Two Bosses Enter: Vanessa VanCleef vs. Hex Lord Malacrass
by Alex Ziebart 
Aug 15th 2011 at 9:00AM
The bosses of Zul'Aman and Zul'Gurub have not been faring very well in this tournament. Godfrey knocked Venoxis out of the tournament two weeks ago, and last week, Setesh eliminated Halazzi. Setesh. Nobody even likes Setesh! Will Hex Lord Malacrass fare better? Considering he's up against dear Vanessa ... he might have a tough time with it.
| Vanessa VanCleef | |
|---|---|
| Hex Lord Malacrass |
Follow along for the details of this week's matchup, as well as discussion on last week's match.
The rules of the ring
- The WoW Insider Ring 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 squared circle, 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.
My fate is my own!
Vanessa VanCleef made a real mess of this tournament's previous season. She rigged the entire thing in her favor, using the Cardboard Assassin's comedic style to launch herself into the final round. Unfortunately, her opponent was the unbreakable Ozruk, and she fell just short of winning the grand prize: a glimmering golden statue of Tirion Fordring.
Vanessa VanCleef's toolkit includes:
- Backslash
- Deadly Blades
- Vengeance of VanCleef
- An assortment of poisons of the mind rendered useless by the Cardboard Assassin's cardboardiness
Dis a nightmare ya don' wake up from!
Hex Lord Malacrass is the penultimate boss of Zul'Aman, and while he's a pretty tough dude, it might be fair to say that his level 70 iteration was significantly more dangerous than he is nowadays. Poor Malacrass is losing his tough in his old age, perhaps.
Malacrass's voodoo powah enables him to wield the following:
- Spirit Bolts
- Siphon Soul When siphoning Vanessa's soul, Malacrass would gain the following abilities: Blind, Slice and Dice, Wound Poison
- Drain Power
Poor Halazzi. He lost horribly to a boss the vast majority of players don't even fight. Setesh took the win with 57% of the vote. From reader Scott's point of view, the encounter was extremely one-sided.
Halazzi strode purposefully into the quiet arena, confident in his prowess and in the aid of the Lynx Avatar that flowed through him. That confidence was shaken but not drained by the sight of the towering black stone figure before him. Would Halazzi's wiked claws, searing flame shock and debilitating lightning be enough to overcome such a foe, he didn't know but the doubt was put to the back of his mind as he assessed this foe for weakness.Halazzi, maybe you would have won if you didn't keep dropping totems that healed Setesh to full health, eh?
Setesh stood impassive whilst the puny troll paced back and forth infront of him like some agitated feline. This one certainly seemed different from the others he had glimpsed back in his usual position in the Halls of Origination. As a guard placed by the very Titans, Setesh was quite sure he could account for any foe that was foolish enough to challenge him and this one did look just the right sort of fool to do that.
Halazzi yells: Get on ya knees and bow.... to da fang and claw!
Suddenly the Troll leapt towards Setesh with a rage filled scream of power and started to swing his empowered claws with determination against the cold black stone. Halazzi was momentarily puzzled as his opponent appeared to ignore his attacks and simply walked away, enraged he rushed after him striking with increased fury and rending small but telling blows to the hard shell of this strange foe. A small dark but tinged with purple ball of magic formed at Halazzi feet burning his skin and forcing him to retreat momentarily from his foe, as he moved another ball appeared forcing him further and further from Setesh.
Setesh yells: You fear that which you cannot control. But can you control your fear?
This appeared to be what Setesh was wanting to happen as he finally appeared to take notice of Halazzi. Setesh barely seemed to moved as he effortlessly tossed the ball of rolling blackness at the spot the Troll was crouched in waiting to see what would happen next. Halazzi easily side-stepped the ball of darkness that arced to him but had not considered it would leave the small pool of darkness behind that it did. The pain was enough to convince him to get back in to contact with this strange beast and continue the work he had been forced away from earlier. Halazzi summoned a totem of water on his way back into combat to heal some of the damage he had suffered but the damned statue just strode away forcing Halazzi to follow and not recieve any benefit from the totem.
As he rushed in to continue the attack he noticed a black portal slowly open up behind the equally black figure of Setesh. He wondered if his oponent was intending to flee to some other realm away from the fight that had barely begun of if he was bringing assistance from whatever black hell he had obviously sprung from. As the two worms of darkness slipped through the portal, Halazzi's question was answered. Switching quickly to these new foes, Halazzi felt no danger as these new foes appeared weak and easily subdued. Just in time Halazzi noticed the slow ball of darkness heading towards him just as he finished off the second of the two worms. The searing pain of the pool of darkness was enough to convince Halazzi that it was time to split his strength to deal with what had become a battle on two fronts. His Troll side strode back into combat with the statue and his Lynx half leapt at the new foe slipping quickly through the black doorway.
