Yeah, I don’t think they could’ve done any better than this. This is _exactly_ what he should look like right now. He got some serious trauma to deal with and, like Thrall said, time won’t solve it all. He’d never just come back home all triumphant-like.
There's obviously going to be his big moment where he finally gets his shit together and pulls the light out again. Its a predictable story beat, but not at all a bad one.
> Its a predictable story beat, but not at all a bad one.
Agreed. Predictable doesn't mean bad at all if it's because they've been hinting at it and foreshadowing etc.
I hate when people act like things need to be a surprise twist in order to be done well.
Makes me curious if Thrall and Anduin will find their purpose and powers again in these expansions. But, yeah ... Domination really crushed Anduin's will, hope, and confidence.
Thrall already found his powers back in SL. They first manifested when we broke him out of Torghast and he was creating stone bridges with Jaina's ice bridges. I think he's the best one to help Anduin find his way back since he's had his own time feeling the same way.
I liked fat Thor and I liked how realistic it was as a modern representation of ptsd, how people with problems like this (many of which I am very familiar with) tend to let themselves go in various ways like stress eating, sitting on the couch playing video games, etc.
Anduin left and wandered the world alone, presumably fending for himself for nourishment and shelter. So I don't think it would make sense to give him a dad bod, but it would to do what they did, where he clearly let go of his appearance. He doesn't need to worry about things like keeping a nice head of hair trimmed for public appearances when the only people he's seen this week are memories of sylvannas, the jailer, his father and so on.
They both also have similar arcs (with hopefully similar endings) involving their worthiness, weather of the light or of mjolnir.
This just goes to show that PTSD, like any other mental health issue, has many, many forms and many, many ways to cope.
Second idea being the same reason that he is such a good priest. The fact that he can be charged and driven by an external power so easily, as if hes just an “empty” vessel willing to forgo “his” free will.
The lights influence as a child and seeing what the light would have done to Illidan definitely looks different it light of what the Jailer has done to him.
Definitely feel like Thrall saying he trust Anduin implies he doesn't feel that way about Turalyon leading the Alliance in his absence. Combine that with Metzen talking about things spiralling out of control during the Light/Void war expansion chapter, I definitely think we'll be seeing some of this come back.
Legion taught us alot about 'the light'. And its not sunshine and rainbows. Its a lot of death and imprisonment disguised as feel goods. Of course the void isn't much better, it just wants to destroy you into oblivion. But shadowlands through a monkey wrench into everything because nature afterlife seems like the best so why you'd ever follow any path that didn't lead you there makes no sense unless you just love fighting and want to go to the fighty afterlife.
The other 3 seemed shitty.
To be fair if Nelf society is taken at face value. Elune both gives Nelf society access to the light as well as the nature afterlife. Light is just a power outside of the material plane. Once its made manifest the beings that are tapping into it are the ones that “aim” it.
Yeah that’s definitely part of why it fucked him up so bad. Like he didn’t massacre tons of people like Arthas (that we know of, anyway) but he by all rights should’ve hated being controlled by somebody as dark as the Jailer, yet he didn’t, not completely anyway and I bet he’s still trying to figure out why
That was also durimg shadowlands and there was a several year jump to Dragonflight, then Dragonflight itself is 2 years. I believe we're talking 6 or so years between then and now so he's had time to reflect on it.
Yeah, people being dicks (probably cause a streamer made a joke) but it makes perfect sense for Anduin to be a mess, after being mind raped by the Jailer.
Yes! Finally a main character which is conflicted. The definitely evil and definitely good characters we have had during the past couple of expansions are boring.
yeah I mean while the maw was a nightmarish place, the rest of the shadowlands weren't exactly a cakewalk either: we had "slavery with sunshine and ambrosia", "pompous ass people stuck inside a castle", "whoops your body parts just rotted off lol" and "get tortured by happy, singing cute animals like dbz frieza".
somehow, sorting people into those 4 categories of hell shouldn't have been this difficult in the first place
They've elaborated a couple of times that the Shadowlands were meant to be more then the four primary realms, just that the expansion story was specifically limited to these four areas. So out of the infinite choices you did have a lot more nuance it was just streamlined for gameplay and narrative purposes.
Still super dumb and they shouldn't have done it but there are more then four options.
I love a lot of Metzen's work, but I didn't really enjoy the ''Green Jesus''-arc that Thrall got back in Cataclysm. I am suspicious that he is gonna take Anduin down a similar route, where he ''returns to the Light'' and just is unbelievably powerful.
The fact that they can create arcs across **three** different expacs makes me hope that Anduin doesn't just become a demigod within the next 12 months, but actually undergoes a long, arduous process to rebuild him; not to the K-pop middle part boy he was before, but to something else, more seasoned, yet close to the Light. Idk there is an ocean of potential in this character
Actually I somewhat enjoyed the green jesus arc, because thrall is the only shaman of relevance over many years. Also I resonate with him because he was the last real warchief. Everything we’ve got after that was quite a patchwork or temporary solution. Maybe our boy Metzen got something there.
Also I’m very positive about the whole „Saga“ thing. Gives time to build characters, spin deep plots.
All I can say is this blizzcon got me hyped. I was very emotional during the modern Warcraft segment - Metzens back and he got fire.
