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Mat McCurley says goodbye to WoW Insider
Well, here we go. This is my last day at WoW Insider, after two and a half years of writing, podcasting, and interacting with one of the greatest communities online. Having the opportunity to write for you and with these wonderful people has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I started playing World of Warcraft back in May of 2004 during the closed beta test. My time and tenure in Star Wars: Galaxies was winding down, and Dark Age of Camelot was far in the rearview mirror. None of us knew what World of Warcraft would become or how much the game would influence some of our lives. For me, World of Warcraft represents time, effort, passion, and drive; when every other option available was lacking, uninteresting, or just wrong, I wrote about my passion. I'll never stop playing because I see no reason to stop.
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. %Poll-74455%
Two Bosses Enter: Mannoroth vs. Asira Dawnslayer
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. Is it unfair to match up a Twilight's Hammer blood elf assassin against one of the most feared and dangerous beings in the entire Burning Legion? Well, sure, but fair treatment was never shown to the blood elves -- right, Kael'thas? Have fun getting demolished, Asira. We hardly knew ye. Queen Azshara had a more difficult fight on her hands last week than I had originally thought. I thought would be a quick and dirty bout that would allow Azshara to move on to the next round, but Hagara still put up a solid fight, losing the round by just under 400 votes. Big props to newcomer Hagara Stormbinder for not being completely, utterly destroyed. Focus, people. There's a pit lord in the arena, and he definitely isn't happy. Will Asira Dawnslayer and allies (of course she gets Illidan -- how the heck would this go otherwise?!) be able to best Mannoroth the Flayer and might of the Burning Legion? I have no idea ... but you do. %Poll-73677%
Two Bosses Enter: Echo of Baine vs. Peroth'arn
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. With a resounding roar of the crowd and the spectacular boom of the fireworks overhead, Season 3 of Two Bosses Enter has begun! Our first matchup mixes up the past and the future in one fell swoop by bringing two combatants from two edges of time into the same arena. From the bleak future of End Time comes the coalesced fear, anger, and sorrow of tauren chieftain Baine Bloodhoof, a powerful entity lingering on in an Azeroth obliterated by Deathwing. Plucked from the past is Peroth'arn, a satyr guard of the Well of Eternity, placed in the majestic palace courtyard to ward off invaders of the Well rituals. Both of these combatants have their work cut out for them in this matchup. Since many bosses are being designed these days with area of effect abilities and environmental obstacles that must be overcome in order to defeat the encounter, I want to stress the rules a little bit on Two Bosses Enter -- environmental abilities and cool stuff are fair game and always have been fair game. The arena can be whatever you want it to be. For instance, Echo of Baine has a very cool ability with which he destroys platforms floating in lava. From here on out, the mages of Dalaran employed by the great Tirion Fordring on his Board of Tournament Creation and Trusts will now magically transform the arena into whatever the combatants could reasonably ask for. Remember this when discussing the outcome, readers. %Poll-72774%
Two Bosses Enter: Tae'thelan Bloodwatcher vs. Ishanah
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. Welcome to the first matchup in the Two Bosses Enter faction leader exhibition season. While we wait for the new instances to hit in patch 4.3 and get familiar with their mechanics and lore, Two Bosses Enter is beginning the first exhibition season, pitting lesser-known faction leaders against one another. Maybe you'll even learn something cool about a character in the lore who you have never heard of. The full bracket for this exhibition season is right after the jump. The first matchup pits Reliquary leader and proud blood elf Tae'thelan Bloodwatcher against High Priestess Ishanah, leader of the Aldor draenei in the broken city of Shattrath. These two faction leaders couldn't be more different in terms of goals, motives, and means. Let's learn a thing or two about these competitors. %Poll-70901%
Two Bosses Enter: Temple Guardian Anhuur vs. Daakara
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Another Troll boss bit the dust last week when Hex Lord Malacrass fell to Vanessa VanCleef. This week, the Troll who inherited Zu'Aman in Cataclysm is up to bat: Daakara. Can Daakara pull out a win against Titan construct Anhuur? %Poll-68053% Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's match.
Two Bosses Enter: Vanessa VanCleef vs. Hex Lord Malacrass
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. The bosses of Zul'Aman and Zul'Gurub have not been faring very well in this tournament. Godfrey knocked Venoxis out of the tournament two weeks ago, and last week, Setesh eliminated Halazzi. Setesh. Nobody even likes Setesh! Will Hex Lord Malacrass fare better? Considering he's up against dear Vanessa ... he might have a tough time with it. %Poll-67647% Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's match.
