Two Bosses Enter: Anub'Arak vs. Loken
by Lisa Poisso 
Oct 22nd 2009 at 4:00PM
Here we are: the final matchup of the second bracket of Two Bosses Enter, featuring the five-man bosses of original Wrath. Before we loose our competitors to one another's depradations inside the Thunderdome, we'd like to remind spectators that we'll have an extra vote next week to balance out the bracket. We'll be taking your votes from among every loser so far (including Round One). The top three underdogs will return to compete in the next bracket (for a total of 16 competitors).
And now ... Anub' Arak of Azjol-Nerub versus Loken from the Halls of Lightning. The ground rules:
- Assume that the opponents along with their minions share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
- This deathmatch takes place in neutral territory (or a Thunderdome facsimile thereof), which shall in no way hinder either opponent from using his usual resources.
- 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.
- Don't neglect style, story and scale.
Anub'Arak (Azjol-Nerub) I 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
Loken (Halls of Lightning)My master has shown me the future, and you have no place in it. Azeroth will be reborn in darkness. Yogg-Saron shall be released! The Pantheon shall fall!
Loken, the Dark Titan who resides in the Halls of Lightning, has an extensive history with links to none other than Yogg-Saron. From wowwiki.com: "According to the Tribunal of Ages in Ulduar's Halls of Stone, Loken - also known by various sources as "Keeper Loken," "Sentinel Loken," "Kronus" and "prime designate" - was named the supreme protector of Azeroth by the Pantheon, leading the Aesir (Storm Giants) and Vanir (Earth Giants) following the containment of the Old Gods. Along with his brother Thorim, the Stormlord, as well as Watchers Hodir, Freya, Mimir and Tyr, Loken was designated as a guardian to watch over the prison of Yogg-Saron, deep within Ulduar. Over time, however, Loken succumbed to the whispers of the Old God and turned on his allies, taking control of Ulduar and seeking to unravel the plans of his former masters. At some point, he provoked a global war between the Storm Giants and Earth Giants, which was ended by Loken's 'neutralizing' them. After the conclusion of that war, Loken placed the Earthen, Giants and Vrykul into stasis at designated holding facilities (presumably, facilities like Uldaman or Ulduar)."
Learn more about Loken's battle abilities, and review comments from players who've battled him.
Two bosses enter, but only one boss may leave ...
Two Boss matchups are about substance and style, not strict game play and mechanics. Don't get swept up into thinking about how players would react -- there are no players in the Thunderdome. 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.
Who wins, and why? We'll see you down below in the comments. Can you come up with a convincing scenario that will sway other readers to your point of view?
| Anub'Arak wins (Loken dies) | |
|---|---|
| Loken wins (Anub'Arak dies) | |
| Tie (something else happens) |
Who rocks Wrath's five-man world? We're winding up the second bracket in the five-man Wrath of the Lich King season. Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Features, Lore, Bosses, Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
elstor Oct 22nd 2009 4:05PM
Anub'Arak raid boss insta-wins... 5-man Anubby on the other hand... tough call
ben Oct 22nd 2009 5:33PM
Anub'arak on heroic is sorta hard. I did HoL for the first time on heroic, and loken was a scrub. Anub'arak... well, lets just say that it took me an hour to get my carpace helm...
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Oct 22nd 2009 4:06PM
This comes down to Nova versus Anub's burrowing to me. If Anub gets hit by Nova just before burrowing, then its next cast will be up right around the time most of the adds have spawned and Loken oneshots them all. However, if he Novas shortly AFTER Anub burrows, he will only get MAYBE half of them and then the rest spawn and beat on him. Either that, or Loken doesn't oneshot them due to the new AOE cap and gets owned.
Hm.
In light of that, I'm calling this on Anub. Besides, even if he dies, TLK's gonna rez him because after all, TBE/OBE was just a setback.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Oct 22nd 2009 4:07PM
TBE/OBL.... /facepalm
devilsei Oct 22nd 2009 4:20PM
Heh, true the Lich King could revive Anub, but can the Lich King rez everythin after the Titans hit the giant reset button? =P
NeoPhobos Oct 22nd 2009 4:54PM
Agreed. AoE cap = Anub win
Blightmare Oct 22nd 2009 4:51PM
Anub is a noob but he still gets the job done cuz he tunnels under loken where his lighting attacks cent get at him dont want top be loken getting ripped apart by bugs ((shiver))
Mordockk Oct 22nd 2009 4:30PM
I'm still upset General Bjarngrim lost to Skadi the Fruitless
Kevin Oct 22nd 2009 4:42PM
FLESH IS NOT... STRONGER
BuzzDX Oct 22nd 2009 6:34PM
Metal > undead flesh
kozom Oct 22nd 2009 4:32PM
bug + zapper = ???
Candina@WH Oct 22nd 2009 4:38PM
Lokens abilities are designed to keep things in close and thats just what Anub wants. If Anub is smart enough to burrow right before the lightning nova, then Loken loses.
If Anub ignores Lokens timing, Anub isn't tough enough to live through multiple lightning novas.
Natsumi Oct 24th 2009 8:43PM
Game mechanics state he burrows every 25%.
Based on this, Loken Novas, Anub burrows, Loken kills adds, Anub comes back up, Loken Novas, Anub burrows AGAIN, rinse and repeat.
