MA-0006 · first seen 11 May 2005
Leeroy Jenkins
A World of Warcraft raid video in which one player charges in shouting his own name and ruins a carefully planned strategy.
- Status
- ClassicPeaked more than five years ago
- Trend score
- 11/100Estimated
- Change, 90 days
- +1%Estimated
- Peak
- 62Jun 2005
- Years active
- 3Index of 30 or more
- First seen
- 200511 May 2005
Popularity over time
Monthly attention from May 2005 to Oct 2026. Hover or tab through the chart for each month.
- First appearance
- Went viral
- Peak
- Decline
Attention index, 0 to 100 on one scale for the whole archive. Estimated from each meme’s key dates, not measured.
About
The video, posted to Warcraftmovies on 11 May 2005, shows a guild called Pals for Life planning a dungeon raid down to the percentages. While they talk, one player who has stepped away from the keyboard returns, yells “Leeeeeeeeeroy Jenkins!” and runs straight into the room. The raid collapses.
It was later revealed to be a staged joke, but it had already become shorthand for reckless enthusiasm. Blizzard has acknowledged it repeatedly: in a trading card in 2006, a game achievement in 2008 and later a Hearthstone card.
Origin
A video of the guild Pals for Life, posted to Warcraftmovies on 11 May 2005, starring the player Ben Schulz.
11 May 2005
Viralization
Shared on World of Warcraft forums within days, and covered by PC Gamer UK in the same month.
May 2005
Peak
Estimated peak in mid-2005, when it jumped from gaming forums to general culture; Jeopardy! referenced it that November.
Jun 2005
Timeline
From the first post to where it stands today.
Origin
Posted to Warcraftmovies
A guild’s meticulously planned raid is interrupted by a player running in with no plan at all.
Early adoption
Forum thread
The clip spreads through World of Warcraft forums and a gaming magazine’s coverage.
Viral
The catchphrase escapes
The yell leaves the game: people shout the name when they do something rash.
Peak
Game show clue
Jeopardy! includes a clue about it, a sign that the joke is now common knowledge.
Decline
Official recognition
Blizzard adds a “Leeeeeeeeeeeeeroy!” achievement to World of Warcraft, following a 2006 trading card.
Current
Hearthstone legend
The character is a Legendary card in Blizzard’s Hearthstone and a staple reference for impulsive play.
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