Official High Elf Discussion Megathread

[Maxilian]

Suramar is the worst zone in WoW for me. Period. So, yeah, I pretty much hated everything there...

Fair enough.

Either way, i do agree that the Blood elves in general are not, well... the most pure people, heck being a snob is part of their personality (is even part of their jokes and comments), and we do know that they have questionable morals, maybe now less than before (they did had a Naaru as a prisoner and were using it as a living battery), but i also think is a stretch to say that they are all bad, evil, assholes and vile.

Now that i think about it, for some reason is quite easy to lump together a whole race by the action of a few unless they are humans.

[ravenmoon]

Finally, what facade? One set of thalssian elves asking for what the other set of thalassian elves has was one of the reasons against creating a variant of the Blood Elves for the Alliance in the first place. Everyone knew it would happen. But just because people ask for something does not mean it should happen. In some inoffensive cases, it probably will. But given you are clearly angling for those Blood Elf skin tones, that is still a considerable distance in the future and of a greater magnitude than hair styles.

But I somehow don't think because a few hardcore fans take issue with a thing should mean that a nice feature or greatly desired one at that shouldn't be given.

Especially in th elater case, it would be highly beneficial for them to find way s to make it work.

[Maxilian]

And so it finally comes to pass, the thinly veiled facade is dropped: https://eu.forums.blizzard.com/en/wo...ves-pls/141970

OP literally asking for Void Elf beards/hairstyles and for Blood Elves to get customization to look 'like Alleria' lol

On top of that after the blue posted pretty much Void Elf players and Blood Elf players just went to town on saying essentially 'we want what the other Thalassian variant already has'

I'm glad to see it. As long as that respect is given to both sides by Blizzard

- - - Updated - - -

Now someone can't really point fingers like 'yall just want Blood Elf customization, trying to take it from us!' when an OP is literally doing the reverse with Void Elves, wanting to look like their Leader and wanting their customization options.

To be fair, i do think that some of the Alleria things should be allowed for BE too, but not the VE stuff, in the end Alleria tattoo are a Farstrider stuff, and the Blood elves have a big amount of those people in there.

But yeah, the VE need more stuff.

- - - Updated - - -

Especially in th elater case, it would be highly beneficial for them to find way s to make it work.

I agree with this, i still don't understand why the need to have HE share the same model as BE, in the end, if the problem is that they would be way too similar, just give them a new model, DONE!

[FlubberPuddy]

To be fair, i do think that some of the Alleria things should be allowed for BE too, but not the VE stuff, in the end Alleria tattoo are a Farstrider stuff, and the Blood elves have a big amount of those people in there.

But yeah, the VE need more stuff.

Yeah that's essentially what I mean. Give both sides more, give them the same respect It's good to get more options all-around!

I agree with this, i still don't understand why the need to have HE share the same model as BE, in the end, if the problem is that they would be way too similar, just give them a new model, DONE!

Couldn't be any simpler said!!

[Ardenaso]

Alteraci actually make wayyy more sense than forsaken to be on the Horde. Forsaken are undead Lordaeron humans that were at war with the Horde prior to death. Alteraci were their allies.

I don't think they thought the lore through very well when choosing the Horde races. Blood elves allied with trolls? Lordaeron humans allied with orcs? Nightborne fighting their family members?

Combined now with the fact that "the cycle has finally been broken" and that peace between the Alliance and Horde is almost guaranteed. Time to destroy this so called "faction lines' and let me play living humans on the Horde

- - - Updated - - -

If you have more thoughts, feel free to comment on my thread in my signature

[elbleuet]

Apparently blood elves aren't getting blue eyes nor purple eyes.

https://twitter.com/keyboardturn/sta...301949441?s=21

Blue & purple eyes would be for void elves actually *fingers crossed*

So maybe Void elves will get some high elf costumisations after all.

