Two Bosses Enter: Paletress smites Falric, Marwyn faces ToC champs
by Lisa Poisso 
Mar 24th 2010 at 11:00AM
Judges and spectators were unanimous this week in their vote for Argent Confessor Paletress, moving her past Falric to the next round. As with most matches, however, it's not the victory that's the most satisfying; it's the twisted, bloody spectacle on the Thunderdome floor. From the judges, we receive a warrior's clinical dissection from Judge Rossi; a characterization of the fight based on the personalities of the combatants from Judge Zapperz; a lengthy, lore-based tale from Judge Sky Paladin; and the pragmatist's view from Judge Michael Gray.
Step into the Thunderdome with us after the break, where we'll hear the judges' decisions and get your votes on the next match, a crazy free-for-all featuring Marwyn versus all five of the Trial of the Champion PvP champions. In the words of Dr. Dealgood: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls ... Dyin' time's here."
Stepping into the Thunderdome, Falric found his despair no longer impending -- it was in fact upon him, as the holy rampage of Argent Confessor Paletress forced him to confess his weakness.
In the stands
- Argent Confessor Paletress 58.8%
- Falric 38.2%
- Tie 3.0%
Judge Matthew Rossi: Argent Confessor Paletress
Falric takes a dirt nap.
Not only is this a warrior/priest matchup, it's a warrior/priest matchup where her bubble actually reflects damage. We've seen her shackle both of the Twin Val'kyr, so she's not going to have any real difficulty CCing one of the adds that comes at her adds. (All of her people are priest/paladin/monk types, so two of them can wreak havoc against undead as well.) When it comes down to her versus Falric, she's going to bubble (and reflect 25% of his damage, which won't be reduced by his Hopelessness debuff, since it's purely based on a percentage of the absorbed damage) and summon something out of his memories. She'll be invulnerable behind her damage shield. If he attacks her, he'll take damage, and she can heal whatever nightmare she summons.
In the end, I don't see Falric keeping ahead of her healing while some giant, manifested nightmare beats on him. It depends on if he can stack up Hopelessness fast enough to reduce both her healing and her Holy Smite and Holy Fire damage. In the end, Hopelessness is just going to drag this thing out longer, in my opinion, and Paletress will put him down.
Judge Zapperz: Argent Confessor Paletress
Falric verses Paletress is the first semi-tough call for me. Since we have the stipulation that each of their adds are "roughly equivalent," this neutralizes the adds. This is bad news for Falric, because without this stipulation, his adds walk all over Paletress'. Paletress' adds are a mere distraction a light warmup for the main event. Falric's adds are tough, a true threat. Based on shear numbers alone, they'd take out their Paletress counterparts, then do some damage to the big lady herself -- but for this fight, they are a non-factor. I am judging this one on one.
Paletress has a few advantages here. First is her sweet yet sultry voice. Second is that outfit. Both have to be a distraction for any male. Even if Falric "swings his sword for the other team," he still has to be thinking, "Whoa, how can she wear those boots with that getup?" This gives an opening advantage to Paletress, who nails him. Falric counters with a Quivering Strike and an Impending Despair -- but Paletress is a woman who wears that outfit in public; she's a hard one to fear.
On the other hand, Falric is a guy who's done some pretty nasty things in life and death. He may have his nightmares buried deep, but Paletress burrows through his twisted subconscious, finding the worst memories, turning them against Falric. Paletress summons Waking Nightmare to take care of business. Then she bubbles, making her virtually impervious to harm. A few Shadows of the Past, an Old Wounds or two, and it's over. Falric's big attacks are based on fear, and it is difficult to fear a memory. Falric will be hard pressed to do any damage at all. Before long, Falric is lying defeated at Paletress' feet.
Judge Sky Paladin: Argent Confessor Paletress
Paletress recognized the demoralizing magic Falric was trying to use, and whilst it had no real effect on her, she knew it would begin to add up on her allies. She needed to end this quickly.
"Falric, champion of Lordaeron. I have been to the darkest places and beyond; I have seen the black hearts of men more foul than you, and I have raised them back from the precipice of madness. I can do this because I have been there myself. As I have done for many others, I shall now do so for you, even though it be against your will. Consider your past misdeeds."
Paletress blasted Falric with a Holy Nova, knocking him back and temporarily stunning him. She reached deep inside his mind and searched through his tortured life for the source of his greatest shame and fear, and found ..." (continued in the post comments)
Judge Michael Gray: Argent Confessor Paletress
I acknowledge that Defiling Horror and Hopelessness are powerful abilities, and Falric is battle-bred in the toughest five-man instance that Wrath of the Lich King has to offer. I even give a nod to his name being a clever play on "Fail." And I even have to tip my hat at the adds that could technically be considered monsters belonging to him. But all that aside, Falric just doesn't even have style. He's just kind of ... a guy. A tough guy with some cool spells, but when I think of the Halls of Reflection, the name "Falric" doesn't even pop into my mind.
