Two Bosses Enter: Lich King barely catches Eadric, moves on to Tyrannus
by Lisa Poisso 
Apr 7th 2010 at 2:00PM
The Lich King inside the Two Bosses Thunderdome? Isn't that an automatic faceroll to victory? Not for the Halls of Reflection version of Arthas. It took the reader vote to break a lock-up in the judges' panel and send Eadric the Pure packing. We'll find out how Eadric almost managed to get away -- but first, let's look at the next set of matches in the ICC-5/ToC season. Seeding for the quarter-finals has been determined by the reader vote.
- Match 1: Scourgelord Tyrannus (77.4%) vs. Lich King (5-man, HoR version) (56.5%)
- Match 2: ToC PvP champions (68.2%) vs. Devourer of Souls (55.5%)
- Match 3: The Black Knight (61.7%) vs. Argent Confessor Paletress (58.8%)
- Match 4: Reader vote to bring back any ICC-5/ToC season loser
Join us after the break for the judges' decisions in Lich King vs. Eadric the Pure, then cast your vote in the first match of the next round: Scourgelord Tyrannus versus the Lich King (5-man, HoR version). Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls ... Dyin' time's here.
- Lich King (HoR 5-man) 56.5%
- Eadric the Pure 40.3%
- Tie 3.2%
Judge John "ZapperZ" Zakour: Victory -- Eadric the Pure
Eadric the Pure vs. the Lich King is like Ned Flanders vs. Mike Tyson. The first guy might be pure and buff, but the second dude is a fighting machine. This is a match with a guy who surrenders after you beat him against a guy who's a title character in the game. If this were a fight to the death, it would be LK in a walk-over. The only threat Eadric would be is if the Lich King got a nasty stitch in his side from laughing so hard at Eadric. But alas, it's not a fight to the death; it's a run-and-catch-me-if-you-can.
The Lich King is cold and cocky. He meanders. If Eadric is good at one thing, it is running away when things go bad. (Good Sir Robin has nothing on him.) It comes down to this: can Eadric avoid ghouls, abominations and witch doctors long enough? Eadric has Radiance, which may very well be the worst boss attack ever. It's an attack that you simply have to turn away from to defeat. It's lame -- but in this case, it's an advantage. The pursuing ghouls, abominations and witch doctors will either have to turn away from Radiance or take its damage. I'm not sure the ghouls or abominations would bother turning; I think the witch doctor would. (After all, they don't let dummies into witch doctor medical school.) Either way, Eadric would whittle them down or slow them down enough that he could keep a safe distance from them and a safer distance from the LK. Eadric could even toss in a Hammer of the Righteous now and then just to feel a bit macho.
I don't believe I am typing this ... But yes, Eadric delays the Lich King long enough so Eadric can live to run away yet another day.
Judge Sky Paladin: Victory -- Eadric the Pure
Eadric's got four abilities, and all of them are perfect for this encounter. He hits extremely hard, and Hammer of the Righteous will one-shot everything except abominations. He can Hammer of Justice abominations to buy himself six seconds of freedom. He can use Radiance to stun whole groups of undead (and he does this frequently). On top of it all, Vengeance greatly increases his critical hit chance.
I would expect him to clear this instance very quickly, without taking any real damage. The greatest threat would be the abominations' spew debuff ticking up; however, these are few in number, and Eadric is well equipped to burn them down very fast indeed. With two short-cooldown stuns (one of them, an AoE stun!) and a single-target super-nuke, this is completely one-sided.
Read Sky Paladin's tale of the battle in the comments of last week's deathmatch.
Judge Michael Gray: Victory -- The Lich King
Lich King. It must be Lich King.
Look, Eadric's awesome, and I totally want to support my facerolling retribution paladin brethren. But the reality is that if Arthas can walk up and one-shot Sylvanas, what chance can we possibly expect for someone like Eadric? In the melee-vs.-melee inevitability of this fight, the Lich King is just going to fishslap Eadric into the ground.
I keep playing over possibilities in my mind, trying to find someone to avoid that inevitable truth. But I guess that's why they call it an inevitable truth. Arthas will make his Jason Voorhees slow-walk impression right up to Eadric and boom. Dead Eadric.
Judge Matthew Rossi: Victory -- The Lich King
The LK doesn't even need to touch Eadric to obtain this victory. Eadric makes sounds like he's having an unfortunate party in his digestive tract and it's spilling out into his long johns. The Lich King is the Lich King.
