"The Highmountain Tauren are an offshoot of Tauren found in the region of Highmountain on the Broken Isles. Divided into four tribes (Highmountain, Rivermane, Skyhorn and Bloodtotem), they are the direct descendants of the Tauren led by Huln Highmountain who assisted the Kaldorei Resistance during the War of the Ancients. During the war, Huln received a blessing from Cenarius, so that his people would forever have the demigod's favor, granting them the Horns of Eche'ro: moose-like antlers." --Wowpedia
If you are like me, you are very excited that the Highmountain Tauren are to be a playable Horde race! The addition of a different type of Tauren culture is a big thing for many of us. Not only does it signal the growth of a game we love but also gives us a bit wider world in which to immerse ourselves in—different cultures or, sub-races as they were called back in the day, add a new and exciting dimension in the world of Azeroth.
While there has been a lot of speculation as to when we will be able to have our very own moose-antlered Tauren, we do know a couple of things listed below. While you may already know about these its still a fun thing to go over to get your excitement level up.
While you may already have the Spirit of Eche'ro, or the Grove Warden (perhaps even the Defiled version of it), or the Great Northern Elderhorn, or even the Highmountain Elderhorn; nothing compares to the look of the Highmountain Tauren's Racial Mount: the Highmountain Thunderhoof.
Everything from the war paint, the trinkets, and even the saddle makes the mount awesome; the whole look of this mount, especially when coupled with the heritage armor, is unique and quite amazing! It is nice that our new Tauren will not have to ride a Kodo, a beast of burden which is not found in the Broken Isles and that makes us all happy. Probably the best moose ever!
So far, there is no real information on how to get this mount...perhaps an intensive quest or, most likely, a purchase at your local moose supplier. What we do know that this is the racial mount and yes, the Highmountain Tauren will get it.
Special Look for Druids
Perhaps you want to play a Druid on your new Highmountain Tauren--well, Blizzard has not forgotten us at all. The various druid forms (except for the Moonkin form, sadly) are altered for those Highmountain Tauren that wish to travel the Druidic path. The addition of antlers on the combat forms, and the spectacular travel forms provided for us, these images might just make you want to play a druid now more than ever!
Oh wow! That travel form!
Don't Forget the Totems!
Perhaps you want to travel Azeroth as a Shaman...well, the Highmountain Tauren have their own unique totems that are sure to please. These totems are quite impressive, unique, and will add that extra flavor for all of those who decide to tread the path of the elements.
The Customization is...WOW!
Tribal paintings on the fur and face, carved antlers (or non-carved versions as well), and an array of styles of moose antlers are on the list for unique customization tools.
The addition of war paint is a great idea but one that I am not sure how well it will be visible. A lot of the armor out there covers up a good portion of the body and I don't feel like running around in a skimpy outfit just because I want to show off my tribal markings--although with the option to "turn off" the helm in the transmogrification process we should be able to see any facial markings relatively easy.
In all honesty, it will be the antlers that show up the most and will readily identify you as a new Highmountain Tauren. With carved or non-carved versions of antlers we can expect a lot of fun in the customization process for our new Tauren. With the addition of different types of antler shapes and sizes; the range of different-looking Highmountain Tauren running around The Barrens should be quite nice to see.
Face structure and facial hair appears to be similar to the Tauren already in the game; and while the fact that there is no real new customization on those features is fine it is the antlers and the body paint customization that more than make up for the lack of different facial hair styles.
Heritage Armor...a New Look
The Heritage Armor, gained by leveling your new Highmountain Tauren from level 20 to max level encompasses the theme of the Highmountain Tribes splendidly. The feathers, the markings and coloration, the headdress, and especially the totems; all of these aspects of the armor melds smoothly together and really makes the armor stand out and fit into the Highmountain culture. What is even exciting is that the Heritage Armor works for all armor types...cloth, leather, mail, and plate! This allows even more armor customization for those who make the journey through the old content and complete the quest to max level.
The Heritage Armor is a must have!
Great! Now When?
So...when can we expect the Highmountain to join the Horde? The answer is, according to various websites, as early as Patch 7.3.5 or, at the latest, when the next expansion comes out—there no clear answer right now.
Some sources tell us that when the new patch is available you will have the opportunity to pre-purchase Battle for Azeroth and get immediate access to the questline that will get you to not only the Highmountain Tauren, but the Nightborne Elf as well (but we only talk about Taurens here). The Zandalari Trolls will be available once the new expansion is out...and accessing this race will be the same—a questline that must be completed later in the expansion. Sources also tell us that if you do not wish to pre-purchase the next expansion you can still get access to the Allied Races when the expansion comes out…but who wants to wait?
But there are others who say that the new races will not be available until the next expansion. This would make sense considering one of the main selling points of the next expansion is Allied Races. To have our Highmountain Tauren come in with the Battle for Azeroth expansion would be sad considering most of us, if not all, will want to level our shiny new Tauren through old content and enjoy Battle for Azeroth in style!
Only time will tell.
Are you excited? What class will your Highmountain Tauren be?
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