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BattleGladeSword

Battlegrounds are instanced areas used for player versus player combat. Each classic battleground (Warsong Gulch, Arathi Basin and Alterac Valley) has two red instance entrance portals: one for the Alliance, and one for the Horde. Crossing these portals was originally one of the ways to enter the queue for their respective battlegrounds. Now, to enter the queue for any battleground, the player must seek out a Battlemaster, which can be found at the portal or in any capital city, or do so through the Player vs. Player tab. Once inside the instance, the two teams will engage in large-scale PvP, with various objectives determining the winner. Players will earn honor points making PvP rewards available.

If a character goes AFK, he/she will leave the battleground and gain the Deserter debuff. This prevents entry to another battleground for a 15 minute duration. You can report an inactive player by right clicking the player's portrait and selecting "Report AFK". When enough reports are registered, a 60 second debuff will begin to count down. Once the timer is up a new debuff will appear that will prevent the player from gaining any honor or marks while it is on. This debuff can be negated as soon as the player engages in PvP combat. This system is often abused, since a player can have good reasons for not participating in PVP, for example when he is defending.

The two initial Battleground areas, Alterac Valley and Warsong Gulch, went live June 7, 2005. Arathi Basin was added to the list in Patch 1.7 on September 13, 2005. A fourth battleground, named Eye of the Storm, was released with the Burning Crusade. A fifth battleground, the Strand of the Ancients, was added in Wrath of the Lich King. The sixth battleground, the Isle of Conquest, was added in Patch 3.2 on August 4, 2009. Silvershard Mines and Temple of Kotmogu were added with the introduction of Mists of Pandaria. Deepwind Gorge were later added in patch 5.3

Winning a Battleground with characters below level 110 awards a Crate of Battlefield Goods. Players on the opposing team also have a chance to receive a crate with an increasing chance based on team score at the end of a match. The crate contains a piece of armor appropriate for the character’s level and specialization with a chance for the crate to contain additional rewards such as weapons or relics.

Types[]

Blizzard separates the various battlegrounds into three separate types:[1]

  • Resource Race
    • Keep the resources flowing into the stores of your faction by capturing and holding nodes. Stall the enemy, disrupt their operations and you may soon be cruisin’ the road to victory.
  • Capture the Flag
    • Sneak into the enemy’s fort, take their symbol of pride (flag) and return triumphantly (means: alive) to your own flag. Do not allow the enemy to take your flag or you will be unable to capture theirs.
  • Warfare
    • Ride into the fields of battle and clash with the enemy force. Burn down their towers, obliterate their defences and eliminate, or secure, high priority targets.

Existing battlegrounds[]

Warsong Gulch[]

Warsong Gulch loading screen

WSG loading screen

WorldMap-WarsongGulch

WSG in-game map

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Factions Silverwing Sentinels Warsong Outriders
Base Silverwing Hold Warsong Lumber Mill
Entrance Silverwing Grove Mor'shan Base Camp
Levels
Level range Level range Level range Level range
10-19 20 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49
50 - 59 60 - 69 70 - 79 80 - 89
90 - 99 100 - 109 110 -
Combatants
10 per faction

Arathi Basin[]

Arathi Basin loading screen

AB loading screen

WorldMap-ArathiBasin

AB in-game map

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Factions The League of Arathor The Defilers
Base Trollbane Hall Defiler's Den
Entrance Refuge Pointe, Arathi Highlands Hammerfall, Arathi Highlands
Levels
Level range Level range Level range Level range
10 - 19 20 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49
50 - 59 60 - 69 70 - 79 80 - 89
90 - 99 100 - 109 110 -
Combatants
15 per faction

Alterac Valley[]

Alterac Valley loading screen

AV loading screen

WorldMap-AlteracValley

AV in-game map

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Factions Stormpike Guard Frostwolf Clan
Base Dun Baldar Frostwolf Keep
Entrance Headland, Hillsbrad Foothills Northeast of Sofera's Naze, Hillsbrad Foothills
Levels
Level range Level range Level range Level range
20 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 59
60 - 69 70 - 79 80 - 89 90 - 99
100 - 109 110
Combatants
40 per faction

Eye of the Storm[]

Eye of the Storm loading screen

EotS loading screen

WorldMap-NetherstormArena

EotS in-game map

Requires Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade.