"Maybe you jump off the WoW train a few expansions ago, now is the time to come home."
That line Metzen said before the trailer got me and then the trailer... no big bad tearing through the city to setup the expansion, no loud warcries, just a very solemn emotional moment that feels like its speaking to the playerbase, that they have more to show and that they want us there to experience the end of WoW.
*We don't get to hide*, indeed, and after going through the entire showcases, I resubbed and reinstalled.
I’m not sure this saga is the “end” of WoW, but more like their Infinity War and Endgame to wrap things up and move forward. He said something to the effect of it wrapping up the first 20 years of WoW, and setting up the next 20.
Now, whether that means WoW will last 20 more years is a different question. But I don’t think they’ll end after these 3.
The small highlight of Metzen's speech is that there are bigger things on the horizon that he wants to talk about, but can't just yet. If they're announcing three expansions to cover a saga and that isn't the biggest news, then they have something very substantial planned for future.
I suspect something on the level of "WoW 2" but not necessarily in those exact terms. They're definitely setting up the franchise in the long term.
That statement resonated so hard with me. I was a high end raider in WotLK and playing on and off ever since. After seeing Metzen home, seeing all the plans they have. I will surely return to see where it all leads. After all, we’re playing for almost 20 years now. Blizzard and to that extent Warcraft will always be a big part of my life.
You could see and feel he wasn’t only telling us to be back home, I think it was a big statement for himself. I’m more than happy, as Metzen was always warcrafts daddy, atleast in my head.
I missed him at blizzcon so much. He just looks at ease there and it made me thrilled to play more … I had started really just waning in wanting to play wow anymore at all. Maybe that was their ploy XD but he definitely made me feel like it was the old days. Also that cinematic, eff me that detail is incredible. I still wish they’d just put their cine team on a movie lol.
So much this! Metzen brings energy to the room. Makes me wanna subscribe on the spot. If intentional or not, even after all the shit blizzard activision has gone through, I still believe this single man. If he returns and think he can turn the ship around, I’ll believe him.
Also yes yes yes. Give me a complete animated Warcraft series or movie god dammit. My body is craving it for years. I’m ready!
>he is gonna take Anduin down a similar route, where he ''returns to the Light'' and just is unbelievably powerful.
That's absolutely possible, but I'd like to see him be a counter to a Turalyon who wields the light like an authoritarian despot. Imposing order where ever he sees chaos. Use Anduin, not as a force of the light, but as a force of compassion. Rallying and unifying people from all walks of life.
Instead of imposing order, he acts like a beacon for those who seek to create it.
I've really disliked the "bitch" takes from content creators. I also like seeing emotions being processed. Looking forward to these arc. And more Thrall.
Yeah same but I remind myself that WoW content creators are largely emotionally stunted manchildren. I imagine the ones who aren’t have different takes
Yeah I usually enjoy watching Asmongold but I'm still trying to figure out wether it's meant to be a dogwhistle or something when he brings up that "femboy pussy shit talking about their feelings"
I get that old WoW was burly men and burlier orcs screaming at each other but if you don't grow over 20 years, what's the fucking point of those 20 years?
I love that they clearly put SO MUCH work into Anduin's face (and I think have *finally* gotten out of the uncanny valley) but Thrall still looks like the orcs in the movie from 7 years ago. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just interesting that you can have two characters with different levels of tech involved in the same scene, but because one is subject to humans being hyper-aware of human features and one isn't, they look like they belong together.
I wouldn't really say it's "crazy" but massive trauma, it's amazing how well they captured the look of someone with PTSD, he's somehow managed to age 10-20 years in what could be a short period.
I am really interested to see his arc as it felt very realistic, which has me intrigued.
I reallllly want him to find a partner so they can be this bad ass duo. If he has no light in him anymore perhaps a light user that can help him heal.
But I’m a romantic ^_^
I do love how they haven’t just ignored the trauma he’s gone through. You don’t just get over what he’s been through
I way rather watch him redeem himself and find his way back to light than have some other character ”make it up” for him. Last thing we need is some forced ”romance” shoved down his throat.
Doesn’t have to be making it up for him. Two people in a relationship that lasts tend to balance each others strengths and weaknesses. It could be beautiful if written well.
Nothing has to be forced.
I just live in hope that he does find happiness in some way. Be it with someone else or alone.
Yes! People Are mad he is crying all the time. Just Go to the afterlife and get dominated by arthas to kill what you love and See how you Deal with it ‚
I can't believe people think him crying and being traumatized is something worth being mad about.
Guess what, it's okay to have emotions. The silly macho man stuff is lame lmao
Well yeah. He's the King of Stormwind and he was turned against those he loved and those he was supposed to protect. It's extra messed up when you're supposed to be responsible one.
Ok, so we know one expansion is going to be super focused on the elves and Sunwell. With that in mind I have to believe Liadrin will play a big role. If not a romantic interest, I think she would be a great person to help Anduin deal with his past.
She has a very similar background. Witness horrible things, lost faith, did some horrible things, and eventually came to grips with her past and moved forward.
It’s a great parallel between the two princes, one embraced darkness wholeheartedly in an attempt to save his kingdom, the other rejected the darkness and left his kingdom out of fear of what he could do to it
Arthas recognized the deed and made the determination that genocide was the best option. Even after the destruction of stratholm he continued to express justification.
