TforTyranth
09-18-2008, 07:58
People love the realm versus realm encounters in Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Players have flocked to these playgrounds of destruction with reckless abandon, yet time and time again new players seem to get in over their heads in the low tier RvR scenarios. After seeing enough corpses to fill a small castle, the Ten Ton Hammer staff decided to move in and give players some guidance on the best way to complete the various RvR scenarios without too much loss of life.
Without a doubt, Nordenwatch is one of the most popular Tier 1 RvR scenarios in Warhammer Online. As the demo scenario for many of the conventions over the past two summers, Nordenwatch is incredibly fun and the ease with which you get caught up in the combat is incredibly addictive. Named after the Nordland newbie zone, Nordenwatch represents the watchful gaze of the Empire as they try to control the ever pressing hordes of Chaos.
As with the previously released guide on the scenario of Khaine’s Embrace, this RvR guide will hopefully give players a good glimpse into what the Nordenwatch scenario is all about and a few tips and tricks to keep you and your faction alive long enough to win. If you’ve yet to catch one of my RvR guides, make sure you check out my entry on Khaine’s Embrace and see how to issue Khaine’s Wrath upon the masses.
RvR Scenario Summary
This scenario takes place in the critical beachhead of Nordenwatch. The battle rages around the Lighthouse, Barracks, and Fortress. Take and hold these objectives while killing any enemies you find. – from the WAR developers
Veterans of PvP or RvR type mini-games in World of Warcraft or Guild Wars will feel right at home in this RvR conflict. The Warhammer Online developers really didn’t try to hide the fact that the Nordenwatch scenario is little more than a simple “control the map” type of competition. Like any good RvR encounter, the two player sides start off on the two opposite ends of the map, and the players are forced to try to take and hold the three objectives. Two of the three objectives – the Lighthouse and the Barracks – are close by the player starting location for each side (Order has the Lighthouse, Destruction the Barracks), so these two objectives are quickly taken by the players.
However, the Fortress is the point where many players will see the most brutal action. During my attempts at conquering the Nordenwatch scenario, I’ve seen more players meet their demise around this objective than in all of my attempts at Khaine’s Embrace. Just like in the Khaine’s Embrace scenario, the developers at Mythic Entertainment explicitly tried to force players to clash around this objective. As you can see in the map, the two major paths that players travel on meet at this point, and it’s with a violent sort of collision that few games can hope to replicate. The paths that converge on the flag are really protected from the view and attacks of the opposing team, so almost all of the damage is centered squarely on the objective.
The majority of the Nordenwatch scenario takes place on a massive hill that rests on the very western edge of the zone. Although players can traverse the distance between the two spawn points with relative ease, there’s little reason to take the time to cross the distance. Instead, most players head for the nearest objective, which happens to place them in a pretty severe pathway that leads them up into the Fortress, where the true battle takes place.
Unlike many of the other new player scenarios, Nordenwatch seemed to have an incredibly diverse number of classes playing within. Although the Dwarf legions were notoriously missing from the Order ranks, plenty of High Elves were scattered amidst the Empire individuals. That said, few Greenskins were included in the Nordenwatch scenarios that were played on the Destruction side, but plenty of Dark Elves and joined the hordes of Chaos.
A Few Strategies
Due to the construction of the Nordenwatch zone, the melee classes really excel in this space. With the majority of Nordenwatch played on a hill, most ranged combatants won’t be sniping opposing players from a distance until all of the forces are nearly on top of each other inside the Fortress. Sending all of the melee combatants into the fray first is the best way to insure that your ranged characters stay alive long enough to contribute to the fight.
If you’re interested in maintaining a defensive position around on of your objectives, the best way to do that would be to simple place a small crew of DPS and healer characters scattered and hidden amidst the landscape, while two high hitpoint tanks stand on the objective. Since the Nordenwatch objectives must be taken through a time based conversion system, it’s easy to keep control of an objective once you have it, as long as your characters stay alive long enough to contest it. While the majority of the fighting will be occurring at the Fortress, it is possible for players on the opposition to sneak across the battlefield and attempt to take your home objective from you.
Finally, always make sure that you’re keeping your healers safe. The Nordenwatch objective relies on healers more than any other scenario, in my opinion, simply because there won’t be one individual at the front of a charge taking all of the damage. Instead, it’s going to be an all out war, so the team that keeps its players alive the longest will surely win.
Class Assignments in Nordenwatch
Tanks
Do: This is a scenario where the tank classes can really shine. Instead of the open killing ground that you experienced in Khaine’s Embrace, you’ll be fairly protected from ranged attacks until you reach the Fortress objective. With that in mind, make the most of your abilities. Take the heat off of your DPS and healer teammates by jumping into the fray with both feet.