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Factions No factions are directly associated with the battleground, but members of Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. The Exodar and Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Silvermoon City appear during its battleground holiday.
Base Northern rock Southern rock
Exterior entrance There is no exterior entrance to the battleground as in the classic battlegrounds, but the Eye of the Storm is located somewhere above Netherstorm.
Levels
Level range Level range Level range Level range
15 - 19 20 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49
50 - 59 60 - 69 70 - 79 80 - 89
90 - 99 100
Combatants
15 per faction

Strand of the Ancients[]

Strand of Ancients loading screen

SotA loading screen

WorldMap-StrandoftheAncients

SotA in-game map

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Factions No factions are directly associated with the battleground, but members of Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. The Silver Covenant and Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. The Sunreavers appear during its battleground holiday.
Base Neither side has a fixed base as teams alternate playing offense by attacking the keep and defense by preventing the attack
Exterior entrance There is no exterior entrance to the battleground as in the classic battlegrounds, but the Strand is presumably found south of Dragonblight.
Levels
Level range Level range Level range Level range Level range
65 - 69 70 - 74 75 - 79 80 - 84 85 - 89
Combatants
15 per faction

Isle of Conquest[]

Isle of Conquest loading screen

IoC loading screen

WorldMap-IsleofConquest

IoC in-game map

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Factions No reputation can be gained while playing in the Isle of Conquest, however the Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Alliance is represented by members of the Alliance Vanguard and the Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Horde by members of the Horde Expedition
Base Alliance Keep Horde Keep
Exterior entrance There is no exterior entrance to the battleground as in the classic battlegrounds, but the Isle of Conquest is located northwest of Sholazar Basin and west of Icecrown.
Levels
Level range Level range Level range
75 - 79 80 - 84 85 - 89
Combatants
40 per faction

Battle for Gilneas[]

Battle for Gilneas City loading screen

BfG loading screen

WorldMap-GilneasBattleground2

BfG in-game map

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Factions There are no specific reputation factions for the Battle for Gilneas, but the Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Alliance are represented by the local Gilnean worgen and the Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Horde is reperesented by the invading Forsaken.
Base There are no bases, just initial spawn points (Forsaken start from the Forsaken Landing Site from a ship docked along the northern coast and worgen from the Gilnean Outpost in the southwest).
Exterior entrance There is no exterior entrance to the battleground as in the classic battlegrounds, but the Battle for Gilneas appears to be located northwest of Gilneas City.
Levels
Level range Level range Level range
75 - 79 80 - 84 85 - 89
Combatants
10 per faction

Twin Peaks[]

Twin Peaks loading screen

TP loading screen

WorldMap-TwinPeaks

TP in-game map

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Factions Wildhammer clan Dragonmaw clan
Base Wildhammer Longhouse Dragonmaw Clan Compound
Levels
Level range Level range Level range
75 - 79 80 - 84 85 - 89
Combatants
10 per faction

Silvershard Mines[]

Icon-edit-22x22
Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking Sprite-monaco-pencil Edit to the right of the section title.
Silvershard Mines loading screen

SS Mines loading screen

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Factions There are no specific reputation factions for Silvershard Mines.
Base There are no bases, just initial spawn points (Alliance start from the Northern Caves, and the Horde from the Southern Caves).
Exterior entrance There is no exterior entrance to the battleground as in the classic battlegrounds, but it appears to be located in Northern Stranglethorn.
Ssingame

SS in game map.

Levels
Level range Level range Level range
90 90 90
Combatants
10 per faction

Temple of Kotmogu[]

Icon-edit-22x22
Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking Sprite-monaco-pencil Edit to the right of the section title.
Temple of Kotmogu loading screen

Temple of Kotmogu loading screen

WorldMap-TempleOfKotmogu

Temple of Kotmogu in-game map

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Factions ? ?
Base ? ?
Levels
Level range Level range Level range
90 90 90
Combatants
10 per faction

Deepwind Gorge[]

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Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking Sprite-monaco-pencil Edit to the right of the section title.
Deepwind Gorge

Deepwind Gorge

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Factions ? ?
Base ? ?
WorldMap-Goldrush

DG in-game map

Levels
Level range Level range Level range
90 90 90
Combatants
15 per faction

In Wrath of the Lich King[]

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In Cataclysm[]

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Main article: Battlegrounds holiday

In Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Cataclysm Patch 4.1, another Dungeon Finder incentive called "Call to Arms" was added which encourages under represented combat roles to join dungeon queues, but it is not to be confused with the Battlegrounds holidays also prefixed with "Call to Arms".

Patch 4.3 cross-realm battlegrounds[]

As of Patch 4.3, Real ID cross-realm groups/parties can queue for battlegrounds together.[2]

In Mists of Pandaria[]

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Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking Sprite-monaco-pencil Edit to the right of the section title.

