Two Bosses Enter: Eregos dismounts Skadi, Loken takes on Xevozz
by Lisa Poisso 
Jan 13th 2010 at 4:00PM
In a barrage of wings, Ley-Guardian Eregos confronted Skadi the Ruthless in the skies over the Thunderdome last week. Let's just say it was no party for Mr. Skadi. Eregos took the match with a stinging 75.3% of the spectator vote, sending the hapless Frost Vrykul plummeting from the match. We'll get a view of the beat-down after the break, plus we'll set up this week's battle between Loken and Xevozz.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls ... Dyin' time's here.
In one of the most one-sided votes of the season, 75.3% of the spectators in last week's Thunderdome matchup handed the victory to Ley-Guardian Eregos. Skadi plummeted to an early death with only 22.6% of the vote.
"Regardless of Eregos' minions being 'capable of handling the harpooning of Skadi's mount," observed spectator mtwcmarsh, "I still imagine this fight as aerial. I mean, sure, they may be 'capable' of shooting down Skadi, but why would they? The only reason players do so is to fight Skadi on the ground, and I'm sure Eregos would prefer to fight in the air. If anything, Skadi might just skip mounting up altogether and man a harpoon to try and shoot down Eregos. Either way, Skadi is gimped out of using 2/3 of his abilities. And that's assuming he applies his poison to the harpoons. Eregos, on the other hand, can strafe Skadi and crew with everything he's got.
"There's just not a good way for Skadi to fight this. Either he stays on the ground and spams one ability or he mounts up and takes on the ancient dragon, Master of the Arcane, while riding a one-trick pony. Either way, he's totally outmatched."
- The Two Bosses Thunderdome is considered neutral territory, where both combatants are able to access their usual encounter mechanics and abilities. If you can't imagine it inside the Thunderdome, imagine it someplace else – but you must include all of each bosses' abilities and mechanics.
- All of the competitors' abilities, including crowd control and other effects to which bosses are usually immune, work on their opponents (with apologies to considerations of lore on this count).
- Assume that the opponents share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
- Don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter.
- Don't neglect style, story and scale.
In Corner One: 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.
In Corner Two: Xevozz (Violet Hold)Back in business! Now to execute an exit strategy.
Xevozz is an Ethereal imprisoned in the Violet Hold. He is known for his summoned spheres of arcane energy, which feed his power and cause him to enrage.
Read more about Xevozz's combat tactics, and pick up additional tips from players who've fought him.
Inside the Thunderdome
Two Boss matchups are about substance and style, not game play and mechanics. Don't base your strategies on player tactics, which opponent has been easiest or most difficult for you personally, or the difficulty of each opponent relative to instance progression. Vote for the spirit of the battle as set forth above. Set aside differences in opponents' health pools, game level and actual damage output. Absolutely no game-mechanic nitpicking!
Before you cast your vote, join the debate in the comments. Who wins, and why? Style points go to spectators who use the comments to sway other readers to their point of view!
| Loken wins (Xevozz dies) | |
|---|---|
| Xevozz wins (Loken dies) | |
| Tie (something else happens) |
ORIGINAL WRATH FIVE-MAN SEASON: QUARTER FINALS
MATCH 1
Anub'Arak (Azjol-Nerub) -- WINNER!
vs.
King Dred (Drak'tharon Keep)
MATCH 2
Skadi the Ruthless (Utgarde Pinnacle)
vs.
Ley-Guardian Eregos (The Oculus) -- WINNER!
MATCH 3
Xevozz (Violet Hold) (seeded at 62.1%)
vs.
Loken (Halls of Lightning) (seeded at 58.1%)
MATCH 4
King Ymiron (Utgarde Pinnacle) (seeded at 60.3%)
vs.
