Lorewise they’re all probably interesting their own way. I’d rather rate them on aesthetics and how it expands upon their story.
Necrolords are the most interesting for me. I really dig the construct theme they have for the plate, mail, and leather sets. The plate set has this hulking feel to it. It’s as if dozens of bodies were used to create the massive construct inside the plate. The mail set gives me a heavy ranger vibe. It has a bit less than the plate set, but that’s because they’re more focused on the ranged side. It’s definitely a hunter set more than a shaman set. The leather set is more flesh than bone, and it reminds me of Precious from ICC. The cloth set is the most different from the other three. It gives me a pharaoh vibe instead of the other three armor sets.
It’s interesting that cloth deviates from the others. It implies that maybe cloth is the one controlling the other three construct sets. I also like the soul color emanating from all four sets. It’s a callback from the soul color we get from Helya. Bwomsandi has a similar color to it as well.
The Necrolords themselves are pretty interesting as well. We only have a glimpse on what to expect a Necrolord to look like. They’re very tall, skeletons, love dark colors, and wear huge robes. It makes me wonder how Draka will look like. Will she look like an Orc or a Necrolord?
Venthyr is second best when it comes to aesthetics to me. They didn’t release the mail set. I would of had a tougher time picked between Necrolords and Venthyr if it was complete.
I really like their plate set. It’s very Blood Knight-esque. I think Jizzard took influence from Warhammer Vampires on this set. There’s a faction of vampires called the Blood Dragons that dress the same. The gargoyle shoulders are a bit much though. The best part of the set is the design of the plate. To me the set looks like flayed flesh. I like how they incorporated punishment for sins as an aesthetic choice in the set.
The leather and cloth sets to me are a bit too similar. They look more like everyday clothes compared to work clothes. It’s cool if the person wants to equip civilian wear. I guess that’s the theme considering that Venthyr is also about that gothic look.
I dig the Vampire aesthetic the citizens have. I really dig the Penny Dreadful look their realm gives out. I like how they made female vampires sexy, but not human but with a different skin tone. Very true blood. I also like the look of their gargoyles. I want one. Those gargoyles remind me of the Disney Garogyles in the 90s. Very cool.
The vampire civilian wear makes me question if civilians exist on Hot Topic. Is everyone there required to make me repent for my sins? If so then why are there feast halls?
Night Fae are a third for me in aesthetics. The plate set is all wood which gives me a treant feel. It’s a more humanoid treant. I like it. I like the blue color coming from the top of its head, shoulders, and eyes. It makes me feel like a wisp spirit is inhabiting that tree and is the realm’s protector. The mail set looks like Cata-era dungeon set TBQHWY. However, I can see the insect vibe they’re going with it. The leather set is the true Night Fae set imo. It’s very druid. It also had glass vials on its belt. The cloth set also gives off an insectoid feel. However, istead of the mail’s beetle the cloth is a moth.
I read in wowpedia that fauns are using the fem draenei skeleton. Very interesting art coming soon. It’s very traps aren’t gay vibe. What’s most interesting about them is their similarities to satyrs. I think it opens an interesting topic if satyrhood is a fel corruption on the elf form or a mockery of the faun form. Does that also mean that trolls can become satyrs?
Kyrian gives me a high heaven vibe. I think it’s the colors. I like the Diablo angels aesthetic, just not this one. The plate shoulders look like toilet bowls and the helmet looks like a cup. The glow just makes it look overflowing. I like the marble coloring though. It feels like the wearer is made of ornate stone. It’s very unique in that way. Leather looks too much like plate. Cloth is where I think the most work went. Jizzard did a really good job making the cloth look like actually cloth. It looks malleable. Just look at the collar on those robes!
The Kyrian is where the lore gets interesting. Everyone, no matter what they originally were, becomes a smurf with wings. Truly this means the human form is the pinnacle of racial design. They become val’kyr or spirit healers to other worlds.