Two Bosses Enter: Gal'darah vs. Loken
by Lisa Poisso 
Nov 12th 2009 at 4:00PM
This week's match in the Two Bosses Thunderdome makes the healer in me cringe: Gal'darah (Gundrak) versus Loken (Halls of Lightning). Gal'darah steps into the Thunderdome on the laurels of a solid 68.4 percent victory in his last battle against Moorabi. However fearsome his reputation, Loken creeps into the ring as an underdog, having lost his most recent battle against Anub'arak and subsequently re-earning a berth through the reader vote that brought back three vanquished combatants.
This week's ground rules:
- Assume that the opponents share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
- This deathmatch takes place in neutral territory, which shall in no way hinder either opponent from using his usual resources.
- Don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter.
- Don't neglect style, story and scale.
Gal'darah (Gundrak)I'm gonna spill your guts, mon!
Gal'darah, the High Prophet of Akali, is the last boss of Gundrak. During battle, he summons Spirit Rhinos that charge opponents, knocking them back and dealing significant damage. Gal'darah periodically morphs into Rhino form, Impaling combatants with Puncture damage and immobilizing them on his horn for 5 seconds. His Whirling Slash: nasty, just nasty.
- Enrage 125% attack speed increase for 10 seconds
- Whirling Slash Vicious AoE damage
- Puncture Stacking DoT
- Impale Randomly impales an opponent, immobilizing for 5 seconds and dealing damage
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.
The Thunderdome clash
Remember: no game-mechanic nitpicking. Set aside differences in opponents' health pools, game level and actual damage output. Vote for the spirit of the battle as set forth above, considering each opponent's abilities -- plus the style, scale and story he or she brings to the table.
After you cast your vote, we challenge you to hit the comments with a convincing scenario that will sway fellow readers to vote for your opponent of choice!
| Gal'darah wins (Loken dies) | |
|---|---|
| Loken wins (Gal'darah dies) | |
| Tie (something else happens) |
Cheer on your favorite inside the Two Bosses Thunderdome during this round of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves: The Original Wrath Five-Man Season. Review the current fighting bracket and consider who you think will come out on top.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Features, Lore, Bosses, Two Bosses Enter, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Karsehani Nov 12th 2009 4:03PM
have to say loken
Banic Rhys Nov 12th 2009 9:19PM
It's obvious what will happen. Gal'darah and Loken both call WoW.com saying they are ill and cannot fight today all because they want to catch the live stream of Halls of Reflection which is on while they would be fighting.
Note to Wow.com, do live streams at a time when the majority of your audience is not asleep, at work or at school because it will cause stuff like this to happen all the time.
dodgeballer2005 Nov 12th 2009 4:05PM
It depends on where they're fighting. If it's a big area, like Loken's spot, Gal'darah would obviously have the upper hand, especially with all those animal forms. If it's Gal'darah's place, however, Loken would dominate with his novas.
catharsis80 Nov 12th 2009 4:48PM
As the article says: "This deathmatch takes place in neutral territory, which shall in no way hinder either opponent from using his usual resources."
Elovan Nov 12th 2009 4:11PM
Gal'darah could easily shift to rhino form and simply Impale Loken anytime he tries to use his novas. That plus his insane whirlwind could take down Loken pretty easily imho
catharsis80 Nov 12th 2009 4:57PM
Don't forget enrage, enabling him to attack 125% faster than Loken does, and considering the article says they have "comparative overall damage output"...yeah, I think the results are quite obvious, since Gal can interrupt and Loken can't. PLUS, Pulsing Shockwave will do practically nothing to Gal, since he'll be all over Loken like white on rice.
Nolls74 Nov 12th 2009 5:33PM
this, plus Gal has his rhino buddies who will charge Loken and knock him around like a rag doll. All of you picking Loken have no sense of style and are only judging it based on "Loken sucks for players, he must be the ultimate boss"
Owen Nov 12th 2009 10:35PM
Gal'darah would obviously just transform and impale Loken. On the upside, however, Loken would get the "Share The Love" achievement!
Witty Nov 12th 2009 4:18PM
Always go with the troll!
Blasterion Nov 12th 2009 4:20PM
Troll Feral Druid vs. Prime Designate Keeper of Ulduar result is obvious
AlexODST Nov 12th 2009 4:21PM
What is with the lame Loken fan club?
catharsis80 Nov 12th 2009 4:54PM
Indeed.
