Two Bosses Enter: The Commanders vs. Erekem
by Lisa Poisso 
Feb 12th 2009 at 5:00PM
Have you met Commander Kolurg or Commander Stoutbeard, or Erekem? If you haven't, don't feel bad – I've run The Nexus and Violet Hold heroics until my eyes bleed, and I haven't made their acquaintance either. (Bad luck? Late-night runs turned lazy? Another case of birds avoiding my sweet lil' Cookie?) This week's Two Bosses Enter pits the less frequently encountered "extra" bosses from The Nexus against Erekem of Violet Hold.
Before we get into the details of this week's match, I need to point out that I'm not alone in not having met these bosses, if the lack of screenshots on the usual sites is any evidence. If you have a screenshot of Commander Kolurg (or an especially nice shot of Stoutbeard or Erekem), do take a moment to submit them to wowhead.com or wowwiki.com, then notify us via our tip line (marked "Two Bosses Enter").
And now, let's get ready to rumble!
The basics Assume that each boss has approximately the same level, health and damage output as the other and that they're fighting in neutral territory. For this match, both bosses (Kolurg/Stoutbeard and Erekem) get the use of their adds. We're out to debate the three S's: Style, Story and Scale. Don't get caught up in game dynamics of each in-game encounter. Consider the flavor each villainous gladiator brings to bear, and cast your vote for who you think would come out on top.
Commander Kolurg (Alliance players) or Commander Stoutbeard (Horde players) (The Nexus)
These "optional" gentlemen appear in The Nexus' Hall of Statis on heroic mode. The commanders provide virtually the same fight, Commander Kolurg for Alliance groups and Commander Stoutbeard for Horde players.
Their trademark: Whirlwind. Lots of it.
Commanders Kolurg & Stoutbeard
Battle Shout
Charge
Frightening Shout
Whirlwind
The Commanders' Priests (two)
Flash Heal
Power Word: Shield
Shadow Word: Death
Read more about how the Commanders and their minions make about their battle tactics.
Erekem (Violet Hold)Erekem, an Arakkoa imprisoned in the Violet Hold, appears with two Erekem Guards. If they are killed first, they cast Stormstrike.
Bloodlust
Break Bonds
Chain Heal
Earth Shield
Earth Shock
Lightning Bolt
Stormstrike
Erekem Guard
Gushing Wound
Howling Screech
Strike
Read more about Erekem's plan of battle.
The smackdown
Remember: no game-mechanic nitpicking. Vote for the spirit of the battle as set forth above. Set aside differences in opponents' health pools, game level and actual damage output, and size up these villains based on their fighting style. Post your comments and let's get into how you think things will go down.
| Commander Kolurg/Stoutbeard | |
|---|---|
| Erekem | |
| Draw |
Filed under: Features, Bosses, Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
SaintStryfe Feb 12th 2009 5:02PM
One's killed me, one hasn't. It goes to the Commanders.
Adaph Feb 12th 2009 5:04PM
Same as above.
The Scarlet Mathematician Feb 12th 2009 5:20PM
I second that.
There are bosses I hate in Violet Hold. Erekem is not one of them.
The Commanders' whirlwind would simply chew through the arakkoa, leaving naught but a bloody pile of feathers.
BigBiker05 Feb 12th 2009 5:35PM
Do I even have to pot, I third this. That whirlwind HURTS.
Duniness Feb 12th 2009 7:27PM
One more match up that includes a "was that guy a boss?". Whirlwind hurts healers bad if you get caught in it. The Commander('s) WIN!
Dominika Feb 12th 2009 7:34PM
The only reason Erekem's easy is because you don't kill his adds, which Whirlwind does! WHY DOES EVERYONE EQUATE WHIRLWIND AS VICTORY
dfgreat1 Feb 12th 2009 5:08PM
Man, I must be lucky, last three times I've been to the Nexus I've met Commander Kolurg. and I just met Erekem at VH a few days ok.
dfgreat1 Feb 12th 2009 5:09PM
errr... days ago
Viperm Feb 12th 2009 5:08PM
Draw their both too easy
Dominika Feb 12th 2009 5:10PM
Erekem's a hardened criminal, so you just know he'll do something to fight dirty.
Mireille Feb 12th 2009 5:10PM
I keep seeing this as Both Commanders vs. Birdman. I know it isn't, but still- can't shake the image. Commanders get my vote.
Vexryn Feb 12th 2009 5:15PM
Umm... the commander isn't a random spawn. He's at a fixed location. You just have to go to the Grand Magus Telestra by talking the hallway where the spawns are in ice blocks. He'll be waiting for you in an ice block, 100% of the time. If you've never seen the Commander, try taking this path to get to the Grand Magus.
Unlike Erekem, who only comes out to play when they randomly let him. :)
lownwolf Feb 12th 2009 5:18PM
I was extremely confused. I thought to myself, how can you NOT see the commander. For a second I thought I was extremely lucky and he spawned for me everytime I ran Nexus. but alas, rng still hates me and he's a 100% spawn
vexis58 Feb 12th 2009 6:34PM
Agreed, I was confused by this post too. I've also run Nexus until my eyes bleed and have never NOT fought Commander Kolurg. I'm pretty used to the place being an easy 5-badge run, and thought it was strange that people would go out of their way to skip him when he's so easy.
kabshiel Feb 12th 2009 11:28PM
I concur that it's pretty much impossible not to fight the Commanders. I will admit, however, that I didn't realize that Horde and Alliance fought different Commanders. Is the trash in that hallway different too?
pietrex Feb 13th 2009 1:25AM
Yeah, the trash is different as well. Since I'm Horde, it felt strange to me that Alliance would have to kill Alliance guys, but I see it's different for them. The interesting thing is that Commander is only available on heroic, which many people do not know. :)
My vote for him for the same reason - he did kill me once, while the arrakoa did not.
Gantrithor Feb 12th 2009 5:12PM
I call upset in this battle, the commander's reckless whirlwinds smoke Erekem's two guards which turns the tide of the battle in Erekem's favor.
Meethan Feb 12th 2009 5:15PM
No contest. Commander Kolurg.
You have to look at the abilities of the arrokoa. The commander would slice down his little precious men and at least one preist would heal himself enough to live. The commander would engage and probably whirlwind through that earth shield. He would then commanding shout, and the arrokoa would dispell. If he tried to heal, charge would take that.
Let me remind you the adds are hitting him as well because this guys adds have nothing to defend themselves and the preists have their own bubble. Erekem probably would try to silence and kill the preists, but he has a freaking commander stomping on him. The kiting wouldn't even factor with 2-3 guys killing him.
Go go commanders.
Karilyn Feb 12th 2009 5:28PM
Did you know that when Erekem's guards dies, he sacrifices them?
And then gains the ability to spam Stormstrike? An ability of immense power, his enrage?
The commander's attempt to kill the guards with whirlwind, would in fact insure his demise.
Cyanea Feb 12th 2009 5:16PM
Erekem.
Kill his adds before him, and he's downright unstoppable. The Commanders' whirlwinds will make short work of that job.