Why does the Alliance seem to be more popular than the Horde with players?

[Rowan Seven]

After hearing again that more people are playing as Alliance characters in "World of Warcraft" than Horde, I figured I'd start a discussion on this topic. Why do you think the Alliance seems to be more popular? I'm inclined to believe a combination of racial aesthetics (I've heard people complain about how the Horde races look although, personally, I _like_ their appearance styles) and ideological misunderstandings (The Horde still seems to be equated as evil and the Alliance as good by some) are responsible, although I'm not sure if these factors alone can account for the imbalance if it's as large as I'm perceiving it to be.

[Kingcrazygenius]

Really? I figured everyone would want to be undead. But yes, physical appearance does seem to be a factor.

[Reign of Kalos]

When I was playing as an orc shaman, it just seemed... Repetitive. The scenery didn't change that much, barrens here, barrens there. When I went over to a human paladin, I was really able to throw myself into the role. I felt honour, and that my quests were worthwhile. It was just a more fun character for me to play, maybe things will change, but I really do like that role as a warrior of the light. Of course, the shaman has to be worked upon, I wouldn't be Kalos without it!

[Romanov77]

I had better not posting in this thread ;)

[Flinn Gaidin]

Humans are just plain nicer than Orcs...

[Inquisistor7]

Well comsidering the Horde is the enemy of the Humans in Warcraft it is not surprising that people think the Horde is evil. Plus, the Horde was evil in Warcraft I and II, so all in all I can see why people could perceive them to be evil.

Anyway, I have heard that the Alliance lands are just funner to play in, but I don't have WoW so I wouldn't know...

[Grt490]

Personnally my favorite zones have been the Horde ones. In my opinion Deathknell is the best starting zone because of the instant conflict with the scourge that you have. Then you move onto silverpine or the barrens. Silverpine is similair to the Trisfal glades in appearance, but the quests lend an entirely different feel to the zone. The barrens is just massive, and was alot of fun to play in.

Reign, I don't think you gave the Horde enough of a chance. If you had tried out silverpine when you grew bored of the Barrens, you probably would have had a good time.

I think that most players like the Alliance better because of how human they look, and how easy it was to relate to them. Dwarves are just short, deformed humans trying to defend their homes. Gnomes look like small children that are trying to retake their home. Humans are human and are trying to stabilize their kingdom, while the Night elves are just tall purple humans that are trying to protect their way of life.

[Reign of Kalos]

Personnally my favorite zones have been the Horde ones. In my opinion Deathknell is the best starting zone because of the instant conflict with the scourge that you have. Then you move onto silverpine or the barrens. Silverpine is similair to the Trisfal glades in appearance, but the quests lend an entirely different feel to the zone. The barrens is just massive, and was alot of fun to play in.

Reign, I don't think you gave the Horde enough of a chance. If you had tried out silverpine when you grew bored of the Barrens, you probably would have had a good time.

I think that most players like the Alliance better because of how human they look, and how easy it was to relate to them. Dwarves are just short, deformed humans trying to defend their homes. Gnomes look like small children that are trying to retake their home. Humans are human and are trying to stabilize their kingdom, while the Night elves are just tall purple humans that are trying to protect their way of life.I never said that I never tried Silverpine. That was better, far better, the Forsaken lands. More original quests and all. Now to mention the terrain never looked the same, as in you can take a short walk of the path and get lost because it's so similar. I also have to add that the nightelf starting area was bad for me too. But that was because of levels of creatures, too much of a jump in creep level from 2-3's to 7-8's directly. The Horde characters were great, just navagation the places sucked for me. And naturally I tried, it was suppose to be my main character and all, I just found I was forcing myself to endure it. It just flowed with the humans.

[kooaznboi1088]

Not really Kalos, in my server there is a ROUGLY 50/50 spread of Horde and Alliance players.

[Reign of Kalos]

Well excuse me for not feeling what some people want me to. I don't care if most people are alliance or horde, or what the percentages are. I said that's what applies to me. I don't care whatever numbers that can be thrown at me, I play a game because I enjoy it, not as a task to be done. Others can do what they want it's thier thing.

