Going into The War Within, I want to play as a “Dark Ranger”, either as a BE or VE.
But I’m having a bit of a hard time figuring out which makes more sense, and hope that others can give their input, since for some reason I find Void Elf a bit odd of a choice, even though I usually play Alliance.
(I don’t wanna play as a Night Elf anymore, since I played it throughout Dragonflight, and don’t like the male NE model.)
I guess I’m looking for some thoughts from you all, on whether or not you find VE Dark Rangers weird or not, based on my thoughts bellow… Since for some reason I don’t really see VE as “evil”, simply because they aren’t “Horde Dark Rangers”… so it doesn’t fit in with the “Dark Rangers fantasy as well as a BE”.
Here are my thoughts on BE and VE:
Blood Elf
Don’t turn blue while fighting, like VE does because of their racial, which might feel a bit “out of place” RP wise.
Have more Forsaken tmog options, because they are Horde.
Are actually Horde gameplay wise, which means they have the option of questing in Forsaken themed zones… But WoW has become more faction neutral, meaning future expansions won’t be like “faction themed” in quest design anymore. So I guess this point counts more towards “visiting old content”…
Void Elf
VE turn blue when fighting enemies, because of their racial… But when Sylvanas goes into “banshee mode”, she does it as well… So I can’t quite decide if I find the random blue effect good or bad, since it could be seen as a “banshee effect”… Same with their Spacial Rift racial, which can be seen as “banshee teleportation”… Or am I reaching here?
Alliance Dark Rangers feel a bit non-canonical… Or is it just me?
I know that RP can be VERY much “open for interpretation”, and people will say “play what you like”. But I appreciate any input, and would love to hear some biased thoughts on my points above.
Not sure if people will still reply to my post, seeing that the RP section on the forums isn’t seeing much activity, but I think I am just gonna end up picking based on a “pros and cons list”.
Blood Elf
Pros:
Is Horde themed, which is “original Dark Ranger fantasy”.
Has Forsaken themed tmog.
Male BE has MUCH better barber options, than VE has (in my opinion).
Cons:
Boring racials.
I won’t ever apply the “Blood Elf barber options”. I’m only there for the Dark Ranger skin.
Female barber options are dull and boring.
Void Elf
Pros:
VE has both Void and Death fantasy in it’s barber options, which are my two favorite fantasies in the game.
Spatial Rift racial is at least interesting and fun, even if it isn’t as useful as the BE racial, and it can be seen as a “banshee ability”
Female VE has MUCH better barber options, than BE has (in my opinion).
Their voices sound “banshee like”, with the void effect.
Cons:
Horde Dark Rangers feel more “evil” than playing Alliance, and has actual Forsaken zones and quests which fits the theme better,
Male barber options are “okay”.
They occasionally turn blue when in combat.
Laying it out like this, it feels that Void Elf is my obvious choice, even if it feels like the “core Dark Ranger fantasy” is missing, by not playing Horde.
I’d love to hear what other people think though, since my choice is very subjective to my experience with the game.
Looks like you already made your choice, but I’d give few comments of mine, if you don’t mind:
Faction choice can also be practical thing. There is still activity that you can’t do if your group mate is from other faction, namely joining BGs and LFR, LFG probably too but I haven’t tested it.
If lorewise your character died during 4th war, then it makes perfect lore that you were raised as a Forsaken VE yet retaining your void essence (i.e. racial). Eventhough we don’t see cases of void elves being raised by forsakens specifically, it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.
I see no problem being in alliance and even being devoted to alliance and still being evil / dark, the current lore allows it.
E.g. you got killed by the horde and then raised to serve them against your will. You broke free at some point and you have every reason to hate all horde races, including your former Silvermoon brethren who were complicit in forsaken raising you as undead. Unlike horde dark rangers, you can, if you will, go and harass Silvermoon city, both guards and civillians. Oh and you have every reason to hate Aspects / Argent Crusade / Naaru / Khadgar and other so called “forces of good”, who did nothing when Sylvanas and her horde were comitting genocide and other atrocities.
Most people forgot about it, but Dark Rangers were created by Arthas, not by Sylvanas. They were originally scourge troops, most of whom defected to Sylvanas during the civil war. Maybe you were not the most and who knows what loyalties you hold at this point … during Dragonflight they introduced Scourge Victorious Tabard (https://www.wowhead.com/item=206786/scourge-victorious-tabard), perhaps this is a tabard most close to your heart ?)
Same with their Spacial Rift racial, which can be seen as “banshee teleportation”… Or am I reaching here? 