Halazzi yells: Me gonna carve ya now!
The Lynx half of Halazzi and the new void entity struck terrible blows upon one another but the cat was just strong enough despite the power flowing through the entity's fists to overcome him. Luckly for Halazzi his Lynx half still had the energy and will left to deal with the portal itself before the new foe just emerging was able to fully enter the field of battle. Unfortunately it wasn't able to do both that and avoid the new ball of blackness Setesh was able to unleash whilst the Lynx was occupied and so the two halves were forced back together.
Whilst his Lynx half had been dealing with the void creatures and the doorway Halazzi the Worshiper had been doing the best he could against the stone figure of Setesh. The lightning totem he summoned had done great damage at first but Setesh instinctively summoned more of the small black balls of magic he had used at the beginning of the battle and whilst Halazzi the Worshiper could move away from the totem was unable to avoid the minor but sufficient damage they did and was snuffed out.
As the two halves of Halazzi rejoined they started the same dance with more urgency, determined to finish this troublesome foe as quickly as they could. Unfortunately for Halazzi being a single figure again meant he had to decide whether to continue the assault on the original target or switch to the new portal that opened up before him. He chose to continue on the original target and try and bring it down now. Summoning a new lightning totem appeared to deal well with the worms and even score a few hits on Setesh himself but was unable to reach the doorway and so the second void creature from before was able to re-enter the battle and add its damage to the continued small amounts from the balls of darkness.
By switching to this new opponent and dropping a water totem at his feet he was able to negate and even briefly reverse some of the terrible damage being wrought upon him by his foes. A final lightning totem placed right infront of the portal should have sealed the doorways fate and stopped any more creatures from emerging from it but one was able to slip in before the doorway was sealed. This new entity struck Halazzi with a strange attack that slowed every part of his being and even seemed to shut off the joyful flow of energy from his water totem.
Setesh yells: Do you understand now?
Seeming stuck in a molassess of purple tinged darkness and Halazzi could only stare in horror as the slow moving ball of darkness he had so easily avoided previously struck him directly and leaving the pool of darkness all around him. The flesh of Halazzi screamed as the utter coldness of the darkness engulfed him ... the darkness wrapped itself tightly around the struggling Troll as the life ebbed from him ... Halazzi barely whispered a final defiant word ... you ... can't ... fight ... da power!
Setesh yells: Embrace the end!
| Setesh | |
|---|---|
| Halazzi |
The battle begins!
Remember, Two Bosses Enter matchups are all about substance and style, not gameplay, mechanics, and numbers. 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 mechanics nitpicking!
Set aside the world order -- let the WoW Insider Ring determine who's the champion! Your votes determine the outcome in WoW Insider's series of fantasy deathmatches, Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves.
Filed under: Two Bosses Enter
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Fletcher Aug 15th 2011 9:20AM
I voted Malacrass. Largely because he can steal Vanessa's powers and use them against her ... but also because I find Vanessa really annoying, and I don't want to see a teenage psychopath win this tournament. But I fear my vote is a drop in the bucket against Vanessa's throngs of fans ... maybe if Malacrass didn't wear pants he'd have fans too?
Natsumi Aug 15th 2011 9:31AM
He's totally free-ballin' under that robe, not sure why you'd think otherwise.
MattKrotzer Aug 15th 2011 9:55AM
Vanessa will win this one in huge fashion–-she's a fan favorite, despite being a 16-year-old girl who really CAN'T take a punch.
When she wins, it's because of poisons and bringing loads of allies to the fight. In a confrontation of one-on-one, she really wouldn't stand much of a chance.
I voted for the troll, despite knowing that my vote won't carry him very far.
Sintraedrien Aug 15th 2011 10:18AM
I think perhaps you meant Vanessa's /thong/ fans.
Sintra E'Drien of the Ebon Blade, né Sindorei (Do worgen make warm winter cloaks?)
Omegan01 Aug 15th 2011 9:37AM
I vote for Malacrass.
Mechanically:
Vanessa has her vengeance of VanCleef buff, but Malacrass can counter that with his drain soul. Vanessa has her backstab, but Malacrass can scatter spirit bolts in every direction regardless of where he's facing. He can also steal her own abilites and fire them back at her (Light help Vanessa if he can snatch her Deadly Blades technique).
