Official High Elf Discussion Megathread

[Aldo Hawk]

Here's another reference pic to show that all Blizzard has to do to get a "new allied race" that is High Elves without going for skin tone is changing the body proportions like they did with Nightborne.



Whereas for Void Elves they didn't even do that. Just skin color and "new hairstyles" which some people say doesn't count. Therefore only skin color.

This reminds me of the three different kind of Humans from The Elder Scrolls Online.

Variations from different places.

What is being asked for High elves is for them to show off their allegiance through regalia and customization, not even changing their bodies that much unless there is a good explanation.

But yeah, who don't want it to happen will never agree so who even cares, nobody needs them at the end of the day

[FlubberPuddy]

at the end of the day

Truly, at the end of the day - the game's going to go on regardless. People will probably keep asking for High Elves just as much as people want flying back at the beginning of expansions.

It's not the make it or break it for the game basically, and neither is it for my enjoyment of the game (admittedly Classic right now).

[Alixie]

All this talk about the many details that high elves could have, and I'm left wondering... why shouldn't void elves also have glowing tattoos and infused arms ala Thalyssra? Why should these customization options be limited to high elves?

The elephant in the room is the question of "How could High Elves look different from Blood Elves?" So fans brainstorm of ways to make High Elves look visually unique. Hair styles, beard styles, skin tones, body types, tattoos, jewelry, scars, ear shapes, even classes.

I think the older, less popular races should get new custom options added before the popular elf races get anymore. Blood Elves got new gold eyes, Night Elves got new black eyes, both races have an exclusive class to share. Void Elves and Nightborne are still new. Meanwhile, Tauren only have 4 faces and hairstyles to chose from. Any new options for elves should go to a future High Elf race.

[Aldo Hawk]

Because I'd rather not have Stromic humans as the next allied race and then have to wait months for another allied race. It's not slots that are limited, it's my time and patience.

Don't be so greedy and selfish then. As I can see, you are very happy with your Void elves, do you want to step on top of other things just because you just want more and more things that are of your liking?

[Varodoc]

Don't be so greedy and selfish then. As I can see, you are very happy with your Void elves, do you want to step on top of other things just because you just want more and more things that are of your liking?

I want things that are not a waste of time. An allied race like Stromic humans is a waste of time, since it's just normal humans in red armor. That ties back into my point that looks are indeed very important for an allied race. Most people don't pick an allied race because of their lore, they pick it because they look good. That's why void elves are the most popular allied race out of the Legion ones.

[Aldo Hawk]

I want things that are not a waste of time. An allied race like Stromic humans is a waste of time, since it's just normal humans in red armor.

You don't know that. As far as everyone was concerned, Kul'tirans looked exactly like any other kind of human. And they still do, but the new human variation that they created is available to be played as Kul'tiran.

This has been mentioned a thousand times.

What is a 'waste' for some, can be a very appreciated thing for others.

That ties back into my point that looks are indeed very important for an allied race. Most people don't pick an allied race because of their lore, they pick it because they look good. That's why void elves are the most popular allied race out of the Legion ones.

Except you ignore the fact that Allied races are lore based. The exception here are the Void elves, who were -the- Allied race that was precisely crafted just to become one.

[FlubberPuddy]

I want things that are not a waste of time. An allied race like Stromic humans is a waste of time, since it's just normal humans in red armor. That ties back into my point that looks are indeed very important for an allied race. Most people don't pick an allied race because of their lore, they pick it because they look good. That's why void elves are the most popular allied race out of the Legion ones.

Literally every Allied Race has been "a waste of time" for me. Despite one being one of your favorites.

I know others feel the way I do, there's also others that absolutely love some of the races that have came out. And others that want other races to come out.

It's all about "waiting your turn" really. Like I don't give a fuck about mechagnomes but I know admittedly it'll make Gnome fans happy.

I didn't get the Elf I wanted this time around, hopefully will get it the next time an elf is added to the Alliance. That's how I see it.

[Hallowseve17]

There are no "slots". Blizzard have never stated there being limited allied race slots. Stromic humans won't happen as an allied race. If anything they would retcon the whole "you play as x race from x location" and just add them in as human customization options. Anyone who believes there are "limited allied race slots" spit on the concept of allied races and deny players access to long-time established allied races like high elves, ogres, Wildhammer dwarves, forest trolls, broken, taunka, and so on.