Krik'thir the Gatewatcher (Azjol-Nerub) (seeded at 58.6%)
Who rocks Wrath's five-man world? Add your own narrative on what would happen when these mighty opponents meet up inside the Two Bosses Thunderdome. Anything's possible in the quarter-finals of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves: The Original Wrath Five-Man Season.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Features, Lore, Bosses, Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Doddilus Jan 13th 2010 4:11PM
Xevozz teabags Loken with his ethereal balls
minttunator Jan 13th 2010 4:37PM
"PROFIT!"
-Xevozz
c_tedeschi Jan 13th 2010 4:13PM
I'm basing this on the fact of who I actually wiped more to...
lol Xevozz for sure
Eddy Jan 13th 2010 4:27PM
"Don't base your strategies on player tactics, which opponent has been easiest or most difficult for you personally, or the difficulty of each opponent relative to instance progression."
Nazgûl Jan 13th 2010 4:42PM
Reading is difficult for trolls. Typically, the photos at the top of the article provide all that they need to know about said article. That's how he knew which bosses to choose from.
RetPallyJil Jan 13th 2010 5:00PM
Well, since NONE OF THESE MONSTERS ARE REAL, someone's personal experience with the boss is as valid as any other reason.
Who made you the vote police?
Austin Jan 13th 2010 4:19PM
Just the size of Loken goes to show that he can destroy this puny ethereal. Each boss has a lightning ability, but compairing size, it wouldn't hurt Loken too much, but Loken's lightning wave would.
Qot Jan 13th 2010 4:30PM
Q: What's the most common strategy nowadays to defeat Loken?
A: All in, burn him down through the lightning nova.
Q: What are the two things that Xevozz does?
A: Summon lightning orbs that put out large DPS and summon players into melee range.
Xevozz is perfectly tuned to defeat Loken, but based on lore and reputation (just look at the length of the two descriptions to see the Loken bias), the Titan will likely win.
Angus Jan 13th 2010 4:17PM
"Oh, a new challenge, hopefully one as profitable as the last."
30 seconds later.
"Hmmm, the further I stay from him, the more his lightning hurts, I shall have to move in for a more... personal touch. My Orbs should make short work of him."
5 seconds later.
"Whatever that was, it wiped out my orbs. And hurt me quite a bit. This is quickly becoming a losing proposition. I will attempt to return the odds to my favor. Let's see if he can handle a few buffets along with an orb and some missiles."
30 seconds later.
"I guess he could, and his lightning killed my orbs, again. This venture has been most annoying. I wonder if the Nexus Prince ever got my letter? Does one normally wonder trivial things right before death? I should take a wager on..."
Loken looks down at the rags that marked his latest opponent.
"I've seen a lot of things in my time, continents burn, empires rise and fall, but what the hell was that guy? And how and why did he pick my pocket while fighting me? Nevermind, I just hope Anub' Arak can beat Eregos, otherwise I am hosed."
DruidGuard Jan 13th 2010 5:25PM
(Incoming long speech)
Xevozz wins, imo. Consider this; both are going to get into melee range, which means Lokens pulsing lightning aura is negated. Now if we assume Loken is smart enough to kite Xevozz away from his orbs, without ever getting him close enough to buff him, we should also assume Xevozz is smart enough to move away for a bit when Loken starts to cast a nasty-looking Lightning Nova. So, what's left? Loken with one instant attack, Arc Lightning, and Xevozz with two instant attacks, Arcane Barrage Volley and Arcane Buffet. That gives Xevozz a solid advantage. You can argue that Xevozz would take extra damage while summoning his spheres, but I think the 2-to-1 instants Xevozz has in his favor plus the pressure of kiting well on Loken evens that out.
Also, If Xevozz stands in a Lightning Nova, he isn't done for, but if Loken doesn't kite perfectly and lets Xevozz grab an Ethereal Sphere, he's hosed thanks to the 75% damage buff Xevozz gets. God forbid he gets more than one. Finally, it's important to remember that the spheres also do decent aoe damage and cause a Summon Players effect. Chances are, Loken will be too bewildered the first time he gets ported to the spheres to get Xevozz away quick enough, and he'll be facing a very nasty Ethereal. As a side note, I'd also like to add that the Spheres have 403k hp each. I doubt Loken's going to be able to kill those fast enough to ever negate them.
