It’s typical fallen hero story arc, like Darth Vader, Kerrigan, etc. I wonder is it becasue it was like the first “serious” warcraft story line?
But character itself I don’t know why people consider it interesting THAT much. Ilidan’s is just as interesting, as well as Kaelthas’ and Anduin’s, just to name a few.
Is it because were all kids back then and it made such an impression at us? But objectively, why do people like it that much?
Regards,
Imm
Dont you dare criticize the story of arthas menethil II. Right and just heir to the loredaeron throne! Heathen!
I think probably cuz is linked to the beginning of the saga. Where all was new and refreshing… good and positive.
Playin w3 was really fun. The shock the moment arthas killed terenas was strong.
And we were younger and free.
People love edgy characters
Back then ‘I did it because i wanted to’ was considered cool. See Joker in The Dark Knight film.
And then came a phase ‘I did it so you could have better things’ in the time of Garrosh. See Walter White in Breaking Bad for that.
And now we are in a phase ‘I did it to save you, for the things you don’t understand yet but you will in the future’ and we killed Jailer & banished Sylvanas. Not following movies or TV shows lately but I’m pretty sure something or someone relates that sentence.
Both of them got a redemption. Darth Vader was tempted and tricked and regretted it. Kerrigan was corrupted and chose to pursue the power of the Zergs to save the universe. Arthas however had noble intends and as soon as he got DK powers he just didnt care about portraying what he really was. A massive beep in every sense of the word.
Arthas didnt regret absolutely anything aside from maybe not getting jaina back. And even that was minor. In Shadowlands this didnt change either as Zovaal says that Arthas did defy him back on Azeroth.
And ye as mirage said arthas was a “i did it because i wanted to” character.
because its good?
I like it because after all these years it’s still a good story. Interesting main character and plenty of interesting side characters and good world building.
I’m glad he didn’t get a redemption or something at the end.
well i dont like Arthas, if he done his job properly and killed both Kael’thas and Lor’themar i would be Queen of Silvermoon now 
He shouldve left slyvanas dead too
keep in mind too he’s an old character, 20 years old at this point, the people that played wow in wrath, and that also played wc3 probably grew up with the character, it’s a lot of nostalgia at play, though I do agree, his story is very based, and pogchamp, as the young ones say nowadays.
Aside from being excellent story, it is the nostalgia of those who played w3 and wrath. Arthas is the most iconic character of WoW in my opinion and everything around him is perfect. He didnt regret anything, he was noble and turned evil and he still kept his feelings for Jaina. Also this goes goes along this excellent music of Arthas Menethil (arthas, my son / invincible, wrath theme, culling of stratholme and many others) that is so unique to the character and the aesthetic around him. I personally havent played wrath at that time so it is my second favorite story (my first is illidan the burning legion and legion expansion stuff and then arthas and domination magic) but i have read so much about arthas i have played the story i have played w3 and i have seen cinematics that i simply cannot say anything else apart from perfection.
Oh and also this line gives me chills every time i hear it…" My son the day you were born the very forests of Loarderon whispered the name…Arthas’’
omg i got goosebumps just writing it
I really wish they didn’t 
Same! Nicely written.
And in fact i was thinkin that many of the best questchain in-game were linked to arthas or the plague. The redemption arc of tyrion or the darrowshire or even the andorhal ones (im talkin about nthe classic version).
Stratholme himself (and the culling) are two of the most iconic instance in world of warcraft.
Eastern and western Plaguelands at the beginning of the game were two of the deadliest zones ever. I think i died hundred of times in the terroreweb tunnel or tryin kill the skeletons in the “all along the watchtower” quest.
Isnt Arthas per se, is the environment he brought… i could continue for hours.
Annona frumentum , effeci funestus, veneficus fatalis, ex fervor incendo
It is good story but then SL happened and they totally ruined it.
It’s simple, WoW was built on the basic fantasy tropes, be an unkown hero, dungeoneer with your friends, slay dragons, collect epic swords and stuff.
Arthas story being very ‘milquetoast’ just fits into that, corrupt king turned into necromancer evil guy, big citadel made of ice, undead army. It’s all just fantasy at its best.
These were both very interesting and I like them a lot still to date.
Arthas’ story is also very interesting and it has a strong and long background, expanding from Warcraft games to Vanilla, TBC and Wrath (obviously). Back then Blizzard did a great story arch for many things.
Like for example last night while playing TBCC I stumbled on an old Nat Paggle’s book which only had the last page remaining and it indicated that Nat knew where Ashbringer is (sadly can’t rember the books name). This was so interesting that I had to google more info about this and i read the whole Ashbringer lore and all the references that was implemented in the game. The most interesting part was the NPC dialog in caverns of time where Commander Morgraine hold the Dark Crystal which they transformed into Light Crystal which eventyally was used to forge the Ashbringer.
The point being, you don’t get stories like these in the newer expansions and I completely understand the reason why. This might be also the reason why for example Anduin’s lore is not even remotely as interesting as Arthas’. There is no solid background for the story
Yes, but this is unrelated to Arthas himself?
Regards,
Imm
Yes, as I stated, as an example of a story arch. It is somewhat related to Arthas’ story as Morgraine became a death knight, Tirion used the Ashbringer against Arthas in the Battle for Light’s Hope Chappel. Also, Tirion used the Ashbringer to shatter the Frostmourne to pieces