Official High Elf Discussion Megathread

[Uthan]

Whilst the particulars of the Kul Tirans you can play as are subject to debate over whether their bulk is the product of environmental factors (they have been separated from the mainland for over two thousand years) or whether they are throwbacks to the Vry'kul they cohabited with for a time, the more important point is you accidentally raised are the Kul Tirans you can't play as. Those indistinguishable from other Humans. The reason they aren't playable is obvious, the ordinary Human model is already available.

Would they qualify as an allied race all by themselves due to their 'different mental state', despite being absolutely identical in every other respect to other Humans?

If Kul Tirans were part of the Horde, yes (a few different customisation options unique to their culture would be more than enough to set them apart).

[Obelisk Kai]

If Kul Tirans were part of the Horde, yes (a few different customisation options unique to their culture would be more than enough to set them apart).

Which is what justifies Void Elves on the Alliance funnily enough, a few distinct customisation options unique to their new culture.

But I was talking about the non massive Kul Tiran Humans within the Alliance, who have nothing setting them apart from Stormwind humans except being Kul Tiran. They aren't playable because it would be redundant to make the same option available again. And the option being on one faction but unavailable to the other isn't a rationale to make it cross faction, it shows that there are elements attractive to all people on both sides of the divide, proving the system is working.

After all, as Hazzikostas said in regards to Covenants and which can be applied to faction as well, given how much he lauded the importance of factions in the past year, choice matters.

[Shiza]

If we're going by the narrative then the gnomes and dwarves present far than thehigh elves ever had in literature and game representation combined. The high elves werent a central presence of dalaran because the narrative of dalaran is through the kirin tor and other inhabitants which are more than just high elves. There is no high elf narrative where they are the focus of the story themselves. Even in MoP, it is about what Jaina was doing, and it is why Jaina is referenced for the purge and not the high elves.
There is no period where you have a high elf story. It is always about how they interact with their kin the blood elves. Let alone I disagree with blaming the dvelopers for the presence of high elves. They have no responsibility on how people react to them being int he story, nor should they consider it a factor. Astory is a story. If high elves appear, cool, but it means nothing towards being responsible for others response or desires.

Dont claim experience on how long you've played. Suggesting gnomes and dwarves, who are the backbone of the alliance are anything less to high elves is just not paying attention.

When where the Gnomes ever a backbone to the Alliance before Battle for Azeroth? Outside of their starting experience and a few camps and quests here and there, they were barely present. Hell, before Dazar'alore, there last moment of real screentime was in the one liberation event at the end of Wrath of the Lichking. And I'm certainly blaming the Devs and nobody else, stop making defenses for Blizzard. Blood Elves are the most popular model in the entire game. When Blizz is constantly showing High Elves off and pushes this race in an alliance alligned version into the faces of Alliance players, it is natural that they have the desire to play them.

[Uthan]

Which is what justifies Void Elves on the Alliance funnily enough, a few distinct customisation options unique to their new culture.

But I was talking about the non massive Kul Tiran Humans within the Alliance, who have nothing setting them apart from Stormwind humans except being Kul Tiran. They aren't playable because it would be redundant to make the same option available again. And the option being on one faction but unavailable to the other isn't a rationale to make it cross faction, it shows that there are elements attractive to all people on both sides of the divide, proving the system is working.

After all, as Hazzikostas said in regards to Covenants and which can be applied to faction as well, given how much he lauded the importance of factions in the past year, choice matters.

Wow, never ceases to amaze me the amount of reaching you manage to pull off with each post. Probably best for my mental health to stop trying to engage with a brick wall, good luck with that ^^

[Obelisk Kai]

Wow, never ceases to amaze me the amount of reaching you manage to pull off with each post. Probably best for my mental health to stop trying to engage with a brick wall, good luck with that ^^

Have you considered the possibility your arguments are innately faulty?

[FlubberPuddy]

Wow, never ceases to amaze me the amount of reaching you manage to pull off with each post. Probably best for my mental health to stop trying to engage with a brick wall, good luck with that ^^

If you managed the read the post where someone called his arguments ridiculous and that set him off to make a hysterical comment about Hozen and go “ook-ook-ogar” then yeah at that point it’s clear how much of an effect Ion’s recent comment had.

Now the only thing happening is a bunch of reactionary reaching to have some “gotcha” moment, as if what’s specifically said about one particular race applies to every other.

It’s a pretty fruitless discussion road to go down because there’s still more character customizations to come for the original races and then also we still have to wait and see what comes for the Allied Races.

