milton's Paradise Lost.
• Gul'dan
  • "Poke not the darkness, lest the darkness poke you," is a reference to "He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee," from Friedrich Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil.
• Kerrigan
  • "Hell hath no fury like a woman swarmed," is a reference to William Congreve's "Heaven has no rage, like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorned," from his play The Mourning Bride.
• Malfurion
  • "I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues," is a reference to "I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues," from The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
• Muradin
  • "Mischief managed! Oh whoops! Sorry! Wrong kind of marauder," (available with the Maraudin' Muradin skin) is a reference to the Marauder's Map from the Harry Potter novels.
• Ragnaros
  • "I PREFER SONGS OF FIRE... AND FIRE," is a reference to the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin.
• Tyrande
  • "Goodnight forest. Goodnight tortoise. Goodnight caves, and goodnight glaves. Goodnight Feathermoon, and good night Elune," is a reference to children's book Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.

Misc.

• Jaina
  • Wintermute, her level 20 talent, is a reference to to the AI Wintermute in William Gibson's novel Neuromancer.

Music

Skins and tints

• E.T.C.
  • Black Metal E.T.C. is a reference to not only the heavy metal music genre, but also more specifically 1970s band KISS (which, on the other side, plays hard rock instead of black metal).

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• El Mariachi E.T.C. is a reference to Mariachi, a Mexican folk music genre.

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• Glam Metal E.T.C. is a reference to Glam metal, also referred to as Hair metal, popular in the 1980s. Azure Glam Metal E.T.C. has a color scheme and guitar reminiscent of Prince and his symbol-shaped guitar.