But don't you dare suggest I should sacrifice my enjoyment simply because some statistic says that there is any sort of indication. It doesn't influence my judgement in the slightest, and I'll stick to my true feelings. I say 'I', never that it applies to everyone. I put my thoughts, and what I got out of the game, down on paper as my reasons, not to put one side down over another. You say there's a 50/50 split? That lovely, but it doesn't change my enjoyment levels back then at all. How does that "not really" my personal experiences?

[IlidanStormrage]

The Cenarion Circle server has a vast higher number of Alliance as opposed to Horde. I'd say 1:3 at least.

As for which is better, Alliance is so much easier to play as. I created a Human Paladin and got to level 10 in under an hour. The Horde, however, proves a challenge and as such makes it much more fun.

@ Kalos - The earlier areas such as the Barrens and Silverpine are somewhat aggitating. However, once you reach level 20 or so and are able to head into Ashenvale and Stonetalon, it much improves. The Thousand Needles are even better, and once you are 33-35 Desolace is one of, in my opinion, the best areas in the game. Hillsbrad has the true feel of Horder vrs. Alliance, and Arathi's feeling of desolation and emptyness is sheer coolness.

[Diskordjah]

personally, I dont know about th looks of stuff. but I really, really think that the Eastern Kingdoms are waaay more fun than Kalimdor... maybe its the lorebuff in me, since most of kalimdor is pretty new. also, the instances in Eastern are way cooler than the kalimdor ones, since theyre all caves or thorns! shadowfang keep and the scarlet monastery is more awesome, and so is Gnomeregan.

(WC was pretty good, but got nothing on EK instances. Blackfathom is also too cave-ish. RFK sucks, same all around.)

[WarDragon]

What's really wierd is, the Horde as a whole is still underrepresented, even though Undead are the most individually popular race. Orcs and Tauren just tend to lag behind Humans and Nelfs, and Trolls come in dead last.

[IlidanStormrage]

O, I prefer Kalimdor. The Eastern instances are better, however, but I love the way Kalimdor looks. The Barrens and such are too populated to be cool, but Felwood, Moonglade, Thousand Needles, Tanaris, Un'Goro, ect. are very cool.

[Kingcrazygenius]

I hate you people who can afford the game.

[SuRReAL OrC]

Because nelf chicks look better than those fuglyass orc girls. :lol:

[IlidanStormrage]

I hate you people who can afford the game.
And why is $15 a month so bad? :p

[SuRReAL OrC]

And why is $15 a month so bad? :p

That's $20 Canadian. I make $13 a month=gg WoW Pwnt me

[Kingcrazygenius]

And why is $15 a month so bad? :p

I don't have a job and unlike you spoiled rich brats I don't have parents that can pay for every little indulgance I want.

[kooaznboi1088]

Well excuse me for not feeling what some people want me to. I don't care if most people are alliance or horde, or what the percentages are. I said that's what applies to me. I don't care whatever numbers that can be thrown at me, I play a game because I enjoy it, not as a task to be done. Others can do what they want it's thier thing.

But don't you dare suggest I should sacrifice my enjoyment simply because some statistic says that there is any sort of indication. It doesn't influence my judgement in the slightest, and I'll stick to my true feelings. I say 'I', never that it applies to everyone. I put my thoughts, and what I got out of the game, down on paper as my reasons, not to put one side down over another. You say there's a 50/50 split? That lovely, but it doesn't change my enjoyment levels back then at all. How does that "not really" my personal experiences?


Miss type, I was referring to Rowan's question.

[Nephalim]

Now, being morbid and goth-esque, I fell in love with Lordaeron. The spider-webs interlaced with the grass, the eternal green haze over everything, it's just got oodles of atmosphere. But the Barrens do tend to get a little blase. With Mulgore, the Barrens, and Durotar, all three are long, flat expanses. Now, it's not really their fault, because we knew that this was how central Kalimdor was. But as far as eye candy goes, it's few and far between.

Then there's the cities. Orgrimmar and Thunder Bluff are certainly cool places to visit, but until you get the hang of them, they're frustrating and confusing to navigate. It took me a surprisingly long time to figure out where stuff was. In the case of all the other cities, it's much more ordered and organized. Ironforge takes some adapting, I think, but the rest are rather straightforward (although it's hard at first to figure out how to get OUT of the Undercity). Now, given the nature of these races, all of it fits, so I can't really object to the layout of either Thunder Bluff or Orgrimmar, but they may frustrate players enough to send them back to their human characters in Stormwind.