What comes for the Allied Races, Void Elves in particular, is when we’ll get a better idea of whether they want to add High Elves in that way or not. And if not, then will it be a separate option, or not ever.

Watch, I bet someone now - after the no blue eyes for blood elves comment - some interviewer in the future may bring up and ask “are High Elves for Alliance still on the table?” or some such.

[Uthan]

If you managed the read the post where someone called his arguments ridiculous and that set him off to make a hysterical comment about Hozen and go “ook-ook-ogar” then yeah at that point it’s clear how much of an effect Ion’s recent comment had.

Now the only thing happening is a bunch of reactionary reaching to have some “gotcha” moment, as if what’s specifically said about one particular race applies to every other.

It’s a pretty fruitless discussion road to go down because there’s still more character customizations to come for the original races and then also we still have to wait and see what comes for the Allied Races.

What comes for the Allied Races, Void Elves in particular, is when we’ll get a better idea of whether they want to add High Elves in that way or not. And if not, then will it be a separate option, or not ever.

Watch, I bet someone now - after the no blue eyes for blood elves comment - some interviewer in the future may bring up and ask “are High Elves for Alliance still on the table?” or some such.

Makes it really hard to follow when the subject is constantly being shifted from one thing to another with tenuous connections if any at all, and constantly repeated subjective interpretations as if to try and make them be more than just that somehow. Just wears you down :P

And yeah, definitely gonna be more interviewers asking about it, tho I doubt Blizz will give any more info than has already been stated numerous times until such a point they've got stuff in the works, which won't happen for a few years either with Void Elves or High Elves. I've said it before but if Blizz were smart they really should start building something storywise out of High Elves to set them apart further from Belfs asap if that is the issue, just turning a few of them into Void Elves and calling it a day would be such a lost opportunity.

[The Absolute Master]

the dream is over at least for now

[HateTrain]

At this point, I'd take VE customization (non-purple skin tones, blue eyes). I believe AR/actual HE story content ship has sailed.

[elbleuet]

I'm eager to see what's coming next in the next book. I'm sure we'll see Vereesa in action. I would like too see some high elf/void elf interractions between her and Alleria.

[Ardenaso]

I'm eager to see what's coming next in the next book. I'm sure we'll see Vereesa in action. I would like too see some high elf/void elf interractions between her and Alleria.

they better address why the hell she and her Silver Covenant were absent in BFA when they're the ones I expected the most to appear given that they hate the Horde on the same degree as Genn and MoP Jaina

[FlubberPuddy]

Makes it really hard to follow when the subject is constantly being shifted from one thing to another with tenuous connections if any at all, and constantly repeated subjective interpretations as if to try and make them be more than just that somehow. Just wears you down :P

Exactly, that's because after Ion's comment on blue eyes for blood elves the agenda by some of the most prominent against High Elves has now become 'I'm going to scrutinize every tiny thing stated by pro-helf people so that I can trip them up and catch them on a hypocritical stance so I can be justified for asking for blue eyes on blood elves as well.'

And not only subjective interpretations but then also misinterpreting what you've personally said in order to warp it into a way to continue their agenda of trying to catch a moment of hypocrisy. In which, you can spend the time clarifying it but then it'll just be turned into another attempt at a circular discussion which is the definition of pedantry.

That's because there is no longer much relevance to be had for those sorts (ie Blood Elves are justified in getting Blue Eyes so why would they keep it for High Elf NPCs if they have no intention of making them available to players! They should be prioritizing players as well over a race that's never going to be playable!!), etc etc.

And yeah, definitely gonna be more interviewers asking about it, tho I doubt Blizz will give any more info than has already been stated numerous times until such a point they've got stuff in the works, which won't happen for a few years either with Void Elves or High Elves. I've said it before but if Blizz were smart they really should start building something storywise out of High Elves to set them apart further from Belfs asap if that is the issue, just turning a few of them into Void Elves and calling it a day would be such a lost opportunity.

Pretty much, I was even surprised Ion decided to answer the blue eyes datamining in the first place. I do agree that they should start building something up storywise for High Elves. My hope is the commentary on the blue eyes for blood elves is a start towards that.

People have speculated/suggested that High Elves can be Thalassians that move away from relying on magics heavily, kinda similar to the Highvale. But we'll just have to see what happens. I feel like the High Elf topic is going to be a long one until Blizzard gives finality in either direction (no they won't ever happen so stop asking, or yes they're possible but the story focus atm doesn't make sense for them right now - maybe later).