Paletress, by comparison, is so rooted in the lore of Azeroth that she feels like she's been around since beta. That's right -- she's the humorously long-lost cousin of Whitemane and she's stomping around Northrend to bring some pain to the Scourge. Her actual attacks are far from weak -- who hasn't wiped to the shadowy memory of Hogger? -- and her very title is poignant and scary. She's a Confessor. It's a subtle word, but it's one that promises pain and misfortune for Falric. She's wielding the raw power of the Light, and there is no way Falric stands remotely a chance.
Paletress wins. And I suspect there would be a Hogger-based fatality.
The Laws of the Thunderdome
- 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 visualize it inside the Thunderdome, visualize it someplace else -- but you must take into consideration all of each bosses' abilities and mechanics.
- Assume that each opponent is intelligent and capable of strategic thinking.
- 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 point).
- 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. Everything is a factor; seeking balance is your goal as a spectator and judge.
In Corner One: MarwynThe master surveyed his kingdom and found it... Lacking. His judgement was swift and without mercy: DEATH TO ALL!
Along with Falric, Marwyn (the second boss in the Halls of Reflection) guards the way to the throne room of the Lich King in Icecrown Citadel. Marwyn becomes active on the tenth and final wave of the gauntlet of ghosts spawned to block intruders.
Marwin begins by unleashing four waves of adds. Since his Thunderdome opponents this week also deploy introductory waves of gladiators, we're going to call it even and set aside the adds on both sides.
Read more about Marwyn's battle tactics, and sift through reports from adventurers who've faced him in battle.
In Corner Two: ToC PvP Champions
Things are about to get crazy in the Two Bosses Thunderdome.
- To square off against Marwyn, we're going to pull out all five of the Trial of the Champions grand champions at once. (Players face only three of the champs during a given encounter.)
- We won't make Marwyn sully his robes by riding an Argent Warhorse or equipping a lance; everyone will be on foot for the duration of this deathmatch.
- Since the ToC grand champions send in introductory waves of gladiators, similar to Marwyn's waves of spectral troops, we're going to call it even and set aside the adds on both sides.
Consider the balance of these opponents carefully before making your decision on this fight. In order to create any sort of fair fight, the strength of the team of five as a whole must be roughly equivalent to that of the solitary Marwyn. Think of it something like a normal group encounter.
- Lana Stouthammer/Deathstalker Visceri Eviscerate, Fan of Knives, Poison Bottle
- Colosos/Runok Wildmane Chain Lightning, Earth Shield, Healing Wave, Hex of Mending
- Marshal Jacob Alerius/Mokra the Skullcrusher Bladestorm, Intercept, Mortal Strike, Rolling Throw, Whirlwind
- Jaelyne Evensong/Zul'tore Disengage, Lightning Arrows, Multi-Shot, Shoot
- Ambrose Boltspark/Eressea Dawnsinger Blast Wave, Fireball, Haste, Polymorph
Read more about the Grand Champions encounter.
Two bosses enter, one boss leaves
Two Bosses Enter 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!
| Marwyn wins (Grand Champions are defeated) | |
|---|---|
| Grand Champions win (Marwyn dies) | |
| Tie (something else happens) |
The Five-Man Bosses of Icecrown Citadel and Trial of the Champion
Match 1: Bronjahm vs. The Black Knight -- THE BLACK KNIGHT
Match 2: Devourer of Souls vs. Forgemaster Garfrost -- DEVOURER OF SOULS
Match 3: Krick and Ick vs. Scourgelord Tyrannus -- SCOURGELORD TYRANNUS
Match 4: Falric vs. Argent Confessor Paletress -- ARGENT CONFESSOR PALETRESS
Match 5: Marwyn vs. ToC PvP champions
March 6: Eadric the Pure vs. Lich King
Set aside the world order -- let the Thunderdome determine who's the champion of Icecrown! Come back next week to find out who is the victor of the Icecrown-Trial of the Champions season of Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Noselacri Mar 24th 2010 11:22AM
The ToC Champs, no contest. So long as Jacob/Mokra can hold threat off Colosos/Runemane it's really not even up for debate. Marwyn'll try to throw down a little well of corruption, but all someone has to do is jump to the left, or take a step to the rii-i-i-iiiiight. They might even have time to put their hands on their hips, and pull their knees in tight. It's the pelvic thrust that'll drive Marwyn in-say-ay-ay-ane.