Now, when I first got World I started characters as all races right away, and I can tell you that at that time, humans and night elves were the most popular, by far, and when I started my main undead char, Deathknell was virtually deserted. Now I played on a low pop server, but nevertheless, these were very noticeable. But I think this has to do with familiarity. Ashenvale was involved heavily in Warcraft 3, and Stormwind is full of landmarks from the first two games. Durotar's focus came with the expansion's campaigns, which a LOT of people haven't played completely.

It might have something to do with hype, as well. Going into World, I had virtually no idea what the plot was going to entail for the horde. I discovered the Magatha Grimtotem and Neeru Fireblade plots as I moved along. But from the beta, I knew the Onyxia story, the Varien Wrynn thing, the whole Three Hammers story, Furion being asleep, the irradiation of Gnomeregan, the Scarlet Crusade, etc. There was just more coverage of the Alliance story threads.

[BagOfPot]

On the subject of the horde being evil. I think the WC3 campaigns show that every race is equally evil. Both campaigns for the human and the orc, have the other race talking badly about each other. Referring to how ugly they are, or another little kid insult.

Too bad most people who have WC3, probably didn't beat the campaigns :[

[IlidanStormrage]

Ahem, I pay for WoW myself thank you very much!

Anyway, Neph, how can you possibly think Orgrimmar and Thunder Bluff are more difficult to navigate than Undercity?! That's insane.

Now, I think that, and always will think that, the Alliance is far too easy. All races of the Alliance. With the Horde I actually have a challenge, yet with the Alliance I can easily play through the first areas with no trouble.

[SnapSlav]

In my experience with RPGs, the 3 main determinants of Players' Top Picks are (in no particular order) 1- Visual Appeal of Characters 2- Ease of Gameplay 3- Degree of Exploitability.

For example, I use Diablo II, since most of us probably experienced this. The 3 most popular classes were Amazons, Sorceresses, and Barbarians, in about that order too. Zons were busty and despite pixelation were decent eye-candy, they were as simple as "right clicking to kill all in ur path", and they were so overpowered it wasn't even funny! Sorcs for more or less the same reasons. Barbs were frikkin cool lookin, so damn buff that they were hard to die while playing, and their skills were so bugged that all PKers wanted a WWBarb.

For the MMORPG perspective, thought I don't know WoW, I do know Lineage, and the top 2 races/classes in that game are Dark Elf and Human Fighters. Both races are REALLY nice looking (the jiggle of the female Dark Elf can entertain for hours), and Dark Elves are notorious for being able to kill faster than all other races. The Fighter classes are just easier to manage than the Mystic variety, since they have the HP to sustain assault, and don't have too many skills to choose from for a fight.

As such, the case is probably the same with WoW. Players like the look of the Alliance more, and they may have more cheesable abilities. Maybe because they're "standard" they're easy to use too.

[Flinn Gaidin]

I hate you people who can afford the game.
:y-sad: :y-sad: :y-sad:

[A-Thousand-Lies]

I think one of the factors is that everyone presumes everyone else will go with the Alliance. Therefore, there will be more interaction, as there will be lots more people to talk to, tell you how to do quests and whatnot.

For example, in the MMORPG Dransik that I used to play, you could either choose Orcs, Night Elves or Humans. Most of the people I came across were Humans, a majority of players went there. This way, it wasn't boring and lonely, and you had other players to help you if you weren't sure what to do, or if you just felt like chatting whilst you farmed. It's mainly the social factor (yes, I am aware of the irony).

[SnapSlav]

That does make a lot of sense. In Lineage, despite how each and every class and all the races had balances that made no one better that another, there are far more humans than any other race, and when I created my Orc Mystic, one with a lot of potential at higher lvls, it was very lonely in the Orc lands, and the simple lack of players were almost discouraging enough to stop me from going Orc at all. But then again, in Lineage, few stick around the starter lands, and move onto the Mainland and all races and classes intermingle and party and hunt and whatnot...

[Mymla]

because they have night elfs :y-thumbsu no, I don't know, I want to play lots of classes in WoW so i'll probably play on both fractions :P

[Kingcrazygenius]

I don't know...I'm usually driven to be something that no one else is. That is virtually impossible of course, so instead I opt to be whatever is least common.

