One Boss Leaves: King Ymiron proves the bane of Mal'ganis
Two Bosses Enter ... but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com's series of fantasy death matches. This season's combatants come from the original five-man instances of Wrath of the Lich King.
King Ymiron raised his weary head long enough this week to send Mal'ganis packing, with a 60% to 36% defeat of the dreadlord in the Two Bosses Thunderdome. The spectators seemed somewhat restless ("This would have to be one of the most boring fights to watch," muttered t0xic. "Sorta like a resto druid duel."), although we suppose that could have been some pre-patch malaise creeping in.
A conversation in the stands between Nazgûl and Danarok draws attention to a rule we've only recently begun clarifying in each fight's setup: All of the competitors' abilities, including crowd control and other effects to which bosses are usually immune, work on their opponents. In this case, we think Nazgûl's gotten it right. In the spirit of the Two Bosses Thunderdome, the king's undead racial immunities should probably be overlooked ... But we could probably be convinced by a strong case to the contrary, presented with confidence in the comments. What do you think?
Nazgûl: "This shall be a fine test, King Ymiron."
Ymiron begins the fight strong with a Dark Slash. The weakened but still potent dreadlord is not one to be so easily conquered, and a Mind Blast and Carrion Swarm level the king's health to match his. Mal'ganis is stunned, however, by the Screams of the Dead, as Ymiron evokes the power of the longboats.
Ymiron, now versed in the ability to Spirit Strike, knocks the dreadlord down to 20% before the crafty demon sends the king back into a slumber. During this time, Mal'ganis uses Mind Blast and Carrion Swarm several times to bring the Vrykul to near defeat. Sleep expires before he can finish the job, and he is again hit by Screams of the Dead. Ymiron evokes Spirit Burst, dealing a chunk of shadow damage to the dreadlord. With a Dark Slash, Mal'ganis rests at a mere 7% of his full HP.
Ymiron, now understanding the dreadlord's tactics, casts an aura of Bane upon himself. He is again sent into a slumber, but as Mal'ganis moves to diminish the remaining health from the once-dead king, he is blasted by Bane, dealing the final blow. Like the coward he is, he vanishes, tail between his legs, back to his twisted home world.
(In the above scenario, I take a few liberties and assume that Fetid Rot and Vampiric Touch act against each other to essentially negate the extra healing Mal'ganis receives from Ymiron's melee attacks. Dark Slash would still be unaffected.)
Danarok: Nazgul: "....before the crafty demon sends the King back into a slumber. During this time, Mal'ganis uses Mind Blast and Carrion Swarm several times to bring the Vrykul to near defeat. Sleep expires before he can finish the job ..."
(following the wowhead spell link)
Sleep
2% of base mana 45 yd range
1 sec cast
Puts an enemy to sleep for up to 8 sec. Any damage caused will awaken the target.
Ymiron, as an undead, would normally be immune to sleep effects, but even if we assume he were not, the first damage from a hit or even the Carrion Swarm DoT would wake him up.
Nazgûl: Understood -- but if Mal'ganis couldn't Sleep him for 8 seconds, it'd be a boring and runaway victory for Ymiron.
Who rocks Wrath's five-man world? Come back this afternoon to cheer on your favorite inside the Two Bosses Thunderdome, during the next round of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves: The Original Wrath Five-Man Season. Review the current fighting bracket and consider who you think will come out on top.