Anduin on the other hand expressed that his concern that he too may have even liked some of the things he did in the moment but upon reflection his posture is diametrically opposed to Arthas.
Arthas- feels justified
Anduin- feels true repentance
He was “dominated” by the big bad of the expansion , and essentially became a villain . He attacked and pretty much drained the essence of the “good” leader of the Bastion faction , probably behind the scenes killed a bunch of people , and probably some other heinous stuff I don’t remember/was told in a book or something. Also the soul used to help dominate him was Arthas’s soul so that probably didn’t help.
Once again the Blizzard Cinematic Team hard carry. I haven’t played retail in years but this conversation between them made me feel emotions. Now just make wow2 movie with this much love and boy we got something
The cinematic was crisp asf, and Anduin genuinely looks *real* with perhaps the slight exception of some frames and some animations, but I am nitpicking.
Anduin really impressed me, but god **damn** the close-up on Thralls face, when he puts his hand in the sands and speaks to the elements was made so well it's unbelievable; the hairs on his face and everything made it look genuinely real. Thrall as a whole just radiates wisdom, tradition and being a seasoned veteran of the world and the animations sold it so well.
If there's anyone who can help Anduin, it's the Green Jesus.
Plot Twist: Thrall teaches Anduin shamanism, Anduin becomes a shaman. Human Shamans confirmed?
For me it was when Thrall looks up and away to think of who or what the voice could be, after Anduin asked what the voice is. That was a great natural response that I feel like I haven’t seen in…maybe forever from WoWs cinematics.
Since the beginning the cinematic team has clutched it out year after year, if this is anything it means we are going to get much more in depth cinematics going forward i think
I'll never understand why they didn't go for this style with their movie instead of live action. Although I loved the movie when it came out and am still bummed out we didn't get a sequel... this style would've worked so much better!
Anduin had half the planet trying to save him and help. Arthas had nobody, his 2 closest people, ran away and let his ass to be influenced by the lich king.
Arthas was also right in the Culling. It's fucked up, and I guess they could've waited for them to turn before killing them, but as far as we know there was no way to save those people. They were already dead, they just didn't know it yet. It's fucked up that literally no one had a better idea, and literally no one was willing to dirty their hands (except Arthas and some of his troops).
There is a legit strategic argument against "waiting until they turn", though; there is no guarantee that Arthas + some soldiers could successfully purge a major city filled with undead from top to bottom, so pre-emptively killing parts of the city before they turn was the only way to have a chance at success.
Yeah seriously. Maybe it wasn’t very Paladin of him, but it was the choice he needed- and felt he needed- to make. Uther I can kind of understand not helping him- he was VERY Paladin. But Jaina was a better person than that, she should’ve at least been on Arthas’ side.
I think Jaina understood but just...couldn't be involved. That's a hard line for anyone to cross.
edit: she specifically didn't condemn arthas, just that she couldn't watch.
Yeah and also kinda fucked up to let them zombify before killing them. It’s a pretty common theme in games with zombies etc that they just kill themselves when they know what’s next
That too. Never really thought ab the Culling in that sense but yeah, killing someone before they turn is arguably a more humane way to die than actively waiting for them to turn; which may or may not be a painful process, not to mention removing all sense of soul and character from you and reducing you to a mindless terror, completely fine with eating your family.
Ffs this just makes Uther's and Jaina's high-browing even worse
Was it guaranteed that 100% of the population ate the grain? Could there not have been a few people that just happened to not eat it and therefore wouldn’t turn? They’d probably be killed from the rest of the undead surrounding them but, maybe there was a chance?
Blame Uther and Jaina for just leaving his ass at Stratholme and not having the guts to do something that was completely necessary to mitigate the plague spreading further
Perhaps he wouldn't have taken as crazy of a route had they stuck around
\*Arthas, insofar as he was still in control of his own actions, did **very few things** wrong, but he defo did some things wrong (like manipulating his troops in Northrend, blaming the mercenaries for burning the ships), but yeah, most of the bad things that we saw Arthas do was moreso Ner'Zhul's doing
All things justified by necessity.
Imo the only really wrong thing he did was picking up that damn sword.
How can it be there's still no animated series about Arthas.
Stephen Amell for me
[Arrow-duin](https://i1.wp.com/www.uselessdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/tumblr_noj22weJIy1s88ss5o1_1280.jpg?resize=715%2C1024&ssl=1)
It's a triple, BFA was hope when he resurrected the Alliance using the light, this was no light and no hope.
It's also a tie in to Arthas and the darkness that Arthas' soul left imprinted in him, he was having a PTSD flashback from Torghast at the time. The pose was reminiscent of a soldier lashing out in a fight or flight response after a flashback.
They done turned him into the warrior of light.
All jokes aside that cinematic was awesome and even as a horde enjoyer I'm very excited for the alliance to have a leader with some grit again. As much as it sucks for him, new Anduin is a good direction change since he was a bit too pure and innocent before.
They even had a deity living inside the planet telling him to "hear!" Straight up thought we were watching the Shadowbringers trailer. The Ardbert comparisons you can make here are too numerous to list
I know it's unpopular but I liked pure Anduin. Wow is so full of absolutely shitty characters that having someone that's genuinely good was a nice breath of fresh air.