On the other hand, should I ever get WoW I feel highly compelled to make a female human paladin.

[Nephalim]

Ahem, I pay for WoW myself thank you very much! Yeah, I'm getting a little tired of everyone assuming everyone playing World is a useless child and grabs their money off their parents.
Anyway, Neph, how can you possibly think Orgrimmar and Thunder Bluff are more difficult to navigate than Undercity?! That's insane.Orgrimmar and Thunderbluff both have multiple levels to them, which makes it kind of difficult to translate the map, and the different sub-areas kind of spiral off in no apparent direction. The Undercity is contained, is all on one level, and you can get everywhere by the canals. I found the Undercity incredibly easy to get to know whereas I had considerable difficulty with Orgrimmar and Thunderbluff. The Undercity is basically a slightly smaller Ironforge.
Now, I think that, and always will think that, the Alliance is far too easy. All races of the Alliance. With the Horde I actually have a challenge, yet with the Alliance I can easily play through the first areas with no trouble.I think there are challenging parts to the Alliance, but I'll agree the Horde is much more difficult. Particularly the class quests. The rogue poison quest for the Horde involves killing a tower full of monsters and finishing with a pretty tough boss, and the alliance quest is considerably easier. And this is a quest to get poisons, so it's not just an aside. The same goes for the warlocks. The alliance quest for the succubus ships you off to Ashenvale where you have to kill a few dark strand guys and get a wood sample. The Horde, however, has you (at level 20, let's recall) go through Arathi to the other side of the Thandol Span, into the Wetlands. Arathi has monsters as high as level 37 right near the road, and the guy you need to kill is PVP enabled, so if you're on a PVE server, you open yourself up for enemy attack, and the Thandol Span is relatively well-travelled by both factions.

[Liche]

I don't know...I'm usually driven to be something that no one else is. That is virtually impossible of course, so instead I opt to be whatever is least common.

On the other hand, should I ever get WoW I feel highly compelled to make a female human paladin.

Get a job, get some money, buy WoW with a time card. That's 90 days without paying the monthly fee.

[Kingcrazygenius]

Why don't you people stop telling me to get a job like IT'S SO ****ING EASY!

[Liche]

Err. I apologize, KCG. I didn't know you got pissed off at that subject.

Well, if you get the chance, play it. It's awesome.

[WarBane]

Agreed, Pretty damn good.

I've noticed alot of people havn't done the level 20ish paly quest until around level 26+. This involves getting stuff from Deadmines, Blackfathom Deeps, and Shadowfang Keep. It's a pretty hard and long quest.

[BraveLiver]

Why is Alliance more popular? Night Elves.

[BraveLiver]

Why don't you people stop telling me to get a job like IT'S SO ****ING EASY!

What you gotta do is make about 10 resumes and apply everywhere that you can. Ask if they're hiring. Whenb a job is advertised you have a much less chance of getting in, since everyone else will apply, too.



EDIT: I thoughtI was in a different thread. Sorry for double posting. :y-sad:

[Nephalim]

Why is Alliance more popular? Night Elves.Well, then, case closed. Recall your forces, everyone, we can call off the investigation.

[Phacist Phucker]

I think there are challenging parts to the Alliance, but I'll agree the Horde is much more difficult. Particularly the class quests. The rogue poison quest for the Horde involves killing a tower full of monsters and finishing with a pretty tough boss, and the alliance quest is considerably easier. And this is a quest to get poisons, so it's not just an aside. The same goes for the warlocks. The alliance quest for the succubus ships you off to Ashenvale where you have to kill a few dark strand guys and get a wood sample. The Horde, however, has you (at level 20, let's recall) go through Arathi to the other side of the Thandol Span, into the Wetlands. Arathi has monsters as high as level 37 right near the road, and the guy you need to kill is PVP enabled, so if you're on a PVE server, you open yourself up for enemy attack, and the Thandol Span is relatively well-travelled by both factions.

Your thinking is somewhat situational. As a NE Druid, getting the second transformation (The Sea Lion if I recall) involves you parading around the Western shore of the Eastern Kindoms AND northern Kalimdor looking for two treasure boxes for two pendant halves, at which point ou have to travel ALL the way to Moonshire so you can join the pieces. Then you have to travel back to Darnassus so you can Present the joined pendant halves to Malfurion's aide. And if I remember, I asked someone where the Eastern Kingdom's Half-pendant was, only to recieve the reply "You follow this road to Ironforge and then take some more roads to the Human bastion. It's a really long walk."

