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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsTwo Bosses Enter: Svala Sorrowgrave vs. The Prophet Tharon'ja
by Lisa Poisso 
Apr 9th 2009 at 9:35PM
Ever want to throw two bosses into the ring simply because they've both annoyed you? This week's Two Bosses Enter deathmatch strikes me a little that way: Svala Sorrowgrave of Utgarde Pinnacle vs. The Prophet Tharon'ja of Drak'tharon Keep. As much as I constantly urge readers to keep real-game play experiences out of the debate, I have to confess to mentally categorizing both these bosses under the "ZOMG, not this fight again..." section in the Annoying Speed Bump category.
Yet here they are in the ring -- so "to battle!" The usual rules apply. Assume that these foes share similar levels, health pools and damage output. We'll have to assume Sorrowgrave has somehow managed to drag an altar into our little Thunderdome, and we'll allow her to summon her three Ritual Summoners to pin her opponent on the altar. For the Prophet's part, since there are no players for him to turn into skeletons (and since he would be unable to turn Sorrowgrave's assistants into skeletons if he were pinned on the altar), we'll allow him to turn Sorrowgrave herself into a skeleton (with appropriately scaled abilities).
Focus your debate on the three S's: Style, Story and Scale. Don't get caught up in game mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter. Consider the flavor each villainous gladiator brings to bear, then cast your vote for who you think would come out on top.
Svala Sorrowgrave, Utgarde PinnacleMy liege! I have done as you asked, and now beseech you for your blessing!
Svala Sorrowgrave, the first boss of Utgarde Pinnacle, is a Vrykul who is being transformed by the Lich King himself into a Val'kyr just as you enter her room. She periodically sacrifices an opponent on her altar, held in place by three summoned Ritual Channelers who must be killed to release the victim.
What makes this fight different from the one you are used to as a player is that Sorrowgrave may find herself turned into a skeleton before she can put her opponent on the altar. What happens then?
Read more about Svala Sorrowgrave's battle tactics and review comments from players who've fought her.
The Prophet Tharon'ja, Drak'Tharon Keep Tharon'ja sees all! The work of mortals shall not end the eternal dynasty!
The last boss of Drak'Tharon Keep, the Prophet Tharon'ja is a large skeletal Wind Serpent (rather similar in appearance to the Avatar of Hakkar). The Prophet Tharon'ja is known for ripping the flesh from the bones of some of the most formidable Ice Troll Warriors. From the upper tiers of the fortress, Tharon'ja watches as waves of Undead Trolls pour from the keep's corridors to bolster the Scourge ranks in their assault on Zul'Drak.
Remember, there are no players in this battle for the Prophet to turn into skeletons, and he won't be able to turn Sorrowgrave's assistants into skeletons if he's pinned on the altar. In this battle, we'll allow him to turn Sorrowgrave herself into a skeleton, with appropriately scaled abilities. Consider the strength of her abilities in skeletal form to equal those of a full party of player characters. How will it work against her? Against him?
- Curse of Life
- Decay Flesh
- Return Flesh
- Eye Beam
- Lightning Breath
- Poison Cloud
- Rain of Fire
- Shadow Volley
- Opponent in skeletal form
The smackdown
The usual rules apply: assume that the opponents share similar levels, health pools and damage output, and that they are fighting in neutral territory (while Sorrowgrave still possesses her altar). Note the handling of the Prophet's ability to change opponents into skeletons as noted in the section above. Vote for the spirit of the battle based on how we've outlined the scene here.
Can you come up with a convincing scenario in the comments that will sway other readers to vote for your chosen victor?
| It's a draw. | |
|---|---|
| Svala Sorrowgrave | |
| The Prophet Tharon'ja |
Filed under: Features, Bosses, Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Dimmak Apr 10th 2009 10:52AM
Alas style does not always yield victory. The Prophet Tharon'ja defining power of searing away the flesh will prove utterly useless for Svala Sorrowgrave has no flesh.
The big question is whether or not the Lich King will accept a sacrifice of a lesser being that is already undead. Regardless once the sword drops the snake skeleton will be dead... again.
Siaperas Apr 10th 2009 11:47AM
As my understanding, the one sacrifice is not enough to kill an abomination when trying to run the achievement on Svala, so I would assume, it would not be able to one-shot any of the bosses Svala may face.
That being said, I don't think the prophet can burn her down fast enough before she uses it enough times to finish him. He's too "gamey". His big abilities still give opponents a good measure of offense and defense. He's too overconfident in his newfound power, which is why he keeps playing around with his opponents. While, Svala's power is new, she still keeps the strong intent to win on behalf of the Lich King; she has that Scourge drive to destroy all who oppose the Lich King. Svala wins, hands down.
jafari Apr 10th 2009 12:56PM
I'd have liked for the boss that goes against Svala to at least have adds to help.
Svala, in round one (first altar)
anrax Apr 10th 2009 1:44PM
definitely svala, even without her alter, thronja doesnt get healed, where as he GIVES Svala the ability to self heal
Falcom Apr 10th 2009 6:39PM
Svala wins no question. One successful ritual with no one to bail him out, and he's one-shot dead. next please.
Ed Apr 11th 2009 9:38AM
Before I start two things.
First, Im ignoring Tharons Curse of Life, the name implies it can only be used on living beings, and since svala is far from being alive...Tharon has way to many abilities anyway.
Second, people should atleast glance at cooldown and damage amounts. the ritual doesn't do anywhere near enough damage to one shot tharon.. that would be stupid if that were true whats the point of this series, svala kills the lich king game over.
Eneough rambling.
The fight begins with Svala ritualizing tharon. Most of you are saying that Svala could simply spam this to victory. However once she's used it once , Tharon knows exactly were the banshees spawn, allowing him to drop some "gifts" before she can use the ritual again . Lets assume she can do so every 25 seconds.
Tharon gets the living sh*t beat out of him for 25 seconds. Since Svala is neither stupid nor suicidal, she is still at range when he's released, not wanting to be hit by her own ritual.
Tharon drops a poison cloud, runs, and kites her around a bit. After 20 seconds he pops her into a skeleton, extending svalas beat down, before he returns his flesh he leaves one of his "gifts" ( poison cloud) where the banshees will spawn.
Svala ritual is turned into a 2-3 second stun at best. Her damage is constantly cut by 50%, so even if she were to take to the skies she is no match for Tharon.
Hassa Apr 12th 2009 4:42AM
Tharon'ja would win. Why? Because when Svala sacrifices him he'll use his flesh morph, causing him to break free before the sword arrives. Then Tharon'ja can hack on Svala for a good long time, gaining a damage advantage because of his poison cloud and eye beam.
Svala can't keep up so goes for another try to sacrifice Tharon'ja. Tharon'ja does an evil laugh and again uses his fleshmorph. Tharon'ja controls the entire fight all the time and gains major victory.