Ever since Worgen were announced as playable race numerous issues arose. Those issues clearly point to the global feeling that this race wasn't a cleverly designed choice, but some out-of-place idea, forced as a counterpart to the Goblins (which were an obvious choice, along with their long term presence in game and lore). This post is meant to summarize those issues and force a discussion. It might turn out to be a fanboi flamewar but I do hope for some constructive comments, whenever you think I'm wrong or right here.
ISSUE #1 : Worgen as a race.
The very first issue is the fact Worgen are not really a race. I mean Worgen summoned by Scythe of Elune might be, but the playable Alliance Worgen are infact cursed Gilneas citizen. It was obvious when Blizz announced that they will have 2 "forms": human and worgen. From the technical point of view they are just humans cursed to become beasts. The change was caused by moon (kinda original werewolf idea in Pyrewood Villidge, when during day they appeared as humans and during night as worgen) or could be self-controlled by player - Aliance Worgen. The human is infact race here, not form. Onyxia had "human form" since she was a Dragon. "playable worgen" is infact human with worgen FORM. Like Bruce banner changing to Hulk -> he's human not... Hulk, right?
ISSUE #2 : Starting zone & land ownership.
Since the playable worgen come from Gilneas, their starting zone had to be planted in that region. Unfortunatelly it's a vast region of Lorderon wich is now inhibited by Forsaken and belongs to Undead (playable Horde race). Due to this fact the playable worgen were stripped off the normal 1-10 -> 10-20 zone system all the other races have, and had to share their 10-20 zone with Night Elves. This is actually a fair option as horde had one zone (Barrens) shared by 3 races (Tauren, Trolls and Orcs. And yes - goblins get Azashara making both factions even in number of zones). Despite "Fairness" it kinda feels like Worgen got cheated off their zone. It would be much more honest if Worgen got their own island somewhere... It's not a problem to add new island to Azeroth - Blizz did it numerous times. And with current state of events, and Forsaken expanding their lands (which is perfectly logical) Worgen are bound to be pariahs of the world. No home, just a small enclave in Darnassus.
ISSUE #3 : Worgen Form
Back to the subject of form, Alliance Worgen have unique choice of showing up as Worgen or human. This quickly became eyesore for the horde players as they have no "2 form" race. Upon entering combat the transformation into worgen form is forced. Now this leads to many more ridiculous things. For starters the vision of a wearwolf-like creature in a... robe... wanding it's target is an instant rotfl. Second, the vision of same creature using daggers when it has giant claws is... rotfl#2. That beastly look simply doesnt fit casters and weapon-bearers. Worgen would do better as a class, not race. It would be tolerable if they had option to "hide weapon" like cloak of helm. Somehow druids in cat form do nicely with hidden weapons, and worgen are forced to carry daggers and other ridiculously small items in their monstrously large claws. Alas, Blizz is not planning to implement that not to mention it would be another thing that this race has but others have not.
ISSUE #4 : Running Wild.
Last nail to the coffin for this race is their lack of mount. It caused large controversy on both sides. Horde hates the idea as Alliance now has an "unique" race, whereas the Tauren were once stripped of such trait. Alliance hates the idea as they are going to be aprox 5mounts short in the Mount-Achievment race, when the Goblins add their mounts to Horde's stable/garage. No matter what the odds, both sides will pick on Worgen for causing "elitism" and "lack of resource" depending on faction...
In the ends it seems that Worgen already caused more trouble and balance issues than any other race (recall Tauren plainsrunning or Forsaken treated as undead not humanoids). More than that, doesn't seem those issues are going to be solved in any way. On the other hand, Goblins show up as completly legit race, much like remaining 10 "classic" races.
Discuss.