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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Did changing factions change how you play?
by Matthew Rossi 
Aug 19th 2011 at 8:00AM
Ironically, although I was somewhat negatively inclined towards Garrosh Hellscream, it wasn't until I switched factions on my main to play Horde with a new guild (and an excellent one, to be sure) that I started really, really hating the Horde. Every quest I've gotten so far on my main or my two leveling alts Hordeside has involved murdering people and stealing their land simply because I could (or because a guy using an axe I outgrew 15 levels ago says I should).
But it's done more than make me dislike the faction I'm playing. Paradoxically, it's made me fight really, really hard for that faction. I PVP a lot more now than I ever did when I was playing a worgen personally offended by what happened to Gilneas. For some reason, being in the Horde makes the semi-military feel of battleground PVP seem more like it has a point to me, as if I'd expect to find myself there. I'm more aggressive as a Horde player. My paladin has run through Desolace and now Feralas with abandon, thinking nothing of doing quests that massacre entire Alliance settlements for the crime of trying to continue to exist. For all that I often decry the Horde and its current Warchief, I'm certainly also part of the problem, because I'm the one doing the quests. I am the unprovoked fist of the Horde, crushing innocents and stealing their homes. Granted, I'm not known for my stability, but I have to wonder if anyone else has experienced this.
Filed under: Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 6 of 6)
Rors Aug 19th 2011 3:18PM
Horde made me hate Horde. From the time when I was level 30-something in STV, and a skull level dk cornered me, took off his glove and smacked me to death. So, from then on I've only cared about PVP, and killing Horde. For Gnomeregan!
jfrombaugh Aug 19th 2011 3:29PM
All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not the only one who has noticed that the Horde has gotten progressively more militaristic, brutish, & rash ever since Garrosh was introduced as Northrend expedition leader and later Warchief!
Don't get me wrong, Varian Wrynn believes in war and orders the Alliance to fight the Horde too, but the Alliance really seems far more empathic, they really fight because they want to do the RIGHT thing. IMO it's hard to really feel SORRY for most of the Horde lorewise atm...
Having said that, I think Garrosh Hellscream was intended to be as bellicose & domineering as possible to fit one of the major themes of Levels 80-85 that there is a growing rift between the two factions' military forces & characters such as Thrall & Malfurion who are more peaceable, but focused on pushing the fight towards the Twilight Cult, Ragnaros, etc. When you think of it that way, leveling as Horde is a LOT better.
Durenas Aug 19th 2011 4:04PM
Also Varian Wrynn is not incapable of giving honor to a fallen enemy. After Deathbringer Saurfang in ICC, he lets Saurfang the elder take his son's body away, saying 'I... I was not at the Wrathgate. But the soldiers who survived told me much of what happened. Your son fought with honor. He died a hero's death. He deserves a hero's burial.'
Does anyone really think Garrosh would have done the same for an alliance soldier?
Rameak Aug 19th 2011 4:34PM
i tried rolling a horde once... it seems that ally will take you with open arms, but horde will kick you out at the mention of ally
w_o_w.addict Aug 19th 2011 5:34PM
My main is Alliance, all other high level alts are Alliance, only because all my friends are Alliance and as PvPers actively hate the Horde. But deep down, I have always known that I'm really a dirty Horde, I'm now secretly leveling an orc hunter and I've been thinking about moving some of my alts without telling my friends until it's done. When I got an iPad, I was gonna have it engraved, I didn't do it cause I may sell it, but I wanted to put the words: Lok'tar ogar! For the horde! :)
Kar On E Aug 19th 2011 5:42PM
I've done it three times...and the change has never gone for the better. Even though both the toons I've taken from Alliance to Horde have gone far further into raid progression, I never really identified with them once they faction switched. And the Horde-to-Alliance...he's completely lost his edge for me. When I play him, I feel kinda wimpy with him and I can tell I don't do as well.
Then again, I'm a major looks-drive-the-playstyle sort of guy.
Kesely Aug 19th 2011 5:51PM
I do perceive a shift of the quest team's treatment of my beloved Horde. As if they had decided that the Horde was evil.
Earlier, if you were like me and wanted to play an ethical Horde character, all you had to do was to steer clear of Forsaken lands and questgivers. Now many orcs are to be avoided as well.
If would not be a great problem if Blizzard's idea of quests were not as linear as the path of light. If there were decisions in quests. But currently the only decision you can make is whether you do the quest or not. Fortunately, you could do the Howling Ford achievement without the plague quests, and you did not need much trafficking with the cadavers for the Battle of Undercity. But sometimes you have to sacrifice achievements if you want to keep a moral backbone to your character.
Xantenise Aug 20th 2011 3:36AM
The opposite happened to me -- when I played Alliance in '06 I didn't really care about them. Then I started playing Horde the year after and I started *loathing* the Alliance.
I don't hate 'em as much as I used to, given how the Horde's morals are slipping, but I still shall always love the Horde!
Sinthar Aug 22nd 2011 4:29AM
Im sorry - but from what the replys are the message seems to be
"Cos we orcs are hard done by, we will kill maim etc cos we need it" and "we are no longer tainted so we dont have to consider what the 'old' horde did as something we did"
The 'old' horde - 'new' horde argument is just that - a concience salving group of words. It means nothing to the people whos land you take, whos children you slay. Shadowpriest said it best. There is NO difference from anyone elses point of view as you are STILL DOING THE SAME THINGS. The only time the horde seemed to be ready to negociate - it ended up a trap to assasinate the human king and enslave his son. Not exactly textbook diplomacy for a peaceful solution.
@Mingdi9
Thanks for your response - it actually explains a few things. Including why Thrall IS repected by the alliance - cos he was the ONE known orc that could actually see things from BOTH perspectives and worked towards a peace.
As for the people who say why should we atone for the sins of our forefathers - maybe because its the only way of making a lasting peace. Lets face it - if someone - (as most of the audience is American I will be taking examples based on their culture - please excuse if this seems in any way offensive) - say the Russians - had invaded, slaughtered about 1/2 the population of America, and occupied it for the last generation or 3. Then they say they had changed. And continued to assault you and your allied. Would YOU be prepared to say 'Hey they have changed - so lets give em most of the rest of America and well go live in Canada'? Because thats effectively what you are asking of the alliance. But if they said - 'We havent got food, shelter, or any means of going home. We wont surrender but can we talk about making peace' would you then give them a chance? I suggest that the former would be met tooth and nail, in a war to the death, while the second option would expect at least communication lines being drawn up - and stable frontiers - with the associated HUMANitarian aid.
Basically its the HORDES pride that keeps the wars going imho.