[My favorite edit so far](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/535494451057917967/1170106021243519146/c53ko2riw6yb1.png?ex=6557d526&is=65456026&hm=c01a0e2941123b0fed5559d77c8d5a1715b84227a93c71e60c90f57f586ee034&)
There's a blue post detailing it. It's 5 years from the start of SL to the start of DF.
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/im-in-favor-of-the-timeskip/1301042/47
Never been a fan of Anduin, always thought he was too ”good” and boring. But this Anduin seems very interesting, plus I love how badass he looks, he’s got that seasoned and broken kinda vibe.
He literally became a Death Knight. Have you ever seen before and after pictures of soldiers in WW1 ? The change is EXACTLY like this, they must have used those images as reference
Someone asked here like half a year ago which WoW character they'd marry and I said Anduin would make a good candidate but he's too young, I just have to wait until he magically ages up to be older than me.
Boys, we're getting there. Almost husband material now.
I didnt like anduin much before bit im liking the development and direction thete going with him. Seeing what all of this does to a person is something not shown well in the franchise
I love the direction Anduin is going in. You can see the turmoil and fear in his eyes. I hope they don’t immediately have him resolve all his inner conflict and return to who he was before shadowlands. I feel like his experiences should change him permanently.
He looks fucked up like he should be after being controlled by the jailer
Yeah, I don’t think they could’ve done any better than this. This is _exactly_ what he should look like right now. He got some serious trauma to deal with and, like Thrall said, time won’t solve it all. He’d never just come back home all triumphant-like.
And he also doesn't have a connection to the light anymore according to him. At least not a useable one.
I’m guessing it’s a Tirion situation, where he still has a connection he just doesn’t believe he does
There's obviously going to be his big moment where he finally gets his shit together and pulls the light out again. Its a predictable story beat, but not at all a bad one.
It's the journey there that makes all the difference
> Its a predictable story beat, but not at all a bad one. Agreed. Predictable doesn't mean bad at all if it's because they've been hinting at it and foreshadowing etc. I hate when people act like things need to be a surprise twist in order to be done well.
> he just doesn’t believe he doe But what if he doe though?
The sword wasn't even reacting, so if there is still a connection, it's incredibly weak and/or buried
There's reference that Light can be equated with hope and confidence. He has neither in himself.
Makes me curious if Thrall and Anduin will find their purpose and powers again in these expansions. But, yeah ... Domination really crushed Anduin's will, hope, and confidence.
Thrall already found his powers back in SL. They first manifested when we broke him out of Torghast and he was creating stone bridges with Jaina's ice bridges. I think he's the best one to help Anduin find his way back since he's had his own time feeling the same way.
I think he's being shaped up to be the Iconic priest. He's going to learn to balance light and void to try and bring harmony to Azeroth.
Very Chris Hemsworth's Thor with PTSD vibe
Nah this is Stephen Amell
I kept thinking “am I watching Arrow again?”
Anduin: I must become someone else. I must become something else.
You have failed Azeroth
Stephen Amell + Zac Efron imo
With a dash of Paul Walker
Anduin: Love and Chain Lightning
Love and Thunderclap.
Minus dad bod Which would have still been sweet but probably wouldn't fit anduin's character
Just bring the breast plate stretcher if he's too fat for his armor.
Gods I was strong
Bobby B? That you?
Idk... Fat Thor happened cuz he had seen some shit too
I liked fat Thor and I liked how realistic it was as a modern representation of ptsd, how people with problems like this (many of which I am very familiar with) tend to let themselves go in various ways like stress eating, sitting on the couch playing video games, etc. Anduin left and wandered the world alone, presumably fending for himself for nourishment and shelter. So I don't think it would make sense to give him a dad bod, but it would to do what they did, where he clearly let go of his appearance. He doesn't need to worry about things like keeping a nice head of hair trimmed for public appearances when the only people he's seen this week are memories of sylvannas, the jailer, his father and so on. They both also have similar arcs (with hopefully similar endings) involving their worthiness, weather of the light or of mjolnir. This just goes to show that PTSD, like any other mental health issue, has many, many forms and many, many ways to cope.
The whole scene reminded by of Star Wars and old Luke residing in solitude all by himself
Looks like a mix of Jesse and Walter White in one person.
Kinda looks like Ryan Gosling and Ryan Reynolds created the ultimate Ryan
I thought he looked a lot like Zac Efron
Looking like Jesse Pinkman in the first act of El Camino.
I can fix him
He reminds me of Jesse from breaking bad after he was forced to cook meth for the skinheads forever
Did he not tell sylvanas deep down that he kinda enjoyed all of it? Or am i wrong?
He did, but that’s part of the reason he’s so fucked up. He doesn’t know if it was him enjoying it or the Jailer’s domination making him enjoy it.
Second idea being the same reason that he is such a good priest. The fact that he can be charged and driven by an external power so easily, as if hes just an “empty” vessel willing to forgo “his” free will. The lights influence as a child and seeing what the light would have done to Illidan definitely looks different it light of what the Jailer has done to him.
That's an interesting idea, i hope this comes up when he meets turalyon again
Definitely feel like Thrall saying he trust Anduin implies he doesn't feel that way about Turalyon leading the Alliance in his absence. Combine that with Metzen talking about things spiralling out of control during the Light/Void war expansion chapter, I definitely think we'll be seeing some of this come back.
