WoW - Musings & Discussion

[Leroy]

What's everyone's opinions of being able to switch factions?
http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/loadFeature/3310/page/1
I personally think that it would bring the end of the Horde since everyone likes playing Alliance, most servers have a ratio of like 3:1 so everyone will switch to Alliance since that's what everyone plays. I have no idea how PVP would work after that.

 

[RichMerk]

I think it's an odd move. I'm not sure I can think of a good reason for adding it, but I assume Blizz knows what they're doing. If you want to switch factions, you can always roll a new toon, or a DK if you don't want to start at lvl 1. Of course then you wouldn't have all your Tier 27 mega-Ulduar uber-gear, so maybe that's part of the reason people want it.

I've noticed a subtle difference between people who play Horde and people who play Alliance. Horde players seem more generally aggressive to me. If that begins leaking over in to the Alliance side it might ruin the flavor of the game for me. I might spend even less time on Trade than I already do.

 

[Teelie]

I play primarily Horde and I can't get into Alliance characters. Not to generalize like RichMerk about Horde aggression but I've noticed the age and maturity level of Alliance tends to swing at the lower end of the spectrum on average.

I've seen it on both sides, the aggression and immaturity, but the Alliance seems to draw more teenagers and immature adults than Horde. But it's hard to make sweeping generalizations since it's so hard to gauge the truth without some official charts and numbers of who plays which side.

The switching of factions I think is another microtransaction being snuck into the game. For a nominal fee, you can jump factions and play on the winning side. They say they'll restrict people hopping back and forth but I am sure it will be eased and allow people to do it more often. They're lowering the time between server moves to 3 days from 30 too.

 

[RichMerk]

Yes, they were just generalizations drawn from personal observation. Your mileage may vary. And the situation might be different on Shandris than other servers.

I've been in WG doing the fishing daily when the Horde had control and it was impossible not to get ganked. But when Alliance has control, a Hordie is in almost no danger if he walks into a group of 15 Alliance toons all fishing and drops his line into the water right next to them. I guess that makes us Carebears.

But I think you're right. It's another way for Blizz to get a free $15 out of us.

 

[Teelie]

Pssh, I can walk in during Horde control as a Hordie and get ganked. It even happened when I was level 71 and doing the fishing daily. It's definitely dependent on the people around.

 

[FordSVT]

I personally think that it would bring the end of the Horde since everyone likes playing Alliance, most servers have a ratio of like 3:1 so everyone will switch to Alliance since that's what everyone plays. I have no idea how PVP would work after that.

That's not even remotely correct so I don't have much to say to that. Current overall Alliance : Horde ratio is 54/46, hardly "3:1". Plenty of servers have majority Horde populations including some of the largest and most successful like Blackrock and Area 52. Do you think Horde players sit around wishing we were Alliance or something? We don't, we sit around waiting for the children to get home from school to log in so we can destroy them in Wintergrasp.

Over my undead body I'd roll a perfume-wearing human who prances around Stormwind combing his hair.

 

[kalysto]

I think the race change thing is one of the most absurd things I've ever heard. They make such a big deal of the Alliance versus Horde battle, so much so that we can't even understand what other races say, but then turn around and let you magically change your race ? I'm not a huge role player, nor have I ever seen any happen in WoW, but stuff like this is what kills the immersion in a game. Really stinks.

 

[FordSVT]

^It's not magic, it will probably cost you $15-25 to do it.

I don't really see how it interferes with lore, it's not like there's a quest chain you'll have to do that will make Thrall cast pixie dust on a human to turn him into an orc.

And to be honest, they've haven't made too much of the Alliance/Horde war for quite a while. In fact, leaders like Jana and Thrall are trying to make peace in recent times, understanding that the threat of the scourge weighs heavily on both sides.

I've got a feeling that something big is going to happen during/after Icecrown Citadel that is going to stir things up a bit in this regard though, and I think it will have something to do with a betrayal by Garrosh Hellscream. He wouldn't act against Thrall but I think he'd instigate something against the alliance. He hates them.

 

[darthraidr]

i see it as more of a convenience service... because really, if you wanted a character of the opposite faction, you could just make one and level them up. but if you dont want to spend the time to remake your character on the opposite faction, you can pay to switch them.

 

[RichMerk]

I pooled all the money on all my toons and finally bought enough Coilfang Armaments to get me Exalted with Cenarion Expedition. Spent another 1600g for the Cenarion War Hippogryph!!! All my toons are completely broke now but I'm happy.

My next major purchase will be the Dalaran Ring @ 6000g for the base model. That's a lotta dailies. But I'll work on my Ebon Blade rep at the same time so I can get their good 1h sword.

 

[Garrett]

I've seen it on both sides, the aggression and immaturity, but the Alliance seems to draw more teenagers and immature adults than Horde. But it's hard to make sweeping generalizations since it's so hard to gauge the truth without some official charts and numbers of who plays which side.

I've played both factions on a couple different servers now, and generally find that to be the case. Horde tends to be more aggressive, while the Alliance has more kiddies, though there's plenty of examples of both on both sides. Luckily, most of the kiddies never make it to the end game. They're more likely to be the ones strutting around Goldshire showing off. "Look at me noob, I'm level 41 and have glowy swords". Though, some of them did get to 55 so they could roll death knights. On the Alliance side, there seems to be someone in Hellfire Peninsula asking where to train first aid about every 5 minutes.

