Breakfast topic: Most ganktastic zones
by Elizabeth Wachowski 
Apr 19th 2007 at 8:07AM
Ganking (or world PVP, if you prefer) is the main thing that differentiates PVP servers from PVE servers. Sure, PVE and PVP servers have the same mobs, the same raids and the same faction grinds, but somehow leveling just isn't the same without Xxninjaxx cheapshotting you while you've almost killed that elite mob.
Some of the most fiercely contested areas are the places where Horde and Alliance come together for the first time. It's no surprise that the lowbie areas of Ashenvale and Hillsbrad Foothills are widely considered the unofficial centers of gankage. Lowbie orc Bob gets ganked and corpse camped repeatedly by a night elf in Ashenvale, so when he's 70, he comes back and ganks and corpse camps all the lowbie night elves in revenge. It's a vicious cycle that can be scary to people going through the level grind for the first time. The frantic world PVP seems to level off a bit during higher levels, but anyone who was in Zangarmarsh around two weeks after TBC release knows that it can flare up at any time.
Personally, I found the most vicious zone for ganking -- on both factions -- is Stranglethorn Vale. I think I've spent more time in the graveyard at STV than I ever did at Blackrock Mountain. Maybe it's the 15 levels the place covers, maybe it's the confluence of questgivers at Nesingwary's Camp, or maybe everyone's having Apocalypse Now flashbacks, but you're never safe in STV.
Where have you been ganked the most?
Filed under: PvP, Breakfast Topics, Leveling
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Ezergoode Apr 19th 2007 8:22AM
I dont play on a PvP server, i play on PvE. But STV is the place to go if you want some PvP fun whilst leveling. It seems Samantha Swifthoof is too much of a temptation for Ally's on my server.
I rolled a Shaman alt not long ago and id hadnt changed since going there with my main.
Maybe its because you get addicted to killing anything that moves after Nessigwarys mass genocide quests....
Chives Apr 19th 2007 8:22AM
I can remember many fun times in STV. After a few gankages, it usually ends with both sides calling in 70 reinforcements, and an all-out war ensues. I've happily spent hours pvping in STV, fighting over nessy.
What I can't abide, is those that kill you while you are fighting a mob. Whenever possible, I allow allys to heal up before i own them xD
Twinny Apr 19th 2007 8:27AM
for me:
#1 stranglethorn vale
#2 Silithus (pre BC)
lately, i dont get ganked in outlands. the only place i do get ganked is being the first runner to the meeting stone outside karazhan. at least 4-5 ganks a week.
10+ hordies just grieving outside kara because their guilds are too shite to get in = drama in a cup.
Jorane Apr 19th 2007 8:29AM
For ganking, STV definitely comes in first, with Ashenvale coming in second. In terms of straight up PVP, Hillsbrad Foothills also ranks on the list too (at least it used to).
Orin Apr 19th 2007 8:33AM
My RPPvP server is a bit tame compared to most I think.
Pre-BC: STV, Hillsbrad
BC: Nagrand if near Halla, Terokkar within the Bone Wastes.
BaboonNL Apr 19th 2007 8:39AM
In front of Karazhan around 7pm when everyone is waiting to start.
10pound Apr 19th 2007 8:48AM
You nailed it, STV FTL. Its the corpse run grind.
Surprisingly, I was ganked in badlands by a 60 (I was mid 40s at the time). I turned around after nailing a mob and BOOM....I was dead from a mages spell. No way I should not have seen that mage sneaking up on me in the badlands, to this day it stands out in my mind.
Jeff Apr 19th 2007 8:52AM
What about Duskwoods ? lol it seems there's always an horde doing trouble in Raven Hill hehe :)
Last time it was a 70 Warlock who kept on cursing every ally in the cemetary... I came with my hunter and chased him, killing him 8 time in a row ; The 8th shot it was near gromgol... the poor lock was running along the river to hide in STV and take the zeppelin. Humanoid tracking is nice, especially when a 70 lock just spawned underwater, and he think you dont see him :)
thedog Apr 19th 2007 8:54AM
@3
My guild meets in Stonard (closest Horde town) and rides together to Kara. Any and all alliance die once we get there.
