Worlds is coming! If you have never been to Austin, I highly suggest checking out Jenni’s posting about all that is good here. She did an awesome job of putting this together for everyone coming in. Austin is a wild town, and a blast to visit. We hosted the very first Dark Moon Faire for TCGs, and are looking forward to showing the world (pardon the pun) what’we have to offer.
No, aside from the Hotels and Hospitalities, the real question of the day, isn’t where to stay, but what to play! This map, and scenario, looks like a blast, and props go out to UDE on this one. I personally have been trying to piece together a CTF style scenario, and this one takes the cake. 7 points for a flag cap, 4 points for a gank, er, kill. That means one precisely timed capture could change, if not out and out win you, the game! In my opinion, the sweet spot on this map is 18 to 22 honor. That isn’t to say that a 25 to 31 honor team can’t come out on top, but it will be a lot tougher for them to do so.
First, let’s dissect the map. It’s huge with a lot of terrain to cover to get to your flag. The odds of one mini getting to, snatching, and capping a flag by themselves are very slim. That means that you will have to pack capture, and keep at least one flag mini and one support mini, if not two together. Counter to that, you can decide to forgoe the flag, and mass kill for the win. Either strategy can be taken with the team I’m going to present to you today.
First, if you look at the terrain, this map, although some would disagree and have already, in my mind, is made for a good hunter. Someone who can pop shot people from high ground, and sneak out of the way if being attacked. Some people don’t think hunters can do well on this map, but contrary, I think someone like an Azarak Wolfsblood (as noted in yesterday’s article) or an Elanna Starbreeze will do quite well.
So since yesterday’s team was Horde based, let’s look on the Alliance side today and start with Elanna… in fact, I think I’m seeing double…
Master Tactician
Call Old Bones
So, each Elanna now has the option of pushing some good damage through to people, along with having Old Bones to protect her if you choose to run across the field for a cap. This seems like a good start, but how can we make it more valueable? Well, while Old Bones will protect her, our cuddly friend may be one shotted, or worse, can’t do much against a Melee opoonent standing in the way without protector… so we’ll have to heal this girls to keep them alive… well, I’ve heard some priests are good at that… and what better Priest, than their beloved leader herself…
Searing Arrow
Heal
Now, we’re topping out at the 22 of my comfortable honor, but look at what we have. First, I must give credit to my little friend Xander. Xander is 12 years old and plays in our Battlegrounds group from time to time with his dad, Daniel. He came up with and brought this team a few times, and has had much success with it. However, no map has had the ability to take advantage of Whisperwind’s Leadership like this one has. First, with no movement penalties, if you want to cap a flag, you’ll have one less tick of movement to get to it than your opponent. Ask any pro, and one extra tick than your opponent is a good thing! Secondly, if you prefer to pop shot people, you have the ability to place yourself on your own lower right hill much faster, making the offensive output higher and faster.
Additionally, combine Elanna’s main attack with Master Tactician, along with a 2 tick searing arrow, and you have the ability to guarantee you can ready searing arrow twice in each 10 tick cycle of the clock. That’s solid! Tick two drop a master tact, attack with Whisperwind, ready the arrow. Wash, rinse, and repeat with the other Elanna, and you are in business kids! And, Whisperwind has a 4 range attack, making getting away from her even harder if you have a low physical resist. Besides, there will be no blinking away here this game with Teleporting out of the mix!
Heal is obviously in there for keeping the girls alive as they either chase down that flag cap, or hold the fort and fire the pain. Additionally, the Aspect fof the Monkey each Elanna comes with will help along the way.
Options. It’s the name of the game, and in a game where you can choose which way you want to win, it’s even better. Go cap a flag, and get 4 kills, win. Go cap two flags, get 2 kills, win. Or, go balls to the wall, and get 6 kills for the win. Any of which, is viable with this team.
What’s your strategy? What team do you think will do well at Worlds in this scenario? Let us know, and good luck to all, in both playtesting, and in the Worlds event!
