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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsPatch 3.3 PTR: New Tauren skins found
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Oct 4th 2009 at 7:00AM
Handclaw of the Scrolls of Lore Forums has uncovered something very intriguing in the Patch 3.3 PTR data files: New Tauren skins. Specifically, it looks like tribal war paint covering the face, arms, and chest, taking the form of bleeding wings on the chest. There's red, white, and blue color versions for both males and females. There's quite a few Tauren fans on the WoW.com staff, and we've been having quite a few conversations about the new Tauren lore and their place in Cataclysm, so you can bet this new discovery has us all atwitter. What could it mean though? There's a few possibilities.
For starters, there's the introduction of the Sunwalkers, the Tauren Paladins and Priests, coming with Cataclysm. We've been getting progressive story bits about many of the new class and race combos as the patches progress, so it seems very possible that we could see Aponi and Tahu begin their training, with these new skins being tribal warpaint, a sign of their devotion to the sun. Could the wings be the Sunwalker version of Avenging Wrath?
The other possibility (which is strongly suggested by the black fur of the Taurens in the data mined picture) is that these could be Grimtotems. Rumors strongly state that Garrosh is killing Cairne in Cataclysm (or perhaps even sooner, especially since Baine looks like he may be making an appearance in Patch 3.3). I'm not so sure it'll go down that simply, and I'm more leaning toward an assassination orchestrated by Magatha. Either way, I'm also liking the idea of the Grimtotem allying with Garrosh in a move to consolidate their power in the wake of the political upheaval among the Tauren and the Horde. If Garrosh makes his move in Patch 3.3 to consolidate his political power and show himself a reasonable candidate for Warchief, being backed by a cadre of Grimtotem Bersekers painted for war would make him appear all the more awe inspiring. It would also explain why, according to the recent lore revelations from the PC Gamer UK article, Garrosh is still allowing Tauren in the middle of Ogrimmar when he's evicted the other non-Orc races.
Of course, the third option is that this a test for a new character customization option in Cataclysm, namely, tattoos. RPers and more aesthetically minded players know that it seems like pulling teeth to get Blizzard to implement cosmetic non-progression oriented character customization (Seriously, just steal stuff from LoTRO, Blizzard! I won't tell if you don't!), so even the whiff of a possibility for new stuff is pretty exciting. Then again, we've seen tatooed NPCs before, such as in the Wolfcult of Grizzly Hills, so this could still just be an NPC thing.
There's probably more things it could be, or it could be a thing that just stays in the files and doesn't pop up until Cataclysm, but either way, I'm pretty excited about the possibilities. Stay tuned to WoW.com. If they show up anywhere exciting, I'll be here to fanboy out with you over it for sure.
[Thanks for the link, Max!]
Filed under: Tauren, Analysis / Opinion, Events, Virtual selves, News items, Lore, RP, NPCs, Rumors, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Zuljo Oct 4th 2009 9:25AM
RP.
Sehvekah Oct 4th 2009 6:41PM
Naked mailbox dancing. :P
Dreyja Oct 4th 2009 7:29PM
Well as a Dwarf player I've always envied my Wildhammer cousins w/ their nifty tattoos. I would get some on those little areas of skin that show under the armor. Also, I'm not an RPer but I often change into something a, "little more comfortable," if I'm spending some time in the cities or doing something that doesn't require armor.
I'd use 'em. ;)
I'm still concerned for what is ahead for my Tauren friends.
Cowy Oct 4th 2009 8:59PM
Ahh if only we could customize our characters further by disabling certain pieces from view then you could see things like shirts or tatoos.
The code is there (helms, cloak) but Blizzard just likes to be bullheaded/unyeilding/headsupbutt/arrogant/etc about what they consider the "wow look".
I have hated the "look" of my stupid shoulder pads for YEARS. As a female both in game and real life I get irritated by my characters lack of feminine curves due to being a football player. It looks SO bad, blizzard. really...*frustrated sigh of resignation* Stupid pads...