Patch 5.3[]

Canceled Battlegrounds[]

Azshara Crater[]

Originally slated to be an Alterac Valley style instance, this battleground was far enough along in development that there were even Horde and Alliance entrances in Azshara. It never saw release, however, and with the zone overhaul in Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Cataclysm removing the physical location in which it would have existed, its fate seems to have been sealed.

Azshara Crater in Mists of Pandaria[]

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Icon-information This section concerns content that is not yet implemented.

At BlizzCon 2011, Blizzard revealed that they may be working on adding it into World of Warcraft's fourth expansion pack.[citation needed]

Gurubashi Catacombs[]

A "deathmatch" style battleground, it was scrapped early in development but the concept eventually turned into Arena PvP.

Notes[]

  • ...

XP in Battlegrounds[]

  • Blizzard stated that XP for playing in the battlegrounds has been added in Patch 3.2.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Slahtz and Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Behsten are the NPCs that can eliminate your experience gaining for a 10g fee should you decide you want to stay a certain level in the battlegrounds. Note that turning off xp will do so for all sources of experience, including quests.
  • In Patch 3.1.3, Alterac Valley (AV) you can earn XP by killing mobs, however the XP gain is very low if a lot of your faction players are within range.
  • By glitch or by design, XP awards were increased to move twinks to next bracket quickly, but Call to Honor weekend play still acts as a multiplier of this increased amount, allowing the player to add one level in as little as three wins.[citation needed] Players that know this can use PvP for leveling. Example: Level 42 to level 47 was done on a Sunday in about 5 hours. Incredible XP! :)

Patch changes[]

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 7.0.3 (19-Jul-2016): Winning a Battleground with characters below level 110 now awards a Crate of Battlefield Goods.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. β Patch 5.0.1 (Beta): New battlegrounds added. Ability to blacklist some battlegrounds from the queue.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 4.0.3 (15-Nov-2010): New Battleground Level Brackets.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 3.3.3 (2010-03-23): Battlegrounds holidays now called "Call to Arms".
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 1.8.4 (05-Dec-2005): Battles must now last at least ten minutes after the start of the battle in order for the losing team to receive a Mark of Honor.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 1.8.0 (10-Oct-2005): Upon completion of a Battleground, the winning side will be awarded three Marks of Honor while the losing side will be awarded one Mark of Honor.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 1.7.0 (13-Sep-2005):
    • Arathi Basin added.
    • In the Battlegrounds, you will now automatically be resurrected by Spirit Healers unless you choose to decline.
    • Characters that use the Battlemaster to enter a Battleground will now port back to that Battlemaster when they leave the Battleground for any reason.
    • Fixed range check for removing insignia from players in Battlegrounds.
    • Entering a battleground now resets the timer for the AFK flag. This should prevent players being kicked by the AFK timer moments after they enter the Battleground instance.
    • Using the /who command while in a Battleground instance will now only display players in your instance.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 1.6.0 (12-Jul-2005): Battleground scoreboards now display the time elapsed in a battleground.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Patch 1.5.0 (2005-06-07): Alterac Valley and Warsong Gulch added.

References[]

  1. ^

  2. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Kaivax 2011-12-01. #12 - Cross-Realm Real-ID BG Grouping is Now Avail.. Official PvP > Battlegrounds forum (US).
  3. ^ Olivia Grace 2012-05-29. Mists of Pandaria Beta: A first look at Battleground blacklisting. WoW Insider.
  4. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Nethaera 2012-06-05. The Future of PvP in Mists of Pandaria. Official World of Warcraft Community site (US)
    Is the way we queue for Battlegrounds changing at all?
    Blizzard Entertainment Tom Chilton - Yes, we’re adding a way for players to down-vote two Battlegrounds that they don’t want to see show up when queuing for random Battlegrounds. The exception to this is if it’s the Battleground featured with Call to Arms. You won’t be able to down-vote those when they happen, but this should make it so that it’s less likely you’ll be taking part in a Battleground that you don’t particularly enjoy. It should also help make it more likely that when a particular Battleground comes up on the Call to Arms, you may be able to enjoy it more. We’re also changing the way Call to Arms works so that there will always be a Call to Arms Battleground available. This will allow us to cycle through a larger amount of Battlegrounds on a regular basis.

       

    Nethaera 2012-06-05. The Future of PvP in Mists of Pandaria. Official World of Warcraft Community site (EU).

  5. ^ Patch 5.3.0

See also[]

External links[]

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