Warsong Gulch is a battleground nestled in the southern region of Ashenvale forest. It is located near the area where Grom Hellscream and his Orcs chopped away huge swaths of forest during the events of the Third War. Despite disagreements from Thrall and the shamans, some orcs have remained in the vicinity, continuing their deforestation to fuel the Horde's expansion. They call themselves the Warsong Outriders.
The Night elves, who have begun a massive push to retake the forests of Ashenvale, are now focusing their attention on ridding their land of the Outriders once and for all. And so, the Silverwing Sentinels have answered the call and sworn that they will not rest until every last Orc is defeated and cast out of Warsong Gulch.
The bases
Getting there[]
The Warsong Gulch in-game map
Alliance[]
The Alliance entrance is located in Silverwing Grove, southwest of Silverwing Outpost and Fallen Sky Lake in Ashenvale Forest. The Silverwing Outpost is near the junction of the main road through Ashenvale and the road south to The Barrens. Be very careful if you are below level 20; in the area around the Silverwing Grove are many spiders with strong venom.
Instead of traveling to the actual entrance, you can be transported to the battleground by talking to the Battlemasters in the cities of Stormwind (Stormwind Keep), Darnassus (Warrior's Terrace), the Exodar (Vault of Lights) or Ironforge (Military Ward).
Horde[]
The Horde entrance is on the mountainside to the west of Mor'shan Base Camp at the northern end of The Barrens. Or talk to the Battlemasters in Orgrimmar (Valley of Honor), Thunder Bluff (Hunter's Rise), Silvermoon (Farstriders' Square) and Undercity (Sylvanas' chambers).
Both factions will also find Battlemasters in Shattrath City.
As of patch 3.1.0, a player may queue up for Warsong Gulch anywhere in the world by going to the battlegrounds tab of the Player vs. Player window. They will return to the location they chose to enter the battleground, not the queue, when the game ends.
Overview[]
Players waiting outside the Alliance entrance to Warsong Gulch
Warsong Gulch in the comic series
Warsong Gulch is a multiple instance zone hosting a Capture the Flag style match for 10 on 10 level bracketed PvP action. Each side needs at least 5 players or the game will end after 5 minutes.
The brackets are currently (as of Wrath of the Lich King):
- 10–19
- 20–29
- 30–39
- 40–49
- 50–59
- 60–69
- 70–79
- 80
There can be multiple instances for a particular bracket if there are enough level appropriate participants for a given level bracket.
Resurrection in Warsong Gulch functions as normal, but if your insignia is taken you can only be resurrected at your local graveyard by an NPC who casts a resurrection every 30 seconds. As of 1.9.2 you do not have to click anything. You are put in the "resurrection wave". Hunters and Warlocks will have their current or most recent pet resurrected as well, even if that pet was not alive at the time of the player's death or if the pet has not been summoned since entering the battleground. Death Knights with the Master of Ghouls talent will have their ghoul resurrected if it was summoned at the time of death and was still alive when the Death Knight died.
Maps[]
Mechanics[]
Here are the specific game mechanics related to WSG:
- Capture requires that both flags be in the same flag spot at the same time.
- If your flag is out on the field, you cannot complete a capture of the opponents flag.
- Killing the flag carrier causes it to drop on the ground.
- A capturing team member can pick it up again and keep running.
- A defending team member can click on it and it will instantly teleport back to their base.
- The flag can be carried while shapeshifted (cat, travel, ghost wolf)
- Summoning a mount or stealth drops the flag. Picking up the flag breaks stealth.
- When both flags are held, the flag carriers will receive 50% increased damage done to them after approximately 10 minutes and 100% increased damage after approximately 15 minutes. Both levels of increased damage also brings a slowed movement speed to the flag carrier. (As of patch 2.4)
- Paladin's Divine Shield/Blessing of Protection ("bubble") causes the flag to be dropped.
- Paladin's Divine Protection doesn't cause the flag to be dropped.
- Rogue's Vanish causes the flag to be dropped.