Darky Oct 5th 2009 11:07AM
I'm more in favor of runes (with path of the titan), like the visible enchants for weapons (firey , DK runeblade etc) except for armor; that is either an indication of your titan path or it varies with each buff you choose (+agi +str etc etc) just because, like you said, tattoos seem like a bad option for those of us who like wearing our armor, and i assume most of u do.
Cadros Oct 4th 2009 8:30AM
Wasn't there an Orc with tribal markings on his chest in the cataclysm video? And I believe an option that was unusable during the cataclysm demo listed on the character creation screen. I'm probably wrong on both counts, just wondering though.
Arashikou Oct 4th 2009 4:23PM
The Worgen and Goblins had one unusable customization slot each, but it was not a new slot we haven't seen before. It was the one that changes from race to race but is generally some kind of facial detail. (tattoos, piercings, facial hair, etc.)
Come to think of it, I just said tattoos - don't NE females ALREADY have tattoos?
darkdido Oct 4th 2009 9:03AM
The taurens with the white tattoos really remind me of someone...
http://bit.ly/RjvOB
http://bit.ly/1HUsRA
Had to do it. Amazing resemblance...
Piper Oct 4th 2009 9:06AM
M'm. Factions.
Seriously, though, this is probably an evolution of the Grimtotem story line, or another faction popping up that's opposing the new Sunwalker Movement. Or, come to think of it, a faction opposing the new chieftain of the taurens once Cairne goes.
Nathan Oct 4th 2009 9:21AM
My first thought, especially with the "bleeding" or crying wings, is that these are symbols of mourning...that when Cairne dies, the Tauren NPCs in Thunder Bluff will all paint themselves thusly to show their respect and grief over the death of their chieftain. And since Baine is going to be appearing in 3.3 as well...
Perhaps not. But it's worth mentioning, anyway.
themightysven Oct 4th 2009 9:57AM
maybe it's for the Day of the Dead event. (note the skulls)
they test it in the PTR, then then release 3.2.2.b with it in before November
Seth Oct 5th 2009 3:37AM
If Garrosh really does intend to assassinate one of the Horde's leaders, he had best do a very good job of it. He's walking along a very dangerous path at the moment, one that could plunge the Horde into civil war.
A Nonny Mouse Oct 4th 2009 10:10AM
Red, white and blue eagle wings? I smell some sort of American patriotic thing brewing.
Lemming Oct 4th 2009 11:09AM
I'm surprised no one has said Runemasters yet. What if this is preliminary artwork for there eventual arrival? I'm not saying they are imminent, but Blizzard have been known to add stuff in, in the background ready for the far future.
Dreadskull Oct 4th 2009 11:43AM
Maybe those are skins for Tauren Runemasters? :o
http://www.wowwiki.com/Runemaster
Pandemia Oct 4th 2009 11:49AM
Those aren't wings, they are clearly shadowed tauren eyes with tears. Look closely. Probably having to do with the death of Cairne, in any case...
Drakar24 Oct 4th 2009 11:59AM
Darth Maul Tauren GO!!!!
tgcam Oct 4th 2009 12:29PM
you know, since i heard the mention of garrosh kicking everybody but taurens and orcs out of the middle of ogrimmar, i've been kind of wondering if that means the cleft of shadow, wich might indicate some future treachery on garrosh's part, considering the burning blade is there in ragefire chasm.
were this the case, recruited grimtotems wouldn't surprise me.
Urthona Oct 4th 2009 1:55PM
Tahu and Aponi are not the only famous names on Elder Rise.
Why is no one guessing that the first Sunwalker Taurens will be from the Grimtotem Clan?
Kyle Oct 4th 2009 2:36PM
bleeding wings = ties to deathwing, a.k.a twilight hammer cult imo
new skins look a bit twistedly evil, so it's either this or the grimtotem clan. definitely not any new player customization.