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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsMighty Battle: Rogue and Shaman Tier 9 sets
by Zach Yonzon 
Jul 23rd 2009 at 3:00PM
While I've outlined my criteria for judging the armor sets, we've spiced things up with a reader poll to see which armor you guys like and from the results thus far it looks like the Horde have gained a good edge in the voting. Is it a result of faction-bias? Are the armor sets really that much better for the Horde? Hit the jump to find out!
ROGUE
We'll take a look at the Alliance version first, as we've done in the past few days. This time we're looking at a leather armor set identical to the Druid set, albeit with different coloration. The dark blue coloration with bronze highlights is pretty elegant and gives off a different vibe than previous Rogue sets. Though the bladed shoulders are reminiscent of past tier armor, the rest gives off a more tailored look. The pockets on the shoulders are utility belt-ish, and while we're on that track, the mask gives off a Batman vibe. Or crow-man. Either way, I think it works.
The Horde set is decidedly more rough around the edges and gives off more of a 'brawler' feel, lending itself better to a Combat spec, as opposed to the Assassination and Subtlety vibe of the Alliance set. The large stitching gives it a more leather feel than the Alliance one, which looks like cloth. One beef I've got with this set are the brightly glowing shoulders. Why would a Rogue, a master of stealth, announce his presence with sun lamps?
Verdict: The Horde set looks great, no question, but the Alliance set feels more Rogue-ish. The Alliance slips past this one.
Round 2: Faction
There isn't much going for the Alliance set here other than the blue and gold coloration. Because it lacks the kilt or skirt of the Druid version, there isn't enough Elvish filigree to 'theme' the armor. The Horde Rogue set is rust-colored with charcoal, which also echoes the red and black hues of the Horde, but in addition to that, Horde symbol design elements are scattered throughout the armor set. The cool thing is that the Alliance version evokes a more 'civilized' feel as opposed to the more primal tone of the Horde version, which works for both armor sets.
Verdict: By virtue of a few more Horde symbols, the Horde take this round.
Round 3: Overall Look
I know more than a few of you aren't fans of the corseted look, but I really, really like it. Yes, it looks phenomenally better on female characters, but it works well for male toons, too. And some armor really are tied together in that manner. It's different, it looks unlike any armor we've seen in the game so far, actually. On the other hand, as cool as the Horde armor is, there's nothing particularly memorable about it. It gets points for raised leg armor, but otherwise it isn't distinctive. At least Tier 8 had that bald man helm to make it stand out.
Verdict: I'm scoring this one for the Alliance simply because it carries a distinctive style as opposed to the generic cool-and-spiky assemblage of the Horde.
Winner: Alliance 2-1
SHAMAN
Round 1: Class
If anybody looked at the Alliance armor, they'd be hard-pressed to say what class it actually represents. For one thing, it lacks any of the signature elements - pardon the pun - of a Shaman tier set. None of the colors evoke shamanism, and the teal doesn't even feel natural. On the other hand, it is an alien race wearing this set, so the teal just might be fitting. The only thing this set has going for it is the kilt, which for many players is a very shamanistic thing.
Its counterpart blatantly rips off from the awesome Cataclysm armor sets, using a similar helm style and utilizing molten earth elements on the shoulders and gloves, replacing what would be chitin on the Hunter armor. It distinguishes itself from the Hunter armor more than mere coloration, which is great. The only downside to this set? Pants. I'm sure Enhancement Shaman would enjoy it, but watch the caster Shamans groan.
Verdict: Horde scorch the Alliance on this front.
Round 2: Faction
Sure, there are those signature lion heads on the Alliance tier shoulders, but even they look off with this set. Their colors don't even match the entire armor. Removing the symbols might even do this particular set some good. On the flip side, we've got the Horde Shaman armor which has one Horde symbol-like thing on the chest. That's it. For those of you who'd like to argue that it looks very Horde-like, I encourage you to imagine this set on a Draenei. It would look awesome and not Horde-exclusive at all. Never mind that there's just too much indigo on this set for it to evoke red bloodthirst.
Verdict: Symbols notwithstanding, both sets are faction fail.
