Breaking Down The BFA Trailers

After watching the cinematic trailer a few more times, not just in awe, I started to instead pay attention to the details. Here are the things I’ve noticed as a result, as well as some general thoughts:

• 0:07 is Lordaeron. Apparently not everyone noticed.
• 0:30 Sylvanas concludes a nice assessment. The Horde and Alliance have worked together but every time the unity is broken.
• 0:40 Yup. The Alliance is at the front door and not politely knocking. What lead to this?
• 0:43 Anduin has Shalamayne. But it seems to have an aura more akin to the Light.
• 0:47 As expected, Genn is the military leader and Anduin’s right hand.
• 0:50 That helm would look badass and frightening on anyone other than Anduin.
• 1:05 Most of the dwarven gunners are clearly Engineers. Note the goggles.
• 1:17 The Tauren almost looks to be dragging a green Garrosh. Obviously it’s not.
• 1:27 The orc struck with the arrows almost seems to be a nod to the Burning Crusade trailer when the orc in that is revived by a Blood Elf priest.
• 1:43 Sylvanas’ realization that they’re losing the fight, and subsequent decision is a defining moment. She also really looks human in this moment.
• 1:47 Just in case there was any doubt how strong she is.
• 1:56 For the first time in WoW we see Sylvanas use her banshee form, and damn was it awesome.
• 2:07 That “For The Horde” cry rallied me to their side, let alone her army.  That might be the single greatest moment in any of the cinematics.
• 2:17 Impressive Troll Shaman. Interesting that he’s wearing a mask. Sure looks a lot like a former Warchief…
• 2:20 Love the Tauren using his horns to attack. Still surprised we don’t have that as an ability in game.
• 2:30 A few Draenei on the front lines now means the only two races we haven’t seen are Gnomes and Blood Elves.
• 2:34 Anduin is getting better as a fighter, but he’s not there yet.
• 2:55 Seems he even has some of dad’s temper.
• 3:00 No, that’s not the same Troll. The shaman didn’t have a shield.
• 3:16 Sylvanas had her rallying moment, now Anduin has his. He recognizes he isn’t his father, but is inspired by the aura of the sword. He knows in his heart…
• 3:22 He can wield the light and then some. Mists of Pandaria did a great job starting that story. I really do see him as a Paladin by the end of this next expansion. Succeeding where Arthas failed?
• 3:24 Sylvanas almost had a look that was mildly impressed.
• 3:43 Okay so maybe Anduin is a God among insects…
• 3:54 Anduin comes off a bit more like dad. The rallying cry was good, but still not as impressive as Sylvanas’.
• 3:57 Yep, Sylvanas is definitely amused.

All in all it’s fair to say this trailer sets the stage clearly for what the expansion is going to be about. The only thing missing is the sea and islands but they’re merely going to be a backdrop for the theatre of war the two factions will emark on once again. Now let’s look at the feature trailer:

• 0:03 Under the tranquility of a Moonwell Jaina references her father. Once upon a time the two were on opposite sides of peace and treatment of others (specifically the orcs).
• 0:18 Teldrassil is on fire. Not just a little bit either.  What in the Maelstrom lead to that happening? Odds are this is what leads the Alliance to Lordaeron.
• 0:25 “We’ve made kindling from our suffering.” Similar to the assessment of Sylvanas in the cinematic but much more blunt and painful.
• 0:31 “Waiting for a single spark.” Well, the burning tree does a pretty good job of that. Clearly that story will be the main catalyst for the expansion’s activities.
• 0:38 The Alliance gets Kul Tiras. The port looks gorgeous. It feels so much more alive than Stormwind for example.
• 0:43 Our first “new beast” sighting. Looks like some sort of foliage demon. Head also reminds me of the Power Generator Hood.
• 0:46 That pile of gold…you know he’s a Dungeon Boss for certain.
• 0:48 Holy crap! Quillboar!
• 0:52 What are those? Trolls?
• 0:55 Quest boss or Dungeon boss? Either way, she reminds me of the witch with Snow White’s apple. Just torturing a player instead.
• 0:57 “I. AM. GROOT.” Don’t laugh, even my 7 year old thought it.
• 1:03 This was our first confirmation of separate leveling zones.
• 1:15 I feel like people are going to be screaming for a Brontomount.
• 1:24 Snake people. Makes sense. We’re running low on options for humanoid animals. Personally, fear the idea of Skunkfolk.
• 1:26 Oooh, Old God style tendrils. Including some with an eyeball. I like it.
• 1:29 I said it during the last two expansions…thank heavens Blizzard did away with the five level expansions.
• 1:31 I have always loved the aesthetics of the Troll Dungeons.
• 1:34 The mantid and qiraji were cross-bred by the trolls?
• 1:37 This reminds me a lot of Howling Fjorde and Grizzly Hills. Nothing wrong with that.
• 1:38 More pirates. Same dungeon as before maybe? It would be great if it recaptured the feel of classic Deadmines. Well, aside from not actually being in a mine.
• 1:41 These are the 3-player island scenarios that were talked about. I’m really intrigued by the potential of them.
• 1:46 Wrath players remember the Wyrms. Making them undead terrifies me.
• 1:49 Warfronts. Apparently Warcraft 3 in nature. Not my cup of tea but folks will be happy.
• 1:56 It’s Jaina! Oh damn. She looks like all she’s done since she left Dalaran is hit the bottle.
• 2:00 There’s the Allied Races. First the Alliance (Dark Iron Dwarves, Lightborn Draenei, and Void Elves) and then the Horde (Highmountain Tauren, Zandalari Trolls, and Nighborne)
• 2:08 Final emphasis on the theme of the expansion.
• 2:15 And we end with the reveal of the expansion’s name.

I always enjoy the reveal trailers. They tend to preview a great deal and then once we’re in the content it’s fun to remember those details when we first saw them. Of course, we also see things that don’t always make the final cut. It will be interesting to see all of these things when the time comes.

The two trailers together did a fantastic job of setting the stage for Battle For Azeroth. I still wonder most about the connection between Teldrassil and Undercity. I mean, there’s an obvious explanation for it, but I would rather see it confirmed and played out rather than cast suspicions. Plus doing so still wouldn’t get to the heart of what she does to trigger it.