We already knew Kael’thas was a top tier mage during WC3. But then during the fight in Tempest Keep, after you kill his four advisors, this dude resurrects all of them at the same time and it doesn’t even strain him. Then Kael flies up into the air and gains another buff for Round 2, where he screws with gravity.
A rare book in Dalaran called The Schools of Arcane Magic - Abjuration states, “One of the most renowned practitioners of Abjuration magic is Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider. While the prince is quite formidable in all schools of magic, Kael’thas has created a variation of Mana Shield that is practically unsurpassed in among the residents of Dalaran.”
The Schools of Arcane Magic - Enchantment goes on to say, “While he has already previously been mentioned for his skill in abjuration, Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider is also considered one of the foremost masters of enchanting in our time. He has not only mastered the creation of potent magical weapons, but the prince has also learned to manipulate these objects remotely, allowing them to fight on their own. This can quickly allow the prince to fight as if he was defended by several skilled guardians even when he is completely by himself.”
I think Kael’s power is often overlooked. Just how strong was he?
Man, thinking on this subject just makes me wish all over again that Kael’thas had been the blood elves’ proper racial leader in WoW. A Horde powerhouse who could reliably counter Jaina is sorely missing from the story, especially one that would play against her well thematically. Frost against fire, raw human potential vs elven ingenuity, water elementals wrestling with phoenixes… Rommath could do all of this too, but as much as I love him I don’t see Blizzard ever elevating him from the supporting cast.
That’d be neat. I love this idea because Blizzard has shown a willingness to correct previous wasted characters through Illidan, but Kael is probably competing for screen time with Lorthemar and the dude gets precious little as it is. I think they just need to stone up and have a Horde warrior punch some Alliance superbeing down a peg.
Everyone talks big until there’s a gauntlet where their front teeth used to be. Saurfang would go a long way to redeeming himself if he dropkicked Jaina or Tyrande into the shadow realm.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of Kael turning up and obliterating some Kirin Tor/Nelf Highborn alongside Thalyssra (What a scene that would be!) but I don’t buy into the notion that top-tier warriors are no match for top-level mages or druids - axes in the ripcage tend to remind one of their mortality, as Malfurion discovered. It’s all about making the opportunity.
But back on topic: Kael’thas’ is subject to the power level yoyo of everyone in WoW, but I’d say it’s fair to say he’d be a plot point. If he was back as a San’layn for the start of BfA, him being how Teldrassil burned would make a lot more sense than mega catapults.
It was the 2nd war I believe and during an invasion of Dalaran (it was in one of the novels). The orcs were trying to steal the Eye of Dalaran, which sat in the Dalaran Sewers at the time. Kael’thas was a member of the Circle of 6 at the time and was helping defend the city. He chased the orcs into the Sewers and I will paraphrase what happened: One of the orcs screeched and stuttered. Kael’thas raised his hands, the orc being torn limb from limb.
He was known to have powers of telekinesis. As you stated here:
Then she changed her goal and tried to kill her pursuers, saying we would have “no escape.” And she wasn’t laughing, she teleported away with her tail between her legs because she was about to die.
Doesn’t matter that we didn’t kill her. We defeated her in the fight.
I would think he would still harbor a lot of resentment towards Jaina.
Yes, yes we should bring Kael back to neutralize Jaina in the Horde story, both from a narrative and power level pov. He would probably still be disgusted with her for being attached to the guy who killed his father and destroyed his people and homeland, with that now amplified in undeath. Just have him show up from time to time making sassy quips trying to undermine any attempts at diplomacy if Jaina is involved. Petty, vengeful, sassy, and incredibly powerful. Kael deserves this after the utter humiliation in BC and Rise of the Lich King.
Kaelthas has been among my favorite characters. I would like his character to have some justice. The idea of Kaelthas returning is interesting…
But any Kaelthas story would demand more Jaina. Even as a Horde player, her mug is all over the place. Yeesh. I just helped Baine return her brother. I don’t know how much more of a Jaina focus I can stand in the Horde story.
Listen, if they’re gonna shove Jaina down our throats the least they can do is have Kael be the angry sassy mouthpiece for Horde players that don’t care about her.