"under attack" system messages

[Penthau]

In the world defense and local defense channels, when you see the "Blah is under attack", exactly what does it mean? Does it mean that an NPC/guard has been attacked or that they have been killed? I was trying to gather information about attacks from the messages. If it just means that someone has been attacked, it doesn't really say anything about the outcome of the attack and how god the attackers are. If it means the guard has been killed and the guards are 60th level and there have been 10 messages, then I know that my level 40 isn't going to help much.

[Tanitha]

As I understand it indicates a NPC was just killed. This is based on observation while hiding in the Inn at Tarren Mill while a lvl 70 Alliance Priest decimated the wandering guards.

[SLUGFly]

and if you get a lot of those messages then something heavy is going down, especially if they continue for several minutes.

[Toxicshadow]

and if you get a lot of those messages then something heavy is going down, especially if they continue for several minutes.
Or 2 lvl 50 hunters r having fun with multishot at Sentinel Hill...

Generally speaking:
If an area above your lvl is under attack, don't go there.
If either Crossroads (horde) or Sentinel Hill (Alliance) is under attack, make sure to turn off /pvp before going there. Most common places to send raids against.
If you only see 1 or 2 "blah under attack"-messages, don't go there, as the attacker will run if you're even within 5 lvls of him.

[Ashenshugra]

Generally if horde is truely raiding people will post something like 3 lvl 40+ horde at sentinal hill.

[Daggermaniac]

I love goign there to check it out just for the hell of it (level 18 undead rogue... on a PvP server, think of the outcome ;-) lol, but its pretty fun to run up, then you start telling people in the LocalDefense and WorldDefense what class/race they are, their numbers, and other stuff. Pretty cool in my opinion...

[Rhannos]

There are also a few quests that require you to attack a NPC until he/she submits and gives you the info/item you need for that quest.
When you attack that NPC it also generates a message in defense channel(s)

[MysticMoonstone]

I've been at Crossroads when it was under attack. I have my WOW set up to only turn on PVP if I run into Contested Territory. As long as you dont go to those areas, you cannot be attacked.

Of course i learned this after hiding in a bush for an hour LOL!!!!!!