So I’ve had some time to digest over the whole Dark Ranger customization option thing and wanted to type some general thoughts.
As was mentioned before, there is a slight worry of mine that this one skin with eyes would be all we’d ever see of playable Darkfallen. Moreso with San’layn classified as a small part of the now redefined Darkfallen group.
I do feel my general thoughts of customization races have been reinforced as well, since Dark Ranger customization doesn’t seem to affect voices at all, though I don’t know if that will ever change or not. It makes them feel like LARPing Blood/Void/Night Elves as opposed to feeling like they are their own thing.
This along with several other reasons are why I’d hope for San’layn to be their own race. They have a lot of great lore and storyline possibilities, and I wouldn’t want to just see customization options added for them without seeing anything in-game showing San’layn officially becoming part of the Horde. Moreso when nothing is said and any San’layn NPC’s we see in-game are just generic villains that everyone hates except for your character because reasons.
On the bright side, with Dark Rangers out of the equation, it feels like the chances for San’layn being their own race have gone up. Moreso with the whole vampiric theme with racials and such, which I doubt would really get shown much as a customization race. I mean, the whole vampire theme is one of the big reasons I have such an interest in San’layn to begin with.
As I mentioned a few posts above, the Desolate Council has reformed, and Calia mentions at that time that she intends to allow any undead to join the Forsaken, regardless of who they are and where they came from. Sounds like it could open the door for San’layn in the future, which would be great if it is possible for them to be their own race.
And of course, we still have that mystery regarding Dragonflight preorders and the rumor of getting at least one new playable race as early access for preordering that isn’t the Dracthyr. I don’t know what the chances San’layn have now with Dark Rangers as a customization race, moreso if it ends up being just one race that could be neural in some fashion, but it could be a neat possibility.
To be clear, I’m happy for Dark Ranger fans as long as they’re satisfied with the customization options. I still worry about customization races and the possibility of San’layn being their own thing. I still think they have a lot to bring to the table as their own race, and beign able to have a fully vampiric theme through that would do wonders for being unique and being refreshing to the game, even if people would balk at there being more elves.
I’ll continue to think on it more and give some more thoughts again. That said, I’m hoping that the customization option isn’t all we’d see of any playable San’layn in any fashion, as they can be much more and amazing if given the chance to be their own race.