Since the pre-patch 8.0.1 for WoW: Battle for Azeroth, discussions about the position of Horde and Alliance have been ongoing. Players are worried: Is Sylvanas simply evil and insane, and does that affect the Horde?
Alliance good – Horde evil? Ever since the pre-event for Battle for Azeroth, the “War of Thorns” in WoW has been active, more and more players are pondering their factions and their standing in the world. This leads to increasingly frequent discussions.
In the forums, players are discussing whether particularly Sylvanas, as the new Warchief of the Horde, is leading the faction to the dark side – and whether in BfA the Alliance is depicted as “the good guys” in contrast.
The “War of Thorns” burdens the Horde
The current pre-patch questline “War of Thorns” raises concerns among many players about whether WoW is currently moving in the right direction. Sylvanas appears increasingly evil and threatens to drag the Horde with her.
Warning, Spoilers about the War of Thorns!
Sylvanas seems like a “cartoon villain”: In the “War of Thorns,” Sylvanas explains her motives and the tactical advantages for her war and the attack on Teldrassil. When asked about her plans, they sound reasonable, albeit somewhat brutal.
However, there are some Horde players in the forums who complain about Sylvanas’s further behavior. Instead of executing her plans, she spends the entire campaign trying to kill Malfurion at any cost. According to players, she does not seem rational but rather like a crazy murderer who could be the villain in a “Saturday morning cartoon.”
The “War of Thorns” is no fun: The “War of Thorns” feels strangely odd to some players on both factions. For the Alliance, the enemies could just as well be the Burning Legion or the Shadow Council – it feels the same. They are simply evil invaders looking to destroy everything.
As a Horde player, many feel like sadists filled with blind hatred. They simply do not enjoy slaughtering through the ranks of the Alliance without clearly explained reasons. The reason for the hatred toward the Alliance and for the war is too unclear. Players complain that they do not want to belong to a “chaotically evil” faction.
Is Sylvanas simply evil?
Sylvanas plays a major role in the upcoming expansion’s story in WoW. The transformation of Sylvanas into an evil warmonger has been a concern of players for some time now. However, fans have a lot to consider.
Sylvanas is still one of the Forsaken: One of the forum users in the posts reminds that Sylvanas is still one of the Forsaken, even though she has gained significant power over the years. Forsaken are inherently already evil and bitter due to their past and history.
The Forsaken are originally inhabitants of Lordaeron who were slaughtered and then forgotten. They inherently carry a hatred for life, even more so for Sylvanas, considering her backstory with Arthas, even if she only later joined this “people.”
The development should not be a surprise: Many players are surprised by the concern and surprise of those criticizing Sylvanas. For them, it was clear that something like this would happen – and it would be a logical consequence. Sylvanas does such things.
The Forsaken are working on a weapon of mass destruction, the plague, without trying to hide it, and as players, you’re involved in this work from the beginning. That a war would break out should therefore not be a surprise. And the “War of Thorns” is the “most Horde-like” thing the Horde has done in a long time.
GM Vossprey intervened in the discussion and said that it is a matter of perspective. Someone who is seen as a villain by some can be a hero for others.
Players are pondering their factions
The discussions about Sylvanas are growing in many cases and quickly turn to another, related topic: The factions. Players are beginning to think about how the factions are designed in Battle for Azeroth. Or they are slowly clarifying their positions.
The different course of the “War of Thorns” for the two factions is already prompting players to see the differences between Horde and Alliance. It contrasts with the collaboration of the factions in the last expansions, where they fought against a “greater evil.”
Some players fear that Mist of Pandaria will repeat itself and that Sylvanas will become the new Garrosh, with the Horde turning against her. However, the development shows that the concept of Battle for Azeroth works. Players are becoming more aware of which faction they belong to and why they are fighting for it.
What do you think about the development of Horde and Alliance? Do you like the stronger contrast and stick with your faction? Or did you prefer the joint battles? Leave us a comment!
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