Post by Desblud
This is an explanation of the current controversy with everyone regarding Undead taking on the class of a Hunter. Before anyone asks I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of the game and can state an unbiased opinion of each section of game play in question while providing links to the information, meaning I will be covering Player versus Player, Player versus Environment, and Roleplaying/Lore.
If anyone who has done research and/or collected resources pertaining to this topic feel free to comment.
Roleplaying/Lore:"Where is the lore of a Undead Hunter, and how is it even closely possible in World of Warcraft?"
Although this certain class/race combination isn't in as big of an uproar like the Tauren Paladin or Troll Druid, it is still being looked down upon by a small percentage of the World of Warcraft community. From a bit of studying and know how of background and source information, Undead Hunters have good reason to have the option of Hunter from story, in no particular order:
*According to even at the basis of Warcraft lore, the Hunter class "is one of the oldest classes in history", providing that it had been around for so long, surely Undead have had ample time to find interest in the sport from when they were their Human counterparts, to the elimination effectiveness of the vile race that is the Undead. Provided that it required no religious change and took merely a thrill, a gun, and a beast worthy of a skill.
Source--> http://www.wowwiki.com/HunterTop of article under "Background ,Second Paragraph, First Sentence*Furthermore, as Hunters they "understand the natural circle of life and death, and the part they must play in maintaining it not simply as researchers, but as active participants", this is evident through the Undead and their previous lives, as they have knowledge of such a thing from experience.
Source--> http://www.wowwiki.com/HunterTop of article under "Background ,Second Paragraph, Third Sentence*At the heart of Hunter lore, a Hunter "is the choice of life for those who reject societies", this as many know has strict similarity with the way the Undead as a race follow in philosophy.
Source--> http://www.wowwiki.com/HunterTop of article under "Background ,Third Paragraph, First Sentence*Sylvanas Windrunner, leader of the Undead, is known to be an "Elven ranger", with their "mastery in Longbow, Marksmanship, and Scouting", its no wonder the Undead have picked up on the aspect that of a Hunter.
*In terms of the Lore basis itself in World of Warcraft, I took this quote straight from the website for a simple and short explanation that Lore is an ever evolving and ever changing concept, non linear, and can possibly change at any time if Blizzard so wishes.
"Cataclysm will be a major step forward in the
ongoing story of the Warcraft universe."
Source--> http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/lore.html*(Non linear, for those who don't know, meaning just because something happened before in the past, doesn't mean it cannot change in the present/future, in this case)--see "retroactive"
PvP-Player versus Player:"Everyone knows Undead have a great PvP racial, they pretty much get a free trinket, and CC can make or break a fight in the arena."
Although this hasn't been touched on as heavily as the Lore, players still find this to be an issue, regarding the Will of the Forsaken, an instant cast charm/fear/sleep breaker, with Cannibalize in certain situations being that extra potion.
Though in retrospect PvP is and can be a complicated challenge among players, it would be wise to allow the game changes to occur before anymore speculation is to be determined, what with the status changes being almost completely revamped come next expansion, such as the removal of Spell Power and Attack Power as a stat, also along with the new stat called "Mastery", with this many changes to the core of the game it seems views and opinions on the matter could possibly be quite different by then, will have to wait for more information.
Source--> http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/faq/Mid-bottom of the page under the "Will there be any changes to player stats such as Agility, Spell Power, and so on?"
PvE-Player Versus Environment:There hasn't been much of an uproar regarding the PvE statistics of Undead playing as a Hunter, it is more of an aesthetic addition to say the least from recent review.
Other:Some say that it is an unfairness in class selection, where as from what Blizzard has shown, the Horde receive 1 more class/race availability than the Alliance, as follows but in no particular order:
*Bold text will indicate new class combination from Cataclysm
Orc- Death Knight, Hunter,
Mage, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior=7
Undead- Death Knight,
Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior=7
Tauren- Death Knight, Druid, Hunter,
Paladin,
Priest, Shaman, Warrior=7
Troll- Death Knight,
Druid, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior=8
Blood Elf- Death Knight, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock,
Warrior=8
Goblin- Death Knight, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior=8
Horde=45 combinationsHuman- Death Knight,
Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior=8
Dwarf- Death Knight, Hunter,
Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue,
Shaman, Warrior=8
Night Elf- Death Knight, Druid, Hunter,
Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warrior=7
Gnome- Death Knight, Mage,
Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior=6
Draenei- Death Knight, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Shaman, Warrior=7
Worgen- Death Knight, Druid, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior=8
Alliance=44 combinationsIf the above information from wowwikki is correct.
Source--> http://wotlkwiki.info/up2/cataclysm/classrace.jpgAlthough this is true, it is looked upon to not be game breaking or an issue, some find it better to help simplify players selection as a whole.
*UPDATE*I've found a Blizzard representative post on this issue on the official World of Warcraft-Paladin forums, just to rest assured my statement on the lore and how things will come together, though this was mainly for the Tauren Paladin issue it goes the same for Undead Hunters.
Source--> http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=19378794377&sid=1That is it for the information on the Hunter and their upcoming class combinations, I may also explain other combinations in their respective threads to help those understand the reasoning and justification behind Blizzards new expansion concerning classes.
Tauren Paladin/Priest Explained Source--> http://www.wowhead.com/?forums&topic=116623&p=1350952*Currently working on Troll Druid Explanation thread*