Official High Elf Discussion Megathread

[Kyriani]

It isn't actually, we're still in beta, and just because of this it's something they can alter.

I'm sorry but I think you're wrong here. I believe it is too late simply due to the backlash Blizzard would receive if they walked back on what was told was coming. And make no mistake, there would be significant backlash... kinda like when Maxwell told Fran he loved her and then took it back (<3 The Nanny). It really is too late to take it back at this point, especially since it's been on the ptr for some time now, players have been playing with them, and work has (hopefully) already been started on adding the void elf underwear.

Blizzard is also pushing diversity options. Taking those options away runs contrary to what Blizzard seems to be shooting for.

As for hair colors, nothing has been announced yet so Blizzard can do whatever they like. But once they say "here's the coming Void Elf hair colors and styles" people are going to take that as a "promise" and won't react well to any of those being walked back.

[Rhlor]

More in customization options, but yeah, in that vein, let's say. Like fel scars, hair fel efects, etc.
Anyways, it's just my sugestion.

Legion demons who wanted to destroy azeroth, they were never part of the playable blood elves! they are evil demons! we are defenders of light and azeroth

[Swnem]

Legion demons who wanted to destroy azeroth, they were never part of the playable blood elves! they are evil demons! we are defenders of light and azeroth

Honestly, i'm confused about what they are supposed to be.
They were introduced as Fel elves. They were forceful. They syphoned the light forcibly from a naaru and we can see them killing other life forms to extract their mana in the TBC cinematic. They tapped into fel magics, and thus the green eyes. That was their shtick and to justify them being on the horde.

Since the restoration of the Sunwell, it became nebulous. They become less "feral" and went back to being sunwell oriented, wich is opposite to what they were made as. The theme was diluted.

I'm just proposing some diferentiation by focusing on what made them unique.

[Rhlor]

Honestly, i'm confused about what they are supposed to be.
They were introduced as Fel elves. They were forceful. They syphoned the light forcibly from a naaru and we can see them killing other life forms to extract their mana in the TBC cinematic. That was their shtick and to justify them being on the horde.

Since the restoration of the Sunwell, it became nebulous. They become less "feral" and went back to being sunwell oriented, wich is opposite to what they were made as. The theme was diluted.

The Warcraft Encyclopedia
the prince's relatively quick acceptance of dire measures (e.g., draining magic from demons) is by no means characteristic of blood elves in general. The blood elves of Outland have by now discovered Kael'thas' agreement with Illidan, and they have for the most part become convinced of its necessity. Most blood elves still live on Azeroth, though. Few of these elves know of Kael'thas' pact with Illidan, and many would be horrified if they discovered it. Draining magic from small mana-bearing vermin is a far cry from draining magic from demons

playable blood elves are not the same ones that serve the legion.
Lady liadrin learned that what they did to the naaru was a bad thing and that their path was now tied to the light!

I think blood elves should have things like this

[TheFirstOnes]

I'm enjoying my Alliance High Elves on the PTR and eventually on live once pre-patch hits ^_^


And remember, as Ion Hazsikostas said here:

Yeah, I just wish Void Elves had the same High Elf tints Blood Elves had. I mean, ffs, Alleria still rocks the Blonde normal hair.

[Beloren]

I'm enjoying my Alliance High Elves on the PTR and eventually on live once pre-patch hits ^_^

I don’t get it. I just see a blood elf and a waste of effort because you can get the exact same thing on the horde already.

That holds no interest whatsoever for me. At least the regular void elf offers something different. To me that’s more interesting.

But because of the popularity of the high elf and the lore traditions, I can understand how this would excite some of you.

Trust me, if you played horde or just gave horde a chance, you’d feel no need for the high elf.

But maybe it’s the horde you really hate, not the Thalassian, and being on the alliance makes all the difference.

Which is why I think blizz should really reasses elves and the roles they play in the faction narrative. They really should be a pseudo faction of their own operating in the two faction system but having their own plots that weave into the faction narrative and are as powerful and well visited

[Kyriani]

Yeah, I just wish Void Elves had the same High Elf tints Blood Elves had. I mean, ffs, Alleria still rocks the Blonde normal hair.