- Mage's Ice Block causes the flag to be dropped.
- Using the boots speed power-up does not cause the flag to be dropped.
- Since Patch 2.3, if you drop the flag you are unable to personally pick it up again for 3 seconds.
- Flags take 20 seconds to respawn after a capture.
- If a flag is dropped without anybody picking it up or returning it for about five seconds, it will return itself.
Tactics[]
There are at least four different strategies commonly used in Warsong Gulch; Split into O and D, Mid Control, All Escort the FC, and Zerging. The final is most common in PUGS and least likely to produce a victory while any of the first three can be made to work depending on the composition of the given team.
- Split into Offense and Defense. As simple as it sounds: part of the team protects your flag while another part goes to get the enemy flag. In the case that the enemy gets your flag D will try to chase the enemy flag carrier down and retrieve it while O may or may not assist depending on the tactics. It is very important that O sticks together to make this strategy work. Generally, all stealthers (rogues, druids) go to the enemy base, while the rest of the team stays back to stop any intruders.
- Middle Control. The team attempts to establish control of the middle of the field by sending most, if not all, of the team there and attacking the enemy as they can. The goal is to prevent any enemy from reaching your fort, or to prevent any enemy flag carriers from returning to their fort. While the middle is held, class appropriate flag carriers are sent into the enemy fort to get their flag.
- All Escort the Flag Carrier. Everyone stays in a group, charges across the field, and takes the enemy's flag. Everyone escorts the FC back to a safe spot and then some protect your FC while others go look for the enemy FC as they will almost certainly have taken your flag by now as well.
- Zerging. This strategy involves most of the team charging the enemy flag in a random way and largely as individuals or groups of two. Against any of the organized strats zerging is unlikely to produce a victory, however, it is the strat most commonly used by PUGS as it requires no communication or planning at all.
- NEVER LEAVE THE FLAG CARRIER ALONE. Have at least one person with him/her at all times.
- Communicate effectively and efficiently. Don't spam the battleground chat with things not necessary to PvP.
The key to victory is communication with the other players in your faction. Take the time before the game starts to agree on what strat you will be using but be prepared to change if you need to as events develop. By communicating, your teammates will have the edge and be able to anticipate your enemies' position and movements. It is useful to know, for example, if the opposing faction has characters camped at your graveyard. When allocating parties within a raid group, attention should be focused on not only the classes and abilities of the players involved, but also their levels. For example, it is foolish to send in some level 22 characters when you know that the enemy flag is guarded by multiple level 29s. It is important to keep in mind abilities that can root or snare a player, as well as speed enhancements, and the ability to successfully get away from a group. As in any PvP situation, the key ability to develop with your character is the ability to adapt.
You are much more powerful in Battlegrounds when you are at the higher levels of your bracket. If you're playing in a 20–29 Battleground you will be more effective in direct combat as a level 29 than a level 20-27 because you will be much stronger, have more powerful spells, and stronger, higher leveled weapons with more DPS. You will also notice the other faction attacks you depending on your level because a level 29 will know a player two or more levels below them is an easy fast kill and takes only a few hits.
Power-Ups[]
There are three types of power-ups found in Warsong Gulch. To use them, simply walk up to one. They will respawn after a short period of time.
Berserking - Increases all damage caused by 30%, all damage taken by 10% and increases your size by 10%. Lasts 1 min.- Restoration - Restores 10% of your health and mana every second for 10 seconds. Attacking or being attacked will cancel the effect.
- Speed - Increases movement speed by 100% for 10 seconds.
Honor Rewards[]
The game awards bonus honor to everyone on your side of the match for reaching certain goals. Those goals are:
- capturing the opponent's flag rewards 41 honor at level 70 (40 honor at level 60).
- winning the match rewards 20 honor at level 70 (20 honor at level 60).
Honor for lower level matches scales down from the amounts given. Other scored events do not grant bonus honor. These include: killing blows, picking up the opponent's flag, and returning your flag to your base. Honor is awarded for honorable kills as normal.
