Two Bosses Enter: Eregos dismounts Skadi, Loken takes on Xevozz
Two Bosses Enter ... but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com's series of fantasy death matches. Welcome to the quarter-finals of the Original Five-Man Wrath of the Lich King season. Grab a seat, and let's get ready to rumble!
In a barrage of wings, Ley-Guardian Eregos confronted Skadi the Ruthless in the skies over the Thunderdome last week. Let's just say it was no party for Mr. Skadi. Eregos took the match with a stinging 75.3% of the spectator vote, sending the hapless Frost Vrykul plummeting from the match. We'll get a view of the beat-down after the break, plus we'll set up this week's battle between Loken and Xevozz.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls ... Dyin' time's here.
Last week: Eregos dismisses Skadi
In one of the most one-sided votes of the season, 75.3% of the spectators in last week's Thunderdome matchup handed the victory to Ley-Guardian Eregos. Skadi plummeted to an early death with only 22.6% of the vote.
"Regardless of Eregos' minions being 'capable of handling the harpooning of Skadi's mount," observed spectator mtwcmarsh, "I still imagine this fight as aerial. I mean, sure, they may be 'capable' of shooting down Skadi, but why would they? The only reason players do so is to fight Skadi on the ground, and I'm sure Eregos would prefer to fight in the air. If anything, Skadi might just skip mounting up altogether and man a harpoon to try and shoot down Eregos. Either way, Skadi is gimped out of using 2/3 of his abilities. And that's assuming he applies his poison to the harpoons. Eregos, on the other hand, can strafe Skadi and crew with everything he's got.
"There's just not a good way for Skadi to fight this. Either he stays on the ground and spams one ability or he mounts up and takes on the ancient dragon, Master of the Arcane, while riding a one-trick pony. Either way, he's totally outmatched."
This week: Loken versus Xevozz
The Two Bosses Thunderdome is considered neutral territory, where both combatants are able to access their usual encounter mechanics and abilities. If you can't imagine it inside the Thunderdome, imagine it someplace else – but you must include all of each bosses' abilities and mechanics.
All of the competitors' abilities, including crowd control and other effects to which bosses are usually immune, work on their opponents (with apologies to considerations of lore on this count).
Assume that the opponents share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
Don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter.
Don't neglect style, story and scale.
In Corner One: Loken (Halls of Lightning)
My master has shown me the future, and you have no place in it. Azeroth will be reborn in darkness. Yogg-Saron shall be released! The Pantheon shall fall!
Loken, the Dark Titan who resides in the Halls of Lightning, has an extensive history with links to none other than Yogg-Saron. From wowwiki.com: "According to the Tribunal of Ages in Ulduar'sHalls of Stone, Loken -- also known by various sources as "Keeper Loken," "Sentinel Loken," "Kronus" and "prime designate" -- was named the supreme protector of Azeroth by the Pantheon, leading the Aesir (Storm Giants) and Vanir (Earth Giants) following the containment of the Old Gods. Along with his brother Thorim, the Stormlord, as well as Watchers Hodir, Freya, Mimir and Tyr, Loken was designated as a guardian to watch over the prison of Yogg-Saron, deep within Ulduar. Over time, however, Loken succumbed to the whispers of the Old God and turned on his allies, taking control of Ulduar and seeking to unravel the plans of his former masters. At some point, he provoked a global war between the Storm Giants and Earth Giants, which was ended by Loken's 'neutralizing' them. After the conclusion of that war, Loken placed the Earthen, Giants and Vrykul into stasis at designated holding facilities (presumably, facilities like Uldaman or Ulduar)."
Learn more about Loken's battle abilities, and review comments from players who've battled him.
In Corner Two: Xevozz (Violet Hold)
Back in business! Now to execute an exit strategy.
Xevozz is an Ethereal imprisoned in the Violet Hold. He is known for his summoned spheres of arcane energy, which feed his power and cause him to enrage.
Read more about Xevozz's combat tactics, and pick up additional tips from players who've fought him.
Inside the Thunderdome
Two Boss matchups are about substance and style, not game play and mechanics. Don't base your strategies on player tactics, which opponent has been easiest or most difficult for you personally, or the difficulty of each opponent relative to instance progression. Vote for the spirit of the battle as set forth above. Set aside differences in opponents' health pools, game level and actual damage output. Absolutely no game-mechanic nitpicking!
Before you cast your vote, join the debate in the comments. Who wins, and why? Style points go to spectators who use the comments to sway other readers to their point of view!
%Poll-40001%
ORIGINAL WRATH FIVE-MAN SEASON: QUARTER FINALS
MATCH 1
Anub'Arak (Azjol-Nerub) -- WINNER!
vs.
King Dred (Drak'tharon Keep)
MATCH 2
Skadi the Ruthless (Utgarde Pinnacle)
vs.
Ley-Guardian Eregos (The Oculus) -- WINNER!
MATCH 3
Xevozz (Violet Hold) (seeded at 62.1%)
vs.
Loken (Halls of Lightning) (seeded at 58.1%)
MATCH 4
King Ymiron (Utgarde Pinnacle) (seeded at 60.3%)
vs.
Krik'thir the Gatewatcher (Azjol-Nerub) (seeded at 58.6%)
Who rocks Wrath's five-man world? Add your own narrative on what would happen when these mighty opponents meet up inside the Two Bosses Thunderdome. Anything's possible in the quarter-finals of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves: The Original Wrath Five-Man Season.