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that it works both ways.

[Phacist Phucker]

What the hell?! I started writing that post when it was like two things away!

~_~ and I just now realized that I can edit posts.

[socal]

and I just now realized that I can edit posts. Yeah and now change ur name, some might find it offensive u know. ever thought of that?

[Hairy)(Palms]

Yeah and now change ur name, some might find it offensive u know. ever thought of that?

yeah dont discriminate against phacists im sure socal is a faschist and u r demeaning his beleifs
:g shake: :y-mm: :y-crazy:

[Nephalim]

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that it works both ways.I'd beg to differ. In that quest (I've done it, too) you travel exclusively through Alliance territory. The first half comes from Darkshore, and the second has you travel through the Wetlands, to Loch Modan, to Dun Morogh, to Elwynn, to Westfall. The Wetlands is the only real threat to you, but the monsters there are only level 20s and stay away from the roads. And also, the Horde version of this quest is equally as convoluted. My point before was that important class quests have a habit of being much more difficult for the Horde. I'd say these two were about equal.

[santa claus]

i think its cause of the pretty women :P

[KillAllZerg]

Are you really Santa?

[Reign of Kalos]

Are you really Santa?
Please don't act like a dumbass. I know it's countrary to the behaviour you've displayed on this fourm so far, but I belive there is a faint possibility that there is some part of you, deeply locked away from sight, that isn't such an enourmous prat. Maybe if you focused on bringing that piece of you out, you would be more likable, not to mention leave a better impression on those around you.

[KillAllZerg]

Please don't act like a dumbass. I know it's countrary to the behaviour you've displayed on this fourm so far, but I belive there is a faint possibility that there is some part of you, deeply locked away from sight, that isn't such an enourmous prat. Maybe if you focused on bringing that piece of you out, you would be more likable, not to mention leave a better impression on those around you.
Strange. One would think that such a simple person as yourself would enjoy a little humor. Or are you in your "period"? If you are, then my condolences to those around you in the real world.

[Kingcrazygenius]

How many times are you going to use that 'feel sorry for the people around you' thing? I've already seen it twice now, and it isn't clever. And "are you really Santa" isn't funny. Furthermore the period itself does not cause emotional distress. It's called pre-menstral syndrome, not menstral syndrome.

If humor is your game you'll have to do alot better than that.

[KillAllZerg]

Humor is never my game. However, I do find an occasional laugh that much more enjoyable during a time of great emotional distress, such as the times right after 9-11.

Edit-Of course, if one is closed off to the emotion known as happiness, then may I recommend Buddhism? The eight fold path will bring you all the calmness you would need in your life, without having to bother with emotional happiness.

[Kingcrazygenius]

You could have just said you're a jerk. Wouldn't have taken as many words. And you meant that much more enjoyable, right?

P.S. Lighten up Kalos. Keep acting so stiff and you'll snap like a twig. You know, one of them dry ones...that are on the ground...and I step on it...

[KillAllZerg]

It would seem that you possess the same degree of humor that I do.

[Kingcrazygenius]

What I appear to be changes once about every five minutes. Stick around and you may see the full spectrum of my tantrums and explosions of manic joy.

[KillAllZerg]

I'm sure it would be a spectacular sight.

[Kingcrazygenius]

If you are into that kinda thing (i.e. a sicko). I'd rather see the northern lights.

[KillAllZerg]

I prefer the southern lights, as I get to enjoy them along with an army of penguines.

[Kingcrazygenius]

And you said humor was never your game.

[KillAllZerg]

It isn't. I just like penguines more than arctic bears.

[TurinTurambar35]

K, thread's gone...

[KillAllZerg]

Its been gone for a while now. Haven't you noticed?

[Diskordjah]

I absolutely hated the sea lion quest as alliance. swimming in fatigue waters for something you have NO idea where its at is NOT my idea of fun.

I do remember the horde succubus quest though, I was out hunting sturdy shinbones from dragonmaw orcs when a warlock showed up in need of assistance. my brilliant tactics and fast running saved the day.