The purpose of this thread is to collect the discussion of Vulpera related topics into one place. It is our hope our showing of love and support for the tiny fox people will one day convince the world of warcraft developers to add them as an allied race.
Previous Threads
I want Vulpera as a Playable Race
We want Vulpera as a Playable Race
MUBNENNY Want Vulpera as a Playable Race
Vulpera Discussion Megathread
All opinions are welcome here, but please keep discussion civil. It is encouraged you participate with open mindedness and thoughtfulness.
What is a Vulpera?
For a better summary than I can post here, check out this wowhead article, but here is a brief overview.
Vulpera are a new desert fox-like race revealed at Blizzcon. They're native to Zandalar, living in a desert wasteland known as Volâdun. For years, the Zandalari have been sending their criminals to these wastes, to perish in the heat; Volâdun is seen by the Zandalari as being too harsh for even them to survive in. The Vulpera, while thriving in this envoirnment, however, are not without their own troubles. The Sethârak have long enslaved the Vulpera, selling them as servants and slaves, as well as âfarmingâ them for food and furs. Living in such an environment they are likely scrappy, mischievous, scavengers. Stealing food and valuables from their masters to aid their families. They also likely have ties to tribalism and shamanism.
Will they be Playable?
Nothing is known for certain at this point but based on all available evidence, the answer is "Probably". A disproportionately large amount of work has been put into the Vulpera models, well beyond anything an NPC race would ever need. However, there has been no official confirmation or denial on whether or not they will eventually become playable, and without said confirmation anything is technically possible. There has been one comment neither confirming or denying by a blizzard employee that is worth posting in its entirety here:
02/06/2018 05:08 PMPosted by OrnyxAs we mentioned when race information for Lightforged Draenei and Void Elves was datamined during development of Patch 7.3, weâve found that setting up certain races as though they were player characters can be highly advantageous for NPC customization in story content. While those races did become Allied Races later, we still intend to use this approach for non-playable races.
Please donât take a race being datamined in this way as an indication that it will become playable in the future! :)
"Don't get ahead of yourselves"
Why are they assumed to be playable without confirmation?
This largely comes down to the sheer amount of resources that have been put into the Vulpera models. The vulpera models are either being built to become PCs, or they represent the most effort ever put into an NPC race by a significant margin. A list of their features not common to NPCs follows:
- Vulpera have both a male and female model
- Vulpera have an expansive list of customization options that dwarfs any NPC and even many PC races
- Vulpera faces are rigged with the most modern facial animation technology blizzard has, including animated eyes, and articulated lips and jaws.
- While both vulpera models appear to be built on top of a modified version of a goblin skeleton, the skeleton has been heavily altered. It now includes an animated tail and digitigrade legs.
- Vulpera models are drastically different from their goblin donor, including a massive polygon increase.
- Vulpera are built to wear player armor. While not a feature exclusive to player races, it is very rare. In addition, while most headware does not work in the current beta, their unique legs have had all boots programmed to fit properly.
- Vulpera have a number of animations that would have no use on an NPC, including but not limited to /train and swimming backwards. While it would make sense for them to have defaults for these animations inherited from the male goblin, these animations have had face and tail animations added that would have required extra work that would have never been seen on an NPC
- Vulpera have custom cape geometry programmed into their model to prevent their capes from clipping their tails. This is particularly noteworthy because no vulpera NPCs wear capes.
Also there's this great video by MrGM if you'd like a speculation video:
A great video summarizing the potential of a Vulpera allied race has been made! Please find it below:
Polygon Comparison:
Anti-clipping cape articulation:
Slash Train. All aboard the hype train!
What Faction would Vulpera join?
Answer: Horde.
- Vulpera become friendly with the horde in Vol'dun, with many positive interactions.
- Being freed slaves and outcasts fit the narrative on which the Horde was Founded. The Island of Misfit Toys. Looking at the outfits, they look more befitting of the horde, with the troll-like shamanism charms.
- Gameplay wise, it would bring something new and also familiar to the Horde. New due to a small, cute race, but familiar because its going back to the beast races. While they arenât hulking and monstrous, it doesnât make them any less of a beast.
- Story wise, it makes more sense. They are enslaved by (a branch of) the Sethrak and the Horde helps to free them.
- Datamining has also turned up many flags usually reserved for marking horde characters.
- The release of 8.1 has brought with it incursions. Both the alliance and horde version of the Vol'dun incursion show the Vulpera being captured and killed by Alliance operatives. Kiro himself also expresses anger that the alliance have killed the Zandalari King.
Is it possible they will be Neutral?
It is very unlikely. The theme of the expansion is all about the Horde and Alliance conflict! There is no room for neutrality. Previously neutral factions are now joining their new families in the Horde/Alliance and becoming playable. Realistically, in times of war, third parties have not done well in history. In wars, the power house sides oft have a âyou are either with me or against me mentalityâ
Supposedly, Blizzard has stated they didnât like how the Pandaren really came out, and Iâll admit to being annoyed when I am unable to tell if that Panda in the field is a friend or a foe. âSharedâ races (Void elf, Nightborne) tend to have significant difference from their counterparts in skin, hair options, and other customization options, it seems likely Blizzard would continue with this trend, given the outcry for High Elves opposed to Void Elves.
The Vulpera, however, are very close regionally, the culture and appearance wouldnât change all too much.
When will they be Playable?
That information is currently unknown.
8.1.5 brought live the last allied races that are officially confirmed. What the next allied races are, or when they will be has no official word. The March 21st Q&A specifically mentioned no new allied races are planned for 8.2, and may have implied none are even planned for 8.2.5. While the progress of the vulpera model would seem to signify they are planned for the next round of allied races, it is currently unknown when the release will be.
I don't want vulpera to be playable
Many people are not as enthused about Vulpera as we are, and we respect their opinions (most of them anyway) but here are some common concerns and the usual response made to those concerns.
"I don't want Vulpera when the work could go into X"
Rebuttal: While X may or may not be a very popular potential feature, this argument is moot. The work on the vulpera models is nearly finished, and the time is already spent.
"Vulpera are too cute to be in a game as serious as WoW"
Rebuttal: WoW has always been a game that balances serious storytelling with lighthearted humour. You need only look at the number of quests to sort through poop to see WoW is not always taking itself terribly seriously. BFA is looking to be a very serious story, to maintain the balance that is WoW, things like the Vulpera are needed to ease up the tension.
"Ew Furries"
Vulpera appeal to more than just furries
Furries don't hurt anybody anyway.
Closing Comments
This thread will be updated with any major news regarding Vulpera, however you are welcome to join the discord server or follow us on twitter to stay privy to all the latest information
Credit goes to the Vulpera Hype Caravan for much of the work in this thread.
Breaking News Section! Updated April 18th
8.2 has hit the ptr and with it, 6 allied races and also the vulpera have been given a beerfest icon! I'm not saying you should read into this, but I'm not not saying it.