Inspecting across factions, let's all hold hands now
by Adam Holisky 
Mar 27th 2008 at 9:00AM
One of the little things that snuck by in the 2.4 patch notes is the ability to inspect players across factions. Horde can look at Alliance folk's gear, and Alliance can look at Horde people's gear. They can only do this when no one is flagged for PvP, however. This is a really neat feature. My friends and I often times play "guess the gear" on the Horde toons we pass during our PvE adventures. We solve our arguments by looking them up in the armory, but now we'll just be able to right click on the Horde character's portrait and choose "Inspect." Pretty nifty.
Now... the real question becomes, where could this lead? For a long time players have been wondering if one day we'll be able to group across factions. Blizzard has obviously been leaning towards cross faction interaction and friendly support for a while now. We had the AQ gates opening, the recent goings on in the Isle of Quel'Danas, and lots of quests where you have to help out a member of the opposing faction.
What is significant about the ability to look at player's gear across factions is that it shows there are in game mechanics to allow cross faction communication and play. Before, all we could do was /wave /laugh /dance and trade through the AH. Now, we can literally look at what our 'enemies' are wearing, and what the details of those armaments are.
While I don't think Horde and Alliance will be grouping anytime soon, one cannot ignore the evidence that slowly but surely things are at least headed towards that conclusion.
What do you think about this new feature? Think this might be a (albeit distant) precursor to cross faction support and game play?
Filed under: Horde, Alliance, Patches, Analysis / Opinion, News items, Factions
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
VSUReaper Mar 27th 2008 9:17AM
I think that they are just emulating the times in past warcraft lore where both factions stand together to beat up on something that they normally couldnt stand against.
As for what this means, I dont think it means anything. Just a way to go "Oh! I like that sword, but I dont recognize it. I wonder what it is." and then look it up w/o alt-tabbing out of the game to armory.
karl Mar 27th 2008 9:38AM
It might be nothing.
Could be just a tweak to stop nubs from accidently turning on their PvP flag from trying to inspect an opposing faction player.
Personally, I wonder how much life the Horde vs. Alliance thing has left. I'd welcome more collaboration between the factions... but since people always need an enemy then maybe we'd need a new player faction to be brought in before this could work.
Ekimus Mar 27th 2008 9:19AM
While I'm indifferent about the new inspect feature (hell, we could just armory any player anyway), the idea of cross faction groups is interesting.
I'm in support of it if the situation dictates it. Like, if we eventually get to Sargeras. The situation should be epic, lore based, and give good cause for warring factions to unite.
Arabelli Mar 27th 2008 9:24AM
I've wondered for awhile now if there wouldn't be some of that in WotLK. Both Jaina Proudmoore and Sylvanas have some pretty big investments in the outcome of Arthas, and cooperation is pretty logical up there.
Granted, afterwards, Sylvanas would try to probably eat Jaina's big tasty brains, what with the zombism and all, but cooperation is a lovely thought in the short term.
Tim Mar 27th 2008 9:28AM
What I would love to see is the ability to gain reputation with opposing factions. Sure, you start off as an enemy, but maybe through time and hard work, an alliance player could "win the trust" of the Horde factions. Imagine the possibilities on a PvP server - tired of being ganked? Just grind enough faction with the Horde and suddenly that ass-wipe of a rogue CAN'T gank you because you're now a friendly target.
I think this kind of system would work, because it would allow certain players to RP as "peacemakers" in the midst of the ongoing conflict between Horde and Alliance. While most players would still be fighting/ganking each other, these specific players would actually have carte blanche to travel wherever they want. There could even be some sort of server-wide reward if enough players from opposing factions became friendly with the other faction...perhaps a massive raid instance that requires the cooperation of both Horde and Alliance?
Or maybe I'm just dreaming a little too big here.
Sorano Mar 27th 2008 9:41AM
Dreaming never hurt anybody, but what are you saying will in all probability never happen, sadly. : ( This is war, ma boy.
