Horde vs. Alliance Tier 9 Mighty Battle!
by Zach Yonzon 
Jul 20th 2009 at 8:00PM
In our Tier 9 Mighty Battle, we'll pit one faction's version of the Tier 9 armor against the other and judge them based on the following criteria:
- Thematic integrity to class - We'll look at how well Blizzard's armor design represents the class. The best kind of class armor should be recognizable as a perfect representation of that class. For example, the Warlock's Tier 5, the Corruptor Raiment, or the Paladin's Tier 2, the Judgement set, both look unmistakably diabolical and righteous, respectively.
- Thematic integrity to faction - Because these are the first faction-specific PvE sets, we'll also examine how well the armor sets embody each faction and their archetypal - or stereotypical - representation.
- Overall design - Of course, aside from looking true to the class and faction, an armor set can just be plain badass. Everybody wants to look good, right?
- Tiebreaker, how each armor class stacks up - Since we're scoring ten classes, we'll avoid a tie by scoring the armor sets based on their armor type, too. Because the armor sets share models across armor class, we'll award points to each faction based which side has better designs overall. Kind of like an electoral college, but without the chads.
Round 1: Class
Let's start with the Alliance version, and we can see that the overall look isn't very dark. For one thing, the glow on the shoulders and head are bright white, the equivalent of xenon headlamps in Azeroth. The trim of the armor seems to be bone, such as the edges of the shoulders, the helm, and parts of the chest and legs. There's an evil-looking skull with horns in the center, which is a plus. The overall color is slate blue with polished bone and leather.
The Horde version is actually reminiscent of the Vengeful Gladiator's Battlegear, which is a blue recolor of the Warrior Tier 6 Onslaught armor set. That's not so bad, considering they're both plate, but it loses a few points in terms of creativity, although spikes are always good. Skulls on chest, helm, gloves, and legs give the armor an overall sinister feel. The glow effect on the shoulders are fog-like, rather than fog lamp-like like the Alliance version.
Verdict: I'm giving a slight edge to the Horde version here, if only because it's darker in tone overall. The color is a deeper blue and there are more skulls. The problem with the Alliance version is that there are just too many bright spots on the armor that take away from the grim feel of the Death Knight class.
Round 2: Faction
At a glance, the Tier 9 Alliance Death Knight armor set looks very much like an Alliance set. It uses blue, which is the Alliance color, as well as polished bone trim and brown leather. From a distance, the bone and leather look like the silver and gold that adorns the Alliance crest. Despite the skulls and evil grins, this is an Alliance set through and through.
On the other hand, the Horde set doesn't look very Horde-like at all. It looks very much like a Death Knight set, but doesn't evoke the raw and gritty feel of the Horde. The closest it comes to that are the fur trims, for a somewhat tribal feel, but overall it seems to fail as a Horde set.
Verdict: The Alliance version wins this skirmish hands down.
Round 3: Overall Look
This boils down to a matter of taste, and it's the tiebreaker because while the Alliance set looks like an Alliance armor set, the Horde version evokes a stronger Death Knight vibe. This is a tough call, but I'm going to have to give a very slight edge to the Horde version. The triple headlamp look and silvery blades make the Alliance set feel a bit too virtuous for Death Knights. Even though these are faction-specific armor sets, faithfulness to the class is more important to me.
Verdict: The Horde escapes this match-up by a ghoul's hair.
Winner: Horde 2-1
Round 1: Class
Again, we'll start off with the Alliance. With one look, you can tell this is a Druid outfit. Not just any Druid outfit, but a Night Elf one. We finally move away from the flowers and trees element, although we retain some feel of nature with the wooden components of the armor, such as the avian head epaulets and chest piece. The feather trim and Elune-style glows complete the look.
The Horde version moves away from wood but embraces leather much better than any Druid set before it. The large stitches are a wonderful detail, and it feels almost as Tauren as the Alliance version feels Night Elvish. It's leather and fur, coupled with runes and a decidedly solar glow. It feels warm, solid, and very primal.
Verdict: These are both great sets, but I'll have to go with the Alliance version here. As leather-like as the Horde Druid set is, it doesn't evoke enough Druidic elements... there isn't enough to indicate a love of nature, and the blatant leather stitching might even anger overzealous members of D.E.H.T.A. On the other hand, the Alliance set looks like a Druid's set, period. I just hope it did away with the Rogue-ish shoulder pockets.
