All character races must hold their breath when going some depth underwater (swimming) and a Breath Status Bar will appear showing how much breath remains.
Additional info:
- If the character runs out of breath, they will begin to drown and take Health damage.
- If the character gets near enough to the water's surface, their breath bar will refill.
- If the character swims too far into open water, Fatigue will also apply, whether they are on the surface or underwater.
- The Undead can hold their breath three times longer than other races. See Forsaken Racial Traits.
- Druids can shapeshift into a Sea Lion (Alliance?) or Walrus (Horde?) with the [Aquatic Form] skill (Level 16), allowing them limitless water breathing. It also grants them +50% swim speed. Although they can fight in this form, the damage is very low compared to any other form except the [Travel Form].
Some items and magic allow you to breathe underwater for a certain time:
- [Unending Breath] grants you underwater breathing for 10 minutes (level 16 Warlock spell, can be cast on others)
- [Elixir of Water Breathing] potion allows you to breathe underwater for 30 minutes (requires Level 8, crafted by Alchemists and quest reward from Gyromast's Revenge, Darkshore - Alliance only).
- [Elixir of Greater Water Breathing] allows you to breathe underwater for 60 minutes (requires Level 35, crafted by Alchemists).
- [Band of Icy Depths] Alliance quest The Wrath of Neptulos
- [Hydrocane] from Viscous Fallout in Gnomeregan