Hair colors will likely come when allied races get their proper customization pass. Patience is a virtue!

[Beloren]

I'm sorry but I think you're wrong here. I believe it is too late simply due to the backlash Blizzard would receive if they walked back on what was told was coming. And make no mistake, there would be significant backlash... kinda like when Maxwell told Fran he loved her and then took it back (<3 The Nanny). It really is too late to take it back at this point, especially since it's been on the ptr for some time now, players have been playing with them, and work has (hopefully) already been started on adding the void elf underwear.

Blizzard is also pushing diversity options. Taking those options away runs contrary to what Blizzard seems to be shooting for.

As for hair colors, nothing has been announced yet so Blizzard can do whatever they like. But once they say "here's the coming Void Elf hair colors and styles" people are going to take that as a "promise" and won't react well to any of those being walked back.

I don’t believe there would be backlash, what you high elders really want is a normal Thalassian skin tone and hair colour.

I think you would be happy with 3 variations of pale peachy skin rather than 20, especially if it also nets you three traditional lighter belf hair colour options.

But maybe that’s just me gushing the high elf community wrongly.

[Kyriani]

I don’t get it. I just see a blood elf and a waste of effort because you can get the exact same thing on the horse already.

That holds no interest whatsoever for me. At least the regular void elf offers something different. To me that’s more interesting.

But because of the popularity of the high elf and the lore traditions, I can understand how this would excite some of you.

Trust me, if you played horde or just have horse a chance, you’d feel no need for the high elf.

But maybe it’s the horde you really hate, not the Thalassian

I play both sides. I like Blood Elves and Void Elves for various reasons. That both can have the High Elf aesthetic just makes me enjoy them more!

[delus]

I'm sorry but I think you're wrong here. I believe it is too late simply due to the backlash Blizzard would receive if they walked back on what was told was coming. And make no mistake, there would be significant backlash... kinda like when Maxwell told Fran he loved her and then took it back (<3 The Nanny). It really is too late to take it back at this point, especially since it's been on the ptr for some time now, players have been playing with them, and work has (hopefully) already been started on adding the void elf underwear.

Blizzard is also pushing diversity options. Taking those options away runs contrary to what Blizzard seems to be shooting for.

As for hair colors, nothing has been announced yet so Blizzard can do whatever they like. But once they say "here's the coming Void Elf hair colors and styles" people are going to take that as a "promise" and won't react well to any of those being walked back.

Yeah, it isn't hard coded in live yet but removing customization options even on beta is a difficult thing to do because of backlash. They only have weeks at this point before they go live with the prepatch as well. It is highly improbable for them to have a sudden change of heart.

[Kyriani]

I don’t believe there would be backlash, what you high elders really want is a normal Thalassian skin tone and hair colour.

I think you would be happy with 3 variations of pale peachy skin rather than 20, especially if it also nets you three traditional lighter belf hair colour options.

But maybe that’s just me gushing the high elf community wrongly.

We don't have to trade skin colors to get hair colors. There's no reason for it. More hair colors will likely come with the allied race customization pass.

And I can tell you there'd be at least one person giving Blizzard hell if they took back any of the skin tones on the ptr currently... ME. And I am fairly confident that I am not alone. Fortunately I don't see it happenings so I am not concerned.

[Beloren]

I play both sides. I like Blood Elves and Void Elves for various reasons. That both can have the High Elf aesthetic just makes me enjoy them more!

Can you identify what you like that’s different as a high elf than it is as a blood elf - that makes you make this statement?

[Kyriani]

Yeah, it isn't hard coded in live yet but removing customization options even on beta is a difficult thing to do because of backlash. They only have weeks at this point before they go live with the prepatch as well. It is highly improbable for them to have a sudden change of heart.

Exactly. Pre-patch is imminent. The likelihood of drastic changes at this point is minuscule, and certainly removing options that were announced in a rather specific dev post, have been in the beta and ptr for some time now, and have been garnering Blizzard praise from at least some portion of the community would just be asinine.

- - - Updated - - -

Can you identify what you like that’s different as a high elf than it is as a blood elf - that makes you make this statement?

