Official High Elf Discussion Megathread

[Goldielocks]

@Obelisk Kai at long last

[Obelisk Kai]

i mean, they could obviously keep it away from the sun well. they could study in the ruined half of the city, while the sun well is off to the north on quel'danas.

i felt like it was more that it was dar'khan's teachings that pissed rommath off. he's basically the single biggest evil in thalassian elf society.

I think the lesson that should be drawn here is that everyone should always listen to Rommath.

Don't trust Dalaran says Rommath. Nonsense says Aethas (purge!)

Don't mess with the Void says Rommath. We are totally messing with the void, says Umbric (Voided out!)

Don't take Alleria to the Sunwell says Rommath. We are taking Alleria to the Sunwell says lor'themar. (Void attack!)

Arrest that traitor says Rommath. Exile her instead says Lor'themar. Still waiting to see how this bites the Horde in the ass.


But you get the idea.

Everyone should calm down, take a deep breath...and do whatever the fuck Grand Magister Rommath says.

[Combatbutler]

I saw no crowd yelling that.

Okay let me rephrase that I have yet to see a single anti high elf advocate for calling out for people to kill themselves. And the stunts some supporters pulled on their discord not withstanding, there are people caught up in this spite but a great many high elf advocates deserve every little spite they get right now.

[Super Kami Dende]

"Misfortune"? You call that misfortune? The race you want is literally on the Horde side and you just refuse to play the faction that has it. That's called being stubborn, not misfortunate.

Yes, that is the misfortune. People want to play High Elves on the Alliance. Due to them being a major part of the Alliance since the RTS games and not wanting to play them alongside savages.

[Sorrior]

Silver Covenant have a higher count than Void Elves by a very large margin.

As for the other two, that's not true. Nightborne are Night Elves. Void Elves are Blood Elves with a bit of purple hues.

With that said, even easier: Give some personality to High Elves. Make them stand out from Blood Elves. Unique posture, unique haircuts, unique faces.

It's actually not all that hard to give them personality without being BE 2.0 or having to invest a tremendous amount of efforts.

Hell i suspect high elves to be haughty but not super arrogant. As in they might mkck BE or look down on them but not everyone else. Less valkey girl basically..

[Deleted]

And pro-high elf supporter arguments are "we wan't to play the prettiest model in game! wah wah" essentially veiled in "MUH HIGH ELVES ARE BLUE EYED BLOOD ELVES... ON THE ALLIANCE". Fact of the matter is that the thalassian elf model and story has been a core part of the Horde since TBC... not the alliance. It seems that pro-high elf supporters for the most part essentially just want to be able to play a pretty normal skinned elf on the blue side and throw any reason they can muster up to try and justify it. Bro, the reality is is that thalassian elves are a CORE part and big identity to the Horde and for that reason alone there is a lot of push back from non pro-high elf supporters. To you and other pro-high elf supporters it doesn't seem like a big deal... because you want them. To others (the non-supporters), we are trying to maintain our faction identity.

Lets see, and lets just take a look at WoW and the Alliance core races (apart from humans because humans are obviously too well represented):

- Vanilla: Highelves were on the Alliance side, they have had 2 (3) lodges spread around eastern kingdoms: Quel’Danil, Quel’Lithien and Farstrider (the innkeeper thus owner is highelven).
In contrast: Gnomes – a playable core race of the Alliance – didn’t have a single inhabited settlement outside of Tinkertown which is just a small sub district of IF...

- Burning Crusade: Highelves had a whole base in Outland (Allerian Stronghold). What about the core races of the Alliance? Humans: 1 (Honor Hold), Dwarves: 1 (Wildhammer Stronghold), Draenei: 1 (Telredor). Nightelves: 1 (Sylvanaar) and Gnomes again: 0

- Wrath of the Lich King: Highelves were playing a big role overall via Silver Covenant. They had a district in Dalaran and Wintergarde, had a small base in Windrunner’s Overlook and were the main Alliance faction of the Argent Tournament.

The other core races of the Alliance: Nightelves were at Stars’ Rest, Gnomes in Fizzcrank Airstrip. Dwarves didn’t have a base or camp at all and Draenei neither.

- Cataclysm (80-85): Highelves were in Zul’Aman, though just a minor role. Most prominent Alliance only core race were Dwarves (Wildhammer, but not playable), while Nightelves had a big chunk of Story in Hyjal it was also more about Cenarion Circle and less about exclusively Nightelves. Gnomes, Draenei or Worgen? Not so much.

