Breakfast topic: Faction fanboyism

These guys are, for lack of a better word, awesome. Their emotes are fantastic. They sell an evil penguin pet and a cool fishing item (the Mastercraft Kalu'ak Fishing Pole) that probably won't be replaced for the duration of the expansion. Their ships are giant turtles traveling along beautiful coastline with a vendor on board (seriously, riding these at night = an endless series of Kodak moments). They get my vote as the faction that immerses you most thoroughly in what they need and what they're doing to survive in an increasingly hostile Azeroth, and I'm wondering if, given Northrend's various difficulties, they might be convinced to seek warmer climes just so we don't have to give them up.
Agonizing rep grinds have plagued the game since classic, but the Tuskarr are such a well-realized bunch that even at exalted I love hanging around their villages. What's your favorite faction, and is there anything about them you'd like to see repeated with future reputation grinds?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Breakfast Topics, Expansions, Factions
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Reader Comments (Page 4 of 5)
Kia Oct 25th 2009 10:36AM
I like a lot of the factions, though I didn't really care one way or the other before Wrath other than one:
The Shattered Sun Offensive. Not only do they have an awesome name, but they perfectly personify the faction neutrality I've been waiting for to go across the board. Sure, the Cenarion groups are neutral too, but not quite in the same way. I've loved the SSO and everything about them since they were revealed. As an RPer, my character was going to be a member, but after BC there's not really a lore reason for them to be existing..
I've really grown to love the Argent Crusade, too. I'm not sure -why-, other than that my main character loathes both the legion and the Scourge, so she fits right in with them. Her sister is a death knight, though, and she has all respect for those who break the Lich King's hold, so she's fine with the Ebon Blade, too.
I am also a huge huge -huge- fan of dragons, so the Wyrmrest Accord is another huge favorite. They do seem to sort of phase out after the Nexus War plot, and feel like just sort of a fixture in Dragonblight, so I hope they play an even larger part of the story come Cataclysm. My dragon-love also extends to the dragons in Outland, as well. Even though the dailies sucked, setting free their mother was just all sorts of awesome.
I've also recently grown to be a bit of a Consortium fan. They're just so...slick. And awesome. xD I've been doing a lot of old instances and stuff that I never got around to, so hearing the fantastic voice acting of the boss in Achindoun, and the whole quest surrounding Haramad and the Ata'mal crystal, well...yeah. I like these guys a lot--though my character thinks they're skeevy. xD
Finally, I'm psyched for the Ashen Verdict. Again, not only an awesome name, but a group that puts two of my favorites together and fits my main perfectly, as well.
I do wish there was a rogue faction of neutral vrykul, since I like their race a lot, but oh well. Honestly? I wish there were -more- factions in-game. I love getting rewards and following an organization's storyline. As long as it's entertaining and not a horrible rep grind.
The Hydraxian Waterlords are a group I'd love to hit Exalted with, but jesus christ. That grind is just stupid and ridiculously over the top.
Charlie Oct 25th 2009 11:09AM
As of 3.3, Pengu is no longer the son of the devil. (Aka he no longer has red eyes)
Tirrimas Oct 25th 2009 11:14AM
What?? NOOoooo! I like my debil-pengu!
Squirr3llywrath9 Oct 25th 2009 11:14AM
The oracles are my favorite because I too am distracted by shiny things.
superstone Oct 25th 2009 11:20AM
My favorite faction is the Forsaken.
I know, they're a player race so they're not terribly grindy, but as far as stories, leaders, atmosphere, and quests go, they are my favorite.
And, although I haven't really gotten into Sholazar with those two factions yet, I'm going to have to go with Oracles. Standing by the matron in Dalaran I saw the two or three Wolvar kids picking on the little Oracle and I couldn't not help out the underdog. I finished his quests around Northrend as quickly as possible and was delighted to get the curious Oracle hatchling pet as a reward.
Birdfall Oct 25th 2009 11:28AM
I agree Tuskarr are fabulous. Every time I visit them I want a turtle mount. ^_^;
Shionia Oct 25th 2009 11:33AM
Ebon Blade, because their NPCs are so ... colorful (grin) and the dailies (especially those from Shadow vault and Death's Rise) were like the SSO - fast and good payout.
alpha5099 Oct 25th 2009 11:52AM
I have to agree on the Kalu'ak, they are a fantastic faction. Although I did always feel a little weird stealing those babies for them.
