Pick the Aldor if you heal, tank or play melee, and pick the Scryers if you deal damage with spells. Their Exalted shoulder inscriptions lean those ways, but the differences are small. Your professions should decide it, because each side has its own recipes. If you're still unsure, pick the side whose turn-in items you can farm more easily.
Aldor vs Scryer: quick facts
| Aldor | Scryers | |
| Who they are | Draenei priests allied with the Naaru | Blood elf defectors from Kael'thas |
| Base in Shattrath | Aldor Rise | Scryer's Tier |
| Main turn-ins | Marks of Kil'jaeden, Marks of Sargeras, Fel Armaments | Firewing Signets, Sunfury Signets, Arcane Tomes |
| Where you farm them | Demons and Shadow Council cultists (Terokkar, Shadowmoon Valley, Netherstorm) | Blood elves (Firewing Point in Terokkar, Netherstorm) |
| Inscription leaning | Healing, melee, tanking | Spell damage, with solid melee and tank options |
- You choose in Shattrath City through the faction introduction quests that start after the city tour.
- Joining one side drops you to Hated with the other. From then on, every point you earn with your faction costs you standing with the rival.
- The lesser inscriptions unlock at Honored and the greater ones at Exalted. Both go on your shoulder slot.
Does the choice matter for raiding?
Only a little. The stat gaps between the two sides' inscriptions are a few points of throughput, and a well-geared character will hardly notice them in Black Temple or Mount Hyjal. Tier 6 drops and epic gems matter far more right now. Phase 3, which brought those raids, is the current phase on the Anniversary realms.
Professions are where the choice really bites. Jewelcrafters, enchanters and the armor crafters each get different recipes from each side. Look at your crafting plans before you commit.
Can you switch from Aldor to Scryer later?
Yes, but it's a slog. You climb out of Hated by turning in the other side's items, starting with the low-tier ones that work from the bottom of the reputation bar. Your old faction drops the whole time. Most players never switch. Of those who do, many have changed specs or picked up a profession that needs the other side.
Which is easier to farm?
Both have reliable spots. Scryer players usually grind blood elves at Firewing Point, and later the Sunfury camps in Netherstorm. Aldor players farm demons and cultists in Shadowmoon Valley and Terokkar. Quests count too: Shadowmoon Valley has a long chain for each faction, and you get only the chain for the side you picked.
Does race or faction (Alliance/Horde) restrict the choice?
No. Any race on either side can join either group. The lore mismatch doesn't stop you: a blood elf can join the Aldor, and a draenei can join the Scryers.
If you'd rather skip the grind, PewPewShop's vetted players can help you reach your inscriptions: The Scryers Reputation starts from EUR 15. They also offer progression help such as TBC Raid Attunements from EUR 20.