[matrix123mko]

Can not argue on taste and opinion. For me they are weak like high mountain taurens, but with less lore and more stupid things.

Highmountain are actually stronger than normal tauren, as they were buffed by Cenarius.

Potential...yes, but they need to change so much that they pretty much become high elves.

I disagree. I think they should go in opposite direction. Make them really dark and decadent. Remove communists and turn them into dark elves.

yes, did you read what i wrote....warrior does not mean class warrior. It means they can handle themselves in a fight. And do not look/act like weaklings.

Sure, they are very proud. The fact that they call themselves an empire, regardless of not having Ironforge shows their ambition.

But the heart attacks from running into battle might :P
And they look stupid and like they are missing a brain cell or 2. ( male ones) females look more normal.

They employ a lot of firepower so they actually only need to carry some guns, which is easy with their arms.

No and yes.
The problem is with the whole list. They are 1 cool race. and 3 classes. mechagnomes could also happen to other races ( becoming robots) same goes for lightforged and void. So those are not races. And they have little to no story, do not look combat ready. etc etc.

I agree. These races looks like classes.

Lets put it this way. Even with the flaws they have ( some big ones) Nightborne, Highmountain and Wakanda for ever all have way more story , ( better armor), look like they can handle themselves in battle and look like they are not made to be a funny race. And all have functional racials....kul tirans have almost non that work on any decent level.

Kul Tirans are the best allied race so far. They are the only ones to get completely new skeleton. Their men look very dangerous. This is the kind that you don't want to piss off when you are in the same tavern. Also, their lore is very interesting with Thornspeakers, Tidesages and Inquisition.

Vulpera are the only funny race. and even they have the potential to be cool.

I have problem with seeing cool factor in small, furry creatures.

[Ardenaso]

People have speculated/suggested that High Elves can be Thalassians that move away from relying on magics heavily, kinda similar to the Highvale. But we'll just have to see what happens. I feel like the High Elf topic is going to be a long one until Blizzard gives finality in either direction (no they won't ever happen so stop asking, or yes they're possible but the story focus atm doesn't make sense for them right now - maybe later).

no one believes me when I think the best way for the High Elves to go is to join forces with the Highborne to rebuild Eldre'thalas

[ravenmoon]

I agree. This could look like that. Just replace the moons with a sun motif. There is one on the roofs of Silvermoon.

I also quite like this for Quel'thalas, my friend who's carazy into blood elves, loves this pic so much , and wanted Silvermoon remade like it. I pointed out, how very Night elfy it looked based on the NElf designes for the Kaldorei - including Suramar and Zin'Azshari - he didn't care, his response was that it's all elven, and the different colour scheme was enough.

Personally, while I prefer enough architectural variation, to which the current Thalassian Silvermoon in-game architecture and the Night elven Suramar architecture give are sufficient inmo for the distinction needed.

but if Silvermoon is recast as blood elf only and High elves are too be given a new identity and distinct architecture as different from them, then hearkening back to the Kaldorei roots would bea cceptable, I also think friendship between the highborne and the High elves in this scenario should blossom, as they really hold similar ideals. I would say the highborne are more extreme than the high elves, so may even get on well with the priesthood as a consequence.

There are many beautiful nuances that can separate the two elven groups faction wise. I've never felt they should be separated on stupid liens such as horde being the arcane, fancy lot, and alliance being the forest wood improvished lot. That's unfair imo, as it is stripping a very much loved aspect of both alliance elves groups from the fans there that already liked that.

The distinction should be philosophical and ideal rooted.

For example, while Nightborne hate the Legion why are they fine with Warlocks, blood elves too? While Night elves and High elves distinctly do not, with void elves and Illidari having a converse philosophy coming from the approach of using the darker powers purely to dismantle the dark forces that employ them, as opposed to being philosophically fine with it.

As a horde elf, I would have tehe philosophy be that you have no problem with dealing with corruptive powers or forces as long as it furthers your goals whatever those may be. As an alliance elf, your principal motivation in dealing with those powers is to defend your world and people, using a powerful force that can be harnessed. = that's for the Warlock/DH types

Magical wise - the alliance elves are big on the value and sacredness of magic, magic in balance, and control. Excellence yet discipline - to avoid the path of the past. For the horde elves, such restrictions are meaningfless, use magic to the full to achieve your goals never suffer the hold backs that allowed Quel'thalas to be overcome by inferior races (blood elves), and for Nightborne, you continue in the vein of the pre-sundering Kaldorei invasion period - where no magical research is taboo or off limits. - I wouldn't be suprirsed if Azshara was very disappointed in Highborne who were worried about addictin or reckless use of the well and considered them like the lesser castes - who held a sacred value to the arcane, the wilds and would allow their morality to get in the way of progress.

