Two Bosses Enter: Anub'Arak vs. Elder Nadox
by Lisa Poisso 
Jul 9th 2009 at 6:00PM
INSECTS! We're getting close to the end of our first bracket of bosses for this season of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves, featuring five-man bosses from Wrath of the Lich King. (We're sure you can all guess who's in the last fight of the bracket, just as we're sure you can all guess by how large of a landslide he'll win.) Last week's tussle with King Dred and Jedoga Shadowseeker went down with a chomp and a gulp, leaving us with two more player favorites for the week ahead: Anub'Arak from Azjol-Nerub versus Elder Nadox of Anh'kahet: The Old Kingdom.
Remember the basic ground rules:
- Assume that the opponents and their minions share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
- This deathmatch takes place in neutral territory.
- All the usual minions will be available to each boss.
- Don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter.
- Focus on the three S's: style, story and scale.
Anub'ArakI was king of this empire once, long ago. In life I stood as champion. In death I returned as conqueror. Now I protect the kingdom once more. Ironic, yes?
Anub'Arak, the former king of Azjol-Nerub, was among the Nerubians slaughtered in the War of the Spider and later raised as Undead by Ner'zhul the Lich King to do his bidding. Read the extensive lore page on Anub'Arak to learn more about his background.
Anub'Arak's battle strategy includes truly relentless tactics. Besides wreaking havoc with vicious attacks and environmental damage, he swarms opponents with protective Locusts and nettling Carrion Beetles. He periodically burrows underground, besieging opponents with packs of summoned minions.
- Carrion Beetles
- Locust Swarm
- Impale
- Pound
- Anub'ar Assassin
- Anub'ar Darter
- Anub'ar Guardian
- Anub'ar Venomancers
Elder NadoxThe young must not grow hungry ... Shhhad ak kereeesshh chak-k-k!
Elder Nadox, an Undead Nerubian vizier in Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom, is a servant of the Lich King.
Elder Nadox is also known for being a challenging opponent. He periodically summons minions during battle. Chief among each group is an Ahn'kahar Guardian, who emanates an aura that causes Elder Nadox and the other minions to become immune to damage. Immunity is removed only when the Guardian is killed. In this deathmatch, you can assume that Anub'Arak is aware of this situation.
Learn more about Elder Nadox's strategies, and review comments from players who've battled him.
The smackdown
As usual, you should assume that overall, the foes share similar levels, health pools, overall damage output and neutral territory. As noted, Anub'Arak will be aware of the need to kill the Ahn'kahar Guardians in order to remove the periodic damage immunity of Elder Nadox and his minions.
Who will survive the swarms of Undead insects to emerge the victor in this week's boss deathmatch? Cast your vote below – and don't forget to come up with a convincing scenario in the comments that will sway other readers to support your outcome.
| Neither; it's a draw. | |
|---|---|
| Anub'Arak | |
| Elder Nadox |
We're nearing the end of the first bracket for the Wrath of the Lich King five-man season of Two Bosses Enter ... One Boss Leaves. Cast your vote and let us know who you think rocks Wrath's world.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Features, Bosses, Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Behr Jul 9th 2009 6:10PM
So you pitted the King bug against the mommy bug? Obvious win for Anub'arak.
frisbeesrme Jul 9th 2009 6:11PM
Anub'Arak destroys Nadox. Pound alone tips the scales in his favor, and his ability to burrow and impale the guardian pushes him further into the pwn category. He would, of course, impale the guardians, probably having known Nadox in life, and otherwise being intelligent enough to notice the flashing IMMUNE across his HUD. If that doesn't sell you, venomancer poison is op.
Aricharthau Jul 9th 2009 6:13PM
Anub'Arak is the clear winner here. It's an interesting fight with some nasty consequences if you make a mistake. I really love the part when he comes back up from below.
MountainLynx Jul 9th 2009 6:14PM
Anub'Arak with the easy win. Pound and Carion Beetles when Nadox is vulnerable, burrow and Impale to help his adds with the Ahn'kahar Guardian. Sure, Brood Plague is a potent DoT, but between the Venomancers having a DoT of their own, and the sheer brutality of Pound, Nadox doesn't stand a chance.
Cory Jul 9th 2009 6:15PM
Here's my lowdown on it in an amussing fashion.
Anub'arak sees Elder Nadox approach and nodds. The two will battle soon. Anub'arak, king of his empire thinks he will brush off this lower being with ease, but will he?
Anub charges forward, bashing away at Elder Nadox, who quickly brings forth his minions. Anub'arak is annoyed, at the small swarmers and guardians begin battering away at him. He dives under the ground confusing Elder Nadox, who is left standing there.
"What is this?"
More powerful scourge minions are sent forward while the king of the nerubians is underground. They easily defeat Nadox's friends, and Nadox is overpowered, struggling to defeat them.
Just as he finishes with the minions, Anub drives up from the ground, using pound, sending Nadox crumpling the ground.
Anub thinks it is over, but Nadox is resting for the moment. Anub turns and moves away, while Nadox stands forward. He must mash together his best abilities now, or he will not defeat this king!
He sprints forward, releasing all his power, turning into a beserk mode, brings another set of his minions forward and engrages one, while delivering a plague to Anub'arak.
Anub trys to batter at Nadox, but it is no use! He is immune and must deal with a guardian yet again, but Anub is taking heavy damage and can not withstand much more.
"The young must not grow hungry ... Shhhad ak kereeesshh chak-k-k!" Nados hisses. Anub becomes weak, and Nadox releases a final plague, devouring Anub'arak, who falls to his death, Nadox victiorious.
(Anub still wins though guys! Why? He'll be coming back in Trial of the Crusaders as a raid boss and OWN off Nadox's faces!)
