Two Bosses Enter: Echo of Baine vs. Echo of Sylvanas
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, bosses, leaders, and powerful figures of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title.
We have only three matches left in Two Bosses Enter Season 3: The Reckoning, Pre-Mists edition -- and they are going to be exciting. Each of the two semifinal matches will divide fanbases, challenge the status quo, and truly shake the very foundation of Two Bosses Enter forever. There is quite literally nothing more exciting than the next three weeks right here ... Same Two Bosses time, same Two Bosses station.
Two Echoes face off once again in the first semifinal match of the tournament. The Echo of Baine, leader of the tauren tribes at Thunderbluff, awaits tormented in agony within the Black Dragonshrine, awaiting the true cosmic and universal death that I assume is coming with a Burning Legion victory in the supposed End Time future. The Echo of Sylvanas broods in the Red Dragonshrine, waiting to enact her vengeance upon anyone, anything that happens to be living and moving across the barren wasteland of the Dragonblight. These two competitors have heavy followings, and I cannot wait to see which fans come out in force for.
In what I believe is quite an upset, Lord Godfrey has fallen to the might of Mannoroth. I should have seen it coming -- Mannoroth has been an unstoppable force through this tournament so far. Did you have your gold pieces on this monstrosity to take it all the way? You might have been right about it, after all.
Vote, vote, vote me hearties -- vote, vote, vote me hearties today.
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The rules of the ring
The WoW Insider Ring is considered neutral territory, where both combatants are able to access their usual encounter mechanics and abilities. If you can't visualize it inside the squared circle, visualize it someplace else -- but you must take into consideration all of each bosses' abilities and mechanics.
Assume that each opponent is intelligent and capable of strategic thinking.
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 point).
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. Everything is a factor; seeking balance is your goal as a spectator and judge.
In Corner One: Echo of Baine
The Echo of Baine has proven to be a formidable force in this tournament, charging his way head first into every foe in his way. His most recent victory was against the Echo of Jaina, whose magic and slowing frost was not enough to stop the bull. In fact, Baine strikes me as the type of fighter who just gets madder when he's cold. Brrrr.
With two wins under his colossal belt, the Echo of Baine's power might not rival that of his ancient counterpart, but it's close enough. The spirit of the bull lives on to crush his opponents with unrivaled force.
Against Sylvanas, Baine has some distinct advantages in his ability to do lots of damage quickly against Sylvanas' ghouls as well as in his maneuverability on the battlefield. In fact, Sylvanas' own abilities might serve to back her into a corner.
The Echo of Baine's abilities include:
Molten Axe Echo of Baine's axe gets supercharged when he dips into the lava around his platforms.
Molten Fists Echo of Baine's enemies can also dip into the lava for a Molten Fists buff, inflicting extra fire damage on hit.
Pulverize Baine slams down his totem, destroying the platform he is on and hitting all nearby enemies for a nice chunk of damage. Platforms will eventually return but take some time.
Throw Totem Echo of Baine throws his totem at a target, causing lots of damage and knocking his target back. His totem can then be picked up and thrown back at Baine, stunning him briefly and increasing his damage taken.
You can read more about the Echo of Baine on Wowpedia.
In Corner Two: Echo of Sylvanas
The Echo of Sylvanas' fan fuel has grown since her initial victories, but her most recent match against Zon'ozz proved that her armor is not impenetrable. While not the most impressive win in terms of numbers, the fan following is definitely there and willing to show up for their Dark Lady, even if she is just the Echo.
Sylvanas needs to put Baine at range in order to win this one. Her abilities that raise her off the ground and out of melee range will be key to besting Baine. While Baine has some limited ranged ability, it's no match for a Sylvanas who knows a thing or two about kiting cows.
Echo of Sylvanas' abilities include:
Shriek of the Highborne Sylvanas shrieks with anguish, inflicting damage to an enemy and decreasing movement speed.
Black Arrow Sylvanas fires an explosive black arrow at an enemy, inflicting heavy AoE damage.
Unholy Shot Sylvanas fires a barrage of missiles at an enemy, striking up to three enemies within 10 yards, inflicting extra shadow damage.
Blighted Arrows Sylvanas blights the ground under an enemy, inflicting heavy damage and knocking back enemies caught in the arrow crossfire.
Wracking Pain When Sylvanas spawns ghouls, enemies are damaged when they pass through the ghoul link.
Sacrifice When the ghouls reach Sylvanas, they explode, doing tons of damage. Kill a ghoul to break the line and escape!
Last Week's Winner: Mannoroth
Mannoroth stomped all over poor Lord Godfrey in last week's poll, winning with 58.1% of the vote. While Godfrey may be adept at slaying powerful undead crazy ladies, he has his work cut out for him when dealing with demons. He never saw that train coming ...
Commenter Will puts things though the ol' relativity machine:
Godfrey summons ghouls, but Mannoroth can summon a freaking Burning Legion army. Assuming Godfrey doesn't have Tyrande backing him up (and wouldn't THAT be interesting?), I'd say that pretty much neutralizes his ghouls, and probably demands much of his attention too. Standing still to summon or cast Pistol Barrage? Have some fel fire.
Mannoroth by a mile.