You’ll also be the best candidate for holding down a defensible flag position, so don’t be afraid when the enemies troops come charging up the hill. Rely on your healers and DPS characters to take them down before they take you down. If you do this, you’ll probably be able to get in the killing blow on a number of occasions.
On top of all this, always try to grab a healer to escort you. Though you may be big and tough, tanks can’t do squat without their healing comrades. Before the scenario starts, send a quick tell to the healer to have him watch your back when you go in. That’ll make things much easier on you.
Don’t: There’s no reason for you to try to sneak over and take the enemies home objective away from them, especially if you’re going in with only one or two teammates. Instead, focus your abilities on drawing the fire from the opposition on top of the Fortress. You’re much better off fighting in that area than by trying anything down in the opposing objective.
Never forget that you’re the toughest, strongest character on the field, however. Don’t be afraid to jump into the fray and cause some chaos in the ranks of the mages and healers behind the enemy lines. You’ll be in a fantastic position to do some serious damage if you get up the courage to kill.
Ranged DPS
Do: Be cautious throughout this scenario. For the majority of this encounter the ranged DPS classes will be at a disadvantage simply because of the terrain. Take a step back and don’t try to be heroic. Merely stay behind your melee teammates and let them get dirty while you stand back and mop up whatever is left of the enemy.
However, make sure you take advantage of any situation that presents itself. If you see a healer that’s just over the ridge from you, don’t be afraid to let that bugger have it square in the face. Your job is to focus on killing, not on chaos. Make sure you do your job.
Don’t: Like the tanks, don’t try to wade over into the opposing area and take their home objective. Leave this tactic to the melee DPSers and the healers. They’ll have a much better chance at grabbing the objective than you will, simply because any resistance will be able to see you coming from miles away.
Despite all this, don’t be too cautious. Turning and running is only effective if there’s no other option, and you’re just as likely to die when running as you are when standing toe-to-toe with the enemy and throwing some damage their way. It’s easy to turn and run in this scenario, but don’t do it.
Melee DPS:
Do: If there was ever a scenario built specifically for you, this would be it. Characters in Nordenwatch won’t know what hit ‘em as you crest a hill and plunge your blade straight into their fleshy underbellies. You along with the tanks will be at the head of any charge into the heart of Nordenwatch, so make sure you’ve got your steel shorts on. You may die an awful lot around the Fortress, but if your healers and ranged crew are doing their job, you should come away with a ton of experience to show from it.
Also, you along with a healer are perhaps the only two classes that should consider venturing over to the enemy stronghold and taking their objective. Normally, the opposing team only keeps 2-3 defensive players around their objective, so if you’re eager to be aggressive, here’s your chance. By being stealthy, you just could make it over to the objective and lay down some law before the opposition knows what’s happening.
Don’t: Be too overzealous. You may have the best chance of winning this sort of objective by being aggressive, but it doesn’t pay any sort of dividend by getting yourself killed. If you’re trying to determine who goes first into the fray, let the tank lead the charge before jumping in after him, that’s just common sense.
As always, don’t be a loner. You achieve absolutely nothing by striking off alone to try to be the hero and take an objective. Not only is it fool hardy, but it does nothing to increase your rank within the scenario. Stick with your team, and don’t be afraid to land a killing blow.
Healers
Do: Stay out of the way. This is the sort of scenario that could see you dead in many, many ways. If you want to stay alive, you need to stay back and out of sight of the enemy. Due to the open nature of the Fortress, as soon as you crest the hill, the enemy will be able to spot you and take you down. Let the melee characters do their thing, than simply come forward and heal them when you must.
As a healer, you also have a perfect opportunity to try to put together strategies for your teammates. Don’t be afraid to chat with them, and when you do find someone to team up with, encourage them to go on the offensive. You’re there to back them up, so always try to give them the confidence they need to break down the opposition.
Regardless of whether there’s another healer in your party or not, you should really try to focus on one or two melee combatants to really make sure that you’re getting the best efficiency out of your healing spells. Have them protect you, and then you’ll be efficient killing machines.
Don’t: Try not to get caught out in the open when you’re around the Fortress flag. This is the easiest place for ranged DPSers to lay strikes down upon you, so really try to stay off to the side where the ranged DPSers can get to you. That way you’ll stay alive and always be able to heal your comrades.