For the moment no blue eyed blood elf. Thanks Blizzard. Blood elves are blood elves, and high elves are high elves.

[Obelisk Kai]

But I somehow don't think because a few hardcore fans take issue with a thing should mean that a nice feature or greatly desired one at that shouldn't be given.

Especially in th elater case, it would be highly beneficial for them to find way s to make it work.

Nothing that is inappropriate to a race should be denied. In terms of Void Elf hairstyles on Blood Elves I don't feel they are appropriate because they either have tentacles or they are styled like tentacles, there are some very wavy bangs on plenty of Void Elf unique hairstyles.
Some Blood Elf hairstyles could be added to Void Elves without issue, probably most of them. Humans and Blood Elves share plenty of hairstyles already and most of them are pretty racially agnostic.

But the skin tone issue isn't like the others, as that is the dividing line chosen between Void Elves and Blood Elves. Blood Elves have a human range, Void Elves have a unique range that, like their hairstyles, is evocative of their theme. Leaving aside the principle that it would be profoundly odd to water down the change that allowed them to introduce Void Elves in the first place, it also opens up possibilities such as Lightforged Draenei with ordinary Draenei tones. Green Mag'har Orcs. Flesh coloured Dark Iron Dwarves. Highmountain Tauren with cow horns. Because why not should the principle of division between an allied race and it's parent be broken once?

[FlubberPuddy]

Apparently blood elves aren't getting blue eyes nor purple eyes.

https://twitter.com/keyboardturn/sta...301949441?s=21

Blue eyes would be for void elves actually *fingers crossed*

For the moment no blue eyed blood elf. Thanks Blizzard.

So, while things can change. This backs up some things I've said long before and also recently.

1) When WoW team works on races that are the same model (Velf/Belf, Mag'har/Green Orc, LFD/Draenei) they are able to work on both races at the same time. This adds more evidence that certain race models are just surface level changes (ie they are literally the same model unlike a Nightborne/Night Elf or Kul'Tiran/Human).

This is backed by what Ion said before too, that when they work on certain things they can work on what's tangentially related, aka Green Orcs got upright posture because internally Mag'har were decided to have upright posture, and that's why both races can select posture options.

It's also why Blood Elves finally got their bow animations fixed, because the team was working on Void Elves at the time.

Same for that we've heard some of the Draenei tail options will come to the LFD even though ARs aren't said to be getting increased customizations in Shadowlands.

It's just easy transferable work.

2) Those Blue Eye options were for Void Elves because Void Elves have access to some of those options previewed.

And now it's confirmed as I said, as keyboardturn points out, those options were different and suitably only on Void Elves.

- - - Updated - - -

Another thing I'd like to point out!

This pretty much confirms that Void Elves, and ofc all other AR will eventually be getting increased customizations

[Obelisk Kai]

Apparently blood elves aren't getting blue eyes nor purple eyes.

https://twitter.com/keyboardturn/sta...301949441?s=21

Blue eyes would be for void elves actually *fingers crossed*

For the moment no blue eyed blood elf. Thanks Blizzard.

The pro High Elf community needs to make up it's mind, are blue eyes important or not?

When blue eyes for Blood Elves looks likely, it's 'oh blue eyes aren't important, it's their place in the Alliance that matters'.

When something comes up that casts doubt on blue eyes it's 'phew, no blue eyed Blood Elf.'

It seems the importance of blue eyes varies depending on how likely it is Blood Elves will get them. So I will reiterate, blue eyes for Blood Elves would be a very good, lore sound option. It is still a desired blood elf customization option. But it is at the end of the day just an eye colour, If they aren't granted, that is unfortunate but it doesn't change the fact Blood Elves are Warcraft's playable High Elves.

In fact, if this datamining is accurate, it seems the blue eyes are being kept not for high elf differentiation (which is of course, impossible, they are just eye colours) but to shore up the differentiation of the actual thalassian elf variant, the Void Elves.