ZMES_Matt Mar 24th 2010 11:56AM
Let's do CoS again?
Noselacri Mar 24th 2010 12:08PM
@ZMES_Matt
Depends, who are you! I changed my main from Noselacri to a mage...so whomever you are you have a good memory. Haven't logged Nose in a month or so!
Banzai Mar 24th 2010 11:25AM
Even if we assume Marwyn is as powerful as 5 champs he'll still be outnumbered. The Champs have a healer, several ways to bring the hurt and even some CC abilities. As we've seen many times, the outcome is more than the sum of its parts. Even if we cut down the number to 3 and consider that random group equal to Marwyn I think we'll still see that a group is stronger than a single man, even a death knight.
emperorshishire Mar 24th 2010 11:27AM
Let's face it. This is a standard encounter. You've got a healer, a tank (albeit a fury tank), and 3 dps. To top it off, assuming they're a relatively even match for Marwyn, they'll have significantly higher health than your average party (think about time to kill, since it doesn't take long for a regular group to get one-shot).
Now, distancing myself from game mechanics here, these are all grand champions of their respective cities. They're not exactly pushovers, and to top it off, their abilities nicely complement each other. Blast Wave plus Poison Bottle equals lots of standing damage. Add an Intercept, and a Bladestorm, Fan of Knives, Fireball, Lightning Arrows, lather-rinse-repeat.
Having a healer on the team makes this a hands down win for the ToC champs.
Ilmyrn Mar 24th 2010 11:36AM
Looking at the Grand Champions, we've got a tank, a healer, and three DPS. So what we're really asking is if a standard five man group can take down Marwyn? I think the number of people who clear HoR on a daily basis provide the answer to that question.
Plus, whether they're Horde or Alliance, these are the Grand Champions of the Tournament. You know, the Tournament that was organized for the SOLE PURPOSE of gathering the best warriors on Azeroth and setting them up to fight the Lich King? These guy have mastered the joust (yay.), and fighting on foot, they've (presumably) actually been fighting Scourge on their way up the ranks to Grand Champion, they've got great synergy, and they've got numbers. The best Marwyn can hope for is to take out one or two of them, but after that he's staring at a rez timer.
Why is there even a poll for this?
sams_lawn_service Mar 24th 2010 11:40AM
LEEEEETS DO THE TIIIIIMEWARP AGAAAAAAAIN
Rotties67 Mar 24th 2010 12:00PM
In all honesty faction champs should ride this out through the end. I was looking at the possible matchups (well all of them really), and there is no reason they shouldn't win except for people just having an affinity for one boss over this group. This is as close to a "player group makeup" as we will get (multiple CC, heals, semi-tank) plus (in my opinion) the biggest gain is that there are multiple party members to think on their feet.
Soulink Mar 24th 2010 12:05PM
This fight is completely one sided. With the 5 v 1 deal, we can break down each into what each ToC Champion will do:
Rogue: Poison vials hurt. Period. Add that to the normal damage a rogue can bust out against Marwyn and he's hard pressed to get this battle over with quickly. +1 to Champs
Shaman: The obvious healer of choice, able to toss out chain heals in rather quick succession and to add to the fact that positioning will be important, the heals will be bounced between the melee side of the fight, and the rangers. +1 for Champs
Warrior: Ignoring the Arms, Prot-side of things, the simple fact that after the throw (which would easily be back into the Poison Bottle puddle and an intercept, Marwyn would be hard pressed to be very mobile in the fight at all, and with the ability to keep him locked in place for a good chunk of time? +1 to champs
Hunter/Mage: This is a toss up, in terms of simple comparison, they're just extra damage that is able to keep the pressure on. I have to give it to the mage though in terms of actual threat. The abilities of the hunter are moreso set defensively as long as the mage keeps Polymorph unbound. :P
So in terms of Marwyn... he's choking on his suffering and watching this match decay before his very eyes.
Pyromelter Mar 24th 2010 12:52PM
This might be me being a sore loser, but I'm so done with this column. First, Eregos wins because people are so effin idiotic that they think because they are so fail at riding drakes, that he is the most all-powerful being in WOW.
Now, this. Let me quote you here:
"But all that aside, Falric just doesn't even have style. He's just kind of ... a guy."
Michael Gray. Go do HoR right now. Go listen to what Falric says. Basically what this tells me is that you probably did HoR maybe a few times for achieves or an item of gear, but haven't really done it all that much. Other thant he trash waves, Falric is the hardest part about HoR. He's also the most interesting part of it.
