So, as the title says. Do the allied races even matter? Specifically, do they matter to the overall plot of Battle for Azeroth?
From what I've seen the only allied races getting actual screentime are the void elves and the nightborne, but honestly the latter don't really do anything that the blood elves couldn't have done already. They solidify the Horde's magical forces and give them easy outs, talking mad shit on Alliance mages (when they aren't being rendered useless by them in a nearly botched rescue mission ) whereas the void elves at least give the Alliance a second set of terrifying, shadow-dwelling assassins. ... Okay well, a first set. We know they don't like writing night elves as anything near competent.
But what about the Lightforged and the Highmountain? The Dark Irons and those other orcs from that timeline we all wanted to forget? So far I've yet to hear anything about the Lightforged mechs or the Vindicaar doing anything. I haven't heard of the Highmountain hawk riders causing the Wildhammers any trouble, let alone anything from the Wildhammers. Will we be seeing literally anything from them or the two upcoming races?
Do the allied races even matter beyond the two new sets of elves?