WotLK Bestiary Update: Taunka
by Adam Holisky 
Mar 27th 2008 at 4:51PM
Blizzard has updated the Wrath of the Lich King Bestiary this afternoon with the Tauren looking Taunka. These are large animals that have adapted to the cold of Northrend. Instead of being in harmony with nature like Taurens are, they are in contention to it.We can't be exactly sure what the Taunka's role will be. The last paragraph in the update says that we'll soon recognize their "colossal hearts and unshakeable resolve." To me, this sounds like a possible faction we'll be grinding rep for. Perhaps something like the Orgri'la faction, where at first the Orges are hostile, and then they are friendly.
An interesting comment on WoWWiki suggest that Chieftain Ashtotem, known from a screenshot of the Howling Fjord in Northrend, might be a Taunka. What do you think? Personally, I think it's possible. The yellow name also lends credence to the theory that this might be a reputation faction.
We'll keep you updated on all the future Wrath of the Lich King news.
Filed under: News items, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
achefsalad Mar 27th 2008 4:58PM
If they were a faction they would be in the faction category like the tuskarr.
Votum Mar 27th 2008 5:00PM
From the art, it looks like they are definitely distinct from the Tauren in terms of appearance, looking a little more like yaks than cows. The screenshot on WoWWiki definitely shows a standard Tauren model, so that's either going to be replaced with a Taunka model, or it's just supposed to be a Tauren NPC.
Retron Mar 27th 2008 5:13PM
I'd say they look more like buffalo than anything else, except the coloration is kind of like yaks. Buffalo make sense also in relation to the Tauren/Native American concept.
Agreed about Ashtotem though.
Votum Mar 27th 2008 5:41PM
Retron:
Buffalo is the word I was reaching for, I think. Either way, they look quite different from Tauren.
alt255 Mar 27th 2008 5:02PM
Playable race maybe?
makishima Mar 27th 2008 5:16PM
Yes thats just what we need yaks. Although I guess it would be a little more interesting (or at the very least break less lore) that blue monkeys or anorexic drug (read: magic) addicts who think Legolas is "teh sex".
Blackhorn Mar 27th 2008 5:20PM
Opinion Poll!
Is Blizzard putting too many anthropomorphic animals into WoW?
Currently there are Cow, Walrus, and now some kind of Yak.
Do you like 'em? Do you not?
Personally I'm not crazy about Humanoids directly based on animals. Certainly no deal-breaker for me though.
makishima Mar 27th 2008 5:27PM
Yeah I have to agree. I am waiting for the penguin people faction who like Sporregar are horribly oppressed. Chili Willie would not approve.
Suzaku Mar 28th 2008 12:49AM
Tauren, tuskarr, and pandaren were all in WC3. I didn't see you complaining back then.
Now we have a fuzzier tauren offshoot that lives in the north and look like buffalos. It's fine, makes sense even, considering how long the tauren are supposed to have been around.
needles Mar 27th 2008 5:28PM
it's definately a nod to the buffalo as Tatanka is the lakota word for buffalo. I think ashtotem resembles a tauren more than a buffalo...longer face, horns point up...my 2 cents
Derick Mar 27th 2008 5:40PM
they seem to be ramping up the release of these.
Didn't we just get the iron dwarves?
Exciting.
Breck Mar 27th 2008 5:52PM
If the concept art is any indication, then these things are much cooler looking than Tauren. Tauren just seem goofy and comical. These things have a stoic and majestic air about them. Why is it the non-playable races all look cooler than the playable ones?
Theadrick Mar 27th 2008 6:12PM
@Blackthorn: Anthropomorphic races you say... add these to your list: Furbolg, Gnoll, Murloc, Kobold, Naga, Worgen, Quillboar, Centaur... am I missing any?
Anyhoo personally I like em.
Blackhorn Mar 27th 2008 6:41PM
Hah! Absolutely right. There are some you missed now that I think about it. Either way, it raises a good point or two..
1) I am old and don't like change, which leaves me being more accepting of the races that existed when the game came out. Either that or I'm just picky about what animals they throw into the mix.
2) Some races kinda slip under the radar. Murlocs are generic enough to not strike me as "trout-men" or "bass-men" or what-have-you. They're just murlocs. Generic-ness seems to get under said raider easier. I have no idea what woodland creature a gnoll is supposed to be. Or a Kobold. Worgen are generic enough and don't look much like their wolf(?) counterparts.
As for the others... Quillboars, Arakkoa, etc, are twisted enough to not bother me. AHA! Perhaps that's it. It's the "peaceful animal" thing. Vicious or aggressive animals get a pass. Santa-like Walrus dudes that should be holding a bucket of chicken or wearing straw hats talking about their "pappy". Nah. Buffalo? No thanks. If you're more interested in grazing my pasture than ripping my face off to feed... then.. well. I dunno. Meh?
Skarlette Mar 27th 2008 9:47PM
"I have no idea what woodland creature a gnoll is supposed to be. Or a Kobold."
A hyena and a rat, respectively.
That's obvious from the annoying sound effect the gnolls make when you aggro them.
And kobolds have the snout and tail of rats.
Bailey Mar 27th 2008 6:12PM
I hope these guys are playable, just saying , what side would they be on?
And the still need put the pandarens in!
Blackhorn Mar 27th 2008 6:41PM
Hah! Absolutely right. There are some you missed now that I think about it. Either way, it raises a good point or two..
1) I am old and don't like change, which leaves me being more accepting of the races that existed when the game came out. Either that or I'm just picky about what animals they throw into the mix.
2) Some races kinda slip under the radar. Murlocs are generic enough to not strike me as "trout-men" or "bass-men" or what-have-you. They're just murlocs. Generic-ness seems to get under said raider easier. I have no idea what woodland creature a gnoll is supposed to be. Or a Kobold. Worgen are generic enough and don't look much like their wolf(?) counterparts.
As for the others... Quillboars, Arakkoa, etc, are twisted enough to not bother me. AHA! Perhaps that's it. It's the "peaceful animal" thing. Vicious or aggressive animals get a pass. Santa-like Walrus dudes that should be holding a bucket of chicken or wearing straw hats talking about their "pappy". Nah. Buffalo? No thanks. If you're more interested in grazing my pasture than ripping my face off to feed... then.. well. I dunno. Meh?
Blackhorn Mar 27th 2008 6:42PM
Blame NoScript for the above post.
RogueJedi86 Mar 27th 2008 7:52PM
Gnolls are like wild dog-men. Kobolds are ratmen.
Kaljin Mar 27th 2008 6:42PM
They look all poofy and cuddly.
Probably aren't cuddly though.