Wrath of the Player: New Arenas and Battlegrounds

Blizzard shows off new ways for players to beat on each other for better gear and honor in the expansion pack.
10/14/2008 6:18 PM | 1 Comments | Page 1 of 4

Listen up, grunts. We just got intel from our informant inside BlizzCon on the latest arenas and battlegrounds coming out in the World of Wacraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. The basics are two new arenas, a new battleground and a new world player-vs.-player area. Sounds like plenty of opportunities for us to keep our skills honed and our bloodlust fresh.

Tell me, Conqueror. What of the arenas? My team is anxious to get in and start smashing skulls and melting faces to raise our team ranking.

Patience, noob. The first arena will be the Ring of Valor, a large arena with four moving platforms and lines of flame that do periodic damage to those stupid enough to be caught in it. From what we have gathered, the movable platforms rise up out of the ground, allowing you to stand on them. This is good for ranged classes and for melee classes that need to get out of the fray so they can heal, beyond line of sight. The platforms are divided into two sets of two: When one set is up, the other is down. You can run behind them or around them to affect casting.

What of the flame hazard, Conqueror? What if we get rooted in the flame? Will it kill us?

The flame will cause damage over time for three ticks. It should not kill you, as the flame is not constantly on, but it can do enough damage to weaken you. There will be warnings visible before it comes on, allowing you to move your sorry butts out of the way in time. However, healers need to be alert to cast heals over time on any grunt unfortunate enough to be caught in it. The flame, like the columns, is activated at periodic intervals, so you must stay alert for the signs, as well as watch your opponents.

I have heard tales of this arena, Conqueror. The seers have said that you will start face-to-face with your enemy ... close enough to smell their fear.

Yes, grunt, this is true. Your team will start on an underground platform that rises up to arena level. Your opponents will do the same. Both platforms are no more than a few paces from each other, so be alert for quick attacks from hidden foes that may root or incapacitate you. You and your squad must know what you will do the moment the battle begins. Some will need to scatter, while others will need to engage almost immediately. Practice your tactics well. This will be unlike any arena you have been in before.

The next arena will be the Dalaran Sewers, located deep underneath the magic city. The wizards there have moved the city to Northrend to prepare for the fight against the Lich King, and the sewers are rife with the unsavory sort looking for a fight. This will be a small arena with pipes and water hazards and will require solid tactics for a victory.