It was rumored that Illidan Stormrage, the neutral Legendary that never saw play, was being kicked out of Classic and being replaced. As it turns out, this is indeed correct!
Thanks to confirmation from Celestalon, we now know that Illidan will only be a hero and his neutral card is being renamed to Xavius. Here's what Wowpedia has to say about Xavius.
Quote From Wowpedia Lord Xavius was one of the Highborne's most powerful sorcerers and the high councilor to Queen Azshara during the time of the War of the Ancients. Since Azshara concealed her magical prowess, Xavius was considered the most powerful Highborne to whom the rest measured their skills. He was later transformed into the first satyr by Sargeras, before ultimately being transformed into the dreaded Nightmare Lord.
And finally, Celestalon's confirmation.
Quote From Celestalon The neutral classic Illidan card got promoted from not-so-great Legendary minion to awesome baseline Hero… In his place, Xavius has taken over that design. (In other words, the old classic Illidan card got its name/art changed.)
Comments
Fittingly bad card for a boss that fell over in 20 pulls.
Honestly seems like a non-issue here to keep Illidan as a card and a hero. The whole confusing to players catch-phrase holds no water here and would serve to insult players are drooling idiots.
I never understood the whole not making heroes into cards thing from nearly the start of HS itself.
Eastern card games: "Yes, of course, a fifth version of your favorite waifu! Now you can play both her forms and her legendary spell while you are her and your opponent is as well!"
Western card games: "Nah."
This is some BS!
Illidan was the first Legendary I crafted. I crafted him only because it is the character my son is named after. I know it's just an art change, and I don't want to be "that guy", but I feel a dust refund is warranted. I used 1600 dust to make an Illidan card so I would have it in my collection, that dust was not for an Xavius card.
I feel this is a mistake. The card should just be HoF'd and a new card put in it's place. This was the perfect opportunity to change a horribly designed card, and instead they're taking the easy way out.
#disappointed
Your son is named Illidan??
I am 100% on your side on this!
That is just you and a very niche situation. Illidian is now a new CLASS and you're disappointed for this getting changed?! Where's your priority?
Xavius deserves better. Can't they just change/buff him to 6 mana 6/6 and let tokens be 2/2 instead of 2/1 ?
And give him Satyr tokens and change their tribe to Demon. Then he'll be OK at least.
I guess we will have to hold on to hope that Xavius will get a card that is deserving of him in the Emerald Nightmare expansion that will one day be made.
Reduce the cost or something, man. Otherwise this is a pointless cosmetic update. Even flipping the body to a 5/7 would be an improvement.
I have golden Illidan and played him in original quest Rogue just because i needed an excuse to play my golden Illidan. Sweet. New golden legendary!
They should hust get the things right and make changes to the tokens the new "Xavius" summons. Then I can accept it.
This is good news. It means Illidan is getting a rework.
It was about time for Illidan Stormrage to appear as a solid card, in line with Sylvanas Windrunner, The Lich King, etc.
It isn't getting a rework. They're switching the card names and art.
Illidan is now the basic hero for Demon Hunter instead.
If they don't reprint Illidan into a new card, it's a wasted chance.
They also gave him a new entrance animation (one of the coolest in the whole game too)...
They already made him into a literal class on his own. I think that's more than enough to satiate even an ego as big as his. Besides, players have been upset for years over how bs Illidan was as a card. No need to take more chances with it.
Hello Brother....??
Why can't a character be both a card and a Hero? I mean Elise, Reno, Deathwing etc also have both.
Without a doubt the difference here is Illidan is a basic hero. It can make things less confusing when people are talking about him.