- Mists of Pandaria: Highelves again played a role during the whole Landfall and on the Isle of Thunder. Nightelves had a small camp in Krasarang and a minor role there and a relatively big role in the Landfall and SoO. Dark Iron dwarves got a little scenario and Mekkatorque aiding in SoO. Alliance Pandaren, Draenei, Worgen? Ehh, nope.

- Warlords of Draenor: The only expansion so far that did not feature highelves on the Alliance (aside from a sidequest from the Inn where you look for Alleria).

- Legion: No race aside from humans and worgen were exactly featured as Alliance.

So they featured Highelves in almost every damn expansion so far and thus highelves are the second most active alliance faction after humans but still they are not playable. What’s worse: There are core races that have equal or less notable heroes of the Alliance than Highelves with their Windrunner sisters, namely Gnomes, Draenei, Worgen and Pandaren.

[Varx]

HAHA, omg wow I dont even need to read the most recent responses in this thread to know that there is a fresh wave of salt and denial from high elf fanboys aftert his Q&A.

Go Horde or go home, end of discussion Ion has spoken... again.

[Sorrior]

Well there we go. The argument is finally settled. Blizzard finally stated beyond a doubt that they will not allow us to create horde and alliance characters on the same server.

Oh wait that was another stance they reverted years ago...

Well there we go. The argument is finally settled. Blizzard finally stated beyond a doubt that they will not allow us to create horde paladins and alliance shamans.

Actually they went back on that too, rather quickly at that...

Well there we go. The argument is finally settled. Blizzard finally stated beyond a doubt that they will not allow us to transfer between PvE and PvP servers.

Huh, no, that position was changed...

Well there we go. The argument is finally settled. Blizzard finally stated beyond a doubt that they will not implement neutral or similar looking races to both factions as it would be too confusing-

Wait crap, they also went back on that one...

Um, what point was I trying to make? Eh, doesn't matter, they go back on everything they say at a moment's notice anyway.

As i like to say blizz is more retcon happy then dc and msrvel dyring one of their crisis events

[Enkrypt]

I have yet to see the anti high elf crowd calling out for people to kill themselves.

One of them told that Arrashi kid to kill himself. It happened.

[united]

HAHA, omg wow I dont even need to read the most recent responses in this thread to know that there is a fresh wave of salt and denial from high elf fanboys aftert his Q&A.

Go Horde or go home, end of discussion Ion has spoken... again.

honestly that was the best part. not him saying no to high elves, but the go horde or get over it bit. gold.

[protip]

I seriously see no reason why Blizzard wouldn't add High Elves... They did add Void Elves which are just Blood Elves with different skin color and hair... So their "they're blood elves but with different eyes" argument is blank. Lighforged Draenei are Draenei but with golden eyes and tatoos. Nice argumentation Blizz.

I'm not saying that I would make High Elf for myself, but rather I'd like to see stop threads like this to appear. High Elves are wanted since... TBC/Wotlk, same for ogres for the horde... And it's getting what? Nightborne? Laughable.

I'm sure this will come up again, so I'll try to explain as clearly as possible. Whether or not you agree with his reasoning is up to you, but I'll organize his answer into something more readable.

So, um. So, basically, Blood Elves kind of are High Elves, with slightly different eye color, different back-story in terms of their relationship with magic and the Sunwell, but they are - like if what you want to be is a fair-skinned, light blonde-haired, tall, majestic elf - that is a Blood Elf. And, giving that race directly to the Alliance, I think, would have blurred a lot of the lines between the two factions, but also there isn't a clear example of who or what High Elves are as a larger group that still remains in Azeroth. There's a couple that we've seen; we just met Alleria again for the first time, but they're not out there in the same way. So, we're looking to - when we add allied races, there's a desire to have things a bit more distinct, especially between the two factions, with the faction conflict being so prominent. And so, the Void Elf angle, as tied into the story of Argus, and the powers that Alleria awakened and was able to train others to harness, was able to give something that felt a bit like a Blood Elf, but had a unique flavor of its own to the Alliance. That said, obviously I understand that if you love Alliance, you're an Alliance player, and you just want to be a fair-skinned, light-haired, blue-eyed elf... Sorry? The Horde is there waiting for you. Eye color is not quite the same, maybe there'll be contact lenses in the future - we never know. Anything is possible in the future, but no plans in the near-term to add High Elves as an allied race. Sorry. I accept all of the hatemail that I'm about to get for this, but that's where we stand.