[FlubberPuddy]

There are no "slots". Blizzard have never stated there being limited allied race slots. Stromic humans won't happen as an allied race. If anything they would retcon the whole "you play as x race from x location" and just add them in as human customization options. Anyone who believes there are "limited allied race slots" spit on the concept of allied races and deny players access to long-time established allied races like high elves, ogres, Wildhammer dwarves, forest trolls, broken, taunka, and so on.

Unfortunately some people do want that (spitting on AR concept). It's essentially an "I got mine" mindset. They got a race they wanted and now don't care for any more. It's an extremely stupid mentality.

[Alixie]

I want things that are not a waste of time. An allied race like Stromic humans is a waste of time, since it's just normal humans in red armor. That ties back into my point that looks are indeed very important for an allied race. Most people don't pick an allied race because of their lore, they pick it because they look good. That's why void elves are the most popular allied race out of the Legion ones.

This is a really strange strawman. Who is asking for Stromguard Humans or Val Sharah Night Elves? How is any time wasted on them if they are on nobody's radar or plans?

High Elves, Ogres, Vulpera, Sethrak, and Ethreals are the most requested races, some being requested for years. Any time spent on making those races playable would not a waste of time since so many want to play them. And as I had already stated, Void Elves are a fresh new race, and the other elves received new updates. Any new options should go to boosting the less popular races, or be an customization for a High Elf race.

[FlubberPuddy]

Any new options should go to boosting the less popular races, or be an customization for a High Elf race.

Yup, we're gonna have a break now in the Elven department. For what other reason did people think Blood Elves got Golden Eyes, a Heritage set, and Night Elves getting black/blue eyes and bunch of sets dedicated to them other than being popular elven races?

They've had their time to shine, along with Nightborne and Void Elves being 2 elven AR added. We're not gonna see more for playable elves until the remaining races are situated with new goodies.

[Varodoc]

This is a really strange strawman. Who is asking for Stromguard Humans or Val Sharah Night Elves? How is any time wasted on them if they are on nobody's radar or plans?

High Elves, Ogres, Vulpera, Sethrak, and Ethreals are the most requested races, some being requested for years. Any time spent on making those races playable would not a waste of time since so many want to play them. And as I had already stated, Void Elves are a fresh new race, and the other elves received new updates. Any new options should go to boosting the less popular races, or be an customization for a High Elf race.

I never said I wanted them, I said it to prove that looks are important. If you think you can just justify an allied race's existence by relying on the fact that it's culturally different, you're wrong. Looks are the first thing people look at, if the allied race is just a copy of the main race with minor visual differences, then it's a garbage allied race and a waste of time, patience, and a slot.

[Alixie]

if the allied race is just a copy of the main race with minor visual differences, then it's a garbage allied race and a waste of time, patience, and a slot.

Lmao. Almost all of the Allied races are just recolors with minor differences. Void Elves are just purple Blood Elves. But since you like them, they arent a waste of time, to you. Giving Void Elves, a new race, even more options would be a waste of time. The current, already popular elf races do not need even more exclusives and options. The less popular races deserve a bone and should be first in line for any new custom options or classes. Tauren only have 4 face and hair options. Blood Elves have 5x as many. They do not need anymore.

High Elves should not be an Allied Race. They should be a brand new race (like the Worgen and Draenai) with a unique model, not a recolor.

[Varodoc]

Lmao. Almost all of the Allied races are just recolors with minor differences. Void Elves are just purple Blood Elves. But since you like them, they arent a waste of time, to you. Giving Void Elves, a new race, even more options would be a waste of time. The current, already popular elf races do not need even more exclusives and options. The less popular races deserve a bone and should be first in line for any new custom options or classes. Tauren only have 4 face and hair options. Blood Elves have 5x as many. They do not need anymore.

High Elves should not be an Allied Race. They should be a brand new race (like the Worgen and Draenai) with a unique model, not a recolor.

And indeed the lightforged tauren and highmountain tauren were a waste of slots. As for the void elves, they can be purple, blue, or grey, while the blood elves are pink. Having a completely different skin tone is certainly not just a minor visual difference. Secondly, tauren are not a popular race because they are ugly, they will not stop being ugly just because you are giving them more face options.

Also, lol at the high elves being an actual new race. It will already be a miracle if they become an allied race.

[Alixie]

Yup, we're gonna have a break now in the Elven department. For what other reason did people think Blood Elves got Golden Eyes, a Heritage set, and Night Elves getting black/blue eyes and bunch of sets dedicated to them other than being popular elven races?

They've had their time to shine, along with Nightborne and Void Elves being 2 elven AR added. We're not gonna see more for playable elves until the remaining races are situated with new goodies.