Still, one swallow does not make a summer and one dataminer does make an absolute determination. Alpha/beta has a long way to run and we see how this shakes out in the end.

[FlubberPuddy]

Could Blizzard always create Blue Eyes for Blood Elves? Yeah they still can, as well as red or purple or any color.

We're still pretty early into character customizations and as we're seeing the type of customizations with humans -> there's still way more and more different customizations to come.

So fret not people that wish for blue eyes on Blood Elves (or red or purple or etc)

[elbleuet]

The pro High Elf community needs to make up it's mind, are blue eyes important or not?

When blue eyes for Blood Elves looks likely, it's 'oh blue eyes aren't important, it's their place in the Alliance that matters'.

When something comes up that casts doubt on blue eyes it's 'phew, no blue eyed Blood Elf.'

It seems the importance of blue eyes varies depending on how likely it is Blood Elves will get them. So I will reiterate, blue eyes for Blood Elves would be a very good, lore sound option. It is still a desired blood elf customization option. But it is at the end of the day just an eye colour, If they aren't granted, that is unfortunate but it doesn't change the fact Blood Elves are Warcraft's playable High Elves.

In fact, if this datamining is accurate, it seems the blue eyes are being kept not for high elf differentiation (which is of course, impossible, they are just eye colours) but to shore up the differentiation of the actual thalassian elf variant, the Void Elves.

Still, one swallow does not make a summer and one dataminer does make an absolute determination. Alpha/beta has a long way to run and we see how this shakes out in the end.

If the void elves, as an Allied race, are getting new costumisation options, so we can reasonably hope to play a high elf soon. And all these discussions will be over for good.

[ravenmoon]

High Elf Class Options



Iconic Classes:

Mage

High Elves first trained the humans in magic, and the alliance between Dalaran and the High Elves remains strong to this day. This is perhaps the most iconic High Elf class available. It should be noted that Highvale elves no longer practice arcane magic.

Priest

High Elves and humans share the same religion. The close connection of High Elves to the Light has made their healing skills invaluable to the Alliance for many years and across many great wars.

Hunter (Ranger)

Archers and scouts. Many of these Rangers were sent to support the Alliance in the Second War. High Elves often look to Ranger-Generals for guidance and leadership.

Rogue (Ranger)

The stalker that fights with twin blades and leaps from the leafy shadows. These Rangers have been the advance scouts of the High Elves for many years. Their protection has prevented many losses and allowed the High Elves to stay one step ahead of threats to their people.


Appropriate Classes:

Paladin

High Elves were part of the alliance that created the first Azerothian Paladins. Their members joined the Order of the Silver hand before the Third War.

Warrior

High Elven swordsmen have protected their people with distinction for generations. Their traditions have been passed down to the High Elf exiles, bringing thousands of years of technique.

Monk

The calm and tranquility of the Pandarens was vital in helping the High Elf exiles deal with their lingering addiction. Today, High Elf monks are expected at every settlement to lead their people in meditation.


Proposed New Class:

Shaman

High Elves have never been shamans and we have no examples of this in lore. However, if a lore reason was given, such as training with Wildhammer shamans, it could be a possibility as something new. This would create an extra layer of distinction between High Elves and Blood Elves.



Unlikely Classes:

Druid

This theme is strongly 'Night Elf'. While it could certainly be appropriate for High Elves, and many High Elves have displayed limited nature magic in lore, it likely creates too much design/theme overlap with Night Elves.

Death Knight

The story of the Death Knights does not seem to work with High Elves and their particular themes. However, High Elves were killed by the Lich King in mass and would certainly qualify to be Death Knights. The real question would be if these Death Knights would join the Alliance or the Horde.

Prohibited Classes:

Demon Hunter

Much like the Blood Elves, Demon Hunters took on fel energies to gain their powers. This is the antithesis of who the High Elves are and what they stand for. The Thallasian elves that joined the Illidari were all Blood Elves because they were followers of Kael'thas when he pledged his loyalty to Illidan.

