Although Darkshore and Arathi are both warfronts in World of Warcraft, the small details make the difference.
It has been a few weeks since the Patch 8.1 Tides of Vengeance for World of Warcraft was released. I have had several opportunities to play the new warfront “Darkshore” and have also dived into the “Battle of Stromgarde” a few more times.
Especially in direct comparison, it becomes clear why Darkshore is much cooler. But why is that?
Better integration into the story: The warfront of Darkshore has a backstory. Whether Horde or Alliance, one experiences a small but fine scenario that addresses the issues of Darkshore. The war feels more present and understandable here, as there are good reasons for the characters to be involved in the battle. One feels a connection to Darkshore – whether one is a member of the Alliance or a supporter of the Horde.
Tiny details create better gameplay feeling: Darkshore also feels more lovingly crafted, as both sides of the battle feel different. While Alliance players primarily gain wood with the Night Elves because Wisp cut it down from the trees (as in Warcraft 3), Horde players get their wood by taking it from enemy treants or chopping it down. Thus, while Night Elves do not “exploit” nature, the Horde focuses on destruction with shredders. This evokes memories of the campaign from the real-time strategy game.
Heroic units add flair: Another detail is the cool “heroic units”; into which players can transform when they acquire an Essence of the Storm. In Arathi, there was only a mundane “super buff” that makes the player almost unstoppable. But in Darkshore, we can take on the form of a Dryad, a Faerie Dragon, or an Elite Undead unit. This has flair; it reminds one of heroes from Warcraft 3.
Perfect sets for both factions: What particularly impressed me – and here the word is simply fitting – are the sets from the warfront, which are suitable for the Forsaken or the Night Elves depending on the faction. The set of the Moon Priestess made me think about whether I want to turn my character into a Night Elf. But even with the Horde, the sets look so stylish that one immediately thinks “Yes… that is how a Forsaken should look!” I wonder how they will top that with the “Heritage Armor.”
The atmosphere is dark: Lastly, the artistic design of Darkshore is miles better than that of Arathi Highlands, to which one has no connection anymore. The darkened moon, the oppressive surroundings of the forest with the burnt Teldrassil in the background create a much denser atmosphere than the cheerful, bright Arathi Highlands can produce.
Of course, it is still somewhat difficult to classify the state of Darkshore, and some lore questions remain unanswered. Will the various commanders and exciting NPCs like Delaryn, Sira, or Maiev really be killed there for good? Because that is what happens in the warfront, but it seems difficult to reconcile with the lore.
Nevertheless, Darkshore is much more entertaining to me than the Battle for Stromgarde, even though it does not differ much in gameplay. The whole “surroundings” are simply much more coherent this time. If Blizzard makes further small improvements to the gameplay feeling with the next warfronts, then I might still find something to appreciate in this game mode.
At least I was not as bothered by having to play the battle multiple times in Darkshore as I was in Arathi.
Do you perceive these differences in the warfronts as well? Or are all these details insignificant to you as long as it is basically “the same” gameplay?
Dataminers have already found hints of further warfronts!
