Welcome folks to another episode of Scenarios 101! With this episode, we start the final stretch of Scenarios with Tier 4 High Elf vs. Dark Elf!


Caledor Woods is a 12 vs. 12 Scenario based on the canyons of Caledor. Anyone in Tier 4 can participate in this Scenario when Caledor is contested.


Both Realms start on opposing sides of the Scenario to the north and south. There are a few ways out of each staring location so that you can avoid being spawn camped by would-be attackers. The terrain in this Scenario is very straightforward and lends itself to fighting all throughout the valley. At the center of the map is the capture flag, but all around it lie Dragon Essences which players can pick up for various buffs during the Scenario.


As the layout suggests, this is a very simple Scenario-it's King of the Hill at its purest. Capturing and holding the center flag earns you points toward winning the Scenario over time. Killing players also nets you points. The flag in this Scenario is captured via the standard Scenario area-capture technique.


The Caledor Woods map layout and rule-set are both very basic-take the flag, and hold it. Simple, right? Not always. What happens in this Scenario depends highly on the players involved. An initial surge from both Realms at the capture location results in one side claiming dominance in the Scenario, but this does not ensure an instant win. As we've seen in other Scenarios, splitting your forces (or at least leaving a few defenders at the capture location) is a wise move. Your main force has to be mobile to come back and get the flag defended if it comes under attack. On the flipside, if you're on the brunt end of a spawn-camp session, make your way to the left or right from the spawn locations to flank, or outright bypass, your would-be assailants! Caledor Woods is sure to give both Realms a run for their money!


Blood of the Black Cairn is an 18 vs. 18 Scenario based on the rolling lands and estates of Eataine. Anyone in Tier 4 can participate in this Scenario when Eataine is contested.


Blood of the Black Cairn is comprised of wide open spaces that allow for several focused areas of conflict throughout this Scenario. Each capture location has a different feel to it and offers varied assault and defense paths, similar to Battlefield Objectives in Eataine. But I'm getting ahead of things here. The Black Cairn has three capture locations: The Fountain, The Estate, and The Orchard. The Orchard is in the center of the map, while the Fountain and Estate are closer to one of the opposing Realm's starting locations. Realm teams start out on the north and south, respectively, and have three ways out of each starting location. As this map is based on Eataine, the terrain boasts several rolling hills and elf structures akin to the royal estates of the High Elves.


This Scenario's mechanic is a rotating King of the Hill, which means each capture location takes turns being available for capture. To capture these locations, simply interact with the flag and keep the opposing Realm from doing the same for about 30 seconds. If successful, your side will start earning points for holding that area. After three to four minutes, another capture area will open up to take over. These areas will overlap slightly to force a decision on would-be defenders and attackers to either assault a new location, or stay behind and protect their currently captured location.


Similar to Reikland Hills, this Scenario is very simple at its core, but allows for countless strategies. Capture and hold one location at a time and keep the bad guys from taking it from you, but how you go about it is entirely up to you! The trick is not getting sucked into a death-match mentality as there are 36 players in this Scenario at a time. Make sure you have a capture force and a defense force, because capturing and holding areas will net you more points than simply killing other players. How you split up those forces will determine how well your Realm does in this Scenario. A few players can splinter off to capture areas as they open, but make sure you have enough players to lock it down after 30 seconds or else the enemy is taking away your hard-earned, newly acquired capture location. Blood of the Black Cairn offers strategy and scrapping for both the zerg and tacticians of WAR!

That's it for this episode of Scenarios 101! Stay tuned for future episodes that feature special event Scenarios!

Until next time... BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!