Blizzard has updated the Wrath of the Lich King Bestiary this afternoon with the Tauren looking Taunka. These are large animals that have adapted to the cold of Northrend. Instead of being in harmony with nature like Taurens are, they are in contention to it.We can't be exactly sure what the Taunka's role will be. The last paragraph in the update says that we'll soon recognize their "colossal hearts and unshakeable resolve." To me, this sounds like a possible faction we'll be grinding rep for. Perhaps something like the Orgri'la faction, where at first the Orges are hostile, and then they are friendly.
An interesting comment on WoWWiki suggest that Chieftain Ashtotem, known from a screenshot of the Howling Fjord in Northrend, might be a Taunka. What do you think? Personally, I think it's possible. The yellow name also lends credence to the theory that this might be a reputation faction.
We'll keep you updated on all the future Wrath of the Lich King news.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-27-2008 @ 4:58PM
achefsalad said...
If they were a faction they would be in the faction category like the tuskarr.
Reply
3-27-2008 @ 5:00PM
Votum said...
From the art, it looks like they are definitely distinct from the Tauren in terms of appearance, looking a little more like yaks than cows. The screenshot on WoWWiki definitely shows a standard Tauren model, so that's either going to be replaced with a Taunka model, or it's just supposed to be a Tauren NPC.
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3-27-2008 @ 5:13PM
Retron said...
I'd say they look more like buffalo than anything else, except the coloration is kind of like yaks. Buffalo make sense also in relation to the Tauren/Native American concept.
Agreed about Ashtotem though.
3-27-2008 @ 5:41PM
Votum said...
Retron:
Buffalo is the word I was reaching for, I think. Either way, they look quite different from Tauren.
3-27-2008 @ 5:02PM
alt255 said...
Playable race maybe?
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3-27-2008 @ 5:16PM
makishima said...
Yes thats just what we need yaks. Although I guess it would be a little more interesting (or at the very least break less lore) that blue monkeys or anorexic drug (read: magic) addicts who think Legolas is "teh sex".
3-27-2008 @ 5:20PM
Blackhorn said...
Opinion Poll!
Is Blizzard putting too many anthropomorphic animals into WoW?
Currently there are Cow, Walrus, and now some kind of Yak.
Do you like 'em? Do you not?
Personally I'm not crazy about Humanoids directly based on animals. Certainly no deal-breaker for me though.
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3-27-2008 @ 5:27PM
makishima said...
Yeah I have to agree. I am waiting for the penguin people faction who like Sporregar are horribly oppressed. Chili Willie would not approve.
3-28-2008 @ 12:49AM
Suzaku said...
Tauren, tuskarr, and pandaren were all in WC3. I didn't see you complaining back then.
Now we have a fuzzier tauren offshoot that lives in the north and look like buffalos. It's fine, makes sense even, considering how long the tauren are supposed to have been around.
3-27-2008 @ 5:28PM
needles said...
it's definately a nod to the buffalo as Tatanka is the lakota word for buffalo. I think ashtotem resembles a tauren more than a buffalo...longer face, horns point up...my 2 cents
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3-27-2008 @ 5:40PM
Derick said...
they seem to be ramping up the release of these.
Didn't we just get the iron dwarves?
Exciting.
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3-27-2008 @ 5:52PM
Breck said...
If the concept art is any indication, then these things are much cooler looking than Tauren. Tauren just seem goofy and comical. These things have a stoic and majestic air about them. Why is it the non-playable races all look cooler than the playable ones?
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3-27-2008 @ 6:12PM
Bailey said...
I hope these guys are playable, just saying , what side would they be on?
And the still need put the pandarens in!
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3-27-2008 @ 6:12PM
Theadrick said...
@Blackthorn: Anthropomorphic races you say... add these to your list: Furbolg, Gnoll, Murloc, Kobold, Naga, Worgen, Quillboar, Centaur... am I missing any?
Anyhoo personally I like em.
Reply
3-27-2008 @ 6:41PM
Blackhorn said...
Hah! Absolutely right. There are some you missed now that I think about it. Either way, it raises a good point or two..
1) I am old and don't like change, which leaves me being more accepting of the races that existed when the game came out. Either that or I'm just picky about what animals they throw into the mix.
2) Some races kinda slip under the radar. Murlocs are generic enough to not strike me as "trout-men" or "bass-men" or what-have-you. They're just murlocs. Generic-ness seems to get under said raider easier. I have no idea what woodland creature a gnoll is supposed to be. Or a Kobold. Worgen are generic enough and don't look much like their wolf(?) counterparts.
As for the others... Quillboars, Arakkoa, etc, are twisted enough to not bother me. AHA! Perhaps that's it. It's the "peaceful animal" thing. Vicious or aggressive animals get a pass. Santa-like Walrus dudes that should be holding a bucket of chicken or wearing straw hats talking about their "pappy". Nah. Buffalo? No thanks. If you're more interested in grazing my pasture than ripping my face off to feed... then.. well. I dunno. Meh?
3-27-2008 @ 9:47PM
Skarlette said...
"I have no idea what woodland creature a gnoll is supposed to be. Or a Kobold."
A hyena and a rat, respectively.
That's obvious from the annoying sound effect the gnolls make when you aggro them.
And kobolds have the snout and tail of rats.
3-27-2008 @ 6:41PM
Blackhorn said...
Hah! Absolutely right. There are some you missed now that I think about it. Either way, it raises a good point or two..
1) I am old and don't like change, which leaves me being more accepting of the races that existed when the game came out. Either that or I'm just picky about what animals they throw into the mix.
2) Some races kinda slip under the radar. Murlocs are generic enough to not strike me as "trout-men" or "bass-men" or what-have-you. They're just murlocs. Generic-ness seems to get under said raider easier. I have no idea what woodland creature a gnoll is supposed to be. Or a Kobold. Worgen are generic enough and don't look much like their wolf(?) counterparts.
As for the others... Quillboars, Arakkoa, etc, are twisted enough to not bother me. AHA! Perhaps that's it. It's the "peaceful animal" thing. Vicious or aggressive animals get a pass. Santa-like Walrus dudes that should be holding a bucket of chicken or wearing straw hats talking about their "pappy". Nah. Buffalo? No thanks. If you're more interested in grazing my pasture than ripping my face off to feed... then.. well. I dunno. Meh?
Reply
3-27-2008 @ 6:42PM
Blackhorn said...
Blame NoScript for the above post.
3-27-2008 @ 7:52PM
RogueJedi86 said...
Gnolls are like wild dog-men. Kobolds are ratmen.
3-27-2008 @ 6:42PM
Kaljin said...
They look all poofy and cuddly.
Probably aren't cuddly though.
Reply