Arathi Basin

Arathi Basin
Location	Central Arathi Highlands
Race(s)	Human  Undead
Battleground info
Advised level	10 to Level cap
Minimum level	10
Player limit	15v15

The Arathi Basin in-game map; for locations see below tactical map.

Tactical Map of Arathi Basin

As it appears on the minimap.

Located in Arathi Highlands, Arathi Basin is a fast and exciting battleground. The Basin itself is rich with resources and coveted by both the Horde and the Alliance. The Forsaken Defilers and the League of Arathor have arrived at Arathi Basin to wage war over these natural resources and claim them on behalf of their respective sides. It is similar to "King of the Hill," "Conquest," or "Domination" modes in other games.

Overview

The goal is to control locations on the map ("Resource Nodes"). While a node is controlled, it generates resources for your side, and the first side to gain 1,600 resources wins the contest. Prior to Patch 3.2, 2,000 resources were required for victory.

Maps

• Map from the now defunct Goblin Workshop fan site at Curse's media site.

Basic Rules

• Each side has up to 15 players.
• There are five Resource Nodes on the map: the Farm, the Stables (ST or sometimes called stabs or SB), the Blacksmith (BS), the Lumber Mill (LM), and the Gold Mine (GM).
• A node only earns resources when it is captured (see below). With the exception of strategic value, there is no difference between the nodes in terms of resource production.
• The rate of resource accumulation increases non-linearly as more nodes are captured. That is, if a side owns 2 nodes, it will not accumulate resources 2x as fast as when it only has 1 node. See the Strategy section below for more info.
• Arathi Basin is banded by level, just like Warsong Gulch. The minimum level to join is 10, and different instances will spawn in brackets covering 10 levels each. Players will be scaled up to the max. level in their bracket, i.e. bracket 100-109 every Player will be scaled to level 109.

Entering Arathi Basin Battleground

• The entrances to Arathi Basin are located in the Arathi Highlands zone.
• For the Alliance, the entrance is located inside Refuge Pointe.
• For the Horde, the entrance is just outside of Hammerfall on the north side.
• Either side may also enter the Battleground queue through Battlemasters located in each capital city.
• As of patch 3.1.0, you can enter the queue anywhere through the battlegrounds tab in the Player vs. Player window.

"Controlling vital resource points is the key to victory. Control all five, and you are virtually guaranteed it." - Loraala.

Winning Arathi Basin

Strategy and Tactics

• Arathi Basin Strategy and Tactics for more details

Accumulating Resources

Resources accumulate at the rates shown in the table below.

Nodes Captured	Resources Per Tick	Tick Length (sec)	Resources Per sec
1	10	12	0.8
2	10	9	1.1
3	10	6	1.7
4	10	3	3.3
5	30	1	30.0

So if your team has three nodes, their team has two nodes, and they lead 1400 to 1300, you can still win if no nodes change hands. But if your team is at 1200 you cannot win unless you gain control of four nodes.

Honor Rewards

The game awards bonus honor to everyone on your side of the match for reaching certain goals. Those goals are:

• Collecting multiples of 260 resources (at 260, 520, 780, ...), rewards 20 honor each (at level 60).
• Winning the match rewards 20 honor (at level 60).

Honor for lower level matches scales down from the amounts given. Other scored events are not granted honor. These include: killing blows, assaulting a node, capturing a node, and defending a node. Honor is awarded for honorable kills as normal.

Winning a complete match (1600 resources and the win bonus) gives 140 honor (at level 60). It also awards 3 Arathi Basin Mark of Honor.

Losing a match gives you less bonus honor depending on how many resources your side managed to collect before the loss. You will still accumulate some honor from honorable kills. You will receive 1 Arathi Basin Mark of Honor at the end of a loss.

On the Battlegrounds Holiday weekend for Arathi Basin, the bonus honor goals are:

• Collecting multiples of 160 resources (at 160, 320, 480, ...), rewards 20 honor each (at level 60).
• Winning the match still rewards 20 honor (at level 60).

The total honor for the winning team on the holiday weekend is 200. The losing team only earns honor for resources collected; there is no additional bonus for a loss on the holiday weekend.