Banic Rhys Nov 13th 2009 8:59AM
There is no way Gal'darah can win. His main attack, impale, is useless, you know why? Because Loken is made of stone and is twice Gal'darah's size.
Methinks his impale would harm himself more than Loken.
Siaperas Nov 12th 2009 4:29PM
Gal'darah is a desperate prophet who willingly sacrificed one of his gods to take on its power in an effort to fight the scourge. He'll bring a pride in his power to the fight, and after unloading all his physical abilities, he'll quickly transform into a rhino and try to impale Loken.
Why it's not enough: Loken is the prime designate, charged with personally watching over the old god Yogg'Soron one of more entities on the planet. Not only does he has his own power, he is also impowered by the dark god. He betrayed and manipulated his fellow watchers and friends while under the thrall of Yogg.
While Gal'darah is attacking Loken, he's not realizing that Loken is carefully studying his oponent. He's watching everything Gal'darah has. He even takes the impale, which dismays and hurts Loken terribly. That's when Loken loses his temper, and throws Gal'darah's words back at him, "Now I show you what true power is!"
Loken unleashes a barrage of electricity at Gal'darah dancing around him as the prophet whirlwinds. He makes some distance, and starts to cast his nova. Gal'darah, coming out of the whirlwind, turns back into his rhino form and charges Loken. Closing the distance right as the lightning nova goes off.
Loken smiles to himself as the prophet falls dead at his feat. Empowered by a rhino god or not, Gal'darah is no match for this master manipulator.
catharsis80 Nov 12th 2009 4:54PM
Well written, but unfortunately, pays no true attention to Gal'darah's abilities. And Loken "dancing around"? Yeah, right. Loken is like a big stationary rock. You basically only have lore to go on here, which is not enough.
Yokum Nov 12th 2009 4:33PM
This is rather obvious. Loken's damage is all about AOE; this is why he's such a group killer, especially with a HPally healing. People are constantly taking damage. This isn't going to do much against Gal'Darah, whose damage, aside from Whirling Slash, is largely single target on a random person - with only one person, Loken's gonna be soaking lots of damage. Arc Lightning is valueless against Gal'Darah, whereas the main danger from Lightning Nova is and always will be it's capability to 1-shot people when added to the pulsing damage - against Gal'Darah, it's not going to be enough. Gal'Darah wins.
catharsis80 Nov 12th 2009 4:51PM
Oh dear, yet ANOTHER case of people voting simply based on their experience and/or boss popularity.
The only reason why it's easier for a GROUP to take down Gal'darah is because the rest of the group can continue to attack while one person is implaed. Gal'darah simply impales Loken, interrupting any of his attacks. Game over. And yet, Loken will probably win, due to people just blindly basing their decision on popularity, much like a prom king and queen contest.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Nov 12th 2009 4:58PM
This
Marolas Nov 12th 2009 5:36PM
If you want a nitpicky reason why Gal'darah wouldn't win against Loken inolving the Impale ability, look at what was written:
"Impale: Randomly impales an opponent, immobilizing for 5 seconds and dealing damage."
After those five seconds are up, Loken is free to pull himself off of Gal'darah's horn and go to town with his Lightning Nova and Arc Lightning abilities.
Say Gal'darah wants to go back and try to mitigate the damage being done to him? Pulsing Shockwave does more damage to him the further away from Loken he goes. Plus, it really doesn't suit any of his abilities (save Impale) for him to be ranged.
If it goes into a close-up brawl, Loken's got the abilities to lay down some titanic fury.
catharsis80 Nov 12th 2009 6:20PM
I did read what was written. Quoting it helps the argument actually. The impale has no cooldown shown, and considering it deals considerable damage over the 5 seconds it lasts, and Loken has no healer, I don't see what your argument is. You also say, "Pulsing Shockwave does more damage to him the further away from Loken he goes." That's just the point. I don't think one can get much closer than having one's horn IMPALE HIS BODY.
Next, you say, "After those five seconds are up, Loken is free to pull himself off of Gal'darah's horn and go to town with his Lightning Nova and Arc Lightning abilities." So? Gal just needs to Impale him again. Impale, Impale, Impale... As long as Impale has no cooldown, this fight is a complete cakewalk for Gal'darah. How anyone can think Loken could possibly win over a constant Stun/DoT that has no cooldown is totally beyond me.