The latest story development in World of Warcraft has left a significant portion of the community frustrated. In patch 11.1.7, which went live this past Wednesday, Blizzard introduced a new storyline set in the Arathi Highlands. While the update added features like a one-button assistant, it’s the narrative direction—particularly concerning a familiar character—that’s drawing criticism.
Among the returning characters is Danath Trollbane, a legendary figure in Warcraft lore. Long celebrated as a hardened war hero and fierce enemy of the Horde, Danath’s sudden shift in personality has left many players confused and upset. The changes appear too drastic and rushed, leading some to declare that “it just feels really, really wrong.”
A Sudden Shift in Character
Danath Trollbane, also known by his original name Danath Dungalion, is a major figure from Warcraft I and II. He led internment camps for orcs and once risked his life to prevent them from escaping their dying world to invade Azeroth. In Battle for Azeroth, he returned to the Arathi Highlands to reclaim Stromgarde for the Alliance, effectively becoming the region’s king.
However, in the current questline, Danath seems to have done a complete 180. Once known for his fierce stance against the Horde, he now speaks in unexpectedly conciliatory tones. One quest line opens with Danath stating, “The Sons of Lothar have always stood for tolerance and mercy”—a comment that has left players baffled, considering his past role in running orc internment camps.
One Reddit user, Specific_Frame8537, wrote:
“Just those first few lines: ‘The Sons of Lothar have always stood for tolerance and mercy.’
Man, Danath, you ran internment camps.
Did the writers even play the original games?”
Echoes of the Sylvanas Controversy
Many players are drawing parallels between this situation and the character arc of Sylvanas Windrunner. Once a fan favorite, Sylvanas’ sudden shifts in motivation and morality turned her into one of the game’s most controversial figures. Fans worry that Danath may now be following the same path—becoming another casualty of inconsistent writing.
Others are more concerned with the underlying message of the questline. One interpretation, shared by Redditor MetalBawx, criticizes how the narrative treats the internment camps and their historical context:
“The story mentions the camps but skips why they existed in the first place.
It’s as if the writers hope we forget what we saw in Warcraft I & II or Warlords of Draenor.
It took very little from the Legion to turn the orcs into monsters.”
The broader message seems confusing to some: rewarding invaders is seen as acceptable, so long as it brings peace.
Calls for Nuance and Realism
For many, the handling of the conflict feels oversimplified and lacking in depth. Reddit user Aelexe pointed out:
“This just feels like another episode of ‘War bad, conflict bad, racism bad’ with zero nuance.
We beat up the latest villain, and no one addresses the roots of the conflict.”
There’s also frustration over the lack of continuity. As Aelexe noted, previous quests in the same zone included characters who encouraged violence against others—something now conveniently ignored.
SincubusSilvertongue, another user, called for a more nuanced approach to storytelling:
“I hate this kind of peace narrative. This would’ve been a perfect opportunity to introduce political peace built on shared interests and stubborn negotiation.
I want peacemakers, antagonists, opportunists, shifting loyalties—something with weight and realism.
Instead, we get flat, predictable stories with flat, predictable characters.”
Concerns About WoW’s Future Narrative
This backlash suggests growing unease among longtime fans. Many hoped for a more meaningful exploration of the complex relationship between the Alliance and the Horde. Instead, the questline feels like another missed opportunity. Some even fear this type of storytelling could continue into Midnight, the game’s upcoming expansion.
As World of Warcraft continues evolving, players are looking not just for new content, but for engaging, believable stories that honor the game’s deep and storied past. If Blizzard fails to deliver that, more beloved characters may fall victim to shallow writing—just like Danath.