1. High Elves are basically the same as Blood Elves.

Blood Elves kind of are High Elves

if what you want to be is a fair-skinned, light blonde-haired, tall, majestic elf - that is a Blood Elf

2. They wanted to give the Alliance something similar, but with it's own feel.

the Void Elf angle ... was able to give something that felt a bit like a Blood Elf, but had a unique flavor of its own to the Alliance

3. They want to keep the two factions distinct.

when we add allied races, there's a desire to have things a bit more distinct, especially between the two factions, with the faction conflict being so prominent.

giving that race directly to the Alliance, I think, would have blurred a lot of the lines between the two factions

4. High Elves don't have a clear representation of culture, identity, or organization.

there isn't a clear example of who or what High Elves are as a larger group that still remains in Azeroth. There's a couple that we've seen; we just met Alleria again for the first time, but they're not out there in the same way.

[Sett]

HAHA, omg wow I dont even need to read the most recent responses in this thread to know that there is a fresh wave of salt and denial from high elf fanboys aftert his Q&A.

Go Horde or go home, end of discussion Ion has spoken... again.

People that bitch about people wanting high elves aren't any different to those they mock honestly. Same unruly behavior that has a lot of trash talking.

[Twinbros2]

Unfortunately for a lot of the anti High Elfer's this changes nothing on the forums. Yes we won't be getting High Elves in BfA, but that won't stop the Alliance High Elf campaign from going on and from you evidently being forced to view threads like these. Ion might have a hate boner for High Elves, but he also recognized (as did the interviewer) that High Elves are still being asked for and is a question they gotta address every QA. That is a lot more than what they have done in the past which was to largely ignore the ask for Alliance High Elves. And that is why he also left some wiggle room for them in the future by saying "Anything is possible in the future". Ultimately this changes nothing for those of you who get triggered when seeing High Elf threads, to use Ion's words "the end of these High Elf threads don't seem likely in the near future".

[Obelisk Kai]

Kai, your years are 2 months for me lol

I dont think its ion alone preventing high elves to be playable. He is probably a vocal part of blizzard against as there are vocal people in blizzard in favor. The way he announced it was not the way i was expecting from a lead diretor.

Also i always said high elves would not be released in months from now. So not being launched in bfa was expected.

Allied races decisions are a team decision. That is how corporations work. I also agree with them that releasing high elves now would not make sense. I always said that in previous posts.

I also do agree with you with trying to maintain the races and factions unique from each other was a problem and high elves introduction would be a challenge for that.

That being said, i think everything remains the same as it wad before, onlywith the confirmation that high elves are not planned for BfA.

If ion means that high elves from alliance are so unimportant, that he should kill them off just like you once suggested. While they keep appearing, the door will remain opened.

I am not certain what the future holds for Alliance High Elves beyond the confirmation they aren't going to be playable. That was pretty much what I wanted, to preserve the integrity of my faction. If all they continue to feature in other group's stories, which is all they ever can really, then I don't mind, now that I have confirmation the integrity of the Horde and the Blood Elves is not going to be threatened.

[Enkrypt]

Yes, that is the misfortune. People want to play High Elves on the Alliance. Due to them being a major part of the Alliance since the RTS games and not wanting to play them alongside savages.

Still sounds like being stubborn, to me. That's not misfortunate. That's being delusional and not accepting official statements from the Lead Dev'. That's being arrogant saying that no matter what Ion says, he's wrong. It's a bunch of internet keyboard warriors think their opinion means more than the guy who designs the game.

That's not misfortune. You don't always get what you want in life, and you guys display an utter lack of ability to accept that.

[Andromedes]

I am not certain what the future holds for Alliance High Elves beyond the confirmation they aren't going to be playable. That was pretty much what I wanted, to preserve the integrity of my faction. If all they continue to feature in other group's stories, which is all they ever can really, then I don't mind, now that I have confirmation the integrity of the Horde and the Blood Elves is not going to be threatened.

Oh good thing that void elves who were blood elves yesterday didnt disrupt integrity of your precious faction.

[Deleted]

Honestly this is what I will never understand and now I can pretty much say it was a bad choice as for the origin of Void Elves. If they weren't gonna make playable HE, why not use them to create the VE?

Now we know they simply didn't even considered it, and had no reason to not use the Silver Covenant to make Void Elves. It's just such a wasted opportunity that really makes me sad.