Plus, it would require massive amounts of code changes and server structures.
BitterCupOJoe Mar 27th 2008 9:41AM
I don't think it'll ever happen, but I'd love to be able to be friendly to both factions. I think they'd need to rework too many things, though, or you'd end up with human PCs helping the Forsaken poison the Hillsbrad Farmers.
Clasifyd Mar 27th 2008 9:55AM
What would be even better is that once that rogue turns his back, you could 'Declare War' on the opposite faction and burn him.
Malachi154 Mar 27th 2008 11:34AM
To become un-gank-able would mean that you couldn't gank anybody either. No more BG's for joo...
Tim Mar 27th 2008 12:42PM
@Malachi154:
Seeing as how I've always hated PvP, I have no problem with not being able to BG. As I said, though, this would be something you would have to work hard to accomplish, and I have no doubt that most players on PvP servers would have no interest in doing it unless Blizzard put some INCREDIBLE rewards into the mix for establishing peace between Horde and Alliance.
Balgair Mar 27th 2008 6:07PM
I've wanted that for a very long time; my first main character was always RP'ed as a diplomat, concentrating on working with neutral factions and never participating in PVP or even quests to kill opposite faction connected NPCs. Sadly I think it'll never happen, but I too dream of it!
FireStar Mar 27th 2008 9:46AM
agreed. this change rocks. this is why i read this website all the time, because it notices things i don't.
bloodlight Mar 27th 2008 10:30AM
In other words the new inspect, is usable only on PvE server and totally useless and PvP server.
As to cross faction rep and grouping, I would love it. I have BE pally i bascily had to abbondon when the guild i was with with blew sky high and now run with an allianace guild. I would love to be able to bring my BE over and play with my alliance friends.
BitterCupOJoe Mar 27th 2008 10:41AM
Most of the folks in Shat aren't flagged, and given that it seems the place where most level 70s tend to mingle on a PvP server, it still seems useful there.
Jasperwind Mar 27th 2008 10:20AM
The only time this would be beneficial to me is in battlegrounds and I can't do it then apparently. :(
Woolwort Mar 27th 2008 10:23AM
I think that this is more “know your enemy” rather than “lets all get a long”. Blizzard is so lazy that they will use the same armor skin on several different pieces of gear. This can be very useful.
Gimmlette Mar 27th 2008 10:39AM
I'd really like the ability to communicate minimal things to horde. There are a few times when I'm out questing and I come upon a horde doing the same thing. I help them and all I can do is make motions that I'll help them if they help me. I'm not asking for the ability to group, just a way to say, "Hey, every other kill okay with you?"
I like being able to inspect now. It solves the "What is he wearing?" question.
An alliance with the other faction has interesting possibilities but wouldn't gaining rep with the other faction fundamentally change BG's?
Still, as an Alliance toon, I've never been in Orgrimmar. When is the next tour?
Dakira Mar 27th 2008 10:54AM
Don't understand why there isn't a COT: Raid that allowed/required 15 horde players and 15 alliance players into the same space to fight the bosses. Not only would it require co-operation on everyones part to finish the instance but would add a new level of complexity (maybe even having a kinda of attunement quest that allowed players attuned to have a medium of communication between factions.
Would fit with the lore in my opinion!
Rip Mar 27th 2008 11:03AM
Nice comments, Dakira. That seems very appropriate.
Aticus Mar 27th 2008 2:56PM
That's a really good idea. Imagine an epic battle against Arthas with both H and A going at it?
On a side note, it seems like the H and A are getting along more than ever. If I was dying and a member of the Horde was nearby, he usually would help me out. 7/10 times this usually is the case. I do the same thing if I see a Horde overrun with mobs and they will usually /wave or /thank. I think it's just time to strip the factions. At least, it would be interesting.
-Aticus, http://www.paladintales.blogspot.com