Round 2: Faction
It's a Night Elf outfit. I mean, one look at it and it just screams Night Elf. The teals, olive greens, ornate filigree finish, feather trims, and amethyst glows all echo the landscape of Teldrassil. It's unmistakably Night Elf, and by extension, Alliance. The face mask is odd, but at least it seems rather Druid of the Talon-y.
The Horde version isn't quite as Tauren as its counterpart is Night Elf, as it doesn't carry the Thunder Bluff vibe so much. The runes aren't as familiar as the filigree, although it benefits from detail that hint at the Horde symbol. The turquoise glows are definitely out of Thunder Bluff, but it only barely hearkens to it.
Verdict: Despite the Horde symbol elements, the Alliance version wins this particular tussle by a small margin. It's an excellent racial armor almost as much as the Zul'aman sets were Troll-inspired. It's not strictly Alliance, but it feels very close to it.
Round 3: Overall Look
This isn't nearly as close a match as I expected, as the Alliance armor set simply looks more elegant than its Horde counterpart. The Alliance Druid Tier 9 set looks very unique and actually badass. It's a refreshing change of pace from previous Druid sets, and the attention to detail is impeccable. The Horde set isn't bad at all, it's simply not as nice as the Alliance version.
Verdict: The Alliance out-style the Horde in this area, sweeping all three rounds!
Winner: Alliance 3-0
CURRENT TALLY: 1 Horde vs. 1 Alliance
In tomorrow's Mighty Battle, we'll pit the Alliance and Horde versions of the Hunter and Mage sets against each other. Who delivers the killing blow? Who walks away bruised and battered? Stay tuned tomorrow! In the meantime, check out the Tier 9 armor sets as collated by MMO Champion in our convenient gallery.
UPDATE: Because you asked for it, we'll throw in a poll to spice things up! We'll match the results of the poll against our own results and see who wins the final tussle!
Patch 3.2 will bring about a new 5, 10, and 25 man instance to WoW, and usher in a new 40-man battleground called the Isle of Conquest. WoW.com will have you covered every step of the way, from extensive PTR coverage through the official live release. Check out WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.2 for all the latest!Filed under: Druid, Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Death Knight
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Catiya of Feathermoon Jul 20th 2009 8:10PM
... :(
I'm heavily dissapointed. Upon reading the before-the-cut description I thought it'd be a poll based series. That'd have been really cool D:
Maximize Jul 21st 2009 6:03PM
I don't think the criteria in this article are very good at determining the quality of a set's design. Personally, I would take looking cool over looking "correct" from an RPG perspective any day of the week. And Horde clearly win the battle of armor that just looks badass (IMO). I think the designers got too caught up in making the colors faction-specific and didn't realize that some classes just look terrible with baby blue armor (warlocks, death knights, etc.). Also, there is not enough differentiation between some sets (DK, Pally, and War all look nearly identical).
I think that making armor faction-specific is good in theory, but making 20 truly unique and impressive sets is apparently beyond what Blizzard is capable of right now.
jevon Jul 26th 2009 3:24PM
i think that you hit the nail right on the head. with the druid set but imo the dk aet isnt dark and menacing enough. just mo maybe, great article tho!
spartugus2009 Jul 20th 2009 8:12PM
Taurens Set looks so much better compared to the Night Elfs
Kuma Jul 20th 2009 8:58PM
the tauren druid set just looks like a wannabe shaman set.
MazokuRanma Jul 20th 2009 11:07PM
I don't think it evokes the shaman sense at all. What shaman would be wearing an entirely leather set of armor?
I do have to say though that as a primarily alliance player, the Horde are winning hands down on armor sets so far. If it weren't for the stupid corset on the druid armor, I would consider those sets almost tied though.
I do wish the model wasn't undead for the Horde Death Knight though, it removes pieces of the armor and I'd have appreciated a fuller looking set for evaluating them.
Angus Jul 20th 2009 11:52PM
"What shaman would be wearing an entirely leather set of armor?"
Never saw a Burning Crusade Enhance shaman, didja?
all but 6 slots were leather. (weapons trinkets and totem take 5)
Until Sunwell BiS for every slot was leather. And tier was complete junk usually.
That said, it still isn't very shaman.
Eisengel Jul 21st 2009 1:58AM
Actually I don't like either set, although I think the Alliance set looks more Druidy.
The Horde set looks like a retooled Warrior set. The huge full-face helm looks like a retexturing of a standard plate helm model, which screams 'Shaman' to me. The shapes of the other pieces makes them look like they could easily be plate. There isn't the 'robe' feel that the other set has. The Horde set is also quite bland. There are some nice Horde symbol elements, but other than that there are very few elements other than lines, stitching and highlights. There are 3 major colors; brown, less brown, and electric green. Overall the set is pretty boring. The Cenarion Circle set screams 'Druid' at the top of its lungs, this set whispers 'Druid' over its shoulder. The lack of visual elements really highlights how Warrior-plate-like the models are and makes them look less Druidy.
