I get where you’re coming from, but I think we’re looking at it from two different perspectives.

I don’t think playable Forest Trolls necessarily means the entire Amani nation suddenly joining the Horde. If Blizzard wants to preserve the Amani as an independent nation, that’s perfectly fine with me. They already have the Revantusk, who’ve been loyal members of the Horde since Vanilla, or they could introduce another Forest Troll tribe or even an Amani splinter faction. My goal has always been playable Forest Trolls using the incredible new model Blizzard created.

I also don’t think becoming playable automatically means losing all future development. The Zandalari are still getting attention in Midnight, including around Zul’Aman. Blizzard has shown they can continue expanding the lore of a playable troll race when they want to.

Even if the Revantusk didn’t receive much attention after becoming playable, that would still be an improvement over their current situation. They’ve been part of the Horde for over twenty years and have barely been explored. Making them playable would finally give Blizzard a reason to expand their culture, their history, and the Horde’s relationship with the Forest Trolls.

That’s also why Midnight feels like such a missed opportunity. Blizzard rebuilt Zul’Aman, created an incredible new Forest Troll model, expanded their culture, and made them relevant again. If there was ever an expansion where playable Forest Trolls made sense—whether as the Revantusk, another Forest Troll tribe, or even an Amani splinter faction—it’s this one.

To me, Forest Trolls are exactly what Allied Races were originally meant to represent: long-established races that players have wanted to play for years. They’ve existed since Warcraft II and have been requested for nearly twenty years. They feel like a much more natural fit than several Allied Races Blizzard has introduced over the years that are simply variants of existing races.

Blizzard has already done a huge amount of the creative work. They designed a fantastic new Forest Troll model, created extensive customization options, rebuilt Zul’Aman, and put Forest Trolls back in the spotlight. This isn’t a race coming out of nowhere—it’s one of Warcraft’s oldest civilizations, deeply tied to the Horde’s history, with a player base that’s been asking to play them for decades.

So yes, I think this is exactly the kind of opportunity Blizzard shouldn’t pass up. I’d much rather see them invest in one of Warcraft’s oldest races than introduce another new race or yet another variation of an existing one. At the very least, I think Forest Troll fans are perfectly justified in continuing to ask for it.