Quests

There are a number of quests involving fighting in Arathi Basin, some of which need reputation with the battleground faction. You can get them from one of the NPCs near the battleground entrances in Hammerfall or Refuge Pointe.

The first quest will usually be The Battle for Arathi Basin!, for which you need to assault four different bases.

Alliance

•  [60P] Control Four Bases, available at friendly and awards 1000 reputation. For this quest your team will need to assault and control 4 bases at the same time.
•  [60P] Control Five Bases, available at exalted. For this quest your team will need to assault and control all 5 bases at the same time. Rewards the [Arathor Battle Tabard].

Horde

•  [60P] Take Four Bases, available at friendly and awards 1000 reputation. For this quest your team will need to assault and control 4 bases at the same time.
•  [60P] Take Five Bases, available at exalted. For this quest your team will need to assault and control all 5 bases at the same time. Rewards the [Battle Tabard of the Defilers].
•  [60P] Defiler's Advanced Care Package, available at friendly and awards 10 reputation. You also get a [Defiler's Advanced Care Package] which has 20 bandages and 20 Arathi Rations, both only usable in Arathi Basin.

As of the 2.3 patch, there is a daily quest available requiring a win in one random battleground, which awards experience, honor and coin. The AB version of this quest is  [70P] Call to Arms: Arathi Basin.

Reputation

Doing battle in Arathi Basin improves your reputation with The Defilers (Horde) or The League of Arathor (Alliance).

• Collecting multiples of 160 resources (at 160, 320, 480, ...) = 10 rep (total 100 rep if you win)
• Excluding you lose matches, and you don't play during the holiday you would need 320 Wins to be exalted with the faction.
• Quests in Arathi Basin give reputation too

On the Battlegrounds Holiday weekend for Arathi Basin, the Reputation rewards are:

• Collecting multiples of 150 resources (at 150, 300, 450, ...) = 10 rep (total 130 rep if you win)

Rewards

Arathi Basin items are available by spending honor accumulated. The Alliance vendor for these items is Samuel Hawke <League of Arathor Supply Officer> near the Alliance Arathi Basin battleground entrance in Arathi Highlands. The Horde vendor for these items is Rutherford Twing <Defilers Supply Officer> outside the Horde Arathi Basin battleground entrance in Hammerfall in Arathi Highlands.

Though some of the Arathor and Defiler factions items have different names and artwork, equivalent items' bonuses and equip effects are identical. Highlander's items are Arathor items.

The bulk of the items are belts, boots, and shoulders tailored to various classes. 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 rewards are only available at level 60.

See Honor rewards for other items which can be purchased with Honor points.

