Van Cleef's most villainous arc was his role in the miracle rogue hearthstone meta

I always loved classic wow for it's more down to earth narrative and feel where the world didn't feel like it was in constant danger. Where you felt like some random adventurer not the champion of your faction and savior of the world.

His quote "Lap Dogs all of you!" though it felt empty to us players it did carry some weight. We the players just did what we were told and didn't think how much we we're also being a pawn to wiped out a thorn that been in the noble side just for some coin and gear.

Edwin VanCleef has ALWAYS been my favorite character in the WoW universe. Everything about him just clicked with me. Something fascinating to note, it's mentioned that VanCleef has an ordinary appearance, an unremarkable face. I enjoy the theory of a double taking his place during the fight and him living on in the shadows to this day

"Through different eyes a man called a terrorist could be a freedom fighter if he's fighting for the side you're with."

Don't want to sound para-social, but your video's mean a lot to me and give me a break from all the bullshit going on all the time.  Keep it up man your passion shines through your video's

As someone who ended up playing a human rogue during TBC and did all those quests I've got a soft spot for the Defias knuckleheads and the mask was BiS for looks until level 60+

this channel is a goldmine of videogame lore

I'd go as far as to say Edwin is a parallel to Varian:
-They both worked honestly for the sake of Stormwind and their people
-They both got manipulated by lady Dark
-They both get enraged by pollitical shenannigans
-Edwin wanted revenge for his guild and started riots and stuff, Varian wanted revenge for the queen and slaughtered the rioters.
-They both stop at nothing to get what they want and pretty much never considered giving up

The difference is that Varian get a lot - and I mean A LOT - of help from people everywhere, including the horde.
Edwin gets shunned and is left to his own devices.

The Brotherhood shall prevail!

My brain exploded a bit when the twist came up with Katrana Prestory being Onyxia, a dragon influencing politics in the alliance. Utmost crazy shit to me.

Here's a suggestion:
Villianpedia: Senator Armstrong

It's funny to think that this is essentially the background of Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. He was a worker in the mines, wrote poetry opposing the classist state (at the time, your alt-mode/vehicle-mode determined your 'use,' thus your lot in life), inspired his co-workers, gained a following. He eventually got into underground gladiator rings to better defend himself in the ensuing riots, and the rest is a steady spiral down just the same

My favorite villain. Love him. Sucks that there's not much room for a Defias plot because the Defias were absorbed into the Uncrowned.

I’m stealing this entire story for my D&D campaign and giving VanCleef a proper sendoff. I just hope I have what it takes to write the story needed if they do decide to join him.

He is the best villain I've ever met. Damn that video made me cry. I wish that Blizzard did a Defias-themed raid back then in classic.

I had no idea that VanCleef had such a deep and even kind of relatable story. Rather see him go out the way he did, it would have been great to be able to side with him or mediate the conflict in some way in the game. Great video once again, Ghost!

Edwin Van Cleef's Story is so relatable, that even i, as a gardener would join his cause.

Doesn't matter what foul shadowplay is at work in the background, for me the nobles of Stormwind treated him in the most unfair way possible.

Edwin Vancleef is one of my favorite characters. Not because he's very deep or anything, but his unique design really sparked my joy as a kid

Edit: Plus he dual wields swords and I thought that was the coolest shit

You are phenomenal at telling a story about nuanced villains. I went from not knowing or caring about this stonemason chap to devouring your other villain videos.