Hoggersbud Jul 9th 2009 6:15PM
The Elder wins, because as well all know, you can't kite him out of his room anymore.
He gets like a 500% damage buff.
No, I'm not serious, I just felt like going for the joke.
DM7000 Jul 9th 2009 6:15PM
Anub'Arak just owns. He's like...."You're owned." His pound destroys Nadox, all the little buggers help too.
Mailia Jul 9th 2009 7:16PM
And if you kill him, chop off his head and show it off to the questgiver, he'll come back and require double/5 times the manpower to kill him, as it was merely a setback.
The Baron Jul 9th 2009 6:18PM
Just wiped three times trying to deal with Anub'Arak in a really high dps team. So I'm gonna vote for him instead of that guy who nobody ever has trouble with.
Kyle Jul 9th 2009 6:19PM
Nadox doesn't stand a chance. This one goes to Anub'Arak by a landslide. You don't mess with the King.
yokumgang Jul 9th 2009 6:26PM
Hail to the king, baby.
Otome Jul 9th 2009 6:26PM
I always hated Old Kingdom more than Azjol-Nerub, but at least it's bosses stay dead.
I'd say Anub'Arak would burrow whenever Nadox summons a guardian and let his own minions deal with it while using impale from below to speed it up. Unless Anub'Arak tries to kite him, Nadox won't berserk.
Brood Plague might be a problem though, unless burrowing would remove it or make him invulnerable until it's duration runs out. I'm not sure on that.
But I'm sure someone will better describe it so my vote goes to Anub'Arak.
After all, Azjol-Nerub was merely a setback.
siphon411 Jul 9th 2009 6:45PM
Anub'Arak I mean he was risen by the Lich King...
siphon411 Jul 9th 2009 6:48PM
Anub'Arak, He was risen by the lich king and is the final boss, while Elder is the first boss. Plus, Elder is a girl and Anub'Arak is a guy. Guys always pwn girls.
thebitterfig Jul 9th 2009 6:51PM
This T.B.E. comes down to the fight between adds and adds. Both bosses are basically invulnerable when their adds are out, Nadox due to the aura, Anub'arak due to his being underground. Anub'arak's adds are kind of dumb, attacking everything, but that also means they will damage everything. They won't take out the Guardian, since they aren't smart enough to focus, but they do weaken him enough so that when Anub'arak comes out, he can take it out easily. Then, the remaining adds Nadox has are easily dealt with, and the bosses fight each other for a while. Repeat add phases, and Anub'arak will come out on top.
devilsei Jul 9th 2009 6:50PM
By a bloody landslide Anub'arak wins.
The second Anub'arak burrows he's gonna call in his forces. Being the king, he should already know poor little Nadox's trick, so when he summons a guardian, he's going to be dropped hard, way before Nadox can kill off the rest of Anub's swarm. Pound also wins out in terms of sheer power.
Heck, Anub'arak could probably take Nadox down twice before dieing!
Myf Jul 9th 2009 7:07PM
How can anyone fear a boss named "A nub"
Corrine Jul 9th 2009 7:12PM
This is probably against the rule of "don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter", but mobs always know to switch away from immune targets, so they probably would all focus on the Guardian.
Silversol Jul 9th 2009 7:16PM
Finally some hot bug on bug action.... wait wut.
Bobobe Jul 9th 2009 7:37PM
Tired of her young being eradicated by the Horde and Alliance forces, Elder Nadox confronts and challenges Anub'Arak for leadership. Knowing that she goes for the sole purpose of battle, she attempts to gain the upper hand by summoning two Swarmers and blessing them with her Brood Rage.
The overpowered Swarmers Sprint into battle, catching Anub'Arak unaware. He turns and quickly deals with them. Out of the corner of his eye he sees Elder Nadox preparing to call forth yet more minions. He charges forward, calling forth his own Locust Swarm to dispatch of the troublesome bugs.
But Nadox was prepared for this and in addition to another pair of Swarmers, has summoned a Guardian, making her and her young immune to the fast advancing onslaught. Anub'Arak is not fooled however, and quickly burrows underground. The Elder grows overconfident, having dealt the Bug King 15% of his health pool due to her surprise attack, while receiving no damage.
Anub'Arak makes several attempts to Impale the Guardian, but the small bug feels the rumblings of the earth beneath it and Sprints to safety. Slightly annoyed now, the King calls forth his Carrion Beetles in an attempt to distract those on the surface. It works. While occupied with the small bugs, a Darter Darts forward, dealing a hefty blow to the Guardian, who slowly dies. Distracted by the sudden turn of events, the now vulnerable Nadox is Backstabbed multiple times by an Assassin, removing a quick 15% from the Elder.
The Bug King senses his opportunity and emerges from the ground, and directs a Pound towards the Elder. Nadox cannot stop the massive amount of damage speeding her way, but does manage to get off the Brood Plague. Anub'Arak knows he will not win by remaining on the surface, so quickly delves back underground, while the Plague slowly ticks away at him. The Elder is now at 35% health while the King's health is steadily falling.
Anub'Arak knows hesitation will result in another Guardian being called, and quickly Impales the Elder, bringing her down to 20%. The Elder realizes her mistake too late in assaulting the KIng, and in a last effort Berserks.
The King emerges once more, his health at 40% from the effects of the Plague. He Begins to cast Pound, and the Berserked Elder dashes forward. The Elder connects, knocking the king down to 10% as his Pound lands full force on the Elder, dealing a death blow. "The Young must not grow hungry....." whispers the Elder with her dying breath.
Furious, yet impressed, the King decides to grant her last wish, as he calls forth the young bugs to feed on their mother's corpse.