I don't really feel like this fight goes very long. Eadric runs into an ice wall and gets swarmed by adds. The LK walks up and kills whoever Eadric is escorting. Illidan shows up and tells Eadric he was not prepared. Everyone wonders what the heck Illidan is even doing there.
Alas, brave, brave adventurers, your meddling has reached its end. Do you hear the clatter of bone and steel coming up the tunnel behind you? That is the sound of your impending demise.
Scourgelord Tyrannus is a human death knight mounted upon his frostbrood wyrm, Rimefang. He is encountered in the Pit of Saron, the second wing of the Frozen Halls.
Rimefang:
Learn more about Tyrannus and Rimefang's tactics.
In Corner Two: The Lich King (Halls of Reflection version)
There is no escape!
Death's cold embrace awaits.
How long can you fight it?
It is vital to this Thunderdome match to note that this is the 5-man, Halls of Reflection version of Arthas. Scourgelord Tyrannus does not have to defeat the Lich King; he merely has to stay out of reach long enough to escape the Lich King's grasp at the end of the gauntlet.
- Remorseless Winter
- Fury of Frostmourne
- Summon Ice Wall
- Summon Raging Ghoul
- Summon Lumbering Abomination
- Summon Risen Witch Doctor
Read about the Halls of Reflection encounter with the Lich King and hear comments from adventurers who've sought him out.
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.
| Scourgelord Tyrannus wins (he escapes the Lich King) | |
|---|---|
| The Lich King (Halls of Reflection version) wins (he catches Tyrannus) | |
| Tie (something else happens) |
The Five-Man Bosses of Icecrown Citadel and Trial of the Champion
Match 1: Bronjahm vs. The Black Knight
Match 2: Devourer of Souls vs. Forgemaster Garfrost
Match 3: Krick and Ick vs. Scourgelord Tyrannus
Match 4: Falric vs. Argent Confessor Paletress
Match 5: Marwyn vs. ToC PvP champions
Match 6: Eadric the Pure vs. The Lich King
Match 1: Scourgelord Tyrannus (77.4%) vs. Lich King (5-man, HoR version) (56.5%)
Match 2: ToC PvP champions (68.2%) vs. Devourer of Souls (55.5%)
Match 3: The Black Knight (61.7%) vs. Argent Confessor Paletress (58.8%)
Match 4: Reader vote to bring back any ICC-5/ToC season loser
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)
BoB Apr 7th 2010 2:03PM
Yeah, The Lich King was bound to win. Arthas may be dead from us, but come on, those other dudes stand no chance. It takes a bunch of us to kill him, and half of those guys have been solo'd. We die more than half the time against him anyway.
Cephas Apr 7th 2010 5:24PM
FYI: You were downvoted because this is the HoR LK encounter. Eadric didn't need to kill the Lich King, he just needed to escape the Lich King.
Kar On E Apr 7th 2010 2:07PM
Tyrannus on his own would have a lot of trouble, but I suspect he escapes thanks to Rimefang's AoE attacks.
Failing the AoE attacks of course, he could basically hop on Rimefang's back at any point to escape.
Hassashu Apr 7th 2010 2:09PM
Tyrannus. Too many damage from him for the undead minions to handle. With Overlord's Brand the Witch Doctors are going to nuke down the Abom's hard.
Snuzzle Apr 7th 2010 2:09PM
Tyrannus mounts Rimefang and flies through the Gauntlet, laughing. Really, is there any question?
hawkins Apr 7th 2010 2:44PM
I agree, but assuming he has to worry about the escort, who for some reason let's assume couldn't be just carried through as well, Tyrannus still has aerial superiority and can just nuke the adds. I think Rimefang is the deciding factor here for sure.
(cutaia) Apr 7th 2010 2:10PM
I still think Eadric could have gotten away, but in the long run, the Lich King has no chance of winning this tournament. If people don't think Tyrannus can do it, I have a hard time believing the ToC Champions, Devourer of Souls or the Black Knight won't easily escape.
Greyjoy Apr 7th 2010 2:14PM
Tyrannus has this one. Between Rimefang's Hoarfrost and his own Unholy Might and mark (let's assume he drops it on the abominations and runs around one-shotting witch doctors), it's going to be a cakewalk over the adds.
