What’s Next: We’re Finally Getting those Allied Races

by Magistrate - 5 years ago     show comments

What’s Next takes a quick look at upcoming World of Warcraft content and changes. With 8.1: Tides of Vengeance now live, we look forward to 8.1.5.

So, basically since forever ago, in the foggy before-time that was Legion, we saw the earliest content reveals for Battle for Azeroth. In that wondrous before-time, we were teased with the earliest tidbits of what Allied Races would be, and what the first playable options would look like.

That first vision of Allied Races included a lot of information. We obviously had Nightborne, Void Elves, Highmountain Tauren, and Lightforged Draenei. Many will also remember the Dark Iron Dwarves and Zandalari Trolls from that very early reveal in the bygone days of BlizzCon 2017. Both also featured heavily in the marketing material for Battle for Azeroth, but strangely neither were available in 8.0.

While the Dark Iron finally came with the actual expansion launch, the Zandalari Trolls remained NPCs, taking our gold, giving us problems, and telling us what to do. Meanwhile, various datamining sites also discovered that new races, including the Kul Tirans, featured a lot of extra animation and graphical fidelity typically only reserved for playable races. For at least the Kul Tirans, this turned out to be fact.

In 8.1.5, which will follow in the tradition of x.x.5 patches of lighter content, both Zandalari Trolls and Kul Tirans will finally become playable. Below, we look at the information revealed about them during BlizzCon 2018.

Requirements

If you’ve been keeping up with BFA content, unlocking both of these two races should be a cinch. You just need exalted reputation with Zandalari Empire (Horde) and Proudmore Admirality (Alliance). There will also likely be a short unlock scenario or series of quests, like all other Allied Races.

Zandalari Trolls

The heavily gilded Heritage Armor reflects a lot about the Zandalari–their penchant for ornamentation, beasts, and, of course, gold. After the Horde had resolved unrest in the king’s council and attacks within the borders of Zandalar, they came as a welcome addition to both Horde standing armies and naval prowess.

• Zandalari Trolls are the first Trolls that can be Paladins–something that makes a great deal of sense given some lore precedent and their many ties to the Light through the Loa.
• Their racial abilities reflect their affinity for the Loa, gold, regeneration, and dinosaurs.
• Their mount is also, predictably, a dinosaur.
• Their new Druid forms have all been made from scratch and are based on prehistoric beasts and dinosaurs.

Racials

• Regeneratin’: Concentrate to heal quickly over a short time.
• Embrace the Loa: Pray to Loa and gain their favor.
• City of Gold: Loot additional gold from monsters.
• Pterrordax Swoop: Call upon a Pterrordax to glide to the ground.

Classes: Druid, Hunter, Mage, Monk, Priest, Shaman, Warlock (shown at the panel but not the blog), Warrior, Paladin

Kul Tiran Humans

Renowned seafarers, ship builders, and shipwrights, Kul Tirans are the first playable Humans that can be Shaman and Druids. Their stout physique and proclivity for the sea are reflected in their passives.

• First Humans that can be Druids and Shaman.
• Their mount is, shockingly, an ornately gilded horse.
• Their Druid forms are inspired by Drust culture and feature a dark, grisly theme of spirits, bones, branches, leaves, and other occult materials.
• Although there was a great deal of speculation on the playability of the “skinny” Kul Tiran models seen around Kul’tiras, nothing seems to have been mentioned.

Racials

• Haymaker: Punch an enemy, stunning and knocking them back.
• Brush it Off: Increase versatility and regenerate damage.
• Jack of All Trades: Increases skill in all tradeskills.
• Child of the Sea: Hold your breath longer and swim faster.
• Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Resistant to Frost and Nature damage.

Classes: Hunter, Warrior, Priest, Rogue, Monk, Druid, Shaman

Don’t miss the rest of our patch 8.1.5 coverage! | Read more from What’s Next.