It's mostly about feelings for me tbh. I mean the aesthetics are appealing for both races but the feel of them changes for me based on faction.

With Blood Elves I feel more self-righteous, and arrogant. I stuck with my people, I stayed to make Silvermoon strong and feel the connection to the Horde. As a Blood Elf using High Elf aesthetics, I can either RP as a Blood Elf that has simply been cleansed on the fel taint over time thanks to the Sunwell, or a neutral aligned High Elf who decided to return to Silvermoon and throw my lot in with the Horde.

With Void Elves I feel more of a "newness". As a blue-skinned-tentacle-haired-member-of-Umbric's-group, I'm exploring this new "forbidden" power in a way far deeper than any Shadow Priest and dealing with the consequences of the transformation caused by Durzaan's trap and being exiled from Silvermoon. It's a different vibe from the Blood Elves they were before the transformation and joining the Alliance.

Using the High Elf aesthetics, I get to be an Alliance High Elf who's been here all this time and decided to rally under the banner of notable hero of both the Alliance and Silvermooon, Alleria Windrunner. As an Alliance High Elf, I don't have that same self-righteous and arrogant feel I get from playing my Blood Elves. These are people who forsook their homeland to stay with their allies... or were born in places like Dalaran or Stormwind and thus feel no connection to the people and culture of Silvermoon.

Both sides can be portrayed as half-elves (I'm fairly confident the ear size options will trickle down to Void Elves eventually), but Half-Elves feel weird on the Horde side since the Humans who are the other "half" aren't aligned with them. On the flip side, we are regularly reminded that the Alliance High Elves have been diluting their bloodlines by "intermingling" with Humans, which makes Half-Elves on the Alliance make a lot of sense.

[Swnem]

The Warcraft Encyclopedia
the prince's relatively quick acceptance of dire measures (e.g., draining magic from demons) is by no means characteristic of blood elves in general. The blood elves of Outland have by now discovered Kael'thas' agreement with Illidan, and they have for the most part become convinced of its necessity. Most blood elves still live on Azeroth, though. Few of these elves know of Kael'thas' pact with Illidan, and many would be horrified if they discovered it. Draining magic from small mana-bearing vermin is a far cry from draining magic from demons

playable blood elves are not the same ones that serve the legion.
Lady liadrin learned that what they did to the naaru was a bad thing and that their path was now tied to the light!

I think blood elves should have things like this

I mean, sure, if that is what you want. But, the convo you butted in on was talking about uniqueness. Holy theme is the same as the Draenei. Your racial is not holy based. It's about magic stealing. Just food for thought.

[Rhlor]

I mean, sure, if that is what you want. But, the convo you butted in on was talking about uniqueness. Holy theme is the same as the Draenei. Your racial is not holy based. It's about magic stealing. Just food for thought.

faith in the light is present in quelthalas since always. If the void elves have a void theme, the blood elves must have a light theme

[Beloren]

I mean, sure, if that is what you want. But, the convo you butted in on was talking about uniqueness. Holy theme is the same as the Draenei. Your racial is not holy based. It's about magic stealing. Just food for thought.

Is that what you view the blood elf theme as? Then what is the high elf theme?

And a race can have more than one theme. Also themes can change and evolve.

Are blood elves opening theme in TFT/TBC their defining theme or a transitory one?

Are they evolving to something different or returning to their original high elven selves?

I ask these questions because the night elf fans have done the same, multiple themes, transitory states. What’s the original definition? Multiple ones or just mana sucking?

[Eric Arthur Blair]

faith in the light is present in quelthalas since always. If the void elves have a void theme, the blood elves must have a light theme

Blood Elves should get 2-3 hairstyles with braids tipped in glowing light. Maybe even skin tones that glow a little bit or something.

[Swnem]

Is that what you view the blood elf theme as? Then what is the high elf theme?

And a race can have more than one theme. Also themes can change and evolve.

Are blood elves opening theme in TFT/TBC their defining theme or a transitory one?

Are they evolving to something different or returning to their original high elven selves?

I ask these questions because the night elf fans have done the same, multiple themes, transitory states. What’s the original definition? Multiple ones or just mana sucking?