Winning a complete match (3 captures and the win bonus) gives you 140 honor (at level 60). It also awards you 3 marks of honor. These marks are used to purchase certain items under the new honor system.
Losing a complete match (0 captures and a loss) gives you no bonus honor. The only honor you will accumulate will come from honorable kills. You will receive 1 mark of honor at the end of a loss, so you can still collect some for honor purchases. However, a careless attitude about losing a match is generally frowned on, and considering that a winning match grants three marks and the substantial honor bonus, winning matches allows for accumulating honor points and marks much more rapidly.
During the Warsong Gulch Battlegrounds Holiday, you will earn an increased reputation bonus for each flag captured on your team. The winning team will earn an additional 121 bonus honor (at level 60) for completing the match, in addition to the usual 20 bonus. The losing team will earn 60 bonus honor at the end of the match. Thus a 3–0 match will award a total of 266 bonus honor to the winners, and 60 honor to the losers during the holiday.
Reputation[]
- Flag Capture - 35 reputation for entire team (10 extra reputation on a Battlegrounds Holiday for a total of 45).
Warsong Gulch items[]
Warsong Gulch items are now available by spending honor accumulated and a varying amount of Warsong Gulch Mark of Honor with Illiyana Moonblaze (Alliance) or Kelm Hargunth (Horde). Though some of the Sentinel and Outrider factions items have different names and artwork, their bonuses and equip effects are identical. More powerful versions of some items can be purchased as you gain levels, allowing higher level players to receive faction rewards with better equipment bonuses. However, the exalted epic quality bracer rewards are only available from level 40, and the epic quality leggings are only available at level 60.
| Item (Alliance/Horde) | Type | Level and HP Cost | Warsong Gulch Mark of Honor | Classes | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverwing Battle Tabard Warsong Battle Tabard |
Tabard | 0 | 60 | Unrestricted | Tabard |
| Rune of Duty | Trinket | Level 20: 118 Level 40: 258 |
30 | Warrior, Paladin Hunter, Rogue |
Stamina bonus Restores health while equipped |
| Rune of Perfection | Trinket | Level 20: 118 Level 40: 258 |
30 | Druid, Priest Shaman, Mage Warlock |
Stamina bonus Decreases the magical resistances of your spell targets |
| Caretaker's Cape Battle Healer's Cloak |
Back | Level 18: 65 Level 28: 95 Level 38: 141 Level 48: 208 Level 58: 1530 |
10 | Unrestricted | Stamina and spirit bonuses Increases healing done by spells and effects |
| Sentinel's Medallion Scout's Medallion |
Neck | Level 18: 65 Level 28: 95 Level 38: 141 Level 48: 208 Level 58: 1530 |
20 | Unrestricted | Stamina and agility bonuses |
| Lorekeeper's Ring Advisor's Ring |
Finger | Level 18: 65 Level 28: 95 Level 38: 141 Level 48: 208 Level 58: 1530 |
20 | Unrestricted | Stamina bonus Increases damage and healing effects from magical spells Restores mana while equipped |
| Protector's Band Legionnaire's Band |
Finger | Level 18: 65 Level 28: 95 Level 38: 141 Level 48: 208 Level 58: 1530 |
20 | Unrestricted | Strength, agility, and stamina bonuses |
| Lorekeeper's Staff Advisor's Gnarled Staff |
Staff | Level 18: 428 Level 28: 632 Level 38: 938 Level 48: 1387 Level 58: 10200 |
40 | Unrestricted | Stamina and intellect bonuses Restores mana while equipped |
| Protector's Sword Legionnaire's Sword |
Sword | Level 18: 214 Level 28: 316 Level 38: 469 Level 48: 694 Level 58: 5100 |
30 | Unrestricted | Strength and stamina bonuses |