Finally, for all those saying "Well, Lore-wise Loken's too smart to..." remember that Loken is also quite insane due to Yoggy, and being a Dark Titan, he's probably quite sure of himself and would scoff at the idea of having to run around the room from a lesser being. If anything, Loken's clouded vision and lack of respect for his opponent would cause him to realize the danger Xevozz poses a bit too late. Yes, he was cunning and planning against his brother, whom he knew he couldn't defeat one-on-one, but when thrust into an arena with some bandaged-looking trader? He'll most likely stomp up to him and try to Nova for a quick end, only realizing letting Xevozz get close to his spheres wasn't such a good idea when he's big, red, and hitting like a truck.
DruidGuard Jan 13th 2010 5:27PM
Blast it! I didn't mean to reply to you, sorry for looking like a blue leech. *Raises an angry fist at the commenting system*
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Jan 13th 2010 4:17PM
Lorewise, Loken easily. Gamewise, it's simply a matter of kiting. But for TBE/OBL purposes? Loken wins by cheating (as per that one scene with Thorim) and you can't really do that in the Thunderdome. That explains why it only took five guys to take him down (I guess?). In other words, I'm torn.
Tikan Jan 13th 2010 4:29PM
This feature is terrible. I wish I could remove it from my rss feed. Judging from how few comments are on here I suspect many people feel the same way. Couldn't wow.com's time be spent doing something better?
Tyr Jan 13th 2010 4:42PM
Because it is very time consuming to set up these matches of course. I like it, so do many others judging by the length and creativity of some of the strategies posted in these columns.
So please don't post here if you don't like it, no-one's forcing you.
arcaneterror Jan 13th 2010 4:34PM
Loken is smart enough to use strategy on Xevozz, is by far the stronger of the two, physically, and has abilities that would be a pain in Xevozz's ass. He pounds on the Ethereal while he kites him, the orbs take damage from his aura, which might kill them early, and Xevozz himself gets hit by the Nova. Point goes to Loken.
Cthulu Jan 13th 2010 4:48PM
Oh btw..your writing of the guildwatch dramaless edition was a complete fail imo. Bring back the drama or just quit writing all together as all your articles are tainted.
Meow! Jan 13th 2010 5:35PM
Parade Rainer!
Also I would say Loken would win in a fight but I don't think there would be a fight.
The electric balls of lighning would just *accidentally* kill the spectators causing the fight to be canceled.
Tyr Jan 13th 2010 4:48PM
Xevozz sneaks by Loken while he sleeps on his cozy throne (imported into the Thunderdome by the friendly goblins at Smokywood pastures; shop smart!), steals all of the ancient Titan treasure and escapes through the Twisting Nether.
3 days later, Loken wakes up, noices Xevozz isn't there and assumes he has won. He makes ready to leave, but fails to notice the explosive charges Xevozz hotwired to his throne. When he stands up, the Thunderdome explodes and Loken is launched into orbit, Team Rocket-style.
Xevozz wins and earns himself a nice profit to boot!
Spencer Jan 13th 2010 4:52PM
Boy I hate both these guys, but I would have to go with Xevozz. If they were to fight, then Loken would have to do melee combat, right? And if his lightning nova only affects people who aren't close to him, and Xevozz being is his only target and thus making lightning nova useless (Well, that is, if the spheres aren't attackable, which I don't remember them being). If the spheres really aren't attackable then that's big damage against him. So Loken = Epic fail.
elstor Jan 13th 2010 6:25PM
What bothers me with this is that Eregos will likely win the tournament even though he is a joke of a boss. People who don't read up on the fights or actually understand the way this tourney works vote for Eregos because of his large hp and large damage, ignoring the fact that opponents are equal, and thus most of the other bosses Eregos has fought would have won.