World of Warcraft recently released Patch 9.2.5, which added new quality-of-life and balance improvements, story content, and cross-faction play. However, World of Warcraft managed to sneak a few secrets into the patch as well, including the ability to unlock the long-awaited Dark Ranger customization options for Blood Elves, Night Elves, and Void Elves.
Players can now unlock the pallid gray skin tone and red eyes reminiscent of Sylvanas, Nathanos, and the Dark Rangers for use on elf characters except Nightborne, Demon Hunters, and Death Knights. Additionally, players can unlock the hooded Dark Ranger’s Attire for transmogs, which can be used by Hunters of any race.
These new options are unlocked by completing the Return to Lordaeron questline added in WoW's Patch 9.2.5. This new story is available to both Alliance and Horde players, and involves teaming up with Calia Menethil as she attempts to aid the Forsaken in reclaiming their old home and rebuilding after Sylvanas. Once players complete this storyline, they will receive the Dark Ranger’s Attire, the account-wide achievement for the undead skin tone and eye color, and the “of Lordaeron” title.
Players have wanted to play Dark Rangers since they were introduced in Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne, and have been asking for them since World of Warcraft launched. Recently, during a Dragonflight interview with Taliesin and Evitel’s Taliesin, narrative director Steve Danuser was evasive when asked about Dark Ranger customizations, and compared them to the Night Warrior customizations previously available to Night Elves. Now, it seems Danuser was being deliberately cheeky to preserve the surprise.
As one would imagine, World of Warcraft players were overjoyed to discover Dark Ranger customizations. Many players–especially fans of Sylvanas–have imagined their characters as Dark Rangers for years, so being able to finally live that fantasy is a dream come true. These customization options also give players the opportunity to design other types of characters beyond Dark Rangers too, such as vampiric san’layn or Night Elf druids corrupted by the Nightmare. The freedom of access to the sleek Dark Ranger’s Attire on all Hunters, and the new title, delighted many players.
However, there were still a few complaints about the new customizations. The new eye and skin colors are locked together, meaning players cannot use the darker skin tones added in Shadowlands with the new red eyes. Many players hope World of Warcraft eventually unlink the options in the future–as well as adding them as options for Death Knights and Demon Hunters, who could greatly benefit from the intimidating options. Unfortunately, because of the special eyes of those classes, that could be difficult.
World of Warcraft is available now on PC.
Source: Wowhead