On the NON-game mechanics side, Loken wins because lightning beats bugs! Haven't you ever seen a bug zapper?
Baldagrim Oct 22nd 2009 4:49PM
"At last, he has fallen." The voices inside Loken's mind told him. It seemed General Bjarngrim has been slain by the assembled forces of Utgarde Keep. Now without him as a threat to his power, Loken sits atop his throne unthreated.
Then the Terrestial Watchtower begins to shake, "What? What is this?" The Titan asked as he is forced from his throne. He turns over to see a large insect emerge from behind his throne.
"We have came for your power." The large insect spoke.
"Volkhan! Ionar! Come to me!" Loken shouted as he stood from the ground.
"They have fallen. My nerubians will feast well tonight."
Loken cursed himself by sending Bjarngrim to fight, he left him vulnerable to attack. All his sight on the General's potential betrayal that he couldn't see this in time. It seemed that the Scourge came to claim the power of the Titans.
"As Prime Designate, I alone hold the power that the Titans have granted."
"Power belongs to whomever can claim it."
"Enough talk, die...abomination!" He arced lightning, which Anub'arak quickly dodged.
"I'm not the abomination here! Is that not right?"
Loken growled, then stopped as he watched the locusts swarm at his feet.
"Damn bugs!" He expanded his lightning and they all faded away. Throwing another lightning arc, Anub'arak jumped, but it bent to hit him. Flying into the large projection of Azeroth, the nerubian king felt weakened as he crashed to the ground.
"Lord Anub'arak!" Guardians and Venomancers came to his aid. Loken stomped and swatted them aside while calling them bugs.
The Crypt Lord returned to the fight, Carrion Beetles shot from him and landed on Loken, who swatted them away. But it was all a diversion as Anub'arak's horn gored deep into the Titan's leg. Letting out a scream of pain, Loken backhanded his opponent away a second later.
"Foolish insect! Feel my power!" Loken threw his pulsing shockwave, but Anub'arak countered with his pound. Both opponents were sent backwards. Anub'arak got to his legs as Loken crushed the remnants of his throne.
"Enough!" Loken shouted and gathered his energy. Anub'arak charged to see the attack in time. Letting forth his Lightning Nova, a small cloud of dust formed around Loken.
"That finishes it!" He shouted and breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes caught the churning earth beneath his foot, "What?" He shouted as a large spike shot through his leg, sending a surge of pain into Loken and made him fell backward.
With a battlecry, Anub'arak sprung from the ground and impaled his horn into the Titan once more, but this time in the neck.
"But I'm..." Loken questioned as his life was ending.
"You grew too complacent and decadent in your power. Let this last glimpse of your life serve a reminder of your corruption." Anub'arak pulled away and the Titan fell dead on the stairs in front of his throne.
"You have done well, my servant." The Lich King's voice resounded in his mind, "Now we can..." His voice was accompanied by another, "...Loken was too weak, you are clearly stronger and worthy of my lordship."
"Anub'arak, what is wrong? I can barely speak to you." The Lich King said again.
As the Nerubians gathered around their king, they felt victorious as the Halls of Lightning have fallen to the Scourge. He stood almost deathly still as the two voice raged inside him, telling him to do different things. His subjects believed him dead as he stood still, ever so still.
"My King?" One of his Prime Guards approached him.
"Our Lord's goal has been accomplished! Glory to the Scourge!"
"Glory to the Scourge!"
Anub'arak relaxed as the two voices could be heard, "I will still continue to have you, insect. Your precious king's fall is nearing and when that happens, you'll be mine."
The Crypt Lord smiled, "We shall see."
Spectre Oct 22nd 2009 4:58PM
This, a thousand times this right here
Phil Oct 22nd 2009 5:13PM
Very well written, excellent job!
j Oct 22nd 2009 4:52PM
Scarab shell armor, swarms, burrow, impale = dead humanoid.
Zasziden Oct 22nd 2009 4:52PM
Anub'Arak has already died once, he came back. He dies again, he comes back again. Loken on the other hand, dies once and stays dead.
Both of these two are smart combatants, but I think the upper hand goes to the spider king. Loken telegraphs his abilities like nobody's business, giving Anub'Arak plenty of time to burrow under, essentially grounding himself and avoiding the electrical discharge Loken emits. The king can sit beneath the ground for as long as he wishes, frustrating the Titan as he seeks to follow Yogg-Saron's commands. Growing increasingly angry at the elusive spider, it is possible that he might not even see the lesser nerubians attacking him, until it's too late. His armor sundered, his flesh poisoned, and his most powerful attacks interrupted by being impaled from the lurking Anub'Arak, Loken has only one chance, to retreat to ground which the spider cannot burrow through. The king is cold and calculating, I do not believe he would fall for such a trap.
In the end, this one either ends in stalemate (if Loken comes to his senses and steps off the burrowable ground) or with victory for the ruler of Azjol-Nerub.
>8< spider pride!
Rmschoir Oct 22nd 2009 5:26PM
"Your sandals are no match for my locusts!"
AriochIV Oct 22nd 2009 5:27PM
Isn't the picture of Anub'rekhan of Naxxramas, and not Anub'arak?