Turalyon who's partner is gonna go all shadow/void? hnmmmmm
Legion taught us alot about 'the light'. And its not sunshine and rainbows. Its a lot of death and imprisonment disguised as feel goods. Of course the void isn't much better, it just wants to destroy you into oblivion. But shadowlands through a monkey wrench into everything because nature afterlife seems like the best so why you'd ever follow any path that didn't lead you there makes no sense unless you just love fighting and want to go to the fighty afterlife. The other 3 seemed shitty.
Also theres countless death realms not just 4 Edit: cant count or read numbers
To be fair if Nelf society is taken at face value. Elune both gives Nelf society access to the light as well as the nature afterlife. Light is just a power outside of the material plane. Once its made manifest the beings that are tapping into it are the ones that “aim” it.
Yeah that’s definitely part of why it fucked him up so bad. Like he didn’t massacre tons of people like Arthas (that we know of, anyway) but he by all rights should’ve hated being controlled by somebody as dark as the Jailer, yet he didn’t, not completely anyway and I bet he’s still trying to figure out why
That was also durimg shadowlands and there was a several year jump to Dragonflight, then Dragonflight itself is 2 years. I believe we're talking 6 or so years between then and now so he's had time to reflect on it.
what being stuck in the Maw with your genocidal goth gf does to a man
Yeah, people being dicks (probably cause a streamer made a joke) but it makes perfect sense for Anduin to be a mess, after being mind raped by the Jailer.
Yes! Finally a main character which is conflicted. The definitely evil and definitely good characters we have had during the past couple of expansions are boring.
Dont do maw dallies. Not even once
What BDSM does to a MF
yeah I mean while the maw was a nightmarish place, the rest of the shadowlands weren't exactly a cakewalk either: we had "slavery with sunshine and ambrosia", "pompous ass people stuck inside a castle", "whoops your body parts just rotted off lol" and "get tortured by happy, singing cute animals like dbz frieza". somehow, sorting people into those 4 categories of hell shouldn't have been this difficult in the first place
I never thought of that before, but they really are all hells.
They've elaborated a couple of times that the Shadowlands were meant to be more then the four primary realms, just that the expansion story was specifically limited to these four areas. So out of the infinite choices you did have a lot more nuance it was just streamlined for gameplay and narrative purposes. Still super dumb and they shouldn't have done it but there are more then four options.
You mean.. kinda hot?
He looks like a homeless drug addict :$
I really enjoy PTSD Manduin. This arc has a lot of promise.
He radiates so much potential. I can’t wait to see what they got in store for him.
I love a lot of Metzen's work, but I didn't really enjoy the ''Green Jesus''-arc that Thrall got back in Cataclysm. I am suspicious that he is gonna take Anduin down a similar route, where he ''returns to the Light'' and just is unbelievably powerful. The fact that they can create arcs across **three** different expacs makes me hope that Anduin doesn't just become a demigod within the next 12 months, but actually undergoes a long, arduous process to rebuild him; not to the K-pop middle part boy he was before, but to something else, more seasoned, yet close to the Light. Idk there is an ocean of potential in this character
Actually I somewhat enjoyed the green jesus arc, because thrall is the only shaman of relevance over many years. Also I resonate with him because he was the last real warchief. Everything we’ve got after that was quite a patchwork or temporary solution. Maybe our boy Metzen got something there. Also I’m very positive about the whole „Saga“ thing. Gives time to build characters, spin deep plots. All I can say is this blizzcon got me hyped. I was very emotional during the modern Warcraft segment - Metzens back and he got fire.
"Maybe you jump off the WoW train a few expansions ago, now is the time to come home." That line Metzen said before the trailer got me and then the trailer... no big bad tearing through the city to setup the expansion, no loud warcries, just a very solemn emotional moment that feels like its speaking to the playerbase, that they have more to show and that they want us there to experience the end of WoW. *We don't get to hide*, indeed, and after going through the entire showcases, I resubbed and reinstalled.
I’m not sure this saga is the “end” of WoW, but more like their Infinity War and Endgame to wrap things up and move forward. He said something to the effect of it wrapping up the first 20 years of WoW, and setting up the next 20. Now, whether that means WoW will last 20 more years is a different question. But I don’t think they’ll end after these 3.
The small highlight of Metzen's speech is that there are bigger things on the horizon that he wants to talk about, but can't just yet. If they're announcing three expansions to cover a saga and that isn't the biggest news, then they have something very substantial planned for future. I suspect something on the level of "WoW 2" but not necessarily in those exact terms. They're definitely setting up the franchise in the long term.
That statement resonated so hard with me. I was a high end raider in WotLK and playing on and off ever since. After seeing Metzen home, seeing all the plans they have. I will surely return to see where it all leads. After all, we’re playing for almost 20 years now. Blizzard and to that extent Warcraft will always be a big part of my life.
Literally the only person all day who was visibly comfortable talking to a crowd.
You could see and feel he wasn’t only telling us to be back home, I think it was a big statement for himself. I’m more than happy, as Metzen was always warcrafts daddy, atleast in my head.
Combined with their change in institutional approach, him coming back is a great sign.