Fumas Apr 7th 2010 2:18PM
Tyrannus. Sure, the Lich King can own his face, but he won't. Why you ask? One simple reason: The Lich King is arrogant. That is how we have managed to kill him, because he has let us get up close to him. He can kill everything with frostmourne, but instead he chooses to play with the mere mortals facing him, and therefore they are allowed to escape.
The Lich King would start his stroll down the gauntlet, chasing a frenzied Tyrannus. He keeps taunting him, sending undead minions against him and raising icy walls, but Tyrannus has RImefang by his side and blasts through those, making his escape.
Troglodyte Apr 7th 2010 2:46PM
The lich king orders Tyrannus to stay still so he can kill him. Tyrannus has no choice but to comply as the Lich King is wearing the Helm of Dominion and Tyrannus is a member of the scourge. Victory: Lich king.
clundgren Apr 7th 2010 2:50PM
Tyrannus to Lich King: "Gauntlet? You call this a gauntlet? I know from gauntlets, and this gauntlet is WEAK!"
Tyrannus in a (literal) walk.
Omegan01 Apr 7th 2010 2:50PM
1st reaction: Amusing image in my head as soon as I read the setup: Tyrannus using Forceful Smash to send Arthas flying back into his throne room the moment he walks out the door and using Rimefang to collapse/seal the exit with a block of ice. "Guess you should have stayed...IN THE MOUNTAINS!"
2nd reaction: Tyrannus grabs Sylvanas/Jaina by the arm, says something manly like "COME WITH ME IF YOU WANT TO LIVE" and throws the lady in question on Rimefang's back, flying away from the Lich King's frustrated howls.
3rd reaction: Tyrannus responds to the Lich King's "DEATH'S COLD EMBRACE AWAITS" with his own "Do you hear the clatter of bone and steel coming up the tunnel behind you?" and has his own army smash itself against Arthas' while he escapes.
But alright, if we take the fight mechanics a little more seriously -
Abominations - Tyrannus can handle these fat boys by literally kicking them off the side of the cliff with his forceful smash. When he and his escort lady get into the tunnel near the end he can put his brand on one and just let it beat on him while he mulches the witch doctors.
Ghouls - Tyrannus can have Rimefang bomb the packs of these guys into submission. By default Rimefang could be ordered to lay down frost patches near Tyrannus' escort lady to help him protect her from stray mobs
Witch doctors - Tyrannus uses unholy power to beat the living snot out of these guys
Angus Apr 7th 2010 5:59PM
Actually, your comment about his own horde of bad guys is important.
These adds will show up and distract LK's own adds, allowing Tyrannus to deal with less of the bad guys. Yes, the adds will get a debuff that eventually kills them, but they only have to last long enough to break up the waves into more manageable groups for Rimefang to Hoarfrost and the Mark to finish off.
Kyossed Apr 9th 2010 12:33PM
Thing is, though, if Tyrannus does call his army out they'll have to come up behind the Lich King ("clatter of bone and steel coming up the tunnel behind you"). He'll fry them immediately with his anti-exploit pewpew lasers.
Xtian Apr 7th 2010 2:58PM
Also, the Lich King's stroll is seriously slowed by the Icy Patches dropped by Rimefang. Rimefang can freeze some of the minions, allowing Tyrannus to pop Unholy Power and go to town on the minion packs in piecemeal fashion. Tyrannus can also punt some minions away to give himself a breather - likely to the opposite side of an ice patch. Tyrannus' issue will be getting stuck in Unholy Power mode if the LK gets close and being unable to run, but I suspect that he's smart enough to pop his buff early in a pack wave, rather than later. In other words, LK doesn't stand a chance.
MJH Apr 7th 2010 3:06PM
Rimefang drops Icy Frost down in front of the Lich King to slow him down EVEN MORE.
Tyrannus has all the time he needs. Heck, he can even make a sammich.
Janaan Apr 7th 2010 5:04PM
Even better, he has time for Jaina or Sylvanas to make him a sammich.
But yeah, Tyrannus has this all wrapped up I think.
Tes Apr 7th 2010 3:15PM
Tyrannus has an easy win here.
Eadric lost due to his slow take down of mobs.
Tyrannus is a power house in this respect.
Rimefang will drop some Hoarfrost on the ground near the icewall to kill the weak adds.
Tyrannus can drop Overlord's Brand on an abomination to help burn them down.