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Quotes

• Abathur
  • "Work harder, better. Make faster, stronger... Evolution never over," is a reference to Daft Punk's song "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."
• Alexstrasza
  • "Life is good, life is beautiful, life is even strange. What it certainly is not, however, is a highway," is a reference to Tom Cochrane's song "Life is a Highway."
  • "Before battle, I always assure my forces that through the fire and the flames we'll carry on," is a reference to DragonForce's song "Through The Fire and Flames."
• Artanis
  • "I've lived a life that's full. I've traveled each and every star array... And more, much more than this, I did it my way," is a reference to Frank Sinatra's song "My Way."
• Azmodan
  • "Forget the boomshakalaka, I bring the DOOMshakalaka," (available with the AzmoDunk skin) is a reference to popular phrase "boom shakalaka," which has its origin in Sly and the Family Stone's song "I Want to Take You Higher."
• Chen
  • "Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative," is a reference to the song "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive."
• Diablo
  • "In the afterlife you're headed for some SERIOUS strife," is a reference to the Squirrel Nut Zippers' song "Hell."
• E.T.C.
  • "They can't stop me, let 'em try!," is a reference to Manowar's song "Die for Metal."
  • "I bring the mega-death!," is a reference to the band Megadeth.
  • "Sorry, I don't play stairway.," is a reference to Led Zeppelin's song "Stairway to Heaven."
  • "Hell yes, I'm a fan of Moo-tallica!" is a reference to the band Metallica.
  • "Kill 'em all" is a reference to Metallica's album Kill 'Em All.
  • "And justice for all!," is a reference to Metallica's album ...And Justice for All.
  • "Welcome to the Jungle, bro!," is a reference to Guns N' Roses' song "Welcome to the Jungle."
  • "E-T-C... easy as 1-2-3," is a reference to The Jackson 5's song "ABC."
  • "I wanna rock and roll all day, and party every night. We can say that right? I mean, I changed up the words and everything... [a phone rings] Oh no! Don't pick that up... Okay, tell them I'm not here.," is a reference to KISS's song "Rock and Roll All Nite."
  • "Man, I've seen a million faces... and I've rocked them all!" is a reference to Bon Jovi's song "Wanted Dead or Alive."
• Garrosh
  • "You scream, I scream, we all scream for Hellscream!" is a reference to the novelty song "Ice Cream (I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream)."
  • "This is my war song. Take back my Horde song. Prove all my might song," is a reference to Rachel Platten's song "Fight Song."
  • "I love big tusks and I cannot lie," is a reference to Sir Mix-a-Lot's song "Baby Got Back."
• Gazlowe
  • "My mind's on my money, and my money's on my mind," is a reference to Snoop Dogg's song "Gin and Juice."
• Jaina
  • "Do you believe in magic in a young girl's heart? [ice block magical sound] Because you're encased in ice... so you probably should start," is a reference to The Lovin' Spoonful's song "Do You Believe in Magic."
  • "I put a spell on you. Because you are mine," is a reference to Screamin' Jay Hawkins's song "I Put a Spell on You."
• Kerrigan
  • "I'm a killer queen. Guaranteed to blow your mind," is a reference to Queen's song "Killer Queen."
• Kharazim
  • "My strikes are fast, like lightning... It is a little bit frightening," is a reference to Carl Douglas's song "Kung Fu Fighting."
• Leoric
  • "The leg bone's connected to the thigh bone. The thigh bone's connected to the rib bone. The rib bone's connected to the shoulder bone... I'm starting to regret taking these apart," is a reference to "Dem Bones."
  • "I'm a Space Lord, mother mother," (available with the Space Lord skin) is a reference to Monster Magnet's song "Space Lord."
• The Lost Vikings
  • "Mmm. I am sexy, and I know it!" is a reference to LMFAO's song "Sexy and I Know It."
• Ragnaros
  • "THE REALM, THE REALM, THE REALM IS ON FIRE," is a reference to Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three's song "The Roof Is on Fire."
• Rehgar
  • "Thunder! Lightning! [loud crash] Whoa, that's kinda frightening," is a reference to Queen's song "Bohemian Rhapsody."
• Rexxar
  • "I'm on the hunt, I'm after you," is a reference to Duran Duran's song "Hungry Like the Wolf."
• Tassadar
  • "Here's my number... Khala me maybe," is a reference to Carly Rae Jepsen's song "Call Me Maybe."
  • "Domo arigato, Mr... Me!" (available with his Mecha skin) is a reference to Styx's song "Mr. Roboto."
• Thrall
  • "Earth, wind, and fire, let's groove tonight," is a reference to 1970s band Earth, Wind, & Fire.
• Varian
  • "Is anyone else hungry? Like a wolf? No? Well, what about Greymane? He HAS to be!" is a reference to Duran Duran's song "Hungry Like the Wolf."
• Zagara
  • "I'm a killer queen," is a reference to Queen's song "Killer Queen."
  • "God save the Queen! Everyone else can die..." is a reference to the United Kingdom's national anthem.

Misc.

• D.Va's dance animation is a reference to dance moves seen in the choreography for K-pop girl group Twice's song "Cheer Up." D.Va's taunt is also derived from Twice's choreography for their song "TT."
• E.T.C.
  • The icon for Guitar Solo, E.T.C.'s E ability, depicts a mashup of Prince's love symbol and the Horde's logo.
  • Speed Metal, one of E.T.C.'s level 4 talents, is a reference to Speed metal genre that developed in early 1980s.
  • Pinball Wizard, one of E.T.C.'s level 7 talents, is a reference to The Who's song "Pinball Wizard."
  • E.T.C.'s pink goatee is a reference to Dimebag Darrell.
  • The guitars strapped on E.T.C.'s back are references to guitars owned and used by Dimebag Darrell and Randy Rhoads.
• Tyrande's dance animation is a reference to dance moves seen in Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" music video.
• Hallow's End brawl has a special objective called "Smashing Pumpkins" which is a reference to the Grunge band of the same name.

Comics

Skins and tints

• Cassia
  • Wondrous Cassia is a reference to Wonder Woman.

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• Diablo
  • Hulking El Chamuco Diablo is a reference to Hulk.

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• Kharazim
  • Berserker Kharazim is a reference to Wolverine.

