Lich Anduin doesn't feel as horrifying as Arthas

[Deathknightish]

He feels more like a machine or a puppet, whereas Arthas felt like a master of rot and fear.
Maybe it's Shadowlands as a whole changing the whole concept of death, making it less, I dunno, frightening and rotten.
I know that Anduin IS possessedd, rather than corrupted, but still. I don't get the same "deathly" feeling from him, more mechanical.

What do you think?

[vaeevictiss]

Whats to say Arthas was not a puppet? If the helm and sword were literally crafted under the Jailers orders that could have been how Arthas was controlled. Actually, it makes sense as it was a great way to unleash hell on Azeroth and send a lot of souls into the Maw.

Either way, it feels more horrifying. Sure someone can do evil under their own volition but it just seems more sinister being controlled by an otherworldly force. Seeing and feeling everything you are doing but having absolutely no control over it. It seems like a fate worse than death honestly.

[Rozz]

Arthas had a lot of build-up across games and novels before he was the Lich King and resurfaced in WotLK. Anduin doesn't have massacres, betrayals, or fan-favorite character 1v1s under his belt. Also, Arthas' inevitable ascension to the Frozen throne felt like just that, while Anduin was just put into purely the puppet aspect of the Lich King's legacy. You can argue Arthas was a puppet as well, but he was still the one who made his own choices at the start.

And I agree with the tone feeling off.

[Maljinwo]

Because they didn't come up with the Jailer shenanigans until 2 years ago, retconning lots of stuff

[Harbour]

He feels more like a machine or a puppet, whereas Arthas felt like a master of rot and fear.
Maybe it's Shadowlands as a whole changing the whole concept of death, making it less, I dunno, frightening and rotten.
I know that Anduin IS possessedd, rather than corrupted, but still. I don't get the same "deathly" feeling from him, more mechanical.

What do you think?

No shit, dude. Arthas had strong portrayal, went through slow development and was built up to be a Lich King through numerous tragic events and decisions.
Anduin was literally yeeted by flying girls, caged and then poked with the sword to undeath. Voila, he is a bad guy now.
What a cheap and lazy way to create some drama and character development.

[Arrashi]

The only thing Lich Anduin is missing is squeaky shoes for full comedic effect of 'NOoooo don't laugh im scary villain!"

[Blayze]

Arthas had a lot of build-up across games and novels before he was the Lich King and resurfaced in WotLK. Anduin doesn't have massacres, betrayals, or fan-favorite character 1v1s under his belt. Also, Arthas' inevitable ascension to the Frozen throne felt like just that, while Anduin was just put into purely the puppet aspect of the Lich King's legacy. You can argue Arthas was a puppet as well, but he was still the one who made his own choices at the start.

And I agree with the tone feeling off.

Arthas also had a personality.

[Rendark]

Because he is not meant to be like Arthas. It's clear he is being mind controlled.

[Crillam]

He feels more like a machine or a puppet, whereas Arthas felt like a master of rot and fear.
Maybe it's Shadowlands as a whole changing the whole concept of death, making it less, I dunno, frightening and rotten.
I know that Anduin IS possessedd, rather than corrupted, but still. I don't get the same "deathly" feeling from him, more mechanical.

What do you think?

Arthas story was something that we got to play and experience. Anduins story is just some cutscenes we've seen so far. Total of like 5 minutes. Also what is happening to Anduin is something that we've already seen in Arthas, so there's nothing new.

[Sorrowseer]

He feels more like a machine or a puppet, whereas Arthas felt like a master of rot and fear.
Maybe it's Shadowlands as a whole changing the whole concept of death, making it less, I dunno, frightening and rotten.
I know that Anduin IS possessedd, rather than corrupted, but still. I don't get the same "deathly" feeling from him, more mechanical.

What do you think?

Whats your idea? You are better than they are, so lets see.

[Aucald]

I don't think the enslaved Anduin is meant to be horrifying as much as he is meant to be pitied.

[Alanar]

Because he is not meant to be like Arthas. It's clear he is being mind controlled.

I thought this was obvious, he even broke lose? Or lost that for a bit while stabbing the archon. Anduin is purely a puppet.. I cant say that of Arthas. The Jailer wasnt even a thing bsck in warcraft 3 frozen throne or in wotlk either. Arthas choose hes path tbh.

- - - Updated - - -

Arthas story was something that we got to play and experience. Anduins story is just some cutscenes we've seen so far. Total of like 5 minutes. Also what is happening to Anduin is something that we've already seen in Arthas, so there's nothing new.

No we havent, simply because the jailer wasnt a thing whan we were current with Arthas. They both walked a different path. Sure making anduin some wanna be alive death knight with a runesword and blond hair that turned grey. I mean I see it to.. but the reality is little different, altho the whole arthas 2.0 is boring I agree.

[Nerovar]

Because they didn't come up with the Jailer shenanigans until 2 years ago, retconning lots of stuff

This. It's not grounded in Warcraft history so it looks like a cheap knockoff (which it is).

[Aucald]

This. It's not grounded in Warcraft history so it looks like a cheap knockoff (which it is).

What defines "Warcraft history" in this context?

[Cherry123]

I don't think the enslaved Anduin is meant to be horrifying as much as he is meant to be pitied.

capable of instilling dread into the hearts of Azeroth’s heroes like no creature of the Shadowlands. (c) Blizzard

[Rendark]

I thought this was obvious, he even broke lose? Or lost that for a bit while stabbing the archon. Anduin is purely a puppet.. I cant say that of Arthas. The Jailer wasnt even a thing bsck in warcraft 3 frozen throne or in wotlk either. Arthas choose hes path tbh.

Ya i thought it was obvious too but i guess some people don't see it.

[Nerovar]

What defines "Warcraft history" in this context?

Something related to the stories we've seen on screen for the last two decades that wasn't made up with no prior mention or foreshadowing?

[Aucald]

Something related to the stories we've seen on screen for the last two decades that wasn't made up with no prior mention or foreshadowing?

That's a pretty limiting context that would seemingly disallow anything new or unique in WoW's narrative - including things like the Old Gods, the Naaru, Worgen, and a host of other things introduced to WoW without antecedent.

[Raetary]

He feels more like a machine or a puppet, whereas Arthas felt like a master of rot and fear.

That's because Anduin IS a puppet and Arthas a master of rot and fear.

He's no meant to be more horrifying than Arthas, that isn't anyones intention.

[Raava]

He doesn't have a lot of background yet to be honest. I think it's a pretty abrupt change and we just haven't had the character development to follow on with yet.