Final Word
Again, the Nordenwatch RvR scenario is a terrific example of a great PvP conflict. Players are constantly forced to fight each other, and there’s some definite tension as the two teams collide again and again. Try to always have your best strategy in mind before you begin, and make sure your team is constantly communicating. If you do this, victory will be yours!
Without a doubt, Nordenwatch is one of the most popular Tier 1 RvR scenarios in Warhammer Online. As the demo scenario for many of the conventions over the past two summers, Nordenwatch is incredibly fun and the ease with which you get caught up in the combat is incredibly addictive. Named after the Nordland newbie zone, Nordenwatch represents the watchful gaze of the Empire as they try to control the ever pressing hordes of Chaos.
As with the previously released guide on the scenario of Khaine’s Embrace, this RvR guide will hopefully give players a good glimpse into what the Nordenwatch scenario is all about and a few tips and tricks to keep you and your faction alive long enough to win. If you’ve yet to catch one of my RvR guides, make sure you check out my entry on Khaine’s Embrace and see how to issue Khaine’s Wrath upon the masses.
RvR Scenario Summary
This scenario takes place in the critical beachhead of Nordenwatch. The battle rages around the Lighthouse, Barracks, and Fortress. Take and hold these objectives while killing any enemies you find. – from the WAR developers
Veterans of PvP or RvR type mini-games in World of Warcraft or Guild Wars will feel right at home in this RvR conflict. The Warhammer Online developers really didn’t try to hide the fact that the Nordenwatch scenario is little more than a simple “control the map” type of competition. Like any good RvR encounter, the two player sides start off on the two opposite ends of the map, and the players are forced to try to take and hold the three objectives. Two of the three objectives – the Lighthouse and the Barracks – are close by the player starting location for each side (Order has the Lighthouse, Destruction the Barracks), so these two objectives are quickly taken by the players.
However, the Fortress is the point where many players will see the most brutal action. During my attempts at conquering the Nordenwatch scenario, I’ve seen more players meet their demise around this objective than in all of my attempts at Khaine’s Embrace. Just like in the Khaine’s Embrace scenario, the developers at Mythic Entertainment explicitly tried to force players to clash around this objective. As you can see in the map, the two major paths that players travel on meet at this point, and it’s with a violent sort of collision that few games can hope to replicate. The paths that converge on the flag are really protected from the view and attacks of the opposing team, so almost all of the damage is centered squarely on the objective.
The majority of the Nordenwatch scenario takes place on a massive hill that rests on the very western edge of the zone. Although players can traverse the distance between the two spawn points with relative ease, there’s little reason to take the time to cross the distance. Instead, most players head for the nearest objective, which happens to place them in a pretty severe pathway that leads them up into the Fortress, where the true battle takes place.
Unlike many of the other new player scenarios, Nordenwatch seemed to have an incredibly diverse number of classes playing within. Although the Dwarf legions were notoriously missing from the Order ranks, plenty of High Elves were scattered amidst the Empire individuals. That said, few Greenskins were included in the Nordenwatch scenarios that were played on the Destruction side, but plenty of Dark Elves and joined the hordes of Chaos.
A Few Strategies
Due to the construction of the Nordenwatch zone, the melee classes really excel in this space. With the majority of Nordenwatch played on a hill, most ranged combatants won’t be sniping opposing players from a distance until all of the forces are nearly on top of each other inside the Fortress. Sending all of the melee combatants into the fray first is the best way to insure that your ranged characters stay alive long enough to contribute to the fight.
If you’re interested in maintaining a defensive position around on of your objectives, the best way to do that would be to simple place a small crew of DPS and healer characters scattered and hidden amidst the landscape, while two high hitpoint tanks stand on the objective. Since the Nordenwatch objectives must be taken through a time based conversion system, it’s easy to keep control of an objective once you have it, as long as your characters stay alive long enough to contest it. While the majority of the fighting will be occurring at the Fortress, it is possible for players on the opposition to sneak across the battlefield and attempt to take your home objective from you.
Finally, always make sure that you’re keeping your healers safe. The Nordenwatch objective relies on healers more than any other scenario, in my opinion, simply because there won’t be one individual at the front of a charge taking all of the damage. Instead, it’s going to be an all out war, so the team that keeps its players alive the longest will surely win.
Class Assignments in Nordenwatch
Tanks
Do: This is a scenario where the tank classes can really shine. Instead of the open killing ground that you experienced in Khaine’s Embrace, you’ll be fairly protected from ranged attacks until you reach the Fortress objective. With that in mind, make the most of your abilities. Take the heat off of your DPS and healer teammates by jumping into the fray with both feet.
