It’s taken a little while for the World of Warcraft Mega Bloks 2013 assortment to get going, but as we enter Quarter 2 of 2013, the line is really starting to kick into high gear! The first series of WoW Mega Bloks Mystery Pack Blind Bags figures and the first wave of Creature Packs are appearing at online retailers, and now the new assortment of Mega Bloks Warcraft Factions Packs has arrived! Today I’ve got the first-ever Tauren figure Factions Pack: the Warcraft Mega Bloks Wildhide Tauren Druid 91023!

The Right:

I sort of knew what a Tauren was before the Mega Bloks World of Warcraft line came out, but I always assumed they were just dumb, lumbering beasts. However, I simultaneously got my first Tauren Mega Bloks figures and began to read the Warcraft novels and discovered the intelligence and culture of the Taurens. Not only are the Taurens one of the more interesting races in the Warcraft universe, but since the very beginning their Mega Bloks figures have been some of my absolute favorites in the line. The Tauren Druid Wildhide is no exception.

Like the Warcraft Tauren Mega Bloks figures before him, Wildhide is bulky and powerful looking. Unlike his predecessors, though, this enigmatic Tauren Druid figure has a snake-inspired color scheme, with paint hues of green, yellow, and brown. Combined with his piercing red eyes, Wildhide is one seriously evil-looking and scary Tauren figure!

Wildhide comes with one weapon, and it’s a great one: the snake-headed Legacy or Arlokk staff! The recognizable Legacy of Arlokk weapon is one of the most unique weapons to come paired with any Warcraft Mega Bloks figure yet, and really makes Wildhide stand out on the shelf (especially with his matching snake colors!). The Tier 2 Stormrage Pauldrons complete the figure with their furry, spikes appearance adding to Wildhide’s intimidation factor.

The Wrong:

While I adored the terrain that came with the last Factions Pack I reviewed (the Pandaren Hunter, Rojo), I don’t feel as positive this time. Of all the buildable terrains that have come with the Faction Packs so far, I think Wildhide’s is easily the weakest. While MEGA Brands correctly colored the bricks to be reminiscent of Thunder Bluff (home of the Taurens), the little column looks and feels really dinky and out of place. When I think of Thunder Bluff, I picture huge, impressive totem poles–this one is barely as tall as the Wildhide Mega Bloks figure itself, and it just seems kind of pathetic.

Additionally, the paint on my Wildhide’s face could have been a little bit more well-done. His fur is bleeding off his chin onto his mouth, and it’s very apparent. I can fix it up with some Gundam markers myself, but I shouldn’t have to. If you find Wildhide at retail, make sure you get one with paint apps that meet your standards.

“Where Can I Buy It?!”

Distribution has not been the best this year for new World of Warcraft Mega Bloks figures. I bought my Wildhide Tauren Druid online for BA Toys for 6 bucks, as I’ve yet to see this pack even once at a local store.

Overall: The World of Warcraft Mega Bloks Wildhide Tauren Druid Faction Pack ends up containing a well-done figure and a so-so buildable terrain. While I don’t like Wildhide to the extent of the awesome Lighthoof Tauren Paladin from the Goblin Zeppelin set, his snake-inspired colors look bold and eye-grabbing and I love his Legacy of Arlokk snake-themed staff. His wrist joints are a little loose and his paint could be slightly improved, but he’s still in the upper-echelon of fun WoW Mega Bloks figures. Wildhide’s terrain seems a bit too miniscule to really impress as a representation of Thunder Bluff, so I’d have preferred if Wildhide had come a few dollars cheaper as part of the new Mega Bloks World of Warcraft Mystery Packs series. Overall, I don’t regret purchasing Wildhide, and recommend him to anyone that’s liked the Tauren figures that have come before in the Mega Bloks Warcraft line.