I’ve been hearing a lot of talk regarding faction imbalance especially at the top end raiding scene due to racial ability differences. The idea of defection and forsaking one’s original faction has been an idea that I can’t seem to shake. I’ve been forming ideas on how something like this would exist in the modern game keeping in mind the systems Blizzard has put into place recently. Below is a rough outline of my ideas on the subject. I’d love to hear what the WoW community thinks and would love some additional ideas! Also let me know if I’m crazy! XD
The Defection System
Requirements and Restrictions
I. Players must have the character they wish to use for defection at max level
in their original faction in order to start the defection process.
II. Possible cap on the amount of defected characters per account.
The Path of Betrayal
I. Players looking to defect from their original faction must complete a lengthy
quest line for each original race of the desired faction to gain their trust.
Each race questline consisting of multiple chapters with considerable time
and skill required.
II. The player must complete a final unforgivable action to prove their
allegiance to the desired faction. (Assassinations, sabotage etc.)
The system should be tuned high to represent the gravitas of what this character is doing in the world. In my mind it should be an accomplishment to have successfully defected and gained the desired factions trust. Both the time investment and the player skill requirement should be challenging. I’d love to see an Alliance tauren hanging out in Stormwind and think “Damn…”
The Life of a Defector
I. The player has permanently denounced their original faction. There is no
possibility of regaining the trust of their original faction. There is no going
back.
II. Defectors are subject to debuffs in zones where their original faction is most
dominant.
⦁ Assassin: A faction loyalist is charged with your assassination.
⦁ Shot on Sight: Getting too close to the walls of a major capitol city means
certain death.
III. Walking by an enemy npc will prompt signs of disapproval. (Spitting, insults
etc.) Even after you’ve proved yourself to your new faction leaders, npc
citizens of your new faction are warry of you.
The fantasy of betraying one’s original faction should be felt in the day to day life of the character in my mind. Yes, you can forsake your Blood elf brethren to return to your High elf roots in the Alliance, but life will be hard.
Rewards
I. Special mounts/titles awarded to the defector.
II. Cosmetic options unlocks for the defected character. (Horde war paint on
worgens/humans, Alliance tattoos on orcs/blood elves etc.)
Defection rewards and cosmetics should aim to retain and reinforce each factions unique style and characteristics. An Alliance raid group should look like an Alliance raid group even though there are tauren and trolls running with them for example.
Benefits for World of Warcraft
I. High-end raiders looking to use optimal racial abilities which happen to be in
the opposing faction now have a path to achieving that goal without a faction
transfer.
II. This system would be a possible solution for those who support a loosening
of faction restrictions and at the same time preserving and reinforcing
faction identity and fantasy.
III. This system unlocks infinite fantasy options for players who want to write
their characters story within the world and its lore.
Like I said at the beginning, I’m sure there’s a ton of cool ideas I haven’t thought of and would love additional ideas and reactions! Thanks for listening and forgive my writing! For the Alliance! 
I wish I could remember and look up the post.)