Should there be faction specific classes?
In Classic we had Paladins for the Alliance, and Shaman for the Horde, which were eventually shared out for balance reasons. But some classes or class ideas are very much more in fitting with the lore and stylistic fantasy of one faction over the other.
So what if we had classes that were functionally identical, but with different class fantasy, aesthetics, and names based on which faction they’re on?
While thinking about potential classes that could use Glaives in an earlier thread, I’d thought of both Spellbreakers and Wardens, both of which I have seen requests for at various points over the course of WoW.
What if, mechanically, these two classes were identical, but one was for the Horde and trained/outfitted by Blood Elves, whilst the other was on the Alliance and supported by Night Elves?
The Horde could have Dark Rangers supported by the Undead, but that class fantasy wouldn’t work for the Alliance, so we could choose a different name and design that suits the Alliance lore better.
We already have a basic form of this separation with Herosim vs Bloodlust. Why not take it all the way and allow classes between the factions to FEEL more distinct, even if they’re mechanically identical?
I think functionally identical classe swith different appearances would be great, and a good way to add pairs like Dark ranger/sentinel
But then everyone will complain about another Elf only class!!! So, I’ll be the one to say it…
I DO NOT CARE. GIVE ME A DARK RANGER CLASS NOW, BLIZZARD.
undead could be dark rangers too, and sentinels could also have uh… hmm…
I don’t know, dwarves or something.
there could also be different ‘specs’ so the name changes depending on race, so trolls could play and be called shadow hunters, for example.
Seems to me that there were faction specific classes in vanilla.
Paladin and Shaman
Classes should have racial identities built into them. The spells can have the same names but the appearance should work better for each race.
This is something I can get behind entirely. I don’t even think classes should be race specific, but that’s just me. Unique animations though? Yes please.
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Whole separate classes? No, thank you. There’s enough problems with the classes we have in terms of balance and identity.
However, I’d support having more options to customize your classes through glyphs and things. Want your troll priest to have more loa-friendly spell appearances? Want your night elf rogue to use glaives instead of daggers? Want your worgen druid to be more witchy? Sure.
However however, I wouldn’t make those actually restricted by race. Available, yes. Default, perhaps. But not restricted. I should be able to have a troll who really believes in the Light if I want to. (I’d even extend that to current racial-themed class visuals, like druid forms and shaman totems.)