Round 3: Overall Look
Fine, some of you guys seem to like the boat shoulders. I don't. The Shredder helmet seems alright, though, but that's about it. Overall, the combination of teal, orange, and lavender trims is just awful. It looks like, as one commenter put it, "a jar of jelly beans." I consume copious amounts of Jelly Belly, but I don't want it on my armor set. Contrast this with the Cataclym redux of the Horde Tier 9. Even though the indigo isn't very Horde-like, it adds a great contrasting color to the set that brings out the molten lava. The only thing that would make this set perfect would be a kilt... and don't rule that out just yet. The files are only data-mined, which means there could be a kilt version out there somewhere.
Verdict: Horde shocks the Alliance version big time!
Winner: Horde 2-0-1
BATTLE RESULTS THURSDAY: 5 Horde vs. 5 Alliance
By my reckoning, the Horde have won three match-ups - Death Knight, Hunter, and now the Shaman sets - while the Alliance have scored three of their own with the Druid, Paladin, and Rogue sets. Both factions score even by tying on the Mage and Priest sets, bringing the total tally to 5 points apiece. Of course, our polls indicate a totally different trend, and we'll recap everything this weekend when you've all had a chance to give your call. Tomorrow we conclude Mighty Battle when the Warlock and Warrior sets clash head to head! Stay tuned and don't forget to vote!
Round 1: Class
If anybody looked at the Alliance armor, they'd be hard-pressed to say what class it actually represents. For one thing, it lacks any of the signature elements - pardon the pun - of a Shaman tier set. None of the colors evoke shamanism, and the teal doesn't even feel natural. On the other hand, it is an alien race wearing this set, so the teal just might be fitting. The only thing this set has going for it is the kilt, which for many players is a very shamanistic thing.
Its counterpart blatantly rips off from the awesome Cataclysm armor sets, using a similar helm style and utilizing molten earth elements on the shoulders and gloves, replacing what would be chitin on the Hunter armor. It distinguishes itself from the Hunter armor more than mere coloration, which is great. The only downside to this set? Pants. I'm sure Enhancement Shaman would enjoy it, but watch the caster Shamans groan.
Verdict: Horde scorch the Alliance on this front.
Round 2: Faction
Sure, there are those signature lion heads on the Alliance tier shoulders, but even they look off with this set. Their colors don't even match the entire armor. Removing the symbols might even do this particular set some good. On the flip side, we've got the Horde Shaman armor which has one Horde symbol-like thing on the chest. That's it. For those of you who'd like to argue that it looks very Horde-like, I encourage you to imagine this set on a Draenei. It would look awesome and not Horde-exclusive at all. Never mind that there's just too much indigo on this set for it to evoke red bloodthirst.
Verdict: Symbols notwithstanding, both sets are faction fail.
Round 3: Overall Look
Fine, some of you guys seem to like the boat shoulders. I don't. The Shredder helmet seems alright, though, but that's about it. Overall, the combination of teal, orange, and lavender trims is just awful. It looks like, as one commenter put it, "a jar of jelly beans." I consume copious amounts of Jelly Belly, but I don't want it on my armor set. Contrast this with the Cataclym redux of the Horde Tier 9. Even though the indigo isn't very Horde-like, it adds a great contrasting color to the set that brings out the molten lava. The only thing that would make this set perfect would be a kilt... and don't rule that out just yet. The files are only data-mined, which means there could be a kilt version out there somewhere.
Verdict: Horde shocks the Alliance version big time!
Winner: Horde 2-0-1
BATTLE RESULTS THURSDAY: 5 Horde vs. 5 Alliance
By my reckoning, the Horde have won three match-ups - Death Knight, Hunter, and now the Shaman sets - while the Alliance have scored three of their own with the Druid, Paladin, and Rogue sets. Both factions score even by tying on the Mage and Priest sets, bringing the total tally to 5 points apiece. Of course, our polls indicate a totally different trend, and we'll recap everything this weekend when you've all had a chance to give your call. Tomorrow we conclude Mighty Battle when the Warlock and Warrior sets clash head to head! Stay tuned and don't forget to vote!
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: Rogue, Shaman, Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Humor
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
Tinwhisker Jul 23rd 2009 3:15PM
"Faction - There isn't much going for the Alliance set here other than the blue and gold coloration."
Uhm, maybe you didn't notice but the set prominently features the Alliance Eagles. Most notably the helm is an eagle head and there are two huge ones sticking up from the shoulders.