Separate eye colors, or "contact lenses" are a pipe dream. They've shown that they cant separate eye colors from faces - as shown with the Worgen who were given new options, and Blood Elves who only have 3 gold eye options. Checking the Model Viewer, Blood Elves have 38 playable face/skin options per sex, this includes DK/DH and Gold eye options. (Gold eyes are face options.) I seriously doubt they'd make another 20 "Blue Eyed" face options. One because that would make the DK skin redundant for them. (If you want a blue eyed blood elf, DKs are waiting for you.) Two, races like Tauren have 14 total face options with both sexes and DK options.

TLDR, Blood Elves would have 58 playable eye/skin options, versus Tauren's 14 playable eye/skin options, if they were given blue eyed faces. The current elves have the lion's share of customizable options. Also, unlike Void Elves, Highmountain Tauren are literally reskins of regular Tauren, and are not considered a separate race, in Model Viewer. Void Elves do not need anymore perks.

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And indeed the lightforged tauren and highmountain tauren were a waste of slots. As for the void elves, they can be purple, blue, or grey, while the blood elves are pink. Having a completely different skin tone is certainly not just a minor visual difference. Secondly, tauren are not a popular race because they are ugly, they will not stop being ugly just because you are giving them more face options.

Also, lol at the high elves being an actual new race. It will already be a miracle if they become an allied race.

"Every race not an elf are ugly and suck. All the new stuff should go to the elf races. Also, we have too many elf races. No High Elves plz." You are not making any sense. Also, dont troll.

[Varodoc]

Separate eye colors, or "contact lenses" are a pipe dream. They've shown that they cant separate eye colors from faces - as shown with the Worgen who were given new options, and Blood Elves who only have 3 gold eye options. Checking the Model Viewer, Blood Elves have 38 playable face/skin options per sex, this includes DK/DH and Gold eye options. (Gold eyes are face options.) I seriously doubt they'd make another 20 "Blue Eyed" face options. One because that would make the DK skin redundant for them. (If you want a blue eyed blood elf, DKs are waiting for you.) Two, races like Tauren have 14 total face options with both sexes and DK options.

TLDR, Blood Elves would have 58 playable eye/skin options, versus Tauren's 14 playable eye/skin options, if they were given blue eyed faces. The current elves have the lion's share of customizable options. Also, unlike Void Elves, Highmountain Tauren are literally reskins of regular Tauren, and are not considered a separate race, in Model Viewer. Void Elves do not need anymore perks.

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"Every race not an elf are ugly and suck. All the new stuff should go to the elf races. Also, we have too many elf races. No High Elves plz." You are not making any sense. Also, dont troll.

You are putting so many words in my mouth. I never said we had too many elf races. Not wanting playable high elves does not mean you think this is World of Elfcraft, it just means you do not want playable high elves. Similarly, I did not say that the void elves should get all the new stuff or just new stuff at all (they are very much perfect as they are). I said that if the high elves become playable with glowing tattoos and arms, then they should be given those customizations too.

Also, I am not the one trolling, as I am not the one claiming that high elves should not just be an allied race, but an actual full race, when much more complex races like the zandalari or the nightborne were relegated to being allied races. I suppose not agreeing with the high elf echo chamber means I am a troll.

[FlubberPuddy]

I said that if the high elves become playable with glowing tattoos and arms, then they should be given those customizations too.

You realize that no other race has that right? As in my aforementioned case of people requesting Mag'har and Void Elf customizations on Green Orcs and Blood Elves, respectively.

So why would whatever customization available on High Elves (if they got added) go to others?

The point of the other customization features is to add those differences. This is why you do not see Mag'har hairstyles on Green Orcs, and VE male facial hair on BE males.

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Another example is Dwarves and Dark Iron with tattoos. Dark Irons got tattoos, did they add that to existing Dwarves? LF Draenei and HM Tauren got tattoos as well, did those go to the already existing Draenei and Taurens?

The kind of logic you're using is like when Demonhunters were revealed to be the next playable class and people went, "Demonhunters? My Hunter hunts demons, I'm already a demonhunter wtf Blizzard!>@!?" without realizing the thematic of what a Demonhunter is.

Just like people don't realize what the thematic of being a High Elf is, I'll give a hint: it's not about the race. Just like Demonhunter was never about 'hunting demons'.

[Alixie]

The kind of logic you're using is like when Demonhunters were revealed to be the next playable class and people went, "Demonhunters? My Hunter hunts demons, I'm already a demonhunter wtf Blizzard!>@!?" without realizing the thematic of what a Demonhunter is.

