ESL Arena tournament Finals kicks off in Germany
by Zach Yonzon 
Mar 2nd 2009 at 1:00PM
The event in Hannover is significant in that it will be the first Level 80 tournament on the pro level, with special rules changes to reduce the effects of RNG. One example is banning speccing into talents like Hunters' T.N.T., Mages' Impact, or Priests' Blackout. ESL has also elected to exclude the new Arena maps -- the gimmicky Dalaran Sewer and Orgrimmar Arena -- from the tournament. This should make the competition notably different from live realms.
The Electronic Sports League will feature live streaming videos of the matches throughout the event, with live commentary from the ESL hosts. Archives of matches throughout the tournament can also be viewed on the site or on youtube, even including popular clips outside of matches such as Swarm's infamous nerdrage breakdown. The program can be viewed through the ESL TV, as well as the live stream of all the matches. All games will be broadcast in English.
Filed under: Events, News items, PvP, Arena
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Inferious Mar 2nd 2009 1:45PM
You must feel so proud..
Rofllol Mar 2nd 2009 1:46PM
dont be jealous
lbizzle Mar 2nd 2009 1:50PM
Pretty sure the 3rd is tomorrow ie. it hasn't started
Thander Mar 2nd 2009 1:57PM
Not using the new arena spots is a pretty big insult to Blizzard. Will Blizzard get rid of all the gimmicky stuff now?
Para Mar 2nd 2009 5:38PM
Ha yea i agree, lets just hope blizz takes note that the pvp comunity isnt that happy atm =/
Maybe we should start a pole about which classes will be in the winning team im going to bet dk or pally as a definate class to be part of the team.
Gene Mar 2nd 2009 2:03PM
Its very interesting they're forbidding specs that have stun mechanics in them. As for not using the new arena areas... its odd but understandable.
If Blizzard wants arena to be taken seriously in the ESport realm in which they're pushing it, they need to take tighter control of their game and have rule sets passed down. Even if they have to go so far to have a department oversee such events, similar to how Wizards of the Coast has DCI to oversee their children's card games.
If things like this continue, its going to be no different then those who set up private servers just because they don't like certain mechanics or additions to the live version of the game.
Lemons Mar 2nd 2009 3:11PM
I personally can't wait for 3.1 when they change T.N.T. It's bad enough that survival huntards can destroy people in 5 secs, and that stun is just the icing on an already OP cake.
Not looking forward to piercing shots tho. As if hunters didn't already have enough ways to keep a rogue out of stealth without having a bleed that they can apply from a distance. GG blizz.
Max Mar 2nd 2009 6:32PM
yeah. blizzard went overboard buffing pallies and hunters, because they were so under-represented at 70
Para Mar 2nd 2009 5:21PM
Woot i had no idea tournies were going again ty for the info keep it coming.
As for "One example is banning speccing into talents like Hunters' T.N.T., Mages' Impact, or Priests' Blackout. ESL has also elected to exclude the new Arena maps -- the gimmicky Dalaran Sewer and Orgrimmar Arena -- from the tournament."
ROFL hopefully blizz will finally see this and take away those 2 godawful arenas and nerf the bursty rng talents down