I've been somewhat hoping this change would happen since gender changes were allowed. I prefer the Horde races and lore, but being Alliance on a PvE server has been a lot better for getting groups, finding raiding guilds, etc. Plus, humans have it stupidly easy when it comes to rep grinds. That racial pvp trinket also comes in really handy while tanking.

I love trolls, but I'd be tempted to change my mage to a human if I keep playing him just so they're both on the same faction. Then again, between RAF for leveling and how easily gear and money come, there's really nothing that I couldn't do over aside from some of the raiding titles and what not.

 

[Elemental]

This is the only Blizzard game I haven't bought, mostly because I already have an MMORPG (Final Fantasy XI) which I already do not have enought time for. I was just wondering if someone could answer a little question for me - when this game was first released, I believe it had a special limited edition. What was included in this package that is no longer available? Were there any special in-game items that were available only to initial subscribers?

And since I'm already on the subject, what is the current monthly fee for playing? Is the game good at letting players drop in for a quick game and still manage to progress without devoting hours each play session?

 

[RichMerk]

I cannot answer your first question definitely. However, subsequent special editions have included unique pets among other things.

The monthly fee is $15. I believe there is also a 30-day trial period.

If you know someone who plays WoW, let them "refer" you. That way they can get a special rare bonus mount.

 

[Ayelbourne]

^The first CE either came with a Diablo or Zergling pet, i'm not sure.
Probably a Soundtrack and some Artwork stuff too, since that's usually included.

And to be honest, they've haven't made too much of the Alliance/Horde war for quite a while. In fact, leaders like Jana and Thrall are trying to make peace in recent times, understanding that the threat of the scourge weighs heavily on both sides.

I've got a feeling that something big is going to happen during/after Icecrown Citadel that is going to stir things up a bit in this regard though, and I think it will have something to do with a betrayal by Garrosh Hellscream. He wouldn't act against Thrall but I think he'd instigate something against the alliance. He hates them.

Sounds like you haven't done the Wrathgate questline yet.

 

[Teelie]

The second part of the 3.2 patch is avaliable for download from the downloader now. Shouldn't be long til we get the full patch.

 

[FordSVT]

^The first CE either came with a Diablo or Zergling pet, i'm not sure.
Probably a Soundtrack and some Artwork stuff too, since that's usually included.

And to be honest, they've haven't made too much of the Alliance/Horde war for quite a while. In fact, leaders like Jana and Thrall are trying to make peace in recent times, understanding that the threat of the scourge weighs heavily on both sides.

I've got a feeling that something big is going to happen during/after Icecrown Citadel that is going to stir things up a bit in this regard though, and I think it will have something to do with a betrayal by Garrosh Hellscream. He wouldn't act against Thrall but I think he'd instigate something against the alliance. He hates them.

Sounds like you haven't done the Wrathgate questline yet.

Of course I have, I've done every quest in Northrend. I'm not sure what you're alluding to though.

 

[Rii]

"Reporting for duty!"

so Sam Raimi is set to direct the WoW movie... i'm kinda excited now.
http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/090721.html

Warcraft movie, not WoW movie. Yes, I'm anal.

Blizzard has effectively ret-conned everything from the first three games into the World of Warcraft mythos. I'm not saying that the movie will be based in the time frame that WoW takes place in (in fact I'd bet against it), and it will probably just be called Warcraft, but I hope that's all you were alluding to. I've seen some Warcraft RTS purists get downright bent out of shape about WoW. Very Trekkie like.

WoW is an MMO set in the Warcraft universe, not the universe itself. The film is no more an adaptation of WoW than it is of WC3 or any of the novels.

For the "WoW has swallowed Warcraft" crowd: I'd put money on the SC2 team transitioning to WC4 once the trilogy is wrapped 2-3 years from now.

 

[Ayelbourne]

Of course I have, I've done every quest in Northrend. I'm not sure what you're alluding to though.

Well, you said there hadn't been a war between Alliance and Horde for a while. You also speculated about a betrayal from within the Horde.

Both things do happen during and after the Wrathgate incident, where a splintergroup of the Forsaken betray the Horde, giving Varian Wrynn a reason to declare war on the Horde which he then does in the Battle for Undercity.

 

[FordSVT]

That does nothing to preclude anything of what I said. All of the events that have taken place in Northrend and that are coming in 3.2 are setting up Arthas and the battle for Icecrown Citadel and the Frozen Throne. It's because of what has already happened that I think someone very close to the inner circle of leadership will betray everyone.

 

[RichMerk]

I've read (though I haven't seen it myself and am unlikely to ever see it) that there is a prophesy or something in the Yogg-Saron encounter about an "Immolated Champion" and a "Turned Champion", Bolvar Fordragon and Saurfang the Younger, and Sourfang looks like he is wearing Deathknight armor. The red dragons burned Bolvar after he got facemelted by the new plague, but did Sauron... er... Arthas turn Saurfang into a DK when he sucked out his soul? And the two dragons that remain at the Wrathgate say something about the fate of the young paladin (Bolvar) not being revealed yet.