Warlock

We do have an example of a High Elf warlock that is a trainer in the Silver Covenant. However, it makes no sense that a spellcaster that practices fel magic is not a Blood Elf already. It also contradicts every theme of the High Elves. This one NPC trainer would be an exception that players could not duplicate.

Druids Fit Elves Better and Were Designed for them
Druid should replace shaman or have its own category of potential key class, especially in distinguishing High elves from Blood elves

1. Druidism is elven in root
2. All elves share love of nature, it is highly likely that you would have high elves who have a magical affinity to accelerate their nature love, and would develop up similar to the kaldorei druids. Now in the alliance, these high elves can be reconciled with their kin, druidism is about nature, it's not about the elven disputes.
3. Nature magic pracitioners should be a staple in all elves if youa sk me. What people don't get is that you don't need a druidic culture or druidism to be a large part of your race for druids to be playable.

I feel that High elves and other elven derivative races actually have a stronger claim to druidism than every other race, because of the Night elf root and the love for nature that continued and is inherently part of the elf make up. I have always thought it weird that only the arcane magical acumen and light abilities continue in the high elves but not the nature ones.

3 Staple magical classes of ALL elves should be Mage, Priest and Druid - arcane love, devotion love and nature love in their magical forms.
Hunter and rogue are the main staple physical damage classes of the elves.


The Reason Elves Aren't Shaman

There is no need, everything a shaman needs an elemental to do, an Elf can do it himself using the arcane, from generating fire, water (and frost), air, earth - the arcane can be used to do all these things. The Night elves when they discovered the arcane realised it to be the base of all magic, through it they could manipulate the very building blocks of the universe - which is why they can create all these things.

A mage /mage touched culture, would have no need for shamanism. And if elves ever get to play the shaman class, it would not be the same version as the Tauren/orcs/trolls/ Goblins or Kul'tirans, it would be an arcane based one coming from an aspect of magic, and likely something the Mooonguard (night elves ) and Duskguard (Nightborne) would bring mastery from the past to utilise such.

The love of nature is also more pronounced and fulfilled in druidism which is an elven developed study. It makes shamanism like the other races do, totally redundant in the elves, and is why no Elf race is shaman, nor should ever be that type of shaman the other races have (but if they get the playstyle, it should have a different class lore that is elven based.)

___________________________________________________________________

Potential High Elf Outposts

These are ideas for places that High Elves could establish new settlements or strongholds as an Allied Race.

1. Theramore

High Elves were living in Theramore when it was destroyed. One of these High Elves is Captain Darill of Northpoint Tower and his High Elf Theramore Sentries. His tower seems to have remained intact after the fall of Theramore, and his troops survived the Horde attack. Captain Darill could establish a new High Elf Theramore settlement to support a War Front in the Barrens. This would bring back a fan favorite city and allow for it to have updates and improvements as the High Elves from other lands come to support him.

These sea faring elves are natural allies of the Kul'Tirans, sharing the same banner and allying with them before in the attack on Orgrimmar by Daelin Proudmoore.



______________________________________________

2. The Crater of Dalaran

Dalaran has always been something of a High Elf city being freely shared by the human inhabitants. The Silver Covenant especially is a militant faction of the Dalaran High Elves. In order to secure the lands of Dalaran from Horde invasion while the city is flying about, the High Elves send Ravandwyr to build a new settlement over the crater. The homeless High Elves of various lands flock to this stronghold, seeing the chance for relevance once again. This would be an excellent Alliance support for the newly invaded lands of Lordaeron.



______________________________________________

3. Hearthglen

Fellari Swiftarrow and her High Elf rangers were long ago captured by the Forsaken and locked away in the dungeons of Lordaeron. No one knows why Sylvannas kept them alive. In the siege of Lordaeron, Fallari breaks free from the dungeons with her rangers.

