The Battle for Nordrassil (An inevitable world pvp battleground for hyjal)

[Markluzz]

Whatever you do, do not quest in hyjal if you want a realm first, i played the beta early when it first released, and all throughout it nordrassil (where you start) was basically a wintergrasp, except without a cooldown for the next battle after you won/lost it, so if you are going to quest in hyjal myswell give a good explaination on what to expect in 'The Battle for Nordrassil'.

At one time, either the horde or the alliance would be dominate, and whichever side was the most dominate in the area got the priveledge of being the safest while doing the 3-4 quests there (you were never safe, just maybe safer).

Even if one side was dominate there were always 2-3 alliance/horde creepers just waiting for you to pull a mob to jump down and attack. Basically whichever side in theory 'controlled' the zone they flew around and 'patroled' it eyeing for a character with a red nameplate to kill. (And to remember this is a very small walled up part to start off in, unlike wrath or cata this zone both sides are starting in the exact same place, and a very small spot), it was one of the biggest world pvp hotspots in the beta, even bigger than the duels outside stormwind or orgrimmar, and this was the beta im scared of what it will look like with an entire server population there.

Even though for a pvp'er who doesnt care about server first this will be your dream area, it is a battleground that never stops and you certianly have a constant adrenaline rush when doing this zone on a pvp server, you may not get 'immersed' into the quests like a pve realm but you will certainly get completely immersed in pvp. The pvp continues throughout the entire zone (even though the hot spot is nordrassil because most gankers find it hilarious to jump at a unsuspecting player who just got teleported in or did the intro quest (teleported in because during early beta you just teleported in to start))

Description of The Battle of Nordrassil
Here is how 'the Battle of Nordrassil' goes, first off one side will always be the most dominate in nordrassil where they 'own' the terrirtory at the moment. Whoever is currently dominate of the zone gets right while they own it to actually maybe be able to get a quest done or two if you do not own it getting a quest done will be almost impossible. (doesnt mean you are safe though) To take Nordrassil in the constant battle for it first you must be aware when fighting in the town part guards will come out and attack you, the guards are easily soloable and if you have a nice threat dump (vanish, feign death, shadowmeld) it gives you a perfect chance to get out of combat mount up and head torward the skies. The skies are the most vital part of Nordrassil, it is covered with trees branches to land on and eat up if the coast is clear, and also hide yourself. If you are currently out numbered it is still simple to take the zone, like i said stay hidden if you are caught alone mount up quickly (or fly away if already mounted up) unless they are alone then take them, if they are chasing you fly as high and far as you can until they stop they are like mobs they will stop eventually.

If you are outnumbered like i said, you must take the opposing faction out one member at a time, and take the first attack, getting your ability off first is vital if you wish to win, because the enemy will likely be suprised if they are unexperienced with the battle of nordrassil and it will give you a nice boost to take them out. Also call in some allies to help you, the more people you can get to help the easier it will be to take the area but it is very possible to take the area with 2-3 people if done with decise skill and precision on how and when you land your attacks.

There are several key spots in Nordrassil to know about, the first key spot
The Roof of the Inn - A great spot for ranged to get close enough to the ground without the guards interfering in the combat to go in and fire a couple shots/casts off down on people turning in quests or afk, great to pull out some of the crowds, but be weary do not stay here for long because this is the center and you will likely be spotted after your first kill and then you will likely find multiple of the enemy faction come and attack you even if you dominate nordrassil at the moment (Becauses they will find you as easy pray), also if you are ranged if melee of the enemy get on the roof with you, the odds are turned againest you because it gives you little room to kite and win.

The 'Dead Zone' - This is the main quest hub, consisting of the inn which is below the roof and the things around the roof (not the lake behind), in the dead zone getting into pvp combat will trigger guards (soloable but it doesnt matter if its self defense they will attack you and likely turn the odds of the fight againest you), this is the worst spot to engage in combat especially if you are melee, and if you are melee leave it to the ranged to get the kills here because they get the most vital spot to pick off people in the dead zone, the roof. If anything protect your fellow ranged on the roof from enemy melee that may get on it aswell to take out your snipers (ranged).

The Outer Ring - The outer ring consists the quests berries, friendly lizzards, and enemy mobs. You will find many unsuspecting enemies and allies questing here, the easiest spot to pick off a player, be careful when you attack though if you do not currently own nordrassil it is always dangerous when you get off your flying mount, make sure no opposing faction members are around except the one you are about to kill and wait for them to pull a mob to get the odds in your favor. Taking out the people in the outer ring is vital to win the battle because they are enemies that can easily become active hunters (not the class) if you let them proceed with their questing.

The Lake - This is the hiding spot, it is a perfect spot to swim deep into and hide if you currently dont own the zone and 3-4 of the opposing faction are scouting for you (after you made an attack and unfortunately get caught) also beware, if you get caught in this lake you are most like dead. But most the time it is a great spot, not much fighting goes on here.

The Airzone - The airzone the most deadly place in the entire battle for nordrassil. This is where all the preying hawks are looking for members of the opposing faction to jump on, if you are skilled enough you can use the branches in the area to shoot down a flyer in the airzone. Usually the airzone is populated by the faction that currenly owns the area.

The Branches and Tree - There are branches on many area perfect for you to land on and eat or drink up if low on mana or health. But do so quickly because you can never stay in one place in the entire are to long or the opposing faction will find you and eliminate you no matter who owns the zone, owning the zone only means you are more likely to recieve help when attacked and less likely to be attacked if you are in the right area. Do not get caught in combat on the branches doing so will most likely lead to death by falling, unless you are a druid.

That consists of the basics of the battelground


Tip for people looking for a realm first - Do not quest in this zone, quest in vash'jir, vash'jir has skirmishes at different points but those little battles arent constant and are nothing near to the constant threats the battle of nordrassil or any area of hyjal. But if you are starving for world pvp hyjal is your zone, and vashjir will feel like a wasteland of little pvp.

[Dark Side]

For what its worth, i remember in the early beta files of WoW, there was another night elf style battleground and it may have even been Hyjal. I cant remember why it was scrapped. I would like world pvp to make a comeback, and maybe world raids too, but not at the same time of course(that would be disasterous)

[Markluzz]

For what its worth, i remember in the early beta files of WoW, there was another night elf style battleground and it may have even been Hyjal. I cant remember why it was scrapped. I would like world pvp to make a comeback, and maybe world raids too, but not at the same time of course(that would be disasterous)

Just to make a small note this battleground isnt official or made up, it happens but i dont think it was intended, after playing the beta you will be participatiing this 'battleground' if you are on a pvp server and questing in hyjal one way or another, some longer than others, some maybe more intense at it than others but you will at least witness it or see it on a pvp server in hyjal until the expansion rush slows down