wow Legion Alpha: Analysis of Class Titles (Part 1)

[Valks 2,373]

Bored of normal titles like the one I'm using? Lucky for you! It looks like class-specific titles are coming to the world of Azeroth with Legion. Make sure you know which title your class is getting, as well as where that title fits into your class lore!

 

We're going to be working our way through the titles systematically; the title will be presented in reference to the lore and then we'll make sure to look at some alternatives that might have been in the game before. Looking at you, Wrath World First leveling achievements!

 

Death Knight: Deathlord <Name> 

 

This is an interesting title, since it is a direct contrast to the title of Darion Mograine, Highlord. The lore requires some pretty heavy extrapolation to apply to the Death Knights of the present day. The original Deathlords were initially part of the Paladin order, under the command of Prince Arthas. When Arthas ordered the purge of Stratholme, those who heard of the Prince's command took it upon themselves to commit the same heinous act against other cities of Lordaeron.

 

 

Arthas during the Culling of Stratholme.

 

It is said that the act was considered so horrifically evil that it transformed the Paladins into revenants. A revenant is a form of elemental being, initially used by the Old Gods as foot soldiers for the Old Gods in their war against the Titans. These undead revenants scattered across the world, slaying any living beings that crossed their paths. The most notable of these revenants was Eldritch Deathlord, who murdered his entire family in the belief that they were impure in the eyes of the Light. He was promptly banished as an outlaw.

 

I think this is an interesting choice for the Death Knights, since all of this supposedly took place before Arthas had even become the Lich King. On the other hand, Stratholme was realistically the first point where Arthas started to lose sight of right and wrong. As he slaughtered his own people, he began to lose control of his mind and began his descent into the grasp of the Lich King.

 

To some extent, the slaughter of innocents was exactly what the Death Knights were known for while still under the control of the Lich King. Perhaps this is some homage to the darker side of the Death Knights, before they pledged their allegiance to the Alliance and Horde.

 

Our alternative from the Wrath of the Lich King Realm First achievements is <Name> of the Ebon Blade. 

 

I think this would have been too weak of an addition to the class. If we look at the past "leaders" of the Death Knights, we've had:

 

• Gul'dan
• Teron Gorefiend
• Ner'zhul
• The Lich King
• Darion Mograine

 

Amidst all of these, Darion Mograine stands out as the most relevant to the current Death Knight class. As leader of the Knights of the Ebon Blade, he was known as the Highlord of said group. He was presented a title denoting him as the leader of the group, as opposed to the player title which would have granted us simple membership of the Ebon Blade.

 

I think another alternative that could have been looked at would have been <Name>, Master of Acherus. Since Acherus is indeed the home of many Death Knights, this perhaps would have been a fitting role. The master of the class hall presented to Death Knights.

 

Demon Hunter: Illidari Master <Name> 

 

The lore behind this title holds a very simple connection to the class, namely with the title referring to the Illidari. The Illidari is the faction of Illidan Stormrage. Regardless of race or origin, the Illidari denotes anyone that rallied to the banner of Illidan and fought under his command in Outland.

 

 

Illidan Stormrage with Akama and the Naga.

 

When Illidan was defeated at the Black Temple, many of the surviving members of the Illidari were imprisoned by Maiev Shadowsong along with the "corpse" of Illidan. In the Legion lore, we are told that Maiev wanted to keep the body of Illidan in the Vault of the Wardens so that his soul could truly suffer. 

 

To be the Illidari Master implies that we are the Master of the armies of Illidan, a truly spectacular notion. We experienced the might of Illidan's forces in Outland and many of them did survive, seeking the body of their former leader. To command those forces is a pretty spectacular thing.

 

I feel that the title itself isn't the most aesthetically pleasing out of the set; I think it's quite a clunky title and doesn't quite roll off the tongue. If we were simply to be known as <Name>, Master of the Illidari, I think the title would have been better.

 

An alternative that still follows some form of lore could have been <Name>, Bane of the Destroyer. When the Demon Hunters first begin their journey as characters, the player takes part in the invasion of Mardum. It was here that Sargeras the Destroyer freed all the demons he had previously captured in order to create the Burning Legion.

 

By taking over Mardum, it implies capturing an area from the Legion. While this has been done many times on Azeroth, Mardum is technically in the Twisting Nether. This means the Demon Hunters have actually made a dent in the property of Sargeras, a land he had previously owned, rather than an area of the universe we are simply re-taking.

 

Druid: Arch Druid <Name> 

 

Now this is arguably one of the most special titles being added to the class system. The Arch Druid title has been passed on to a tiny number of druids over a vast number of years, with some incredible names among them. This title is the highest ranking position that can be awarded to a Druid and there are a very small number of them on Azeroth. The current leader of the Cenarion Circle, Malfurion Stormrage, the first mortal Druid to exist on Azeroth, is among the Arch Druids. 

 

 

Malfurion Stormrage, First of the Druids.