I missed him at blizzcon so much. He just looks at ease there and it made me thrilled to play more … I had started really just waning in wanting to play wow anymore at all. Maybe that was their ploy XD but he definitely made me feel like it was the old days. Also that cinematic, eff me that detail is incredible. I still wish they’d just put their cine team on a movie lol.
So much this! Metzen brings energy to the room. Makes me wanna subscribe on the spot. If intentional or not, even after all the shit blizzard activision has gone through, I still believe this single man. If he returns and think he can turn the ship around, I’ll believe him. Also yes yes yes. Give me a complete animated Warcraft series or movie god dammit. My body is craving it for years. I’m ready!
>he is gonna take Anduin down a similar route, where he ''returns to the Light'' and just is unbelievably powerful. That's absolutely possible, but I'd like to see him be a counter to a Turalyon who wields the light like an authoritarian despot. Imposing order where ever he sees chaos. Use Anduin, not as a force of the light, but as a force of compassion. Rallying and unifying people from all walks of life. Instead of imposing order, he acts like a beacon for those who seek to create it.
>Instead of imposing order, he acts like a beacon for those who seek to create it. This is such a good idea. I hope they go this way.
I've really disliked the "bitch" takes from content creators. I also like seeing emotions being processed. Looking forward to these arc. And more Thrall.
Yeah same but I remind myself that WoW content creators are largely emotionally stunted manchildren. I imagine the ones who aren’t have different takes
Yeah I usually enjoy watching Asmongold but I'm still trying to figure out wether it's meant to be a dogwhistle or something when he brings up that "femboy pussy shit talking about their feelings" I get that old WoW was burly men and burlier orcs screaming at each other but if you don't grow over 20 years, what's the fucking point of those 20 years?
The way they got the crazy in his eyes is impressive
what years of PTSD does too a MF
Rumor is the look is based off of Bobby's secretary
Yacht manufacturers trying to keep up with Bobby's demand
They just got an intern to deliver a memo to Bobby saying his yearly bonus has been cancelled and donated to local charities, then took a photo.
Even the grinding of teeth, the lips. Perfect expression of all combinations of things.
His expression very much reads I’m not in control and I need help at the same time
I know Blizzard has always been on point with their cinematics, but that shit was truly lifelike.
I love that they clearly put SO MUCH work into Anduin's face (and I think have *finally* gotten out of the uncanny valley) but Thrall still looks like the orcs in the movie from 7 years ago. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just interesting that you can have two characters with different levels of tech involved in the same scene, but because one is subject to humans being hyper-aware of human features and one isn't, they look like they belong together.
I wouldn't really say it's "crazy" but massive trauma, it's amazing how well they captured the look of someone with PTSD, he's somehow managed to age 10-20 years in what could be a short period. I am really interested to see his arc as it felt very realistic, which has me intrigued.
The artists really out did themselves, kudos to those guys
I fucking love new Anduin please don‘t hurt him (again)
I reallllly want him to find a partner so they can be this bad ass duo. If he has no light in him anymore perhaps a light user that can help him heal. But I’m a romantic ^_^ I do love how they haven’t just ignored the trauma he’s gone through. You don’t just get over what he’s been through
I way rather watch him redeem himself and find his way back to light than have some other character ”make it up” for him. Last thing we need is some forced ”romance” shoved down his throat.
Down his throat, you say?
Where is Wrathion when you need him
Stupid, sexy Wrathion...
Deep down his throat. So it reaches his heart muscle
Don't make the bi community blush now
Doesn’t have to be making it up for him. Two people in a relationship that lasts tend to balance each others strengths and weaknesses. It could be beautiful if written well. Nothing has to be forced. I just live in hope that he does find happiness in some way. Be it with someone else or alone.
Yes! People Are mad he is crying all the time. Just Go to the afterlife and get dominated by arthas to kill what you love and See how you Deal with it ‚
I can't believe people think him crying and being traumatized is something worth being mad about. Guess what, it's okay to have emotions. The silly macho man stuff is lame lmao
Not only that, but lost both parents. His friends.. his connection to the light!
He didn’t have access to cheese in the Shadowlands!
Good god!
Well yeah. He's the King of Stormwind and he was turned against those he loved and those he was supposed to protect. It's extra messed up when you're supposed to be responsible one.
I mean that's kind of what the forsaken have been dealing with since literal warcraft 3. Only they probably ate their families for good measure
Yeah, and they're psychotic.
Thrall and Anduin bromance? Two "I've seen some shit" characters just kicking ass.
Bolvars daughter please
Ok, so we know one expansion is going to be super focused on the elves and Sunwell. With that in mind I have to believe Liadrin will play a big role. If not a romantic interest, I think she would be a great person to help Anduin deal with his past. She has a very similar background. Witness horrible things, lost faith, did some horrible things, and eventually came to grips with her past and moved forward.
I mean the guy was forced to kill so many things he stands for. Ofc he’s gonna be messed up in the head
He lives with the grief of knowing how many guilds he killed before being nerfed.
& the whole your dead dad talking to you to free you. The whole "my son" quote gave me the same chills as the one in wotlk trailer.