KissTheRing Apr 19th 2007 8:59AM
The boat in booty bay
Ryan Apr 19th 2007 9:07AM
I seriously don't know what the appeal of constant corpse runs are. Why do people play on PvP servers? You can queue for BG's just as easily from a PvE server.
Twinny Apr 19th 2007 9:05AM
@9 we have started meeting at the bridge and then summoning the rest using a warlock. when a group of ten ride in they seem alot more reluctant to attempt to gank.
FireStar Apr 19th 2007 9:05AM
Horde side: STV and Hillsbrad hands down. Been getting ganked in Nagrand lately too...probably shouldn't have waited so long to get my priest to 70 because i knew after long enough gankage is gonna start when you get bored lvl70 farmers killin for rep.
jaydlawii Apr 19th 2007 4:24PM
@13 because it's the way the game was supposed to be played otherwise why have different factions. My enemy should always be able to kill me, and viseversa although admittingly i suck at pvp. It still add drama to the game.
Jeff Apr 19th 2007 9:13AM
@Ryan
PVP is the most fun thing in WoW IMO, I like the arcade tuned fight against a real human opponent, its so much fun compared to a fight with a mob lol :)
And I cant understand why people would play PVE Only (IMO its because they lack skill, so for me PVE server are kinda practice before you jump on real hardcore realms lol) its so boring just to do world PVE lol... I like the fact that if you leave the alliance zone, you are in danger, its more realist ; You need to always check behind your shoulder for incoming players. It add a little "something" to the farming runs too !
World PVP All the way ! Its what Warcraft is about :)
navalpha Apr 20th 2007 11:39AM
#13 I dont either... yet i rolled PVP. I am much more of a PVE person then PVP yet i chose PVP... i really dont know why. Leveling is always a pain in the ass. i must subconsciously be masochist...
Ryan Apr 19th 2007 9:26AM
@14 All of these things can be accomplished just as easily on a PvE server. PvE servers don't mean no PvP, they just mean you can choose whether or not you want to be involved in PvP at any given time.
Mad Cow Apr 19th 2007 9:20AM
1) STV ... hands down for solo ganking.
2) Hillsbrad Foothills for guild on guild melee, nothing like some lowbie in your guild/sister guild calling for help and Azerothian World PVP ... usually results in the whipe of either SS or TM ... or both.
3) Karazhan is quickly climbing ... every night the front door looks like bone snow on my server ... Horde ftw =D
4) Tararis, more specifically Gadgetzan ... I've yet to go into that town for anything in the past 8 months without someone dying before I leave (usually not by my hand .. but I have seens a level 10 or 12 there before and just couldn't resist tapping them on the head with moonfire).
5) Zangarmarsh ... WTF is it with low level gankers there?? who in their right mind, at level 62-64 triest to gank a kara equipped 70?? One would think that if I just owned 5 mobs at once without losing 5% health ... I'm gonna melt/rip your face off.
Alex Apr 19th 2007 9:34AM
@14
yeah, people who play on PvE do it because they are not skilled. Not at ALL because they just want to play the game and PvP on their own terms and dont feel like wasting time because they were ganked.
I played UO when it first came out. THAT was world PvP. God I miss it!
Joe Apr 19th 2007 10:31AM
@16/17
The "practice realm" comment is worth ignoring, however he does make a good point - the knowledge that "the enemy" is out there can make the game a bit more intense and realistic. With two factions at war it only makes sense that in "shared" zones these kinds of things could and should happen.
On the other hand, running to your corpse at level 23, 36, 42, etc. because the 70, rogue, whatever killed you is definitely not a worthwhile addition.
Back on topic: Ashenvale sticks out to me as well, but STV is the clear winner. Or it was; is it still now that people are in outland more?