Remixing an Orgrimmar Guard transmogrification
Two weeks ago, we took the Stormwind Guard on a shopping trip and got them a whole new wardrobe. This week, we're giving the Orgrimmar Guard the same treatment and then stopping at Gallywix Pleasure Palace on the way back for mai tais.
When I first started planning a new look for the Orgrimmar Guard, I thought I'd look to Garrosh Hellscream for inspiration. Both his outfits in Wrath of the Lich King at Warsong Hold and now in Cataclysm as the new warchief show off a darker look to the Horde that I wanted to capture. Walking through the streets of Orgrimmar these days, you see a city that has become more militaristic and uniform, and the old guard outfit doesn't quite fit in anymore. Even the Horde banners are a darker red than they once were, which doesn't match the red shoulders and accents of the old guards.
ShouldersSpaulders of Black Betrayal Boss drop (Falric in Halls of Reflection). These shoulders, in combination with the Orgrimmar Tabard, make this outfit. The red plate, dark steel spikes, fur trim, and tusks all draw in little elements that scream Orgrimmar.
Chest Thick Silithid Chestguard Raid boss drop (Moam in Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj). Though this chestpiece will be covered up with your tabard and very little of it will be seen, the design around the neck and upper arms provides noticeable visual interest to the whole outfit. I also tried the Feral Harness, which lends itself better to the original look of the Orgrimmar Guard, but I liked the details of this chestpiece more.
Tabard Orgrimmar Tabard Purchased from the Orgrimmar Quartermaster. Even though the original guard doesn't wear a tabard, I thought it was absolutely essential that this tabard get some use. It pulls everything together and also invokes that uniform, militaristic feel I was talking about. The tabard makes this outfit look very official, too, as opposed to a hodgepodge of earthy-looking leather pieces (which is what it will look like without the tabard).
Hands Wraps of Quelled Bane Quest reward from Don't Forget the Eggs! I chose these gloves after picking the boots, so I did my best to find a glove that fit the new color scheme while simultaneously paying homage to the silhouette of the original glove worn by the guards.
Waist Raptor Hide Belt Leatherworking belt. I chose this older belt because of its deep red color, but any dark brown or red belt will do. Keep in mind, though, if the alternative belt has any metal pieces on it, you'll want to try matching it to the darker steel on the shoulders.
Legs Peerless Leggings Random world drop. These are essentially the same pants the original guards wear, only recolored to be darker. They are, unfortunately, equally hard to find.
Feet Enchanted Leather Sandals Raid boss drop (Anetheron in Hyjal Summit). I really wanted a boot that changed the silhouette of the foot to match Garrosh's boots, but there are only two leather armor models that do that, and neither of them worked with the entire ensemble.
Main-hand weapon Rockbiter Cutter Random world drop. Since this is a leather transmog, it's best to choose a one-handed axe rather than the identical two-handed weapon (Monstrous War Axe) the Orgrimmar Guard uses. You can substitute in Ornate Thorium Handaxe for an easier to obtain axe of the same model, but the color doesn't match as well.
Just like last time, if you absolutely abhor the remixed look of the Orgrimmar Guard, you should check out Anne's Transmogrify your way into the Orgrimmar Guard for the original outfit.
Patch 4.3 lets you transmogrify your gear to look like any other gear your class can wear -- but you have to collect it first. Check out our coverage of transmogrification and start running those old dungeons!