[ThatsOurEric]

At this point, I'd take VE customization (non-purple skin tones, blue eyes). I believe AR/actual HE story content ship has sailed.

See I'd actually be fine with that. To be honest, I'm surprised that they didn't go the whole Worgen-route with the
Void Elves. They would look like normal High Elves, but whenever they're in combat, they turn into their current
iteration.

[FlubberPuddy]

no one believes me when I think the best way for the High Elves to go is to join forces with the Highborne to rebuild Eldre'thalas

I wouldn't mind if they did that. It's said that the relations between Night Elves and High Elves are thawing as Vereesa was invited to Malfurion and Tyrande's wedding. She Vereesa also makes mention she'd never thought she'd be sharing a camp with Night Elves during the insurrection of Nighthold.

There's a Island Expedition team of Human, Night Elf, and High Elf. It feels like a logical way it can go.

Another way that's been suggested by @DeicideUH was that the Vereesa can take all the diaspora of High Elves and unite them under one banner. So we'd have Highvale, Quel'danil, Allerian Stronghold, and Silver Covenant all under one banner. Hefty enough to make a separate race option imo. People have even came up with unique racials/mounts the High Elves could have as well.





Some of the flavor text is mehhh but the idea are the racials take into account they're outcasts/exiles and help their allies while having bits of that magic aspect from, well being elves obviously. Along with a unicorn based mount since the unicorn was part of the earlier High Elf banner.

[Ardenaso]

I wouldn't mind if they did that. It's said that the relations between Night Elves and High Elves are thawing as Vereesa was invited to Malfurion and Tyrande's wedding. She Vereesa also makes mention she'd never thought she'd be sharing a camp with Night Elves during the insurrection of Nighthold.

There's a Island Expedition team of Human, Night Elf, and High Elf. It feels like a logical way it can go.

Another way that's been suggested by @DeicideUH was that the Vereesa can take all the diaspora of High Elves and unite them under one banner. So we'd have Highvale, Quel'danil, Allerian Stronghold, and Silver Covenant all under one banner. Hefty enough to make a separate race option imo. People have even came up with unique racials/mounts the High Elves could have as well.





Some of the flavor text is mehhh but the idea are the racials take into account they're outcasts/exiles and help their allies while having bits of that magic aspect from, well being elves obviously. Along with a unicorn based mount since the unicorn was part of the earlier High Elf banner.

I'm also thinking Alleria could be the new leader of the triumvirate of the Alliance Highborne with Vereesa/Auric leading the Silver Covenant and Highvale, Umbric leading the Void Elves, and Mordent leading the Highborne

This way I'd think it'd come closer to High Elves as Void Elf customization and Highborne as Night Elf customization

[Manariel]

they better address why the hell she and her Silver Covenant were absent in BFA when they're the ones I expected the most to appear given that they hate the Horde on the same degree as Genn and MoP Jaina

Void Elves were here. And Blizzard couldn't have them upstaged by the Silver Covenant I guess. I suspect until very recently, they really wanted to kill the High Elves demands and believed that the Void Elves would do the trick.

[DeicideUH]

Void Elves were here. And Blizzard couldn't have them upstaged by the Silver Covenant I guess. I suspect until very recently, they really wanted to kill the High Elves demands and believed that the Void Elves would do the trick.

This. Essentially, Blizzard left the old toys in the box to play with the new ones.
Vereesa was Jaina's right-hand woman in MoP, and they seemed to respect a lot each other, and yet Blizzard totally left her and the Silver Covenant out (despite the supposedly main villain being Vereesa's sister) because Blizzard wanted to showcase Alleria and the void elves instead... And managed to also almost completely ignore Alleria and the void elves for most of the expansion anyway.

ANd I feel they'll be forgotten yet again in Shadowlands.

I'm eager to see what's coming next in the next book. I'm sure we'll see Vereesa in action. I would like too see some high elf/void elf interractions between her and Alleria.

To be frank, from all the promotional material, I'm not expecting anything from that book. It's a Horde-centric story, with an Alliance B plot put there just because it needed something to make Alliance fans buy it.

I mean, the summary goes to great length to showcase lots of Horde plots and characters, while the Alliance can't have a full paragraph. And then comes the cover, and you have... Alleria? Turalyon? No, Anduin. With his face down. In the shadowy part of the image.