Sylvanas has repeatedly demonstrated ill-will towards the races of the Horde, and poor judgement in regards to her own actions (Varimathras, Putress, arguably her episode at Icecrown).

Are there any Forsaken NPCs that are suitable replacements for her? Most strike me as either too close to her (Nathanos Blightcaller, Faranell) or too distant from the Horde to be reliable (Barthalamew, Judkins).

Maybe Kiryn? She was amusing, at least, though I'm not sure if she'd really be that much different.

I'd say Koltira but he's a traitor with a Bromance too strong to turn against the Alliance.

I've a soft spot for Lady Cozwynn in the Twilight Highlands, but truth is I can't think of any particularly compelling candidates for the job at this point in time.

Commander Belmont?

I personally like Sylvannas, mostly as a Blood Elf fan who appreciates their assistance in the reclamation of the Ghostlands. I also can appreciate her wanting to shore up her borders.

I think we have enough time between now and whenever Sylvannas gets the axe to perhaps actually develop a worthwhile Forsaken Character. Question is what kind of Forsaken leader would we want?

I don't know of anyone I'd pick to replace her, but otherwise, I'd put forward the following qualifications:

1. Strong ties to the Horde.
2. Someone who better represents a good Lordaeronian Heritage.
3. Someone with a good grasp of dark magic. A shadow priest or deathknight would do.
4. Someone who will put the protection of the Undead and their right to exist up front. Add to that a devotion to free will that the Forsaken were supposed to have.

Those seem like pretty solid criteria.

Another fan favorite is that Lillian Ross character, though she seems too erratic and isn't not really aligned with the Horde in any meaningful way (she also may or may not be dead). Plus, I'm not convinced that she'd be much different from Sylvanas in practice. There's also that detail about how she's too closely based off of a character from Magic: the Gathering, or something.

Currently? No one in particular.


Before we get a replacement for Sylvanas, the Forsaken characters themselves have to progress beyond the idea of the whole world being centered around the Banshee Queen. Develop someone first, then give them the mantle.

Lilian Voss definitely does not count, because she's not even really Horde-affiliated, and a reference character to ass insult to the injury.

My sentiments precisely. So out of curiosity, if you were to breed a leader for the job, how would you do it?

That leper gnome dude in UC. He could totally become king of Lordaeron.

What I would do is to integrate the forsaken into the Ebon Blade and have Darion lead them. Now, in the current situation, what I said doesn't make any sense at all. It would turn the forsaken neutral or the Death Knights into horde members, but if you consider that the Ebon Blade encompasses members of both factions who aren't always entirely neutral, the forsaken could simply be members of the horde-aligned Ebon Blade. In essence, you would have the Argent- and Ebon-Lordaerons, of which the forsaken would be citizens. Unfortunately, the forsaken are to villainous and they would still need a sub-faction leader. At least, someone like Aysa and Ji.

Since my preferred solution is not viable, I guess the best bet would be to get a former Lordaeronian, with ties to the royal house, to lead them. Someone they can still venerate and call their Queen, but who cares for them as more than mere shields or arrows. Getting rid of their hero worship is something I doubt Blizzard would manage to do, without ruining the consistency. Therefore, it is my belief that it must be channeled into somebody else, who was important to them in life, before they can start to heal and change. (Although I wouldn't mind a civil war between Sylvanas loyalists and those who have started to see her in another light...) I guess they could just create a previously unknown cousin of Arthas or bring Calia back, from Kul Tiras U.

That WOULD be nice if we got rid of the always-warring factions alltogether. A crusading order of fallen Lordaronian black knights as the main undead faction? Count me in.