Tyrannus's unholy power will help him finish the last wave as the summons won't move away from him.
I am also assuming Rimefang can't be used to escape. We'll say due to a 'small' ledge, swarming adds, or something like that.
So something like this:
Arthas: Tyrannus, you have failed me again! This I will no longer tolerate!
Tyrannus: My apologies, Lord Arthas. I will ...
Arthas: Silence! There will be no more mistakes for you will be no more, Tyrannus.
Arthas rises from his throne. His frost aura rises around him as steps forward.
[Insert Ice Wall breaking NPC here (J/S)]
J/S freezes Arthas in place.
J/S: He's to strong! We must flee!
Tyrannus runs out onto the ledge with J/S.
The first frost wall appears.
Arthas: There is no escape!
Arthas summons the first set of mobs.
J/S: Hold them off while I take down this barrier!
Tyrannus: Rimefang, destroy these weaklings!
Rimefang swoops in to drop a Hoarfrost patch a little in front of Tyrannus.
The nonelite adds jump into it and promptly die.
Tyranus steps up to the weakened Risen Witch Doctor and finishes it off with a casual swing of his axe (I think it's an axe.).
J/S destroys the first Ice Wall and glances back at Arthas, ploding slowly forward surrounded by his frost aura, before hurrying along to the next ice wall with Tyrannus.
Arthas: Death's cold embrace awaits!
Tyrannus: I've been there once. You can keep it this time, Arthas!
Arthas summons his adds and they stream towards Tyrannus.
Tyrannus: Rimefang!
Rimefang drops another ice patch to dispose of the none elites again.
Tyrannus engages the elites.
Tyrannus casts Overloads Brand on the Abomination.
Tyrannus: Your strength is mine! (Improvising since I don't know most of what he says.)
Tyrannus quickly drops the other elites with the damage boost from the Abomination before turning to it and finishing it as well.
J/S drops the wall and moves ahead.
J/S: Quickly!
Tyrannus runs ahead with J/S to the third wall.
Arthas summons his minions again.
Tyrannus: Rimefang, again!
Rimefang's hoarfrost drops the nonelites again.
Tyrannus uses Overload's Brand on an abomination again to help clear the other elites and finally the Abomination itself.
After taking both abominations at once, Tyrannus is starting to look pretty beat up, however.
J/S drops the ice wall and runs as the last one pops up.
Arthas: How long can you fight it?
Tyrannus: Long enough! I didn't rise again just to die by your hand!
Arthas summons his adds.
Tyrannus turns and runs after J/S again.
Tyrannus points at the elites lumbering towards them.
Tyrannus: Rimefang, slow them!
Rimefang drops an Icy Blast directly on the abominations, freezing them in place.
The Risen Witch Doctors slip by with some frost damage.
Tyrannus lays about him with his axe, dropping nonelites until the Witch doctors arrive.
The abominations arrive as he finishes off the last one.
Tyrannus looks about like hell warmed over at this point as he has no heals, just lots of damage.
Tyrannus: I won't die here, not like this, Arthas!
Tyrannus uses Unholy Power to bolster the remainders of this strength.
Tyrannus: Power overwhelming!
Tyrannus smashes through the Abominations easily for the duration of Unholy Power.
Tyrannus: Enough of this!
Tyrannus, breathing heavily for all the axe swinging he's had to, takes a final swing with Forceful Smash.
The final abomination's body hits the ice wall, shattering it, and rolls down the cliff outside the tunnel.
J/S: .... ((Flips through pages of script, I'm sure.))
J/S: That .. works too.
J/S and Tyrannus move outside the cave to find it dead ends.
J/S: It's a dead end! Prepare yourself, we must stand and fight!
Tyrannus: ....
Tyrannus points to Rimefang hovering nearby.
J/S: .. right.
Alliance/Horde ship floats in, cannons blasting the cave entrance as usual, sealing off the cave.
J/S: Join us, Tyrannus. We could use you to stop Arthas.
Tyrannus: I have no need of you... or Arthas now.
Tyrannus: Rimefang!
Tyrannus jumps onto Rimefang's back and flys off at 310%
nwoods13 Apr 7th 2010 6:32PM
the 310% was a nice touch.
Akurano Apr 7th 2010 10:06PM
this is a pretty badass story, and Tyrannus's badass attitude totally shows through. I like him and his armor much more than the current lich king to be honest.