Tom Chilton and Cory Stockton hosted the PvP Panel. This session covered the world PvP area in Northrend, Lake Wintergrasp, and the new game mechanics therein. The main features of Lake Wintergrasp will be:
- Non-Instanced PvP - A world PvP zone, even on PvE realms. Players have to compete with those of the opposing faction to take control of the area for powerful buffs. It will also feature new destructible buildings.
- Siege Vehicle Combat - New vehicles that can be shared by players, and used to enter combat and/or destroy buildings.
- Air Combat - Players can take to the skies to try and defeat the enemy
They continued by showing a map of Lake Wintergrasp, the first time one has been displayed, and some in-game shots of the area, demonstrating the siege engines, destructible bridges and defensive positions. A brief run-down of the types of siege engines was then shown:
There will be a least four different types of seige vehicle that both factions will have access to, so they’ll be colour-coded, red for Horde and blue for Alliance. These will be used to batter down walls, bridges and hand to hand PvP.
Demolisher
- Baseline for all seige damage
- Long range
- Space for driver and 3 passengers
Forsaken Catapult
- Most agile
- Limited range
- Driver only
- Lowest damage
Siege Engine
- Hardest hitting
- Long Range
- Carries driver, a gunner in a turret and other passengers
- The passengers will be enclosed, so will not be able to attack or be attacked
Flying Machines
- Swift
- Fragile
- Vulnerable to anti-air
Goblin Shredder
- Driver only
- Carries anti-air rockets
- Close range melee attack
- Designed to counter flying machines
- Long range
The next part of the panel dealt with new the Arenas in Lich King. The first one shown was the Dalaran Arena. Based in the sewers under the city, it will be the first arena to throw the starting teams together at the start, and also features dynamic Line of Sight. Next up was the Orgrimmar arena, which will have similar points of interest.
Finally, we were shown the exciting new battleground based on an island off the coast of Dragonblight in Northrend. It will also have destructible buildings, siege engines and attack/defense strategies. We were shown shots of the new area, and told that the attackers will start on ships as they come onto the island, and the defenders will start in a fort which they have to defend.
This was followed up with a Q & A session. Check out the full video below:
