With Shadowlands introducing several races as customization/sub races, I felt that it was important to hold a discussion regarding what is reasonable to expect involving them in terms of worldbuilding and identity.
I type this as someone who likes story and worldbuilding in games, in particular fantasy MMORPG’s. These customization races (Wildhammers, Troll Tribes, High Elves, etc) not having an identity in-game is a worry. At the time of this post, we have not seen much in the way of how Blizzard will handle these races, let alone if they’ll have their own identity and are not just skins plopped onto parent races without a thought.
I have taken a list I previously typed in the San’layn megathread and am pasting it in here. These are all just my opinion, and acknowledge that anything I type can be debated or may not be perfect in some ways. As such, I want to open a discussion so that those who want to play as these customization races can post their own thoughts on what are reasonable expectations for these customization races. I realize that customization races are being put in as they would be easier to implement compared to putting them in as an allied race, but I feel that identity is still an important aspect to our characters.
Regarding my own thoughts, here is what I previously typed on what I feel are reasonable expectations:
Story that explains how they either joined the Horde/Alliance or become a bigger presence
Races like Wildhammer don’t need much, but races like the Troll Tribes joining the Horde need a bit more. All that is needed is a short cut scene at least that shows the reasons why they’re joining the Horde/Alliance. It can be something simple like the Wildhammer sending off their members on their gryphons across the lands to look for Sylvanas to something like Talanji rounding some Troll Tribes up to call on an agreement they had with the Zandalari to seek out Sylvanas, seeing as I’m sure Bwonsamdi isn’t going to be very happy about the stuff Sylvanas has caused.
A racial leader
Some of these do have a racial leader, such as Falstad for Wildhammer, but others that come up would need one also. Each Troll Tribe needs one and if San’layn become a customization option, then they need a leader also. They don’t need to have a huge presence, but to just be there in the game and occasionally pop up as needed in expansions adds a lot to the game, in my opinion.
A presence in the game
Another important thing for these customization races. They need to not be treated as if they’re their parent races. Sure, called all Dwarf clans dwarves and all Troll Tribes Trolls works, but they need to be something more than just their parent races cosplaying and LARPing.
They also should have story in-game. A race shouldn’t just be announced to be a customization race, plopped onto a parent race, and that’s it without any other thought of the matter. It just falls flat and does a disservice to that race. It doesn’t need to be a huge, epic event, but to have some presence in the story is fine.
For example: in a desert type area? Awesome! Get the Sand Trolls to help out the Horde in the area. Little things like that just helps with the world building.
Heritage armor and mounts
Heritage armor would be welcomed for any race customization options, but within reason, should be different than their parent race’s heritage armor.
Now, Troll Tribes could be like the Mag’har, where the heritage armor is roughly the same design with different colors or features, but would you expect a Wildhammer Dwarf to dress up as a Bronzebeard Dwarf’s heritage armor? Something like San’layn would likely have their own armor set that would be different from Blood Elves too.
As for mounts, again within reason, it would be cool to be able to get mounts meant specifically for customization races. Put them on a NPC merchant for anyone to buy if need be, but I think people would be happy to be able to have a mount specifically meant for them.
Have some of these customization races as NPC’s in some places
If some of these customization races are going to be joining the Horde/Alliance, add them to the world. Have some of the Troll Tribes hanging out in Orgrimmar, occasionally put some of them in faction quest hubs either as quest givers (with quest text of their own flair) or just hanging out in the general area.
Reasonable racials
So what do I mean by this? I don’t mean a fully revamped racial, but just some reasonable ones. Some would work fine for other races, such as making an argument for Troll Tribes having the same racials.
What I view as reasonable is something like Gilblins, assuming they become a customization race instead of having their own slot (I would prefer them as an allied race for the record), having water breathing. It’s something that would add to the character creation process to have some smaller racials like that, and while I realize that these customization options are likely meant for you to change in the barbershop, I feel that it’s reasonable to expect something with gills to be able to not drown underwater. It doesn’t need a complete racial revamp for every customization race, nor does it need to be something you have to balance around PvE and PvP, but some races would need something small like water breathing. I feel like something could be worked out where you wouldn’t feel the need to run to the barber shop to change your Goblin to a Gilblin because you need passive water breathing, but it’s the only example I can think of off the top of my head.
Another thing I’m going to add from what I typed previously involves tabards.
Tabards
Likely something that may not take too much time or resources to make. This would help benefit those into transmog and role-players who would want to show off their character’s pride for their particular tribe.
So far, this is all that I’ve thought of. I again want to stress that I do not view my ideas to be perfect. I do want to hear what others think with regards to customization races and what would be reasonable to expect in terms of worldbuilding and identity.
