wow Anduin Defeat Cutscene Memes

[Starym 3,800]

 

We've already taken a look at the very mixed/conflicted community reactions to the Anduin cutscene in the Sepulcher of the First Ones, and now it's time to take a look at some of the more creative responses. These aren't quite as mixed, and feature a whole lot of Sylvanas, but as usual are pretty damn funny!

One of the major complaints about the cinematic was its focus on Sylvanas, since she's had petty much all the screen time for a long time now, and these memes summarize that sentiment pretty well:

Source: Kenemo.

Source: TheBannaMeister.

The other big complaint was the treatment and especially presentation of Arthas:

Source: kmark529.

Source: Haru_SOSBrigade.

On the same topic, this one is particularly good, especially with the description:

He enjoys spinning around and harvesting resources for Night Elves.

Source: Faythz.

And this last one on the Arthas subject will be particularly painful for WoW and Star Wars fans (although I'd personally replace Rise of Skywalker with the prequels, since you can't really double-ruin something):

Shadowlands is to Arthas’ legacy what Rise of Skywalkers was to Anakin’s.

Source: Soulbain12.

While not necessarily cinematic-related, this one hits the nail solidly on the head:

Source: Litoria_tralala.

This one may be a little off-topic, but it seems like a pretty solid template with a lot of uses for the future (and it may actually be even sadder than the real scence itself):

Source: GrandXan.

[Teufel 331]

Wish they've done more, like making him appear during Zovaal encounter and self-detonate to burn some of the Jailer's mana...

Edited March 5, 2022 by Teufel

[Ulvgrymt 8]

Its terrible how they treated this whole story ark.

one of the very worst thing is how they lured the entire community into believing art has would reappeard, all from the first short pre exp trailers to the talks of him, uther thinking about him, them using his invincible theme for a brief moment in the 9.1 scene w anduin walking past uther… so much pointed to something bigger involving arthas… why is there no narriative?? There is so much story that could have been told? Jaina should have SO much to say! Thrall meeting his mother Draka?!? Why do they drop the ball time and time again? That’s all for now 👋

[Kaelos 74]

I'd replace Hots icon with Diablo 3. It's fun, better designed game and doing fine, can still find players so not dead, while D3 was a mess since release with wrong graphics style, real money auction house and broken itemisation. RoS did some good changes but then went into mess again with those massive damage on sets and forced playstyles.

[Migol 433]

Honestly, it would have been much more powerful if instead of Varian and Saurfang (whose presence makes VERY little sense lorewise), it was the last gasp of Arthas' soul that freed Anduin.    A small voiceover changing from Lich King voice to Prince Arthas voice in a small speech before breaking Anduin out at the cost of his soul.   

[Teufel 331]

48 minutes ago, Migol said:

Honestly, it would have been much more powerful if instead of Varian and Saurfang (whose presence makes VERY little sense lorewise), it was the last gasp of Arthas' soul that freed Anduin.    A small voiceover changing from Lich King voice to Prince Arthas voice in a small speech before breaking Anduin out at the cost of his soul.   

You're advocating against your own point. First and foremost, those are not the souls of Varian and Varok, for Varian's was obliterated, and souls are clearly shown being far from indestructible.

The reason Arthas didn't show up to "help" in the scene is because he means nothing to Anduin. The best you have over the entire run of the character, is Garrosh mockingly stating their visual similarities and Anduin harshly replying he is not Arthas. Also, Arthas never even tried to break free, and even welcomed the vile power of Frostmourne for his misguided quest for vengeance. Anduin did, more than once, even if some of it can be attributed on how much more powerful with the Light Anduin is.

Also, same reason Queen Tiffin didn't show up - he doesn't even remember her (even if the 'woke herd' saw DIVERSITY there). Saurfang, on the other hand, does. Anduin is all about peace and Saurfang is kind of an orc he sees the 'honor' of the Horde resides in, among other qualities he represents. Orc and human coming together against the actual threat, his aspiration for peace, realized.

[Starym 3,800]

4 hours ago, Teufel said:

You're advocating against your own point. First and foremost, those are not the souls of Varian and Varok, for Varian's was obliterated, and souls are clearly shown being far from indestructible.

The reason Arthas didn't show up to "help" in the scene is because he means nothing to Anduin. The best you have over the entire run of the character, is Garrosh mockingly stating their visual similarities and Anduin harshly replying he is not Arthas. Also, Arthas never even tried to break free, and even welcomed the vile power of Frostmourne for his misguided quest for vengeance. Anduin did, more than once, even if some of it can be attributed on how much more powerful with the Light Anduin is.

Also, same reason Queen Tiffin didn't show up - he doesn't even remember her (even if the 'woke herd' saw DIVERSITY there). Saurfang, on the other hand, does. Anduin is all about peace and Saurfang is kind of an orc he sees the 'honor' of the Horde resides in, among other qualities he represents. Orc and human coming together against the actual threat, his aspiration for peace, realized.

It's also very relevant as he's about to destroy both Horde and Alliance characters, the leadership basically, so it makes sense those two would pop up. Varian is a no brainer, ofc he'd be there, but Saurfang is a nice touch as it shows what a big influence his actions had on Anduin in such a short timespan.

And yes I'm baffled that a lot of players think those are actual souls and not just memories, but that's just another thing pointing to how badly this expansion's story was developed, where players can't even see the difference between metaphorical memories and literal actual souls.

[Lestat777 9]

8 hours ago, Teufel said:

those are not the souls of Varian and Varok

Since all souls who arrive in The Shadowlands end up in The Maw, Saurfang's soul should be a Mawbeast of some kind anyway. (Unless there's a gap in my knowledge somewhere)

[Helvorn 57]

I wasnt expecting much, as the utter lore mess is already beyond any help. As any help includes understanding past errors, listening to helpful advice and actually change things to the better.

None of this was shown by Blizzard in any kind or form.

[Teufel 331]

5 hours ago, Lestat777 said:

Since all souls who arrive in The Shadowlands end up in The Maw, Saurfang's soul should be a Mawbeast of some kind anyway. (Unless there's a gap in my knowledge somewhere)

Gameplay has little to do with the lore, but Sylvanas does drop a trinket named "Old Warrior's Soul" that is a clear reference to Saurfang.

Not sure if lore-wise Sylvanas is this petty to keep his soul around to 'punish' him. In a manner that is very much like what Arthas did with her, now that I think about it.

[Swarf 110]

Some of these memes absolutely nail it.  

[Arcling 898]

9 hours ago, Lestat777 said:

Since all souls who arrive in The Shadowlands end up in The Maw, Saurfang's soul should be a Mawbeast of some kind anyway. (Unless there's a gap in my knowledge somewhere)

Another possibility is that his soul was consumed in The Maw to fuel Jailer's army. Not all souls are kept there, if I remember correctly, many are simply turned into useful energy/anima, which would destroy a soul.

[Mishmish 65]

Im not that hung up about it

Ye its annoying only sylvanas got something to say, but we knew uther thoughts from his own cinematic, and jaina had lots to say back im wrath. 

 

I'm glad arthas didn't get much attention in SL,  partly because i worry they wouldn't have written him well, but also because i think his warcraft-wotlk story was good and didn't need expanding. Sometimes what we have is enough. 

[xirus11 5]