When the character is older (and generally acts the same, just less of a prick to the PC) than any of the current WoW writing staff bar Afrasiabi (whose the current lore/creative lead of the game).
... is Nathanos Afrasiabi's self-insert?
Well, he's only gotten character development recently no ? Must be some Blizzard writer that has Sylvanas as his waifu.
1 Like
10/09/2018 05:11 AMPosted by UthicWell, he's only gotten character development recently no ? Must be some Blizzard writer that has Sylvanas as his waifu.
Character development in essentially being the same dude he was in Vanilla? Just now he insults the enemy faction more than the PC? I mean sure I guess, but if that's your standard then Rastakhan is now a mary sue.
Given that Nathanos is a bonafide manlet now, it's probably pretty likely he's the insert of someone on the team.
2 Likes
Actual question: do we know Nathanos is someone's self insert or is this just the end result of the hate train people have been building since he actually became relevant in Legion?
10/09/2018 05:19 AMPosted by VildaryonGiven that Nathanos is a bonafide manlet now, it's probably pretty likely he's the insert of someone on the team.
Someone has to point to me what changed in Nathanos beyond directing most of his "meanness" to the enemy and a model update. I'm genuinely curious.
Just so you all can reference, here's one of Nathanos's quests to the Horde PC during Vanilla (I'll even bold the really 'mean' bits for you)...
https://wow.gamepedia.com/To_Kill_With_Purpose_(old)
Description
You kill with purpose while you remain on my stead.
Your first task is to feed my hounds.
Take this Mortar and Pestle and travel to Corin's Crossing. Once there, you will find a robust selection of Scourge to slaughter. From their fresh carcasses I need Living Rot. Take that Living Rot and grind it up in the mortar, then let it sit to coagulate. Bring the Coagulated Rot back here.
And imbecile, realize that Living Rot from the undead doesn't remain 'living' for very long. You must kill quickly!
Progress
Are you crying? If this is too 'tedious' for you, 'hero,' I recommend that you head back to the Dark Lady and inform her of the horrible mistreatment you received at my farmstead.
Now get out of my sight!
Completion
Disappointing. I was hoping that I'd be feeding you to my hounds, instead.
<Nathanos sighs.>
Well, at least they'll have something to eat.
10/09/2018 05:21 AMPosted by DaizaActual question: do we know Nathanos is someone's self insert or is this just the end result of the hate train people have been building since he actually became relevant in Legion?
Weren’t you a human?
10/09/2018 05:13 AMPosted by Vivette10/09/2018 05:11 AMPosted by UthicWell, he's only gotten character development recently no ? Must be some Blizzard writer that has Sylvanas as his waifu.
Character development in essentially being the same dude he was in Vanilla? Just now he insults the enemy faction more than the PC? I mean sure I guess, but if that's your standard then Rastakhan is now a mary sue.
Seems he's playing a role in the story more than before, didn't play Horde in Vanilla so just know he was the generic jerk Forsaken at that point but not much else.
10/09/2018 05:25 AMPosted by Arlifrex10/09/2018 05:21 AMPosted by DaizaActual question: do we know Nathanos is someone's self insert or is this just the end result of the hate train people have been building since he actually became relevant in Legion?
Weren’t you a human?
Yes I was. But I wanted a change. I'll probably end up a dark iron or regular draenei before expansions end.
10/09/2018 05:32 AMPosted by UthicSeems he's playing a role in the story more than before, didn't play Horde in Vanilla so just know he was the generic jerk Forsaken at that point but not much else.
Playing more of a role in the story naturally due to Forsaken narrative being pushed to the forefront thanks to Sylvanas now being Warchief. Hardly a Nathanos-exclusive issue.
But really, just because characters get more of a role in the story means they're self-inserts now? That's literally the entirety of WoW, Warcraft even.
Blizzard's writing is YA-level of garbage so self inserts wouldn't be out of place. Or at least a feeling that some characters have a writer really watching out for them - like Anduin, Thrall.