Item (Alliance/Horde)	Type	Level #:		Classes	Description
[Talisman of Arathor] / [Defiler's Talisman]	Trinket	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 38: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	30	Unrestricted	Absorbs a fixed amount of physical damage for 15 seconds
[Highlander's Chain Girdle] / [Defiler's Chain Girdle]	Waist (Leather/Mail)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Hunter, Shaman	Stamina bonus Improves chance to crit by 1% Increases attack power The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Determination or The Defiler's Determination set.
[Highlander's Cloth Girdle] / [Defiler's Cloth Girdle]	Waist (Cloth)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 38: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Mage, Priest, Warlock	Stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% Increases healing done by spells and effects The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Intent or The Defiler's Intent set.
[Highlander's Lizardhide Girdle] / [Defiler's Lizardhide Girdle]	Waist (Leather)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 38: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Rogue, Druid	Stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Will or The Defiler's Will set.
[Highlander's Leather Girdle] / [Defiler's Leather Girdle]	Waist (Leather)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 38: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Rogue, Druid	Stamina bonus Increases chance to crit by 1% Increases attack power The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Purpose or The Defiler's Purpose set.
[Highlander's Lamellar Girdle]	Waist (Mail/Plate)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Paladin	Strength, stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Resolve set.
[Defiler's Mail Girdle]	Waist (Leather/Mail)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Hunter, Shaman	Stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Defiler's Fortitude set.
[Highlander's Plate Girdle] / [Defiler's Plate Girdle]	Waist (Mail/Plate)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Warrior, Paladin	Strength and stamina bonuses Improves chance to crit by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Resolution or The Defiler's Resolution set.
[Highlander's Chain Greaves] / [Defiler's Chain Greaves]	Feet (Leather/Mail)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Hunter, Shaman	Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Determination or The Defiler's Determination set.
[Highlander's Cloth Boots] / [Defiler's Cloth Boots]	Feet (Cloth)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 38: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Mage, Priest, Warlock	Stamina and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases healing done by spells and effects The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Intent or The Defiler's Intent set.
[Highlander's Lizardhide Boots] / [Defiler's Lizardhide Boots]	Feet (Leather)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 38: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Rogue, Druid	Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases attack power The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Will or The Defiler's Will set.
[Highlander's Leather Boots] / [Defiler's Leather Boots]	Feet (Leather)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 38: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Rogue, Druid	Agility and stamina bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases attack power The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Purpose or The Defiler's Purpose set.
[Highlander's Lamellar Greaves]	Feet (Mail/Plate)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Paladin	Strength, agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Resolve set.
[Defiler's Mail Greaves]	Feet (Leather/Mail)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Hunter, Shaman	Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases chance to crit with spells by 1% The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Defiler's Fortitude set.
[Highlander's Plate Greaves] / [Defiler's Plate Greaves]	Feet (Mail/Plate)	Lvl 28: 175 Lvl 40: 258 Lvl 48: 382 Lvl 58: 2805	20	Warrior, Paladin	Strength, agility, and stamina bonuses Run Speed increased slightly The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Resolution or The Defiler's Resolution set.
[Highlander's Chain Pauldrons] / [Defiler's Chain Pauldrons]	Shoulders (Mail)	Level 60: 8415	40	Hunter, Shaman	Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Determination or The Defiler's Determination set.
[Highlander's Epaulets] / [Defiler's Epaulets]	Shoulders (Cloth)	Level 60: 8415	40	Mage, Priest, Warlock	Stamina and intellect bonuses Restores 5 mana every 5 seconds Increases healing done by spells and effects These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Intent or The Defiler's Intent set.
[Highlander's Lizardhide Shoulders] / [Defiler's Lizardhide Shoulders]	Shoulders (Leather)	Level 60: 8415	40	Rogue, Druid	Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Increases attack power These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Will or The Defiler's Will set.
[Highlander's Leather Shoulders] / [Defiler's Leather Shoulders]	Shoulders (Leather)	Level 60: 8415	40	Rogue, Druid	Agility and stamina bonuses Increases attack power These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Purpose or The Defiler's Purpose set.
[Highlander's Lamellar Spaulders]	Shoulders (Plate)	Level 60: 8415	40	Paladin	Strength, agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Resolve set.
[Defiler's Mail Pauldrons]	Shoulders (Mail)	Level 60: 8415	40	Hunter, Shaman	Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Restores 4 mana every 5 seconds These shoulders are part of The Defiler's Fortitude set.
[Highlander's Plate Spaulders] / [Defiler's Plate Spaulders]	Shoulders (Plate)	Level 60: 8415	40	Warrior, Paladin	Strength, agility, and stamina bonuses These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Resolution or The Defiler's Resolution set.
[Cloak of the Honor Guard] / [Deathguard's Cloak]	Back	Level 60: 4590	20	Unrestricted	Agility and stamina bonuses Increases Attack Power
[Ironbark Staff]	Staff	Level 60: 15300	40	Unrestricted	Intellect and stamina bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 2% Increases damage and healing from spells and effects
[Sageclaw] / [Mindfang]	Dagger	Level 60: 8160	40	Unrestricted	Stamina bonus Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% Increases damage and healing from spells and effects

Old Faction Reward System

Prior to patch 2.01, you had to improve your reputation with the Arathi Basin faction to be eligible for rewards.
See Old Arathi Basin Rewards for details.

Experience in Arathi Basin

• Players are awarded ~0.8% of a level for completing a Match.
• Players are awarded ~0.8% of a level per 260 Resources.
• Players are awarded ~0.8% of a level for a Victory.