Menta Jul 24th 2009 9:23AM
^
This
yokumgang Jul 23rd 2009 3:17PM
Put the Ally Rogue set on a male dwarf and tell me it wins.
I dare you.
Everybody Jul 23rd 2009 3:41PM
*checks*
Yep, it wins.
I-man Jul 23rd 2009 4:49PM
+1 internets, lol.
Binners Jul 23rd 2009 4:58PM
Actually, I think that it looks pretty good (even on the dwarves). Did you check out the high-res images? It evokes a commando-esque vibe, to me. Reminds me of the lace-up on G-suits.
Gadrick Jul 23rd 2009 3:17PM
The rogue helm kinda looks like a masquerade mask more than a beak honestly and the extra pockets do provide a sense of tactical work. The glowing shoulder lamps however discourages any sneaking around though on the horde side.
Caz Jul 23rd 2009 3:17PM
Horde rogue set is nice, though neither one of them look very stealthy. At all.
Alliance shaman set looks quite nice. The Horde one though..ugh...it's just fugly.
Henry Thomas Jul 23rd 2009 3:19PM
The Alliance Shaman set looks someone puked a box of crayolas on a pile of crap.
imsobuzzed Jul 23rd 2009 7:09PM
Agreed. ^^
Caster banana shoulders with chain-mail appliqué… Alliance Shaman set is pure FAIL. (my Shaman /cries) Reusing the same shoulders with fail headlights and satchels along with the worst looking helm I have ever seen between the Alliance Druid and Rouge sets is disgraceful. Put on pants... you’re a Rogue. Wear a skirt… you’re a Druid. (my Druid /cries) And the color choice for the rogue set: um… not at all stealthy. “Let’s throw on some gold bling over our powder blue leather and hide in the shadows… What do you mean you can still see me?” Maybe they are hard to see underwater. I shoulda rolled Horde.
Elzreth:80 Alliance Druid, Dravniev: 80 Alliance Shaman
Fast Jul 23rd 2009 3:18PM
Both look crap..
But alliance rogue wtf is wrong with them.. use some imagination ffs..
Hawkawkari Jul 23rd 2009 3:19PM
those are Earth Fury shoulders my friend
Thrashnak Jul 23rd 2009 7:49PM
Exactly. Every Shaman I know has said the same thing. They look very very little like Cataclysm shoulders IMO. My description was it was like someone was given a pair of Earthfury Pauldrons and told to make a new pair of shoulders with them. And all they did was trim a little off the edge so the underpads showed through and added spikes.
Nicoma Jul 23rd 2009 3:25PM
Ally set for Rogues looks awesome on female characters and makes males look like cultists. While the horde set makes you feel like the Horde actually made this armor (specifically orcs) since it looks hand stitched and uses fur highlights and such.
Horde leather for the win (if they dim the shoulders a bit).
Ally Shaman set looks better suited for a hunter while the horde one's shoulders clash with the rest of the armor, though it still looks pretty awesome.
Save the point that the Ally set will probably make you move better in water this armor seems stupid looking and the design doesn't seem useful in any way. Horde at least have Shaman aspects to the armor.
Benjamin Jul 23rd 2009 3:29PM
i'd love that horde rogue set if it wasn't for those glowlamps on the shoulders. would it be to hard to remove those?
what kind of sneaky assassin has shiney 'look at me' things on their shoulders? apart from that, the set looks amazing, way to ruin a great armor set blizz
dbuzzzy Jul 23rd 2009 3:39PM
Maybe you are too distracted staring at those glow lamps while he is going stab-stab
hedgehogaj Jul 23rd 2009 3:39PM
I weep for the male alliance rogues.
"One beef I've got with this set are the brightly glowing shoulders. Why would a Rogue, a master of stealth, announce his presence with sun lamps?"
Why would a master of stealth have shoulder mounted headlights?
Gilgamesh Jul 23rd 2009 3:32PM
I am not looking forward at all to having my shaman wear T9 color vomit.
jealouspirate Jul 23rd 2009 4:38PM
Then just leave the Horde and roll a Draenei Shaman, problem solved!
Gilgamesh Jul 23rd 2009 4:52PM
/facepalm
I _am_ alliance!
Both color palettes are hideous. It really seems that they handed this off to an intern with little to no design experience and very little supervision.