You’ll also be the best candidate for holding down a defensible flag position, so don’t be afraid when the enemies troops come charging up the hill. Rely on your healers and DPS characters to take them down before they take you down. If you do this, you’ll probably be able to get in the killing blow on a number of occasions.
On top of all this, always try to grab a healer to escort you. Though you may be big and tough, tanks can’t do squat without their healing comrades. Before the scenario starts, send a quick tell to the healer to have him watch your back when you go in. That’ll make things much easier on you.
Don’t: There’s no reason for you to try to sneak over and take the enemies home objective away from them, especially if you’re going in with only one or two teammates. Instead, focus your abilities on drawing the fire from the opposition on top of the Fortress. You’re much better off fighting in that area than by trying anything down in the opposing objective.
Never forget that you’re the toughest, strongest character on the field, however. Don’t be afraid to jump into the fray and cause some chaos in the ranks of the mages and healers behind the enemy lines. You’ll be in a fantastic position to do some serious damage if you get up the courage to kill.
Ranged DPS
Do: Be cautious throughout this scenario. For the majority of this encounter the ranged DPS classes will be at a disadvantage simply because of the terrain. Take a step back and don’t try to be heroic. Merely stay behind your melee teammates and let them get dirty while you stand back and mop up whatever is left of the enemy.
However, make sure you take advantage of any situation that presents itself. If you see a healer that’s just over the ridge from you, don’t be afraid to let that bugger have it square in the face. Your job is to focus on killing, not on chaos. Make sure you do your job.
Don’t: Like the tanks, don’t try to wade over into the opposing area and take their home objective. Leave this tactic to the melee DPSers and the healers. They’ll have a much better chance at grabbing the objective than you will, simply because any resistance will be able to see you coming from miles away.
Despite all this, don’t be too cautious. Turning and running is only effective if there’s no other option, and you’re just as likely to die when running as you are when standing toe-to-toe with the enemy and throwing some damage their way. It’s easy to turn and run in this scenario, but don’t do it.
Melee DPS:
Do: If there was ever a scenario built specifically for you, this would be it. Characters in Nordenwatch won’t know what hit ‘em as you crest a hill and plunge your blade straight into their fleshy underbellies. You along with the tanks will be at the head of any charge into the heart of Nordenwatch, so make sure you’ve got your steel shorts on. You may die an awful lot around the Fortress, but if your healers and ranged crew are doing their job, you should come away with a ton of experience to show from it.
Also, you along with a healer are perhaps the only two classes that should consider venturing over to the enemy stronghold and taking their objective. Normally, the opposing team only keeps 2-3 defensive players around their objective, so if you’re eager to be aggressive, here’s your chance. By being stealthy, you just could make it over to the objective and lay down some law before the opposition knows what’s happening.
Don’t: Be too overzealous. You may have the best chance of winning this sort of objective by being aggressive, but it doesn’t pay any sort of dividend by getting yourself killed. If you’re trying to determine who goes first into the fray, let the tank lead the charge before jumping in after him, that’s just common sense.
As always, don’t be a loner. You achieve absolutely nothing by striking off alone to try to be the hero and take an objective. Not only is it fool hardy, but it does nothing to increase your rank within the scenario. Stick with your team, and don’t be afraid to land a killing blow.
Healers
Do: Stay out of the way. This is the sort of scenario that could see you dead in many, many ways. If you want to stay alive, you need to stay back and out of sight of the enemy. Due to the open nature of the Fortress, as soon as you crest the hill, the enemy will be able to spot you and take you down. Let the melee characters do their thing, than simply come forward and heal them when you must.
As a healer, you also have a perfect opportunity to try to put together strategies for your teammates. Don’t be afraid to chat with them, and when you do find someone to team up with, encourage them to go on the offensive. You’re there to back them up, so always try to give them the confidence they need to break down the opposition.
Regardless of whether there’s another healer in your party or not, you should really try to focus on one or two melee combatants to really make sure that you’re getting the best efficiency out of your healing spells. Have them protect you, and then you’ll be efficient killing machines.
Don’t: Try not to get caught out in the open when you’re around the Fortress flag. This is the easiest place for ranged DPSers to lay strikes down upon you, so really try to stay off to the side where the ranged DPSers can get to you. That way you’ll stay alive and always be able to heal your comrades.
Final Word
Again, the Nordenwatch RvR scenario is a terrific example of a great PvP conflict. Players are constantly forced to fight each other, and there’s some definite tension as the two teams collide again and again. Try to always have your best strategy in mind before you begin, and make sure your team is constantly communicating. If you do this, victory will be yours!