• The specific % of exp does vary per level, but it should amount to just under 16 Victories per level.

Achievements

Note: Meta achievements are located in a seperate table at the bottom of this section.

Title	Description	Reward
[Arathi Basin All-Star]	Assault 2 bases and Defend 2 bases in a single Arathi Basin match.	20
[Arathi Basin Assassin]	Get 5 Honorable Kills at each of the bases in a single Arathi Basin battle. Blacksmith Gold Mine Stables Farm Lumber Mill	20
[Arathi Basin Perfection]	Win Arathi Basin with a score of 1,600 to 0.	20
[Arathi Basin Veteran]	Complete 100 victories in Arathi Basin.	10
[Arathi Basin Victory]	Win Arathi Basin.	10
[Disgracin' The Basin]	Assault 3 bases in a single Arathi Basin Battle.	10
[Knight of Arathor]  [The Defiler]	Gain exalted status with the League of Arathor / Forsaken Defilers.	10
[Let's Get This Done]	Win Arathi Basin in 6 minutes.	10
[Me and the Cappin' Makin' it Happen]	Take 50 flags in Arathi Basin.	10
[Overly Defensive]	Defend 3 bases in a single Arathi Basin battle.	10
[Resilient Victory]	Overcome a 500 resource disadvantage in a match of Arathi Basin and claim victory.	10
[Territorial Dominance]	Win 10 Arathi Basin matches while controlling all 5 flags.	10
[To the Rescue!]	Come to the defense of a base in Arathi Basin 50 times by recapping the flag.	10
[We Had It All Along *Cough*]	Win Arathi Basin by 10 points (1,600 to 1,590).	10

Meta Achievement

Title	Description	Reward
[Master of Arathi Basin]  [Master of Arathi Basin]	Complete all of the Arathi Basin achievements listed below:  Arathi Basin Veteran  Arathi Basin Perfection  Me and the Cappin' Makin' it Happen  Disgracin' The Basin  Overly Defensive  To the Rescue!  Resilient Victory  Territorial Dominance  Let's Get This Done  We Had It All Along *Cough*  Arathi Basin All-Star  Arathi Basin Assassin  Knight of Arathor  The Defiler	25

Media

Videos

An Arathi Basin live commentary in patch 4.2 w/ Selfs3rve Rogue PvP and more

An Arathi Basin live commentary on Machinima w/ Selfs3rve Rogue PvP and more

A Second Arathi Basin live commentary on Machinima w/ Selfs3rve Rogue PvP and more

Patch changes

• Patch 3.3.3 (2010-03-23): Battlegrounds will no longer award Marks of Honor.

• Players with existing Marks of Honor can still turn them in to their respective faction's quest givers, including individual marks for those who may have more marks for one Battleground than another.
• Items which previously required Marks of Honor will have their costs adjusted to remove these requirements.
  

• Patch 3.2.0 (04-Aug-2009):
  • When standing at a capture point that you control, you will gain a buff called Honorable Defender. This buff grants +50% honor gained from kills.
  • The time it requires to capture a base has been reduced to 8 seconds, down from 10 seconds.
  • The game now ends when one team reaches 1600 victory points, down from 2000.
    
• Patch 1.8.1 (25-Oct-2005): Certain geometry exploits in Arathi Basin have been fixed.
  
• Patch 1.7.1 (22-Sep-2005): Altered geometry in Arathi Basin to prevent a possible exploit.
  
• Patch 1.7.0 (13-Sep-2005): Added.
  

See also

• Alliance battleground strategies

External links

WoW Official Game Site (US) Arathi Basin

WoW Official Game Site (EU) Arathi Basin

• Wowhead
• Thottbot
• WoWDB

Strategy

• Proud Aardvark's Arathi Basin Strategy Guide
• GRiN.'s Arathi Basin Strategy: 'The Trap'

Previews

• Official Preview at WorldofWarcraft.com
• Preview at WoW Guru

Humor

• Who's Arathi MP3, a parody by anim5 of International Detective Dragons From Outer Space of Abott and Costello's "Who's on First?" skit.