I'm also a very big fan of both of the Argent factions. I don't play a pally, but I just think they're very cool factions. It probably helps that the Plaguelands are my favorite zones in classic WoW, and I really enjoy fighting the Scourge.
I really hope we see more of the Earthen Ring in Cataclysm. Aside from those guys in Nagrand and the new NPCs they added for the totem turn-in quest, there aren't many representatives of the Earthen Ring in game. As a proud shaman, I'd really like to see my class get a faction. Mages get the Kirin Tor, DKs have the Ebon Blade, Druids and Pallies have two factions each, Rogues have Ravenholdt; where my shaman faction? Given all the elemental devastation we'll be seeing in Cataclysm, I hope the ER will be playing a major role.
Possum Oct 25th 2009 5:09PM
I read the quest text, so I know that the Kalu'ak *say* they are trying to save the puppies. But when I go back the next day, i don't see any puppies running around...just their big cooking pots....
DeathPaladin Oct 25th 2009 12:02PM
I'll say the Ebon Blade, if only because seeing the look of childlike glee on Vile's face as I set Vrykul buildings on fire really warms my heart.
UndercityPride Oct 25th 2009 12:13PM
I hate the Kirin Tor ( I play a Forsaken Mage so you tell me if that is messed up) I hate Rhonin being thrusted to the limelight. and varessa windrunner (however you spell it) i relize she is the little sister to my favorite elf of all time (now my great leader) Sylvanas Windrunner. as far as i am concerned there are only two windrunner sisters. and vareesa is not one of them. I think my favorite Nonplayer faction (because that would be to easy) would have to be the Knights of the Ebon Blade. for i know they have fought the long hard fight to become indepedant even though a Forsaken Death Knight (would settle for Troll) in the Ebon Blade should be their leader. all these nuetral factions have to many blood elf or human leaders. By the way Forsaken Paladins please blizzard, it would be easier to explain than taurens, it is people who were paladins before the scourge when freed from the lich king's grasp they took up their old ways, and as far as the forsaken being evil or whatever so they could not wield the light i would say the blood elves bent the light to their doing. and who has a stronger will than the forsaken? none one of our racials boasts about it. So forget tauren paladins, (while they do look cool) and make Forsaken Paladins (i would also never have to play a blood elf again.)
Dreyja Oct 26th 2009 4:39AM
I would love to have seen some real arguments from your perceptive.
I am not criting how you write but I Can't read a solid block of text w/ little or no punctuation.
Again, understand that this ins not a crit. of what you are saying as much as a plea from someone who wants to understand.
Dreyja Oct 26th 2009 4:40AM
I've voted you up for the exact reason of understanding. :)
Dreyja Oct 26th 2009 4:50AM
I have enough troubles w/ my own spelling. :) Trust Me!
ben Oct 25th 2009 12:23PM
Speculation time!
Since the Argent Dawns only goal is to eradicate the scourge, that storyline is done with so to speak.
New main factions after argent dawn/crusade?
Council of Tirisfal
Cenarion Circle (the emerald nightmare is still a big problem)
Leviathon Oct 25th 2009 1:51PM
We find out in Howling Fjord that the Tuskarr cannot leave the cold climate or they die.
rosencratz Oct 25th 2009 2:08PM
I was under the impression that Pengu's eyes were changed to blue now so he's not so evil and i also thought the new Rods that sometimes drop from the fishing dailies were more or less interchangeable with the Kalu'ak one?
Vogie Oct 25th 2009 2:18PM
My personal Favs are Argent Crusade (Argent Champion was my first title), Consortium and not-yet-mentioned Keepers of Time. I'm not a huge fan of The SilverCovenant/Sunreavers dichotomy because it feels very dull in comparison to other pairings. A faction I just stumbled upon when I was questing with my second 80 was the Frostborn/Explorers League... I just wish they had some actual rewards. However, those Drinks for Grinding are pretty nice...
Maxpowr Oct 25th 2009 4:34PM
Mine would have to be the Ashtongue Deathsworn. The EPIC quest/story line and helping Akama and friends sneek into Black Temple to stop Illidan was just amazing. Hoping the one for Icecrown will be just as amazing and a loregasm also.
Robert Oct 25th 2009 5:26PM
I have to vote for Sporeggar and Kalu'ak. Though I did like the completely ridiculous Shen'dralar rep grind.