I love the idea that Godfrey's little army is immediately eclipsed by the continuous stream of demons emerging from the portals surrounding Mannoroth. Dude, you might be in over your head just a little bit.
Reader Rai, as usual, walks into the room and puts down an amazing tale of sorrow and woe for Godfrey with a happy, solemn end for the rest of them. Excellent work, Rai. I'll see what I can do about getting you something neat.
Tyrande and Illidan stood before the mighty pit lord, as the Well of Eternity churned. Illidan looked up at the sky impatiently, looking round, waiting.
"Where are those fools? They should have been here by now!" he growled.
"Look, Illidan! There!" Tyrande exclaimed, pointing through the trees. A shadowy figure walked towards them, a pistol in each hand. He cocked the triggers as if about to fire-
There was a roar as Mannoroth began to accelerate the casting of his dark magic. The undead form of Lord Godfrey took a step backwards, as if to retreat. Illidan stared him with with a piercing gaze, while Tyrande took a step towards him.
"Whoever you are, you must help us or this world is doomed," she warned him, preparing her bow."
"This is just a bad dream. I'll wake up any moment now..." Godfrey sneered. From the distance, a gnomette was watching with great amusement.
Illidan marched over to Godfrey and shoved him. Caught off guard from the night elf, he tripped and fell to the ground.
"I can assure you that what is happening to the Well is very real. We must fight!" Illidan roared, charging off towards Mannoroth with Tyrande in tow. Godfrey mumbled and climbed to his feet, walking after the pair. Varo'then, Lady Azshara's faithful servant, was pushed aside by Illidan, who proceeded to lock arms with Mannoroth. Varo'then charged towards Godfrey.
Eager not to be outdone by the night elves, Godfrey fired off a cursed bullet at Varo'then, before engaging him in battle. Varo'then continued to assault Godfrey with his blade, the undead trying to step backwards and fire off a few more shots, even trying to hit back in melee with his pistols. Fuelled by devotion to his beloved Azshara, Varo'then continued to strike at the undead nobleman, as a portal opened up and demons began to flood out. Tyrande was keeping them at bay, but for how long?
"Let's even the odds a bit!" Godfrey proclaimed, raising several ghouls from the ground. A couple began attacking Varo'then, while the rest ran off towards the demons Tyrande was instantly-killing, and generally rambled about over there. Godfrey sighed.
"Lord Sargeras, I will not fail you! Sweep your molten fist through this world, so that it may be reborn in flames and darkness!" Mannoroth roared, a fel inferno whipping up in the air above them and crashing down. Godfrey kept on the go, running from Varo'then and firing off bullets back towards the elf, smart enough to stay out of the fire. He turned and fired off a pistol barrage at Varo'then, who took the full brunt of it and suffered severe damage.
Tyrande collapsed as two Debilitating Dreadlords appeared and stunned her with magic.
"Help her!" Illidan barked.
"She'll be fine."
Godfrey fired off another pistol barrage, causing Varo'then to fall to the ground, defeated. His sword landed in the soil. Godfrey shrugged at it.
"Use the sword!" Illidan yelled.
"I prefer guns!" Godfrey cackled, firing at Mannoroth. The shots were roughly as effective as paper pellets would have been.
"Your world shall be UNMADE!" Mannoroth declared, as the fiery fel inferno descended once more. Plethoras of demons continued to spill from the portal, as Tyrande was still trapped by the Debilitating Dreadlords and unable to act. The demons continued to attack her, as Godfrey fired at Mannoroth, working as a team not being in his nature.
"Pathetic elves. I could kill him myself!" Godfrey threatened, summoning his ghouls once more before firing cursed bullets at the pit lord. Varo'then's sword was still stuck in the ground, ignored.
"Who are you to think yourself as mighty enough to stand before a pit lord?" Mannoroth asked.
"Lord Vincent Godfrey!" he screamed, firing off a pistol barrage at said pit lord, while the group of easily-shootable grouped up demons continued to ravage Tyrande and Illidan, both of who silently wished anyone else had turned up but Godfrey.
Mannoroth blinked, staring at the undead.
"I don't know what you're doing here, you ugly fat monster, but I sense dark magic. I'll kill you and take your place and then the whole world will never forget the dreadful terror and unrelenting power of-"
Mannoroth stomped over and picked him up, tossing him as far as he could straight into the Well of Eternity.
"That's quite enough of him."
For once, the Night Elves agreed shortly before Mannoroth killed them both and the world fell into darkness.
It almost pains me that Lord Godfrey's canon storyline is over because of the fun Blizzard could have with him and the Forsaken. Heck, just roll him back into the Horde for some reason. Let him run a crack team of crazy undead commandos and get set loose on the Alliance. They would never know what hit them.
The last word, even though it is a futile one, goes to the venerable and tenured Professor Putricide. After a grueling battle, a sure loss for the undead gunslinger, reigning champ, who wins this fight in the end?
I vote Lord Godfrey.
Undead Pride. *fist bump*
There you have it. Vote, vote, vote for your pick for next week's Two Bosses Enter.
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Set aside the world order -- let the WoW Insider Ring determine who's the champion! Your votes determine the outcome in WoW Insider's series of fantasy deathmatches, Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves.