Just like people don't realize what the thematic of being a High Elf is, I'll give a hint: it's not about the race. Just like Demonhunter was never about 'hunting demons'.

"Im a hunter, and I hunt demons. Therefore, I am a demon hunter! Check mate atheists!" lmao. Some people forget WoW is an RPG. The details matter.

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You are putting so many words in my mouth. I never said we had too many elf races. Not wanting playable high elves does not mean you think this is World of Elfcraft, it just means you do not want playable high elves. Similarly, I did not say that the void elves should get all the new stuff or just new stuff at all (they are very much perfect as they are). I said that if the high elves become playable with glowing tattoos and arms, then they should be given those customizations too.

Also, I am not the one trolling, as I am not the one claiming that high elves should not just be an allied race, but an actual full race, when much more complex races like the zandalari or the nightborne were relegated to being allied races. I suppose not agreeing with the high elf echo chamber means I am a troll.

You kept insisting that the elf races should get the newer cool stuff, because it would be a waste of time to give it to the "ugly" and less popular races. So most of the attention should go to the elves because people only want to play pretty races, but at the same time, another popular and pretty elf race would be a waste of time? If you only care about pretty elves, then you should be in favor of High Elves.

Also, lol at the high elves being an actual new race. It will already be a miracle if they become an allied race.

Why even come to this thread just to mock people who want High Elves?

[Ielenia]

Yes...it does...becaus eit provides insight on what is necessary for a business to consider implementation of something. Nothing comes without cost and nothing comes without benefit. One needs to weigh the two, and the presence of Classic means the circumstances changed in such a way it benefitted them. The circumstances have not changed in regards to high elves. So no, you can't say "well they'll have a reason if they change their mind". Cool story, but if you don't care about the reason why are you even holding this discussion?
If blizzard will make them available for a reason then there is no point to a discussion now is there?

No. It really doesn't. Because no one changes their mind for no reason. There is always a reason. Which is why attempting to dismiss Blizzard's changing their minds regarding Vanilla servers as just "they did so for a reason" doesn't work. Because if Blizzard implements high elves it will also "be done for a reason."

Cool, do you have any data to provide this information?
Fact of the matter is they look different, and first impressions on a race when you are building a character matters, and demonstrates these differences. What the player does after does not matter because they've already made their choice on a race based on a number of factors including the aesthetics of that race.

The data is the game. Log in to the game, go to Boralus/Dazar'Alor, take a screenshot, and count how many players you see wearing full armor, and how many are bare-chested.

As for your "fact of the matter", one said factor that belongs to that "number of factors" is lore, which is what the high elf supports are looking for but do not see. Other than that, you're using a different aesthetic argument. When I mention aesthetics, I am talking about silhouettes. And the biggest, if not the only hurdle the high elves had as a playable race was the fact all playable races had different silhouettes.

Until BfA came along, and brought allied races. Allied races that shattered the "unique silhouettes" thing.

As do you.

Except I'm not the one saying "why am I even arguing with you?"

I would not question you if it were

But it is. Re-read it. It's not like that quote was a hundred-words long paragraph.

They rejected what they mana tapped. They did not reject learning mana tapping. I mean, it is well indicated they know how to mana tap and were doing so in Northrend and Outland to meet their addiction needs just like blood elves.

You're being obtuse, here, considering it's written, right on the line you quoted, that I'm saying they rejected draining mana from living beings. I stated that not just once, but several times.

Cool, cite the information.

"A crucial difference between high elves and blood elves is that no high elves have decided to feed their hunger for arcane magic by draining that magic from alternative sources (during the time when the Sunwell was useless)"

The lore states they all suffered, it does not state who suffered more or less. In fact, there were many blood elves who were also mana tapping arcane crystals rather than creatures.
Let alone the fact that biologically they are the same race, so their suffering would be equal throughout depending on their class.

The lore also states that the high elves chose to not follow the blood elves' decision to drain mana from living beings. Ergo, they suffered more, because, unlike blood elves who were sating themselves with mana from living beings, they were not.

We're both wrong, there are worgens and goblins present during Wrath, the thing is the following.
All Worgen DK are from shadowkeep, and these worgen were not present to cross Arthas path.
Goblins are from the steamwheedle cartel and also were not present for Arthas to raise. In both, the story simply was non-existent.
Furthermore the argument about presence is a poor one given it is largely inconsistent since many races are prevalent throughout WoW but are not present.

The heroes Arthas raised were not the ones that "crossed his path". Those that were raised as death knights were not the ones that fought against him. Some were, but also others were strong individuals from the other races present at the time, namely worgens and goblins.