| Outrunner's Bow Outrider's Bow |
Bow | Level 18: 214 Level 28: 316 Level 38: 469 Level 48: 694 Level 58: 5100 |
30 | Unrestricted | Agility and stamina bonuses (Level 30+) |
| Sentinel's Blade Scout's Blade |
Dagger | Level 18: 214 Level 28: 316 Level 38: 469 Level 48: 694 Level 58: 5100 |
30 | Unrestricted | Agility and stamina bonuses |
| Berserker Bracers | Wrist (Plate) | Level 40: 422 Level 50: 624 Level 60: 4590 |
20 | Unrestricted | Strength, agility, and stamina bonuses |
| Dryad's Wrist Bindings | Wrist (Cloth) | Level 40: 422 Level 50: 624 Level 60: 4590 |
20 | Unrestricted | Stamina, intellect, and spirit bonuses Increases damage and healing from magical spells and effects |
| Forest Stalker's Bracers | Wrist (Leather) | Level 40: 422 Level 50: 624 Level 60: 4590 |
20 | Unrestricted | Strength, agility, and stamina bonuses |
| Windtalker's Wristguards | Wrist (Mail) | Level 40: 422 Level 50: 624 Level 60: 4590 |
20 | Unrestricted | Stamina, intellect, and spirit bonuses Attack power increased while equipped |
| Sentinel's Silk Leggings Outrider's Silk Leggings |
Legs (Cloth) | Level 60: 8925 | 40 | Unrestricted | Stamina, intellect, and spirit bonuses Increases damage and healing from magical spells and effects |
| Sentinel's Lizardhide Pants Outrider's Lizardhide Pants |
Legs (Leather) | Level 60: 8925 | 40 | Unrestricted | Strength, agility, stamina, intellect, and spirit bonuses Increases damage and healing from magical spells and effects |
| Sentinel's Leather Pants Outrider's Leather Pants |
Legs (Leather) | Level 60: 8925 | 40 | Unrestricted | Agility and stamina bonuses Increases chance to get a critical strike by 1% |
| Sentinel's Chain Leggings Outrider's Chain Leggings |
Legs (Mail) | Level 60: 8925 | 40 | Unrestricted | Agility and stamina bonuses Increases chance to get a critical strike by 1% Increases chance to hit by 1% |
| Sentinel's Mail Leggings Outrider's Mail Leggings |
Legs (Mail) | Level 60: 8925 | 40 | Unrestricted | Strength, intellect and stamina bonuses Increases chance to get a critical strike by 1% Increases chance to get a crit with spells by 1% Restores mana while equipped |
| Sentinel's Lamellar Legguards Outrider's Lamellar Legguards |
Legs (Plate) | Level 60: 7905 | 60 | Unrestricted | Strength and stamina bonuses Increases chance to get a critical strike by 1% Increases chance to hit by 1% Increases damage and healing from magical spells and effects |
| Sentinel's Plate Legguards Outrider's Plate Legguards Sentinel's Lamellar Legguards |
Legs (Plate) | Level 60: 8925 | 40 | Unrestricted | Strength and stamina bonuses Increases chance to get a critical strike by 1% |
Old Faction Rewards[]
Prior to patch 2.01, you had to improve your reputation with the Warsong Gulch faction to be eligible for rewards.
See Old Warsong Gulch rewards for details.
Useful Terminology[]
During the course of playing, you may hear the following frequently used acronyms and terms used by players to give out directions:
- fr: Flag Room
- fc: Flag Carrier
- efc: Enemy Flag Carrier
- inc: Incoming
- gy: Graveyard (the area or in the proximity of the area in which players re-spawn after death)
- roof: Refers to the area above the respective flag rooms, accessed via the side exit in each tunnel
- tun: Refers to the tunnel leading in and out of the base.
Patch changes[]
- Template:Patched
See also[]
- Distribution of Roles in Warsong Gulch
- Alliance battleground strategies
- Formulas:Honor System
- Galinth's Warsong Gulch Commander's Guide
External links[]
Template:Elink Template:Elinks-zone
Template:Warsong Gulch Template:Battlegrounds