She feels abandoned by the Scarlet Crusade after her years of imprisonment. Instead of returning to the Scarlet Monastery, Fellari heads to Hearthglen in the Western Plaguelands and assumes command of the Argent Crusade forces there now that Tirion Fordring is dead. With her rangers, she reestablishes the base as a High Elf bastion, welcoming all of her Alliance kin to use Hearthglen as a staging point against the Horde and the undead. Even Renthar Hawkspear is drawn to Fallari in the hopes of a new future for the High Elves.



______________________________________________

4. Northern Lordaeron



This unused zone near Quel'Thalas could presumably hold a forest controlled by High Elves. These hidden exiles have erected a wardstone barrier that has kept intruders out and allowed them to stay hidden. They've strived to stay out of the conflicts of the Alliance and the Horde, but a message from Kriss Goldenlight informs them that the High Elves are a dying people with no where left to go but the lands of lesser races.

No longer feeling they can hide, these High Elves lower their barrier and welcome back their scattered people. They are grateful to the Alliance for protecting their people and decide to join their cause.



______________________________________________

5. Quel'Danil Lodge

The High Vale elves have dug in at Quel'Danil. Over the past several years, Jalinde Summerdrake has been expanding it into a proper settlement, with several new buildings surrounding the lake and a defensive wall protecting the lodge. The Wildhammer dwarfs have been a great help, offering gryphons and soldiers as well. Their Draenei allies bolster the ranks of Quel'Danil, making the lodge into a formidable fighting force that the Alliance can no longer dismiss. More High Elves arrive every day to see the restored power of their people.



______________________________________________

6. Stormwind City Mage District

Many High Elves live in Stormwind, so it would make sense to use establish a base of operations in the Mage District. This could either be in some of the unused portions of the district, or the unused land outside the district could be expanded into a High Elf bastion.

As the years pass, the High Elf forces of the Alliance have naturally migrated to and organized within Stormwind. After years of watching her people languish, Elsharin decides to take a leadership role, declaring the High Elves of Stormwind to be under her protection. Elsharin has spent a great deal of time navigating the politics of both the mage hierarchy and the nobles of Stormwind. She now stands ready to lead her people to greatness.



______________________________________________

7. The Silver Enclave

The Silver Covenant already used the Silver Enclave of Dalaran City as a base of operations, so it would make sense for them to do so again. From this mobile perch, the Silver Covenant mages can teleport their forces to any strategic location at a moment's notice. The city of Dalaran offers a stability that is appealing to many of the High Elves, and more have consolidated here every year.

Skywall would be an ideal city for the High Elves to use. If this doesn't scream high elf, I don't know what does.













A masterpiece sitting there, in a forgotten past, having no real use except for legacy raids, should be utilised as the new home of the High elves in my opinion.

[elbleuet]

This pretty much confirms that Void Elves, and ofc all other AR will eventually be getting increased customizations

Yeeeea! I'm excited !

[Obelisk Kai]

If the void elves, as an Allied race, are getting new costumisation options, so we can reasonably hope to play a high elf soon. And all these discussions will be over for good.

You can play a High elf now. The choice not to has always been yours.

And a Void Elf that looks a bit closer to a high elf will still be a void elf. There will be no such thing as a Void Elf Paladin for example. There will be no non-void elf racials. No non void elf emotes. It is the definitive 'monkey paw' result.

One thing we can say with certainty is that once Void Elves do get their customisation pass, this discussion can in fact end.

Whichever way it goes.

[elbleuet]

You can play a High elf now. The choice not to has always been yours.

And a Void Elf that looks a bit closer to a high elf will still be a void elf. There will be no such thing as a Void Elf Paladin for example. There will be no non-void elf racials. No non void elf emotes. It is the definitive 'monkey paw' result.

One thing we can say with certainty is that once Void Elves do get their customisation pass, this discussion can in fact end.

