New Allies, Old Problems: The Haranir Race in World of Warcraft: Midnight Has a Big Asterisk

The unveiling of World of Warcraft: Midnight at Gamescom 2025 has sent the community into a frenzy of excitement. The next chapter of the Worldsoul Saga promises a return to iconic locations, a new Demon Hunter specialization, and the long-awaited player housing system. But amidst all the major announcements, one reveal stands out for its potential to be a massive win for the game: a brand new allied race, the Haranir. Described as ancient, bioluminescent hunters from a secluded jungle, the Haranir are a visually stunning addition to the world of Azeroth. However, while they are a welcome and long-overdue addition, their introduction comes with a big asterisk attached, a familiar set of problems that have plagued allied races since their inception and threaten to undermine what should be a moment of celebration.

The Haranir, a race that was briefly seen in the cinematic for The War Within, are a tribe of reclusive hunters with bioluminescent features. They have a distinct, troll-like build and a culture that is deeply connected to their environment. Their architecture is “grown” rather than built, with homes and tools crafted from roots and glowing mushrooms. The race will be available to both the Horde and the Alliance and will have access to a variety of classes, including Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, Monk, and Druid. On the surface, this is a major win for the game, as it adds a new layer of customization and a fresh sense of purpose to the world. However, the excitement for this new race is tempered by the community’s past experiences with allied races, and the knowledge that a number of critical issues are likely to persist.

The Familiar Frustration: The Allied Race Problem

Since their introduction in the Battle for Azeroth expansion, allied races have been a source of both excitement and frustration. While they offer new visual styles and unique racial abilities, the process of unlocking them has often been a long and tedious grind, requiring players to complete lengthy quest lines and, in some cases, grind for reputation. While Blizzard has stated that the Haranir will not require a reputation grind, the process of unlocking them will still be tied to the completion of a major questline in the new zone of Harandar. This is a far cry from the simplicity of creating a new character and jumping into the world. For players who are already burned out on the game, a lengthy quest chain is not an incentive; it’s a barrier.

Furthermore, the Haranir will begin their journey at level 10, meaning players will have to either level them up from scratch or use a character boost to get them to the new content. This has been a recurring issue with allied races and is a major turn-off for many players who simply want to experience the new race without having to grind for hours. For a game that has a new expansion coming out, a new race should be a major selling point, not a chore. The feeling of “I’ll play them when I get around to it” is a common sentiment in the community, and it’s something that has prevented allied races from having a true, immediate impact on the player base.

A Glimmer of Hope: What Makes the Haranir Different?

Despite the familiar issues, there is reason for optimism. The Haranir’s unique aesthetic and their connection to the new zone of Harandar set them apart from past allied races. Unlike the Earthen, who were introduced in The War Within as a playable race, the Haranir are an entirely new and mysterious people. Their story and their culture are a blank slate, and the developers have a chance to craft a compelling narrative that makes them feel like a natural part of the world, not just a side character. Furthermore, the ability to play as a Druid is a major win for a new allied race and will undoubtedly lead to some incredible new character customizations and class combinations.

In the end, the Haranir are a great addition to the world of World of Warcraft, and they have the potential to be one of the best allied races in the game’s history. However, their success will be determined not just by their design but by the player experience of unlocking and playing them. For a game that is trying to win back a nostalgic fanbase and attract new players, a “great allied race with a big asterisk” is not good enough. Blizzard has a chance to prove that they have learned from their past mistakes, and with the launch of Midnight just around the corner, we will soon find out if they succeed.