Two Bosses Enter: Setesh vs. Halazzi
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Another week, another round of Two Bosses Enter! This week we see another boss from tier 2 Cataclysm heroics in action: Halazzi of Zul'Aman. Halazzi will be pit against Halls of Origination's Setesh. %Poll-67340% Follow along for the rules of the matchup, a review of what these bosses can do, and a discussion of last week's winner.
Two Bosses Enter: Lord Godfrey vs. Venoxis
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. This week's edition of Two Bosses Enter marks the first competitor from tier 2 Cataclysm heroics: Venoxis of Zul'Gurub. He'll be up against an old favorite of this expansion, Lord Godfrey. Who'll come out on top? %Poll-67035% Follow along for the rules of the matchup, a review of what these bosses can do, and a discussion of last week's winner.
Two Bosses Enter: Foe Reaper 5000 vs. Commander Springvale
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Last week was the debut of Cataclysm's second Two Bosses Enter season, featuring a showdown between High Priestess Azil and "Captain" Cookie. It was very exciting! No, really. It was. What, you don't like watching murlocs get crushed by giant boulders? Well, fine. Maybe this week's matchup between an automated can opener and a dead paladin turned death knight will be more to your liking. %Poll-66699% Follow along for the rules of the matchup, a review of what these bosses can do, and a discussion of last week's winner.
Two Bosses Enter: High Priestess Azil vs. Cookie
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. This week marks the first week of Cataclysm's second season of Two Bosses Enter. Last week we announced this season's lineup, but now it's time to begin. We're about to witness a showdown between the Stonecore's High Priestess Azil and the false Defias Kingpin, Cookie. %Poll-66486% Follow along for the rules of the matchup and a review of what these bosses can do.
Two Bosses Enter: Announcing Season 2's boss lineup
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Today we are ready to reveal our tournament bracks for Two Bosses Enter's second Cataclysm season! I've sifted through last week's reader requests and built this tournament brackets based on a few factors. Your feedback was absolutely taken into consideration, and most of this season's competitors were chosen by you. However, some competitors were picked by myself and other WoW Insider staffers. Highly elaborate encounters like Jin'do the Godbreaker or bosses with one-shot abilities such as Bloodlord Mandokir, while popular choices, were not included in this season because their mechanics would make the tournament extremely one-sided unless I added special circumstances and stipulations from week to week. In order to include them, Two Bosses Enter would be less let the fans figure out what would happen and more what arbitrary rules does Alex want us to play by this week? If that's something people want, I can make it happen next time around, but I'm fairly sure the majority of readers would like things to stay as they've been all along. There will be no voting this week, but I will be revealing this week's brackets and I will explain what we will be doing differently this season, along with some commentary of what did and did not work last season.
Two Bosses Enter: Ozruk wins Cataclysm Season 1
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Within the tournament administration pavilion, Vanessa delicately turned the pages of the ponderous Tome of Champions, which sat upon a stone pedestal engraved with the righteous fist of the Silver Hand. It was the record book of all who have won and lost in sanctioned gladiatorial battle in Azerothian history, though Vanessa did not know the difference between sanctioned and unsanctioned or who even sanctioned it to begin with. After many patient moments, she reached the record of the most recent gladiatorial season. The brackets were an unholy mess, largely thanks to her interference, with countless matchups hastily crossed out and refilled with her name or that of those in her employ in place of the original combatants. A glorious, sneaky campaign to be sure, but it wasn't enough: Ozruk's name had gone into the records as the winner of the season despite her efforts. She sneered and turned the page again. A pleased gasp escaped Vanessa's lips. The brackets for the next season were blank! Not a single person had registered yet! She quickly slipped a fountain pen from her tunic and set it to paper. She only managed to get down a single name before Tirion Fordring stormed up behind her. "Vanessa! What do you think you're doing, girl!? Get away from that! I will not let you continue to make a mockery of this tournament!"