I have to wonder whether the judges are actually making their picks before reading the comments here. To have Falric unanimously lose to Paletress... I really don't get it. Again, might be me being a sore loser with my own bias, but the quote I put above really rankles me. It makes me think you've maybe never even done HoR. So grats gray, you trolled me... done with this series.
Duffman Mar 24th 2010 1:12PM
Falric IS just 'a guy'. There is no oomph behind him, save for his Fear ability and the damage/healing reduction ability. Nothing is interesting about him. And I've done H HoR so many times my head hurts. Not to mention, Paletress is much harder than Falric (if you actually use the gear set for that instance instead of overgearing for it). Let's take this battle with Paletress and Falric, one on one with none of their minions and with all their abilities...
Falric has only one fear ability, Paletress herself has none. Falric has no adds to summon while in combat, Paletress has many but can only summon one (and it has a Fear as well). Falric has no shield whatsoever while Paletress has an uber reflective PW: Shield.
While Falric is fending off the Memory, Paletress is blasting him with Holy Fire, Smite, and tossing a rather powerful Renew on the Memory. The Memory can't be feared, nor can Paletress; but at the same time, neither can Falric.
Going by pure abilties, I see why they chose Paletress to be the winner. And you're right, you seem to be a sore loser.
Sky_Paladin Mar 24th 2010 1:20PM
I don't think WoW Insider author's are meant to respond to comments like this, but I'm not actually an author, so...
As a tank who has taken out the Lich King, I can say that the trash before Falric is significantly more difficult than Falric himself. I've run Halls of Righteousness enough to speak with authority; hell I even ran around with Falric's Wrist Chopper until I upgraded to the Facelifter.
I make my decision based on the following things -
A - In the circumstances, which one do I think would do better?
B - If there are any pursuasive reader comments (An excellent story by another inspires me!)
C - If there are any major fight mechanics that significantly favor one boss over another.
We (the judges) do not talk about our decisions in advance and then choose to match them up; at least, if they do, they don't tell me about it :C The whole point of judges being used instead of just reader comments is to help balance out oddball situations like Eck losing to the Tribunal of Ages (noooooo). Sure, we'd like the fan favourites to win, but we'd like them to win because they deserved to win, not just because too many people fail at Occulus.
Now, go read my Anub'Arak versus Eregos story again. Maybe it'll cheer you up
clundgren Mar 24th 2010 2:33PM
Read the article again. He clearly is saying that *from the point of view of lore*, Falric is just a guy (i.e. invented for the instance), where Paletress has a long and fascinating history that longtime players appreciate. Nothing more.
Al Mar 24th 2010 5:35PM
You're forgetting Eregos actually lost the first time, but won the vote for a wild-card entry for the sem-finals.
Sargenus Mar 24th 2010 5:36PM
"Read the article again. He clearly is saying that *from the point of view of lore*, Falric is just a guy (i.e. invented for the instance), where Paletress has a long and fascinating history that longtime players appreciate. Nothing more."
http://www.wowwiki.com/Falric
Please read that. He isn't "Just a guy" even in lore. He was one of Arthas' chosen leiutenants in life(And in death).
Al Mar 24th 2010 5:37PM
Stooge with a backstory is still a stooge.
KJP Mar 24th 2010 1:34PM
The real problem with Marwyn and Falric is they're really only half a fight each. I know, in practice parties have plenty of time to prepare for Marwyn but theoretically Falric should be "softening up" the party the way the encounter is set up.
Champions vs. Falric AND Marwyn, either together or one immediately after the other, that's a battle. Versus just Marwyn, doesn't feel so close.
Briz9 Mar 24th 2010 1:44PM
Could you guys somehow run your own little test server with GM powers, where you could actually spawn a boss next to another boss, and see how it really plays out? That'd be awesome.
wutsconflag Mar 24th 2010 1:56PM
At first, I thought this was the Faction Champions for TOC-10, and I was like, "What five man boss could possibly defeat them?!" but then I realised these are the TOC-5 champions.
That said, the champions have a healer. On that basis, I'm pretty sure they'll win. It might not be an easy fight, but five versus one? Yeah, my money's on them.
Riang Mar 24th 2010 2:22PM
Marwyn. In the rules it states that the 2 bosses are acting as sentient beings, not just mobs. Therefore the whole "tank keeping threat while the healer heals" argument kind of fizzles out. Marwyn throws out a corrupted flesh and Obliterates the shammy. If that doesn't kill him then a few auto attacks should seal the deal from there. After that, he would go smash the squishy mage, all the while throwing out wells and casting shared suffering on cooldown for some massive aoe damage.
If were treating this like a group of players versus a boss programmed to go after whoever has the highest threat, then yeah, the champions win. However, if you treat it like a group of 5 players against a boss who can think and plan, they don't stand a chance.