Allied races–special World of Warcraft races that can be unlocked by players after completing certain objectives–are known for their unique (though sometimes limited) customization, armor, and mounts. However, until a recent build of the Shadowlands Patch 9.1.5 Public Test Realm, players who unlocked the Lightforged Draenei and played the Paladin class lacked a unique model for their Divine Steed ability.
When World of Warcraft’s previous expansion, Battle for Azeroth, was announced, the first allied races were introduced, with the Lightforged Draenei being among them. Despite this, Lightforged Draenei paladins used the same Divine Steeds as normal Draenei: an armored elephant-like elekk. As of Patch 9.1.5, their Divine Steed will be a holy talbuk called the Lightforged Ruinstrider.
The Lightforged Ruinstrider is exceptionally large and well-armored, as it needs to be to carry the crusading Lightforged Draenei who ride them. In addition to the beautiful new animations new World of Warcraft mounts have gotten, its glowing, high-resolution armor fits perfectly with the silver-and-gold color scheme of the Lightforged Draenei presented by their heritage armor. The mount fits much better with the Lightforged Draenei than the silver, bronze, and violet elekk used by their un-forged brethren.
The Lightforged Ruinstrider had been previously discovered by dataminers back in September, and though its exact purpose had not been revealed, many speculated World of Warcraft was finally adding it as a paladin class mount for Lightforged Draenei.
The Paladin class and the Draenei go hand in hand; in fact, when the race was introduced in the beloved World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade back in 2007, the very first Draenei shown was a paladin. As one might imagine, their light-infused cousins who joined the battle years later are even more likely to be Paladins, and it's no surprise Paladin is the most commonly played class for Lightforged Draenei characters. That their mount is a talbuk, a creature native to their homeworld and battlefield where they were first introduced in Legion, rather than an elekk, who are native to Draenor–a planet that has nothing to do with the Lightforged Draenei–is also sure to make lore aficionados happy.
It is unfortunate it took nearly four years for World of Warcraft to add a unique option for Lightforged Draenei Paladins to use, however. Zandalari Trolls and Dark Iron Dwarves–two other allied races in World of Warcraft that can pick the Paladin class–had their Divine Steeds right away. At the very least, Lightforged Draenei using their Divine Steed ability could have used the model for the Lightforged Felcrusher, the light-imbued elekk Lightforged Draenei received as their racial mount. Nevertheless, the Lightforged Ruinstrider is charging into World of Warcraft: Shadowlands soon, so Lightforged Draenei Paladins won’t have to feel left out for much longer.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is available on PC.
Source: Wowhead