Two Bosses Enter: Cataclysm Season 1 finals
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. "Today, in the left corner, stands the guardian of the World's Heart!" Tirion's voice rose to a crescendo to be heard over the explosive cheering of the audience and the music thundering forth from the gnomish sound projectors. "Ozruk!" Break yourself, break yourself Break yourselves upon my body Break yourself, break yourself Break yourselves upon my body ... And so it went. A frown grew on Tirion's face, displeased with the so-called hippity-hop, but what the audience wanted, the audience would get. The moment the music faded, the old crusader motioned to the other corner. "In the right corner stands ..." Tirion leaned forward, squinting to make out the form far below. He sighed deeply. "Vanessa, what are you doing here? Where is the Cardboard Assassin? And why are you wearing that chapeau?"
Two Bosses Enter: Whitemane and Mograine vs. ... wait, what?
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. The Crusaders, Sally Whitemane and Renault Mograine, stepped into the Two Bosses arena, well-rested after their bout with Forgemaster Throngus. The Cardboard Assassin had already been assembled in the opposite corner, swaying uneasily with the deafening roar of the gathered crowd. Tirion Fordring rose from his seat and spread his arms to silence the audience. The moment the cheering stalled, Tirion motioned to Whitemane and Mograine. He bellowed, voice gruff and rumbling. "Today, in the left corner, heralding from the Tirisfal Glades of the fallen Kingdom of Lordaeron, we have the Scarlet Crusaders, Champions of the Light, bane of the unholy Scourge." Tirion motioned in the other direction. "In the right corner, heralding from the forges of Westfall, stands the Cardboard Assassin, slayer of men and gods alike." "Champions," Fordring shouted, "are you rea--" The arena floor burst into flames, flooding the coliseum with smoke and cutting Lord Fordring's words short, driving the audience into sudden silence. The fires were extinguished as quickly as they came, and a woman stood in their place, obscured amidst the smoke. "Well," she observed, "this hardly seems fair."
Two Bosses Enter: Ozruk vs. Eregos
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Readers have been saying all along that Ozruk is going to sweep this tournament, and he's on course to do just that. He's in for his most difficult battle yet this week, however. Could Eregos, Wrath of the Lich King Two Bosses Enter champion, pull out a win over him? Remember, audence -- we've put a roof on the Two Bosses Enter arena. Eregos is a formidable opponent, but he cannot just fly away and call it a win! %Poll-65168% In last week's matchup, Shadowfang Keep's Baron Ashbury went head to head with the corrugated menace. How did he fare? %Gallery-119335% Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's match.
Two Bosses Enter: Baron Ashbury vs. Cardboard Assassin
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. A grave mistake was made when the Cardboard Assassin was allowed into the Two Bosses Enter tournament. The world severely underestimated the power of the comedy option. This week, can the menace of Baron Ashbury overcome the hilarity of the Cardboard Assassin? %Poll-64881% In last week's matchup, Throngus the Forgemaster slammed face-first into the Scarlet Crusade's Whitemane and Mograine. Was his skull thick enough to pull it off? %Gallery-119335% Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's match.
Two Bosses Enter: Forgemaster Throngus vs. Mograine and Whitemane
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Round 3 of the Crazy Eights kicks off this week, pitting the goliath Forgemaster Throngus against the cutest couple of Crusaders you've ever seen! %Poll-64559% In last week's matchup, Eregos and Erudax went head-to-head in the new and improved Two Bosses Enter arena -- an arena with a roof. %Gallery-119335% Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's match.
Two Bosses Enter: Erudax vs. Eregos
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. Before this week's matchup gets underway, I want to announce that the Two Bosses Enter arena now has a ceiling. Bosses with wings cannot simply fly away and win. Capisce? With that out of the way, this week a glutted tick and a scaley bird face off! %Poll-64080% In last week's matchup, we kicked off the Crazy Eights of this season of Two Bosses Enter with a showdown between Ozruk of the Breaking Body and Shadowfang Keep's Lord Godfrey. %Gallery-119335% Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's matchup.
Two Bosses Enter: Ozruk vs. Lord Godfrey
In Two Bosses Enter, WoW Insider's series of fantasy death matches, the bosses of World of Warcraft face off in the squared circle. Your vote determines who wins and claims the season title. The Sweet Sixteen of this Two Bosses Enter tournament has come to a conclusion, and we officially enter the Crazy Eights. Ozruk and Lord Godfrey step back up to the plate this week for a cataclysmic battle. %Poll-63783% In last week's matchup, it was assassin versus assassin: Vanessa VanCleef faced down our final wild card competitor, the Cardboard Assassin. %Gallery-119335% Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's match.
