Illidan's a horrible ass too. Malfurion actually does care about other people or the world or something along those lines. Illidan cares about one thing: Illidan. And maybe Tyrande. Maybe. Illidan was perfectly happy in WC3: The Frozen Throne to summon Naga to slaughter a village of night elves. He was fine with doing unimaginable damage to the world in order to appease Kil'jaeden and gain power. Oh, it would have destroyed the Lich King? True, but Illidan didn't care about the Lich King. He just wanted the power promised him, world and everyone in it be damned. This is all pre-WoW.

Illidan is a selfish, greedy, dangerous man who cares about nothing and no one except himself and how much power he can get. If you like him as a character for that, that's cool. Just don't pretend he's something good and noble: he's not.

Oh, to be sure he's not good and noble. But he does love Tyrande, and would do pretty much anything for her. And you just know he woulda been tearing the orcs to bits, not sitting back and going "oh, they're not so bad" like his jackass brother.

@Skarn - Ya, but Illidan's love for Tyrande is a very powerful force as well....which lead to some really bad decision making on his part.

He was going to do whatever it took to get Tyrande and himself out of harms way (Well of Eternity).....hey, what about the other 5 of us? lol...

Malfurion shows up at the end of the fight, then dismisses everything Tyrande did. There was no "you ok?" or "here I am my love"....it's "Hush, Tyrande".

Maybe because I am a Wrath baby, and didn't play thru BC like others did to get the full hatred of Illidan.....but my female heart flies with Illidan.

Could you imagine if Tyrande had feelings for Illidan? If they were an actual couple?
He would feel like a million dollars and probably kill anything in sight in joy, but with Tyrande directing his 'glee' towards the Horde?
Oh boy, suddenly I want to reroll Alliance...

@Drow & Pam: I am also a Wrath baby, and I think Illidan's a jerk. I feel for the guy, and appreciate the tragedy of his journey to hell on the proverbial road of his own good intentions -- but he's still a jerk, and saying "Oh but he loves Tyrande so much!" doesn't actually change that. Honestly, Tyrande deserves better than what *either* of the ridiculously self-important Stormrage brothers have offered her.

Does Illidan LOVE her? I am not convinced. Oh, he absolutely WANTS her, there is no doubt there, but does he love her? He doesn't show it much. He never seems to have any regard to her feelings or opinions. He's never interested in making changes to himself in order to please her. It's always about himself. Illidan wants Tyrande for Illidan.

Though not directly about Tyrande, take his quote from the new Well of Eternity instance: "I will be the savior of our people!" It speaks volumes about his character. He's not concerned with saving his people, he is concerned with being that savior. Saving the Night Elves is about his own glory, not the actual preservation of their people. He's the same way with Tyrande. She's a trophy to him; something to be obtained; someone to glory in his power and fawn over him; to do what he wants, when he wants.

He risks himself for Tyrande because she would be his most prized possession...but he doesn't love her. Is that he kind of guy you want, Pam? Someone who simply sees you as a prize to be put on his shelf?

@Skarn: Yes, exactly.

Every time Illidan says : "I tried to teleport Tyrande and myself out, but the Well is too unstable" I can't help thinking "Euhm, ok, nevermind your brother...".

:-p

I have a brother. We rarely see eye to eye. But I wouldn't leave him behind.

My mother'd kill me.