They definitely have several themes atm. I was replying to someone saying they lack uniqueness. That is why i suggested something that could be unique to their customization. I think it fits better a fel theme than a holy theme cause it's more unique and fits with the racial ability. If you want holy bits, go right ahead and ask for that, i don't mind. It's just it won't be that unique cause draenei already have holy bits and racials. It's what made sense to me, you don't have to agree.

[Rhlor]

Blood Elves should get 2-3 hairstyles with braids tipped in glowing light. Maybe even skin tones that glow a little bit or something.

like this

[Beloren]

They definitely have several themes atm. I was replying to someone saying they lack uniqueness. That is why i suggested something that could be unique to their customization. I think it fits better a fel theme than a holy theme cause it's more unique and fits with the racial ability. If you want holy bits, go right ahead and ask for that, i don't mind. It's just it won't be that unique cause draenei already have holy bits and radials. It's what made sense to me, you don't have to agree.

The Illidari already have that Fel theme. But just because they do, shall I propose that blood elves must only have another?

I don't find it reasonable when people feel that only one race or one type of race should have one theme. I'm a pluarist in that sense.

Some people feel that blood elves are the only elves that should have a magic theme, but they were never the only ones so defined - magic was the basis of the elves and started with the night elf, the Nightborne is built entirely on that aspect of the night elf, and it is still a strong core part of the kaldorei - even though the Darnassians don't use it largely - they are still quite magical and magically based.

IF blood elves are the only heirs to the magical identity, then high elves, void elves, NIghtborne, highborne etc should be what? It's unreasonable because magic is one of the core facests of the elven race and this was defined when the elven origin story was created with the night elf race.


Holy magic is magic, the Light maybe a core facet of the Draenei, but it certainly isn't exclusive to them, just because it is does that mean that humans don't or shouldn't have it? Or no other race can be good at it?

THe Light is golden, and daylight, sun based - it's perfect for the blood elves thematically, and it makes sense for it to be a strong core magical aspect of the blood elves. The spiritual aspects and implications of it don't need to be the only facets of it. THe draenei can be focused entirely on the spirituality, but things like the sun, the day even fire can all be dimensions of the whole Light magic theme. Think of it like a dial on a clock or penduluum that swings from holy magic to fire magic - but staying on the same "light" banner theme. I think it's very fitting and thematic.

It will never be the only one because of the blood elves' heavy arcane origin and lore, even if it is largely focused on now. It's something I have also realised recently, just because in-game focuses on an aspect of a race now, doesn't mean it's the only core theme.

Chances are a race has more than one core theme, and blizzard would emphasize others over time to spice things up, especailly on the bigger races. They are designed with multiple themes in mind.

AS for whether fel would be better than light? I don't think they have to compete, there is already a strong fel theme in the blood elves and the Illidari of which blood elves are half of anyway, so blood elves can get that theme without it being core to the sin'dorei main theme. It's the same as the undead theme in the San'layn and darkfallen. There is a strong blood elf membership of that undead state/theme when you switch over to the undead, it's there, you don't have to in a sense have it intrude on the silvermoon theme.

Blood elves were built into the undead and fel themes via their roles in the Illidari and scourge stories. Notice how night elves are only now getting an undead role - first via the Ravencrests in Legion and now the Dark rangers from WoT playing into the SL themes. But night elves always had a strong role in the fel theme and the arcane theme, just not via the Darnassians - the Illidari are more predominantly night elf famous , like the undead are human famous despite the strong blood elven involvements in both, and we all know the kaldorei empire , the highborne and the entire reason there is a druidism and long vigil and legion is all because of the night elf arcane stories.

But the arcane and fel don't tie into the Darnassian faction themes strongly but they are strong in the night elf race theme. Likewise fel and undeath don't tie in strongly to the sin'dorei main theme, but they are strong in the blood elf race under the undead and illidari stories.

We can comfortably say blood elves are strong in Arcane, light, fel and undeath. Night elves are strong in Nature, arcane, fel - groundwork for void and undeath is also there, though not that strongly. Nightborne, from the night elf are mainly arcane, while void elves from the blood elf are mainly void focused but they none of them stop the other from having what they all have.