 

To hold this rank among the Druids is a huge honour and garners a great deal of respect. I don't think you can really top this one, since there is no higher rank in the Druid society. To expect to be put any higher than Malfurion, arguably the most powerful mortal alongside Azshara, would just be ludicrous. This title also coincides with the Wrath of the Lich King title that was going to be awarded for Realm First! Level 80 Druid.

 

What a fantastic choice by Blizzard.

 

Hunter: Pathfinder <Name> 

 

I don't play a Hunter and even I am disappointed by this one. The title itself carries no weight in regards to lore and, at least in my opinion, is not even aesthetically pleasing. I really don't like this one and I feel sorry for Hunters everywhere. We'd better find a good alternative!

 

The lore of hunters isn't quite as faction-based as many of the other classes. There is no united front of hunters for us to base the title upon, like the Cenarion Circle for Druids or the Ebon Blade for Death Knights. Hunters are generally selected based on their military merit and therefore I feel two titles should have been introduced.

 

The Hunters should have been allocated a title depending on their faction, but with the same feel to them. My first suggestion would have been something along the lines of Farstrider <Name>  for the Horde and Sentinel <Name> for the Alliance.

 

 

The Sentinels prepare for war.

 

These two names are based upon the respective race's armies, with Ranger-General Halduron Brightwing leading the Farstriders and Shandris Feathermoon leading the Sentinels. The problem with these titles, however, is they focus hugely on the Elf races. 

 

If we were looking for a more neutral title, we could perhaps relate it to the class hall in Highmountain; for example, the title could be, <Name>, Pathfinder of Highmountain. This is by no means a perfect title, but I think it at least gives the title some form of uniqueness. The current title is just a basic, rather boring title that could relate to someone exploring The Broken Isles instead.

 

Unfortunately, the Realm First! Level 80 Hunter achievement doesn't help us. The reward from the achievement was the title Stalker. Admittedly, this sounds better than Pathfinder, but I still think it reveals nothing of the Hunter class identity. I think they needed a title that either tied into the lore of a well-known Hunter, or they needed to focus on the attributes of Hunters. 

 

Mage: <Name>, Conjuror of the Tirisgarde 

 

Before you get all excited, the Tirisgarde is not the same as the Council of Tirisfal. There is definitely a link, but they are not the same entity. The Tirisgarde is a group that was created in order to battle the Legion when no Guardian was appointed, or to aid the Guardian in battle.

 

For those of you that don't know, the Guardian is an individual appointed to wield an extremely strong set of powers in order to defend Azeroth against the invasion of the Burning Legion. Notable Guardians include Medivh, Aegwynn and Me'dan.

 

To be accepted into this force is no easy feat, so to be named as the Conjuror of the Tirisgarde is an extremely special thing. There are many capable Mages within the group, but you have the battle experience as well as the power to lead the Tirisgarde.

 

 

Aegwynn, Guardian of Tirisfal and Archmage Nielas Aran.

 

I really like this choice by Blizzard, but the Realm First! Level 80 Mage title was just exceptional. I am truly sad to not see it implemented. The title was Archmage <Name>. Some of the notable Archmages that have been named throughout lore include Antonidas, Krasus, Kel'Thuzad and Nielas Aran. To be included amongst this incredible roster and so many more would have been truly special for the Mages. I imagine they most likely didn't want to include both Archmage and Arch Druid into the game at the same time and so opted to find a new title for the Mage. A saddening but fair point. 

 

Monk: Grand Master <Name> 

 

For this title, I feel like the best way to explain it is to put it into context within game. For any of you that might have leveled a Monk, I'm sure you remember visiting the Peak of Serenity and completing your daily quests to get that lovely experience buff. The quest givers within the area are all given the title Master. The Monks that have trained you since you first picked up your daibo are referred to as Master, yet you will become the Grand Master.

 

 

Chen Stormstout, a Brewmaster Monk.

 

I feel like this is very strongly reflective of the way the Monk society works. You have worked your way up as a Monk, growing stronger and practicing until your techniques are perfect. You have studied under every Master of every technique within the Peak of Serenity and have gone on to study the art of war with the Shado-Pan themselves. 

 

You have reached a point where you have surpassed your teachers and so you are known as the Grand Master. I really like that there is no further information to the title, no indication of what you are a Grand Master of. I think it really shows an old-form of respect in regards to your abilities.

 

I think the only other path the Monk title could have taken would have been to mimic the Shado-Pan style of titles, such as Lao-Chin the Iron Belly and Tenwu of the Red Smoke. You perhaps could have seen a reference to the Monk's ability to attack with their fists and palms, for example, <Name> the Iron Fist. They could have also looked at the differing kinship with the elements of Pandaria, such as <Name>, the Tiger's Fury or <Name>, the Serpent's Wisdom. This would, however, need Blizzard to implement different titles for different specialisations. 

 

That's going to be it for the first part of our class title analysis! Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the second part in which we will look at the titles of the Paladins, Priests, Rogues, Warlocks and Warriors. Fingers crossed that the Shaman's will be available on the Alpha by then so we can properly look at their title as well.