In addition, while Vanessa summons a stream of relatively weak adds, Malacrass brings a pair of two much more powerful friends to the table, aiding him in the fight.
Thematically:
Vanessa is a young, largely self-taught rogue whose greatest stength isn't combat at all, but persuasiveness and charisma. And while she brags that she excelts at poisons that affect the mind, consider...
Malacrass is a hex lord. A dark shaman who deals in voodoo spells and curses. It's highly possible that he's seen and/or dealt with the kind of mind-alterations that Venessa trades in. And again, he's an expert at turning an enemy's strengths against them. If Vanessa's unlucky, that line of dialogue - "Dis a nightmare ya don' wake up from!" might just prove prophetic as Malacrass turns her own nightmare potions against her.
Consider also: Malacrass is the troll who ripped the power out of the Amani gods and bound them to mortal flesh, "keeping the darkest one for himself." Jin'do styles himself as "the Godbreaker" these days, but Hex Lord Malacrass literally took the powers of five primal gods for himself and his followers. And even though he was defeated in the original Zul'Aman raid, he managed to come back from the dead and DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.
Hex Lord Malacrass is practically the Amani antichrist.
Arrohon Aug 15th 2011 9:50AM
"Siphon Soul When siphoning Vanessa's soul, Malacrass would gain the following abilities: Blind, Slice and Dice, Wound Poison"
All she really has to do is survive long enough for Vengeance to build then unleash.
Ostentaneous Aug 15th 2011 9:51AM
Love Malacras. Nothing like him popping wings and consecrating to kill that one dps that's been anooying me the whole run.
Thiron Aug 15th 2011 9:54AM
Well, Vanessa is a rogue, so no wings now)
Ixistant Aug 15th 2011 10:19AM
Funnily enough, that DPS also tends to be the one who refuses to interrupt and makes me run into melee range to use Rebuke.
OT: Malacrass would beat Vanessa's puny behind into the afterlife.
Thiron Aug 15th 2011 10:00AM
Not very interesting to see Malacras against....well, anyone.
Since in 1 on 1 he basically becomes same class as them, and it all depends on who's better at being it.
I'd say, stealing powers doesn't grant mastery with them, so in my opinion, Vanessa wins - cause she's BETTER rogue.
Fletcher Aug 15th 2011 11:12AM
Teenage girl with poisons and knives vs. self-resurrecting master of unholy magics, wrangler of primal gods, thief of his enemies' powers. Hm.
Thiron Aug 15th 2011 11:25AM
To be able to resurrect, you need to die first.
And he might be able to mimic other's powers, but he doesn't have anything of his own - what, spirit bolts? Really?
chrissie Aug 15th 2011 11:45AM
Don't knock 'em; Spirit Bolts were why Holy Priests were almost mandatory in level 70 ZA at lower gear levels. That steadily increasing raid-wide AoE /hurt/.
Rai Aug 15th 2011 11:04AM
"Vanessa, why are you STILL here? You've made a mockery of this entire event!"
The leader of the Defias shrugged, letting out a yawn and smirking at Tirion, who was growing ever so bored of her presence.
"Because, I am the best, Highlord. There's apparently nothing you can throw at me to stop me. At this rate you'll have to fight me yourself, and I just don't think you-"
There was an ominous beating of drums as the stadium doors opened and the intimidating form of Hex Lord Malacrass strode in, looking very confident and waving to a crowd of trolls who was dancing and cheering in the stands. Vanessa raised an eyebrow at a chuckling Tirion, before hopping down from the stands and giving the Hex Lord the eye.
"Dere be much darkness in ya, missy. Malacrass gonna enjoy dis!"
"I hate trolls."
The giant troll lumbered towards Vanessa, cackling and raising his weapon. There was a puff of smoke at two points in the arena behind him, as the hissing form of Slither and the demonic form of Gazakroth appeared. Vanessa drew to a halt, waving her arms.
"Wait a minute! I've done intel on you! Why couldn't you bring the elf or that Raadan guy?"
"Raadan complain too much. Not summon often." Malacrass explained, raising an arm in the end before firing several spirit bolts at Vanessa, who began cursing, before leaping at Malacrass and stabbing him furiously. Gazakroth the imp began firing fireballs at her, while Slither copied the action with venom bolts.
"Minions! ATTACK!" Vanessa yelled, as three of her Defias cronies appeared from the shadows (which are always conviniently located), the two sword-weilding guards charging for Slither and attacking him, engaging the giant snake. The caster began attacking the imp, drawing his attention from Vanessa.
"It good to have friends!" Malacrass said, facing Vanessa and grunting as her blade thrusts began to perform their toll.