Which is why there are no Pandaren DK's as cited by Blizzard. The rest of your post was irrelevant since it had been addressed and/or did not add to the discussion.

And yet you still responded to the "rest of my post" instead of ending it there. Huh.

How have I mis-represented your arguments? I have addressed them as is, so I fail to see how it is a strawman. On the other hand, you have attributed arguments to me which I have never made repeatedly.
So... yeah...

You accuse me of wanting the blood elf aesthetics when I repeatedly said I don't care for the aesthetics and wanted the lore.

Mana tapping is an ability meant ot siphon mana from objects or living things. This is explicitly stated in lore.
You have nothing to argue in regards to how rare those artifacts are because even if they are rare, there are arcane leylines, gems, objects, etc etc.

The reason high elves would not have "mana tap" as a racial is because, unlike blood elves, the high elves would not use that on living beings. And since, as a playable race, you either use such racials on yourself or on your opponents, it would make no sense for a high elf to have 'mana tap'.

They just chose to mana tap magical objects, which if they had no access to, would result in physical and mental harm. As stated in lore.

Except magical objects are nowhere near as common as they are presented in game. Gems, by themselves, are not magical. (evidence of that is that you cannot DE gems)

Everyone who is a blood elf was a high elf.

THAT is the keyword: 'was'. We don't want those who were high elves. We want those who are high elves.

So...yes...we know who the high elves were which is anyone who calls themselves a high elf or a blood elf.

Except that, both in-game and in the lore, the high elves and blood elves are now separate groups.

The fact they both look the same and are the same race and therefore, they are already palyable through the Horde?
The fact that making them playable on the alliance makes the race neutral and damage faction distinction?
The fact you already have void elves and are essentially demanding to have more than what the horde has access, and therefore, introduce gameplay imbalance?
The fact that it was cited by Blizzard after the creation of void elves?
The fact that the example of a high elf in the last page is LITERALLY A BRUNETTE VERSION OF LANESH STEELWEAVER

• Fact 1: irrelevant. Allied races threw the "aesthetic/they look the same" argument right out the window.
• Fact 2: wrong. Making the high elves playable would not make the thalassian elves "neutral". Otherwise, the void elves would've made the Thalassian elf race "neutral" already.
• Fact 3: wrong. Making high elves playable would introduce no "gameplay" imbalance whatsoever. Unless Blizzard gives them stupidly powerful racials, which is unlikely to happen.
• Fact 4: All I heard about is that they said they thought Void Elves fit the story they wanted to better.
• Fact 5: What are you even talking about? The only art is a female elf, and Lanesh the Steelweaver is a male elf.

Except it is relevant otherwise it wouldnt have happened.

It is irrelevant because everything happens "for a reason", so trying to dismiss Vanilla servers because they happened "for a reason" is meaningless. If high elves become playable it'll also be "for a reason". Nothing happens for no reason.

Aesthetics is part of silhouettes...
That is some mental gymnastics about the popularity of high elves btw.
I mean...you're suggesting everyone who would paly one is a new palyer and therefore would make blizzard money. This is obviously not true.

I'm not suggesting that. There are, however, players who would want to play as a high elf, and so pay for a race change. Or pay for a faction change.

[Varodoc]

"Im a hunter, and I hunt demons. Therefore, I am a demon hunter! Check mate atheists!" lmao. Some people forget WoW is an RPG. The details matter.

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You kept insisting that the elf races should get the newer cool stuff, because it would be a waste of time to give it to the "ugly" and less popular races. So most of the attention should go to the elves because people only want to play pretty races, but at the same time, another popular and pretty elf race would be a waste of time? If you only care about pretty elves, then you should be in favor of High Elves.



Why even come to this thread just to mock people who want High Elves?

No. I didn't insist on the void elves wanting anything. Once again putting words in my mouth. And get it through your thick skull, I only care about the void elves, I don't give a shit about the other elven subraces, so stop having this vision of the world that you either want 20 elven subraces or you think this is World of Elfcraft.

You realize that no other race has that right? As in my aforementioned case of people requesting Mag'har and Void Elf customizations on Green Orcs and Blood Elves, respectively.

The difference being that glowing arms and tattoos makes no sense for the high elves (since they are not inherently marked by magic like void elves or nightborne) while it would actually make more sense for the void elves. Just like the mag'har tattoos wouldn't make much sense on the green orcs because the identity of the various clans has kind of been lost through the years for the Orgrimmar orcs.