World of Warcraft Horde Impressions

The industrious Dwarves of Azeroth hail from the snowy region of Khaz Modan. Once disinclined to leave their almost impregnable mountain citadel of Ironforge, they now scour the corners of Azeroth for signs of their ancient beginnings. They have staunch friends in their Gnomish cousins, with whom they have long shared the resources of the forested Dun Morogh Peaks. The two have become even closer now, ever since the latter were driven from their techno-city of Gnomeregan. Both are on good terms with the Humans of Stormwind, a community that, with the kingdom Lordaeron in ruins from the invasion of the Burning Legion, stands as the last bastion of the species' civilization. Reclusive immortals who favor the hours of darkness, the Night Elves are honorable and just, but still hesitant to trust the 'lesser races' with whom they are allied.

  In Blizzard's World of Warcraft, these four comprise a faction known as the Alliance. An equal number belong to the Horde. Native to the grassy plains of central Kalimdor, the massive, bull-like Tauren are normally peaceful creatures devoted to maintaining the balance of nature. During the invasion of the Burning Legion, they allied with the fierce Orcs, who had arrived in Azeroth unwillingly after being taken from their native world, Draenor. The Trolls of the Darkspear tribe swore allegiance to this bloc after an Orcish leader saved them from extermination. All three share a common enemy, the Lich King, with the Undead, although there are no feelings of goodwill in either direction. This past Wednesday night, a new build became available that implements the latter four races, so we tried them out while also examining other major changes.
  Tauren
  As can be seen at a glance, characters of this race are large in stature, with thick, heavily muscled bodies. Of the nine class options that have been planned, four will ultimately be available - Warrior, Shaman, Druid and Hunter. In the new build, Blizzard has added Druids to make a total of eight, with Hunters yet to come. New Taurens enter Azeroth within the rolling, grassy confines of an area known as Red Mesa. Reflecting the species' nomadic heritage, the starting location is Camp Narache, a small collection of tents. With respect to art direction, the visuals seem to pair a couple of North American native influences. The structures recall teepees used by plains tribes, while the presence of totem pole-like objects is suggestive of the West Coast.