Whichever way it goes.

Frankly I don't care. With the introduction of the void elves, the dream to play a high elf as a separate race is dead.
And playing a high elf embrassing the void to fight for the Alliance under the guidance of a Windrunner sounds enough appealing for me to accept it.

[FlubberPuddy]

Druid should replace shaman or have its own category of potential key class, especially in distinguishing High elves from Blood elves

1. Druidism is elven in root
2. All elves share love of nature, it is highly likely that you would have high elves who have a magical affinity to accelerate their nature love, and would develop up similar to the kaldorei druids. Now in the alliance, these high elves can be reconciled with their kin, druidism is about nature, it's not about the elven disputes.
3. Nature magic pracitioners should be a staple in all elves if youa sk me. What people don't get is that you don't need a druidic culture or druidism to be a large part of your race for druids to be playable.

I feel that High elves and other elven derivative races actually have a stronger claim to druidism than every other race, because of the Night elf root and the love for nature that continued and is inherently part of the elf make up. I have always thought it weird that only the arcane magical acumen and light abilities continue in the high elves but not the nature ones.

3 Staple magical classes of ALL elves should be Mage, Priest and Druid - arcane love, devotion love and nature love in their magical forms.
Hunter and rogue are the main staple physical damage classes of the elves.

I'm down for druids for High Elves!! It can be explained with their kinship among the wildhammer (also shows that dwarves should get druids lol).

[Obelisk Kai]

Frankly I don't care. With the introduction of the void elves, the dream to play a high elf as a separate race is dead.
And playing a high elf embrassing the void to fight for the Alliance under the guidance of a Windrunner sounds enough appealing for me to accept it.

Well at least you at last admitted the blindingly obvious.

The question remains as to how much they will de-void Void Elves for your tastes. That is not a given by any means.

[FlubberPuddy]

Frankly I don't care. With the introduction of the void elves, the dream to play a high elf as a separate race is dead.
And playing a high elf embrassing the void to fight for the Alliance under the guidance of a Windrunner sounds enough appealing for me to accept it.

I feel that with the separation of the recently datamined eyes, it's almost clear they have a set identity for what distinguishes a blood elf from a void elf from a high elf.

Like that we know so many options for eyes of blue shades is dedicated for void elves atm pretty much kills arguing over blue eyes.

Whether blood elves get blue eyes doesn't matter at this point anymore. Because we know more shades are coming to Void Elves in the future regardless.

This does tip the scales more into what Afrasiabi said before, about being able to have that high elf fantasy through void elf customization. It also pretty much was cinched to happen when wildhammer were revealed as increased customizations.

What I don't get at this point anymore are the people agitating and looking for arguments over those that want to play Alliance High Elves.

Various shades of blue eyes are coming to Void Elves. They've already been datamined and shown to be different from BE eyes. It doesn't matter what Blood Elves get anymore.

The Alliance High Elf fans are beginning to have some of their requests granted with hopefully more to come.

[elbleuet]

Well at least you at last admitted the blindingly obvious.

The question remains as to how much they will de-void Void Elves for your tastes. That is not a given by any means.

This was always my opinion. It was I who the first speak about the void elves in 2018. But when I learnt the outcome of this, yea obviously the High elves as a separate race would never be a thing the way we hoped.

And no need to say that I don't represent the whole pro-high elf community's mind.

[Maxilian]

Skywall would be an ideal city for the High Elves to use. If this doesn't scream high elf, I don't know what does.

A masterpiece sitting there, in a forgotten past, having no real use except for legacy raids, should be utilised as the new home of the High elves in my opinion.

Skywall? Well having in mind that you're pushing away teh whole Shaman idea, it makes Skywall an even more outlandish idea, IMHO the HEs are less magical than the BEs, so i assume their city should represent that, most likely a combination of Human Architecture with Elven architecture, like Dalaran, that still holds its magical feeling and show the connection between this 2 races.