Remembering the Bear: A WoW Player’s First MMO Character Was a Night-Elf Druid

Around 2006, a friend’s video game bundle changed the course of one gamer’s career — and, more importantly, their relationship with the World of Warcraft. In the latest installment of Gamer24h’s “My first MMO character” series, Steve Haines recounts how a chance encounter with Diablo 2 led him to create Ovidlords, a Night-elf Druid, one of the earliest and most unconventional choices in the game’s history. The character, born into the game’s original vanilla era, would go on to become a tank during a time when few players wanted to play one. As shown in the accompanying screenshots, Ovidlords stands as a quiet monument to a player who refused to follow the crowd.

The story begins with a bundle. After a friend purchased a package that included both Diablo 2 and World of Warcraft, Haines dove into the action RPG and was immediately captivated by the Druid — a shape-shifting class that offered a level of versatility he had never seen before. The appeal was so strong that when he eventually committed to paying the monthly subscription for WoW, he was eager to bring that same class into the massively multiplayer world. Thus, Ovidlords was born, a Night-elf Druid carrying the player’s first MMO character into the game’s earliest days.

A Bundle, a Class, and a Leap of Faith

The decision to roll a Druid in vanilla WoW was, by most accounts, a gamble. The class was notoriously difficult to play, demanding a deep understanding of its many forms and a willingness to take on roles that the broader player base rarely embraced. Yet Haines embraced the challenge head-on, transforming Ovidlords into a tank — a role that, at the time, was considered a niche and thankless endeavor.

That dedication paid off in ways that would define the character’s legacy. Haines recalls managing to mount leader (MT) Gruul, the fearsome boss of the Molten Core raid, during the Burning Crusade expansion — an achievement that many players were told was simply impossible at the time. The character’s accomplishments did not stop there; Ovidlords eventually helped secure server-first Ashes of Al’ar, the iconic druid pet obtained by defeating Kael-thas Sunstrider in the Sunwell Plateau raid.

Tank in a Sea of Casters

What makes Ovidlords particularly memorable is the era in which it lived. During the game’s original release, the player base was dominated by healers and casters, and the tanking role was often overlooked. By choosing to play a Druid tank, Haines positioned himself at the forefront of a movement that would eventually reshape how the class was perceived. His willingness to take on the hardest part of the raiding equation earned him respect and set a precedent for future players who would follow in his footsteps.

While the account has since been deleted, the character’s impact remains etched in the memory of the community. For Haines, Ovidlords represents more than just a collection of achievements — it is a reminder of the passion and determination that defined the early days of MMO gaming.

“I was a Druid tank at a time when absolutely no one wanted that. I managed to MT Gruul in the Burning Crusade when I was told that was impossible.”

Steve Haines

Looking Ahead

As the “My first MMO character” series continues to grow, Haines’ story adds a compelling chapter to the broader narrative of how players first entered the world of online gaming. His journey from a casual Diablo 2 enthusiast to a pioneering WoW Druid tank highlights the enduring appeal of the genre and the lasting impact of the characters players create in their early years.

For the community, Ovidlords stands as a testament to the courage it takes to choose the unconventional path. As World of Warcraft and its legacy continue to evolve, stories like Haines’ remind fans of the passion and perseverance that have defined the game for over two decades. Whether through new expansions, returning players, or the next installment of the series, the legacy of these first MMO characters will surely endure.