"I have no need for friends! I am more powerful than anyone, including my father!"
The caster assistant conjured a Blood Zone on the ground, which appeared at the other end of the arena. Vanessa facepalmed before shadowstepping, hitting Malacrass once in the back and then running for the Blood Zone, turning and beckoning. There was a furious hiss and a slight burning smell as Slither and Gazakroth killed one of her assistants each, turning to finish the third.
"Ya got baggage, missy. Your heart be dark, and Malacrass wishes for a taste..."
Malacrass roared and a beam of white light connected itself to Vanessa as he began siphoning her soul. She shrugged.
"I have nothing to hide..."
He charged as the Blood Zone faded, raising his weapon once more. Behind him, his friend Slither dropped dead as the imp finished off the third attacker.
"You be a rogue, mon! You have EVERYTHING to hide! Malacrass sees it now. Your father, murdered. Your friends, gone. Forced to hire a puny murloc as a kingpin because everyone else be lackin' the brainpower?"
"Stop it!" Vanessa demanded, attacking him more and more furiously, but his Drain Power spell lowering the damage as it rose.
"Hidin' behind poisons and weaklings, throwin' em to the beasts as they become useless. Ye be washed up, VanCleef and y'know it missy!"
Malacrass began striking her harder and harder as her rogue knowledge echoed through his mind. The siphon ended.
"I am powerful! I am greater than my fath-ARGH!" she screamed as the imp's fireball hit her directly in the back.
"Den your father must have been weak. Puny adventurers be able to kill him!"
Spirit bolts began firing at Vanessa again. Three more of her assistants appeared, all three charging at the imp but it was useless. She knew that this was going to end badly for her. Thinking quickly, she cast Deflection, but the spirit bolts were not reflected, as they killed her assistants, who had just finished off the imp and were preparing to tear him apart.
"I've-I've armed the arena with explosives! Did you really-"
"No you ain't. Shut up, girlie."
As Vanessa was about to drop to the floor, she screamed especially loudly. Malacrass stopped in surprise, but began siphoning her soul.
"Enough! I will not give you the pleasure. My fate is m-"
Malacrass used Blind. Vanessa wandered around on the spot. Somewhere in the distance, Tirion was laughing hard.
"I be disappointed, mon. All that talk of a fun Nightmare Gauntlet, all da exciting exposition, all o' dat! But no, all you managed to do is make this entire thing a farce with your stupid piece o' cardboard! NO MORE!"
He lunged for her, raising his weapon and bringing it crashing down upon her skull. Vanessa's screams echoed throughout the colosseum.
"Dis a nightmare ya don' wake up from!"
Ilmyrn Aug 15th 2011 11:23AM
Oh, that's good.
Byeble Aug 15th 2011 11:32AM
I can't upvote this enough. Seriously really good story.
Icarus Aug 15th 2011 11:59AM
Sweet story man, I think the mods should pick this regardless of the vote tally.
Fletcher Aug 15th 2011 11:23AM
You know what I'd like to see? Jin'do vs. Jan'alai.
On one side - Jan'alai the Pugbreaker! The most fearsome of Zul'Aman's defenders, his temple littered with the charred corpses of thousands of adventurers who wiped and ragequit beneath his armies of dragonhawk hatchlings! On the other side - Jin'do the Godbreaker! A boss who spits in the face of Blizzard's "Bring the player, not the class" mantra!
Can Jan'alai topple Jin'do from his throne in Zul'Gurub (constructed of the corpses of melee DPS and DoT classes)? Can Jin'do's Twisted Spirits overwhelm Jan'alai's dragonhawks? Hold on to your seats and swallow your antacids - there'll be QQ and ragequit aplenty as these troll titans clash!
Thiron Aug 15th 2011 11:32AM
Oh yeah, that would be fun
ukandrion Aug 15th 2011 12:01PM
This battle would be really one sided, in my opinion. Vanessa is honestly given too much credit as a rogue, because she's still just a teenage girl who, despite being in the defias, is still naive and knows little of what the world holds beyond westfall and elwynn. This isnt a pit between their abilities, but between their experience and personalities. on top of that, Malacrass can copy Vanessa's abilities, and we can assume that in copying them, he gains all knowledge of how they work, meaning he knows how to counter them. Malacrass' adds are also stronger than Vanessa's. Vanessa's strong suit was always trickery and blackmail, never combat. one on one, Malacrass wins.
however, this competition is extremely one sided, and Vanessa will win because unlike the bosses, most people are NOT capable of intelligence and strategic thinking, and will vote Vanessa because she gives them a raging hard on.