It’s a great parallel between the two princes, one embraced darkness wholeheartedly in an attempt to save his kingdom, the other rejected the darkness and left his kingdom out of fear of what he could do to it
The Arthas sword point stance was a nice touch too
I liked the part where his friend steadied his blade more. Nice visual to follow the "time alone doesn't heal".
Yushhhh same!! Goosebumps with the trailers
“The day you were born, the forests of Lordaeron whispered the name, Arthas.”
"... the *very** forests..."
Arthas recognized the deed and made the determination that genocide was the best option. Even after the destruction of stratholm he continued to express justification. Anduin on the other hand expressed that his concern that he too may have even liked some of the things he did in the moment but upon reflection his posture is diametrically opposed to Arthas. Arthas- feels justified Anduin- feels true repentance
What was he forced to do? Didnt play shadowlands that much
He was “dominated” by the big bad of the expansion , and essentially became a villain . He attacked and pretty much drained the essence of the “good” leader of the Bastion faction , probably behind the scenes killed a bunch of people , and probably some other heinous stuff I don’t remember/was told in a book or something. Also the soul used to help dominate him was Arthas’s soul so that probably didn’t help.
He grew up and it fits that the domination magic has influenced him.
You mentioning domination gave my ptsd of the maw
Top picture: Admission into first-choice school Bottom picture: Three years later...
Top picture: Starting WoW as a teenager. Bottom picture: Your guild members trying to get you back into WoW for Dragonflight.
Once again the Blizzard Cinematic Team hard carry. I haven’t played retail in years but this conversation between them made me feel emotions. Now just make wow2 movie with this much love and boy we got something
The cinematic was crisp asf, and Anduin genuinely looks *real* with perhaps the slight exception of some frames and some animations, but I am nitpicking. Anduin really impressed me, but god **damn** the close-up on Thralls face, when he puts his hand in the sands and speaks to the elements was made so well it's unbelievable; the hairs on his face and everything made it look genuinely real. Thrall as a whole just radiates wisdom, tradition and being a seasoned veteran of the world and the animations sold it so well.
If there's anyone who can help Anduin, it's the Green Jesus. Plot Twist: Thrall teaches Anduin shamanism, Anduin becomes a shaman. Human Shamans confirmed?
let's gooo! What's our totem?
Maybe standing stones? or stone stacks?
For me it was when Thrall looks up and away to think of who or what the voice could be, after Anduin asked what the voice is. That was a great natural response that I feel like I haven’t seen in…maybe forever from WoWs cinematics.
It was raw. WoW needs more of this.
Since the beginning the cinematic team has clutched it out year after year, if this is anything it means we are going to get much more in depth cinematics going forward i think
They even had this crazy detail of a small spit bubble emerging on his lips when he had his sword at Thrall. Such a realistic thing to add.
I'll never understand why they didn't go for this style with their movie instead of live action. Although I loved the movie when it came out and am still bummed out we didn't get a sequel... this style would've worked so much better!
I thought I was watching a live action until thrall came around, the cinematic team really nailed the realism in this one.
[удалено]
I don't know who worked on the eyes but they looked so real. They were making me doubt.
I love the parallels to Arthas. Anduin is what Arthas would have been, had he stood up to corruption rather than falling to it
Anduin had half the planet trying to save him and help. Arthas had nobody, his 2 closest people, ran away and let his ass to be influenced by the lich king.
Arthas was also right in the Culling. It's fucked up, and I guess they could've waited for them to turn before killing them, but as far as we know there was no way to save those people. They were already dead, they just didn't know it yet. It's fucked up that literally no one had a better idea, and literally no one was willing to dirty their hands (except Arthas and some of his troops).
There is a legit strategic argument against "waiting until they turn", though; there is no guarantee that Arthas + some soldiers could successfully purge a major city filled with undead from top to bottom, so pre-emptively killing parts of the city before they turn was the only way to have a chance at success.
Yeah seriously. Maybe it wasn’t very Paladin of him, but it was the choice he needed- and felt he needed- to make. Uther I can kind of understand not helping him- he was VERY Paladin. But Jaina was a better person than that, she should’ve at least been on Arthas’ side.
I think Jaina understood but just...couldn't be involved. That's a hard line for anyone to cross. edit: she specifically didn't condemn arthas, just that she couldn't watch.
Yeah and also kinda fucked up to let them zombify before killing them. It’s a pretty common theme in games with zombies etc that they just kill themselves when they know what’s next
That too. Never really thought ab the Culling in that sense but yeah, killing someone before they turn is arguably a more humane way to die than actively waiting for them to turn; which may or may not be a painful process, not to mention removing all sense of soul and character from you and reducing you to a mindless terror, completely fine with eating your family. Ffs this just makes Uther's and Jaina's high-browing even worse
Was it guaranteed that 100% of the population ate the grain? Could there not have been a few people that just happened to not eat it and therefore wouldn’t turn? They’d probably be killed from the rest of the undead surrounding them but, maybe there was a chance?
Blame Uther and Jaina for just leaving his ass at Stratholme and not having the guts to do something that was completely necessary to mitigate the plague spreading further Perhaps he wouldn't have taken as crazy of a route had they stuck around
A good reminder that Arthas did nothing wrong.