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• The Lost Vikings
  • Heroic Sequal Lost Vikings is a reference to Captain America (Olaf), Hawkeye (Baleog), and Quicksilver (Erik).

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Quotes

• Greymane
  • "You're making me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry," is a reference to the Hulk.
• Ragnaros
  • "FLAME ON!" is a reference to Johnny Storm, or the Human Torch's catchphrase.
• Stukov
  • "Kaneda? Who is that? And why do I want to crush him?" is a reference to the main character in Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira.
• Varian
  • "People wonder how I learned how to quell my rage... But the secret is, I'm always angry," is a reference to the Hulk.

Sports

Skins and tints

• Li-Ming
  • Striker Li-ming is a reference to the Chinese women's national volleyball team uniforms, while Scarlet Striker Li-Ming and Canary Striker Li-Ming are a reference to the United States and Brazilian women's national volleyball team uniforms, respectively. Sapphire Striker Li-Ming is a reference to the Russian women's national volleyball team uniform.

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Quotes

• Azmodan
  • "Check yourself, Diablo. This year, the Most Valuable Prime title is mine! [evil laugh]," (available with the Azmodunk skin) is a reference to the MVP award in sports leagues.

• "First, I shatter the backboard. Then, I shatter your world," (available with the Azmodunk skin) is a reference to an occurrence in basketball when the tempered safety glass of the backboard behind the hoop is shattered either on accident or as a stunt.

Miscellaneous

Skins and tints

• Greymane
  • Uncle Ringmaster Greymane is a reference to American pop culture icon Uncle Sam.