Where the Horde set is too bland, I think the Alliance set just has too much going on. There are little incongruous bits all over. The shoulders and gloves look like they're plate, the spikes on the shoulders don't look very Druidy and really clutter the look of the set. There are too many dueling colors too. There's blue, dark green, light green, brown, olive, yellow... all splattered everywhere. The shoulderpads are a nice robin's egg blue with a very nice wooden border... with dark green pockets sitting right on top. The dark green really does not fit against the other colors. The entirely green headpiece right in the middle also just does not fit with the blue and woodlike colors right next to it. If all the dark green was replace with a deep mauve or other purple it would look a lot more Nelfy and less incongruous. There is also a confusing element of the armor. At the bottom edges of the jacket are little gold-looking caps with a gold-colored button in the middle, which strongly resembles a Horde symbol.
In general I think both sets need a lot of work. Although since the Alliance set doesn't reuse Warrior and Shaman armor models, it wins, however odd its texturing it.
Fizzl Jul 21st 2009 5:35AM
I like the Tauren druid set too and I think Zach might have slighting missed the point of the designs.
Night elves are hippies, they take the approach that nature is something to be protected from other beings. They even harvest wood in a way that doesn't damage the tree.
Taurens on the other hand believe in sustainability, they are taught from an early age about survival and the hunt. Nature is a powerful force that is to be respected and used to protect the herd. Sure there are some Taurens who have joined DEHTA but most would just regard leather as another useful resource that can be harvest from the land provided they are responsible about it.
The only complaint I'd have with the Tauren outfit is the warrior helm!
Tarragon Jul 20th 2009 8:14PM
There is no way the Alliance Drood set beats the Horde one. The Horde one looks like armor you would wear into a fight. The Night Elf looks terrible. A beak? Come on...
CrusaderStrike Jul 20th 2009 8:23PM
Did you read his criteria? If not you should.
havitech Jul 20th 2009 8:56PM
I spend most of my time with a beak while I'm flying around, what difference does it make if my helm has a beak?
Other than the dumb-looking spikes on our shoulders, I think our (Alliance) druid set is much better than the Horde's equivalent.
alex Jul 20th 2009 9:01PM
Agreed.
I nearly lost it (laughing) when I read this:
"The Alliance Druid Tier 9 set looks very unique and actually badass."
Because corsets on males are totally badass. Yes, it looks nice on a female toon, but lol... I'm still laughing.
MightyMuffin Jul 20th 2009 9:10PM
I believe everyone has their preferences...but still, I fail to see how horde lost so miserably on the Druid armor.
If you use those specific ones, then yes, I suppose alliance would win. But if we went on which set looked better, just at first glance, most wouldn't go with a beak and a corsette unless it was a haloween party.
Runes+Leather+horde symbols+solar lights=win.
Aarnando Jul 20th 2009 9:43PM
The beak looks more like a pig snout at a quick glance. A pig in a corset does not equal badass.
Brune Jul 20th 2009 10:24PM
The alliance set looks like something out of a pride and prejudice masquerade ball.
Hmm... Tauren characters talking about sun worship + solar light on tier gear. Interesting...
To the people claiming they fly around as a bird, and thus a beak is good, you fly around as a STORM CROW not a freaking duck.
Tarragon Jul 20th 2009 10:52PM
CrusaderStrike,
I read the entire article before commenting, believe it or not.
If anything, the druid armor shows the difference between the 2 races. Tauren are "Warm, solid, and very primal." While Night Elves are... corset wearing birds...?
rawrawrawr Jul 21st 2009 12:30AM
The Alliance leather sets are actually my favourite of all the tier 9 gear. They're interesting, and look like tier gear, whereas the horde leather looks like quest gear from northrend.
And remember, you can always type /script ShowHelm(false) if you hate the bird mask so much.
Plzlemme Jul 21st 2009 1:32AM
I agree, I would never wear the alliance set, however, I am currently leveling a tauren druid just because the t9 for tauren druid looks that sick.
Also, my main is an ally so rerolling to horde just because ally druid t9 looks like crap imo
jimbobfredsamuel Jul 21st 2009 3:58AM
lol, it's a matter of opinion
I agree with a post above that the tauren looks seriously like northrend questing gear, its so bland and the helm and shoulders arent very druidic at all