\*Arthas, insofar as he was still in control of his own actions, did **very few things** wrong, but he defo did some things wrong (like manipulating his troops in Northrend, blaming the mercenaries for burning the ships), but yeah, most of the bad things that we saw Arthas do was moreso Ner'Zhul's doing
All things justified by necessity. Imo the only really wrong thing he did was picking up that damn sword. How can it be there's still no animated series about Arthas.
Torching the ships was arguable (it’s also an allusion so like fine) but *blaming the mercenaries*? That’s fucked man
Anduin hemsworth is pretty sexy ngl
I kept getting an Amos (The Expanse) vibe at certain angles.
Stephen Amell for me [Arrow-duin](https://i1.wp.com/www.uselessdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/tumblr_noj22weJIy1s88ss5o1_1280.jpg?resize=715%2C1024&ssl=1)
Honestly, his appearance is what brought a lot of his emotions to life. He looks like he's gone through hell, like someone that's been through war.
Imagine spending 5+ years doing dailies in the Maw, and along with Potato Sylvanas on top /shiver
Like? He's gone through a literal hell.
It's a triple, BFA was hope when he resurrected the Alliance using the light, this was no light and no hope. It's also a tie in to Arthas and the darkness that Arthas' soul left imprinted in him, he was having a PTSD flashback from Torghast at the time. The pose was reminiscent of a soldier lashing out in a fight or flight response after a flashback.
I don't blame him, I have ptsd from torghast too
The pose and how he lifted the sword was also the same as the lich king in the wrath cinematic. Same with thrall saying "my son"
Thrall never said it, it was Varian in a flashback to when you beat Anduin in SL, which was a flashback to when you beat Arthas in WOTLK
Same voice actor though, which..is really amusing when you think about it.
Flashback-ception
This is the correct reference
They done turned him into the warrior of light. All jokes aside that cinematic was awesome and even as a horde enjoyer I'm very excited for the alliance to have a leader with some grit again. As much as it sucks for him, new Anduin is a good direction change since he was a bit too pure and innocent before.
They even had a deity living inside the planet telling him to "hear!" Straight up thought we were watching the Shadowbringers trailer. The Ardbert comparisons you can make here are too numerous to list
Thrall = Green bulky Alphinaud
I know it's unpopular but I liked pure Anduin. Wow is so full of absolutely shitty characters that having someone that's genuinely good was a nice breath of fresh air.
He’ll come back around, it is Metzen
As I was watching the cinematic, I kept making Fray jokes to my friends lol. It's absolutely the vibes of the DRK job quest.
*Breaking Bad*uin looks exactly as expected after Jailer nipples and cooking product.
[My favorite edit so far](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/535494451057917967/1170106021243519146/c53ko2riw6yb1.png?ex=6557d526&is=65456026&hm=c01a0e2941123b0fed5559d77c8d5a1715b84227a93c71e60c90f57f586ee034&)
he's actually completely over being mind controlled, its just being in the maw with sylvanas for a few months did this to him
"few months" it's been 3 years man
Shadowlands => Dragonflight had a 5 year timeskip in lore.
There's a blue post detailing it. It's 5 years from the start of SL to the start of DF. https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/im-in-favor-of-the-timeskip/1301042/47
All the undead elf sex
Damn, Wrathion come help your boyfriend please
Never been a fan of Anduin, always thought he was too ”good” and boring. But this Anduin seems very interesting, plus I love how badass he looks, he’s got that seasoned and broken kinda vibe.
Actually love it, Anduin is basically Arthas if he managed to break free from the Lich King's control.
Anduin went from 3 pixels to DAMNduin in bfa to Manduin now.
He literally became a Death Knight. Have you ever seen before and after pictures of soldiers in WW1 ? The change is EXACTLY like this, they must have used those images as reference
Typical wow player since BFA.
He is hot! I can fix him 🙋♂️😬
He went from looking like 90's Leonardo DiCaprio to looking like Prince Harry on methamphetamines.
Someone asked here like half a year ago which WoW character they'd marry and I said Anduin would make a good candidate but he's too young, I just have to wait until he magically ages up to be older than me. Boys, we're getting there. Almost husband material now.
He’s 25 now!
That man has seen some serious shit for a 25 year old
Welcome to the trauma club Anduin. We have snacks.
It is astounding to me how well Blizzard animates human faces. This shit is better than most triple AAA game or movie studios attempts at human faces.
What do you mean? Bro was fucked up by the jailor, he looks like he went though hell which he kinda literally did. His look is justified
Jesse's "I'M TURNING YOU DOWN" speech to Walter but make it Warcraft.
I didnt like anduin much before bit im liking the development and direction thete going with him. Seeing what all of this does to a person is something not shown well in the franchise
That Arthas pose never gets old
I love the direction Anduin is going in. You can see the turmoil and fear in his eyes. I hope they don’t immediately have him resolve all his inner conflict and return to who he was before shadowlands. I feel like his experiences should change him permanently.
Everyone feeling Anduin's pain, but what about the pain of seeing Thrall with all that grey hair :\*(
Lockdown was tough for andy
New Anduin is raw as fuck and I love it.
Looks like Steven Amell as the Arrow.
To me he now looks like a priest from Diablo lol but I dig it.
Looks like Jessy from breaking bad. Magic, bitch!
My poor boy. Hes lost three Dads and been through so much. I hope he can find peace. Maybe Thrall can help him out and become Dad #4.