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Quotes

• Abathur
  • "If evolution product of design, is evolution... evolution? Mmm... Line of thought, not productive," is a reference to the concept of intelligent design.
• Anub'arak
  • "Raiiid-s!?!" is a reference to Raid, an insecticide.
• Azmodan
  • "Those who believe there are only seven deadly sins lack imagination," is a reference to the Christian concept of the seven deadly sins.
• Chen
  • "An interesting old man once told me, "Stay thirsty, my friend." [pleh] Such terrible advice! [Sips his drink] Ahh!" is a reference to the Dos Equis advertising campaign The Most Interesting Man in the World.
• Cho'gall
  • "Cho'mama!" (Gall) is a reference to popular yo mama jokes.
• Diablo
  • "The Prime Evils can never be divided... except by 1 and evil," is a reference to how in mathematics, a prime number cannot have a positive divisor other than 1 and itself.
  • "Fear... tastes of chicken. [grumbling] Everything tastes of chicken," is a reference to the clichéd phrase "tastes like chicken."
  • "Let's make a deal," is a reference to the popular creative trope of making a deal with the Devil.
• Falstad
  • "Uhm, y-you didn't happen to see a little guy in a red shirt around here, did ya? He's always watching me..." is a reference to Ian Bates.
• Greymane
  • "By the way, did you know that the Greymane Wall is one of the few objects that can be seen from the Twisting Nether? It's true!" is a reference to the popular myth that the Great Wall of China is visible from space.
  • "A full moon? Tonight? No! I will turn into a monster! Hah, I jest. I can turn and tear out your throat at any time I want!" is a reference to how in most creative works werewolves only transform during a full moon.
• Johanna
  • "A crusader, a paladin and a templar walk into a tavern. And then they all have a drink. [laugh] ...no?" is a reference to typical "A priest, a rabbi, and a minister..." jokes.
• Kael'thas
  • "This your brain. Say hello brain. [second slightly dumber voice: Hello!] And this is your brain on fel magic. [fire effect and second voice screams] Any questions?" is a reference to This Is Your Brain on Drugs, an American anti-drug campaign.
• Kerrigan
  • "Looks like those energy drinks actually do give you wings," is a reference to Red Bull.
  • "It's not hair, by the way. It's a series of tubes," (available with the Queen of Ghosts skin) is a reference to Ted Stevens on Net Neutrality.
• Leoric
  • "It's not a real space opera until the fat alien sings," (available with the Space Lord skin) is a reference to the proverb "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."
• The Lost Vikings
  • "I serve revenge cold! [whispered] But you can reheat it if you want," is a reference to the phrase "revenge is a dish best served cold."
• Lt. Morales
  • "Wait, isn't shooting a medic a war crime? Do the Geneva conventions apply in the Nexus?" is a reference to real-world international laws in the Geneva Conventions.
• Muradin
  • "You're the dwarf now dawg!," is a reference to YTMND.
• Nova
  • "Blondes have more fun. [gunshot] See? So fun!" is a reference to a phrase popularized by a Clairol advertising campaign.
• Rehgar
  • "Think of it, an all Shaman Expansion to World of Warcraft... We'll call it: Sham-WoW. The thing... it sells itself," is a reference to popular infomercial product ShamWow.
• Sonya
  • "Gingers do have souls! Okay?" is a reference to popular prejudiced jokes about red-haired people.
• Stitches
  • "Abercrombie and Stitch my favorite clothes," is a reference to popular clothes retailer Abercrombie & Fitch.
• Sylvanas
  • "A tisket, a tasket, I'll put you in a casket..." is a reference to the American nursery rhyme "A-Tisket, A-Tasket."
• Tassadar
  • "Once you go dark templar, you never go back," is a reference to the phrase "once you go black, you never go back."
• Tychus
  • "Here's how this is gonna work. I spray, you pray," is a reference to the phrase "spray and pray".
• Tyrande
  • "Here, hold this apple for a moment... Alright, now put it on your head. Perfect. It's been quite a while since I've used this bow. [arrow sound]" is a reference to a tale about Swiss folk hero William Tell.
  • "[Doorbell sound] Greetings, my name is Tyrande and this is Sister Shandris. Do you have some spare time to talk about Elune? Here, take this pamphlet. [doors slam] Oh! Hello?" is a reference to Jehovah's Witnesses.
• Uther
  • "You know, you sound awfully familiar," (when interacting with Xul) is a reference to both heroes being voiced by Michael McConnohie.
  • "Yes, it's precisely the kind of comment I'd expect from a troll," (when interacting with Zul'jin) is a reference to the term troll, someone (often on the Internet) who seeks to incite discord for amusement.
• Zarya
  • "In mother Russia, this joke is tired of you!" is a reference to Russian reversal jokes.
• Zul'jin
  • "If ya keep feeding to DIS troll, I'm just gonna keep comin' back," is a reference to the term troll, someone (often on the Internet) who seeks to incite discord for amusement.
  • "Hey! No touching da hair! I dun' grant no stinkin' wishes," is a reference to troll dolls.
  • "Sometime it can be hard to see da forest for da trolls," is a reference to the phrase "can't see the forest for the trees".

Misc.

• The Alarak of the Storm spray set contains references to various internet memes:
  • The D.Saster spray is a reference to the Disaster Girl meme.
  • The I Can Hold All These Potions spray is a reference to the "Why Can't I Hold All These Limes?" meme.
  • The Life Does Not Simply Walk Into My Tomb spray is a reference to the "One Does Not Simply Walk into Mordor" meme.
• The Altered Fates emoji pack containts references to various internet memes:
  • is a reference to the O RLY? meme.
  • is a reference to the Woman Yelling at a Cat meme.
• The posture and the facial expression of Chromie appearing in her trailer at 1:05 is also a reference to the Disaster Girl meme.
• Probius' level 20 talent, "Pobius Loop", is a reference to the geometrical shape of Mobius loop.
• Some infinitely stacking quests such as Raynor's "Veteran Marksman" have a cap of 9001 stacks which is a possible reference to the "It's Over 9000!" internet meme.
• Sgt. Hammer's posture, featured on a billboard on a Zerg pen on the Braxis Holdout battleground is a reference to "We Can Do It!", a famous American World War II propaganda poster.
• The Special Snowflake mounts are a reference to the pop culture term "special snowflake," often used as an insult toward members of a certain generation.