Yeah, I'm thinking it more along the lines of 'could have saved them a lot of headache'. I do also think that the want for High Elves stemmed from a rather lackluster lineup of Allied Races for Alliance. Void Elves were fine until they were an asspull exiled void elves explanation (instead of saying Alleria and all the remaining High Elves had become Void Elves in order to provide themselves an edge in the war with the Horde...see...writes itself AND it gives the Alliance a bit more of a bite to them).

Lightforged were just a freaking weak addition that nobody really asked for as a specific race unto themselves, they just wanted the customisation options for regular Draenei (I will roll High Mountain Tauren into this camp as well, they didn't really NEED to be a separate allied race either).

Dark Iron, while cool, could have been used more intelligently and been done as "Dwarf Clans" allowing for customisation for the Dwarf to be either Dark Iron or Wildhammer (with the idea of bringing in the two remaining clans who were still somewhat isolationist to the Alliance into the fold) much in the same way the Mag'har Orcs can be numerous clans.

Kul'Tirans seemed to be just...well...look at them...we've hit Beta and they're STILL not done. Hell the Vulpera have more work put on them than the Kul'tirans for crying out load and we still haven't had a confirmation whether they're going to be playable or not. Besides the cool druid forms the whole 'fat humans' thing not to mention the female model looking kind of shite (lack of muscle definition, terrible face with a gormless expression (even with the new faces) and basically not living up to the ideal that the Male Kul'tiran clearly sets).

I can see where this annoyance and demand for High Elves came from. The Horde got everything they've been clamoring for over the years. Upright Trolls, Orc clans and upright Orcs. What did the Alliance get? Ass pull Elves that should have just been High Elves converted to the Void and not Blood Elf Exiles. A barely reworked reskin with very minor customisation options nobody asked for in the Lightforged. A singular Dwarf clan that, while it had its fans, was never really a huge call to make them be playable (I don't remember people demanding Dark Iron be playable...) and fat humans...

I can see why Alliance players were so disappointed with such a weakass lineup.

[Super Kami Dende]

Still sounds like being stubborn, to me. That's not misfortunate. That's being delusional and not accepting official statements from the Lead Dev'. That's being arrogant saying that no matter what Ion says, he's wrong. It's a bunch of internet keyboard warriors think their opinion means more than the guy who designs the game.

That's not misfortune. You don't always get what you want in life, and you guys display an utter lack of ability to accept that.

Ahh yes, because we have to completely just accept what the Devs tell us.

I guess those few thousand changes to the game that have happened to WoW over the last 14 years were completely not because people pointed out how stupid the ideas were enough that it was changed.

[Obelisk Kai]

Unfortunately for a lot of the anti High Elfer's this changes nothing on the forums. Yes we won't be getting High Elves in BfA, but that won't stop the Alliance High Elf campaign from going on and from you evidently being forced to view threads like these. Ion might have a hate boner for High Elves, but he also recognized (as did the interviewer) that High Elves are still being asked for and is a question they gotta address every QA. That is a lot more than what they have done in the past which was to largely ignore the ask for Alliance High Elves. And that is why he also left some wiggle room for them in the future by saying "Anything is possible in the future". Ultimately this changes nothing for those of you who get triggered when seeing High Elf threads, to use Ion's words "the end of these High Elf threads don't seem likely in the near future".

This changes everything.

Your seven month campaign, the success of which only a few days ago you were so confident in you were openly stating how wonderful it would be to imagine the look on my face and others when High Elves became a reality, didn't change a single thing.

I'd even argue that Ion's statements make normal skin tones on Void Elves very improbable now too.

You may keep trying, but Blizzard has given it's reaction to your campaign. It has failed.

There is dignity in concession when faced with reality, as I would have done so had Blizzard decided the opposite.

[Koroniss]

Obelisk Kai The way Ion answered the question was very insulting and disrepctfuly to his customers who are Alliance fanbase and that want High Elves, he could of answered nicely but he did not. he was reprenting Blizzard and he insulted us. He was also very ignorant with this Answer. Don't reply to me because I don't give one single fuck about you

Hello Drorith. Allow me to intervene, would you?

Could you please help me understand the following – in what way did Ion insult and disrespect you (or the Alliance playerbase in general, or the High Elves supporters in particular) with his statement? I suspect what you might mean by "Ion is also ignorant" and as I am really inclined to disagree with such a definition, I'd as you to elaborate in case I've got a wrong impression of what you actually meant with that. But for the most part, I am really dubious why you felt offended by Ion's reply.

As I saw other people on various platforms expressing the same sentiment towards what we heard during the Q&A, I am reaching out to all of you: in what way, shape or form do you feel disrespected by the way Ion handled the question?