10/09/2018 05:42 AMPosted by UthicBlizzard's writing is YA-level of garbage so self inserts wouldn't be out of place. Or at least a feeling that some characters have a writer really watching out for them - like Anduin, Thrall.
This is true, however, the point/argument I'm putting forth in the creation of this thread is that Nathanos is literally the same character he was back in Vanilla, just less of a prick to the PC. If a writer were to self-insert we would be seeing some personality shifts that would be contradictory to his original character. What we have in BfA here is... again, he's the same character.
1 Like
Self insert? That sounds...acrobatic.
The only difference between vanilla Nathanos and bfa Nathanos (other than new models and more screen time) is that it's now canon that he and Sylvanas had a relationship so people think that makes him a self insert.
This blizzard employee is the self insert(not a joke)
https://m.imgur.com/FX4poT6
https://m.imgur.com/FX4poT6
10/09/2018 05:46 AMPosted by Vivette10/09/2018 05:42 AMPosted by UthicBlizzard's writing is YA-level of garbage so self inserts wouldn't be out of place. Or at least a feeling that some characters have a writer really watching out for them - like Anduin, Thrall.
This is true, however, the point/argument I'm putting forth in the creation of this thread is that Nathanos is literally the same character he was back in Vanilla, just less of a prick to the PC. If a writer were to self-insert we would be seeing some personality shifts that would be contradictory to his original character. What we have in BfA here is... again, he's the same character.
Not necessarily, they could make his characteristics more pronounced. Them giving him a special body seems in line with being favoured by a writer. Seems they've already amped up his snarky dialogue cheesily and he holds his own against Night Warrior (what a goddam stupid name..) Tyrande when he probably should not.
10/09/2018 05:09 AMPosted by VivetteWhen the character is older (and generally acts the same, just less of a prick to the PC) than any of the current WoW writing staff bar Afrasiabi (whose the current lore/creative lead of the game).
... is Nathanos Afrasiabi's self-insert?
I mean I dunno if Nathanos is a self-insert. But this isn't the airtight argument against that you seem to think it is. Existing characters can definitely be picked up to be someone's self-insert over time.
10/09/2018 06:23 AMPosted by KaloranI mean I dunno if Nathanos is a self-insert. But this isn't the airtight argument against that you seem to think it is. Existing characters can definitely be picked up to be someone's self-insert over time.
They can but they normally come with a change of character to mold to the person doing the self-inserting. Fact of the matter is, on the contrary to such notion, Nathanos hasn't changed as a character so far.
-Playing a central role in the story
-Has a completely custom model
-Shown to be one of the most powerful characters in the setting for no reason
-More focus on his romantic relationship with Sylvanas
-Said writer saying that it's like looking in a mirror
Nathanos was a snarky douche in Classic, but he ultimately came to respect the player character. Despite you now being his equal(Champion of the Banshee Queen), if not superior, he still shows you nothing but contempt.
-Has a completely custom model
-Shown to be one of the most powerful characters in the setting for no reason
-More focus on his romantic relationship with Sylvanas
-Said writer saying that it's like looking in a mirror
Nathanos was a snarky douche in Classic, but he ultimately came to respect the player character. Despite you now being his equal(Champion of the Banshee Queen), if not superior, he still shows you nothing but contempt.
10/09/2018 06:30 AMPosted by Vivette10/09/2018 06:23 AMPosted by KaloranI mean I dunno if Nathanos is a self-insert. But this isn't the airtight argument against that you seem to think it is. Existing characters can definitely be picked up to be someone's self-insert over time.
They can but they normally come with a change of character to mold to the person doing the self-inserting. Fact of the matter is, on the contrary to such notion, Nathanos hasn't changed as a character so far.
Nah, not necessarily. It can be as simple as:
>Whoa this smug cocky character is so cool I wanna be like him!
>I'm gonna roleplay as him XD
>Ugh don't like that gross model he has though, let's give him a new body