 Arathi Basin | |
|---|---|
| Level: 10-80 | |
 | |
| Location | Central Arathi Highlands |
Located in Arathi Highlands, Arathi Basin (AB for short) is a fast and exciting battleground. The Basin itself is rich with resources and coveted by both the Horde and the Alliance. The Forsaken Defilers and the League of Arathor have arrived at Arathi Basin to wage war over these natural resources and claim them on behalf of their respective sides. It is similar to "King of the Hill" or "Conquest" modes in other games.
Template:Battle
The Arathi Basin in-game map; for locations see below tactical map.
Tactical Map of Arathi Basin
Overview
The goal is to control locations on the map ("Resource Nodes"). While a node is controlled, it generates resources for your side, and the first side to gain 1,600 resources wins the contest.
Basic Rules
- Each side has up to 15 players.
- There are five Resource Nodes on the map: the Farm, the Stables (ST or sometimes called SB), the Blacksmith (BS), the Lumber Mill (LM), and the Gold Mine (GM).
- A node only earns resources when it is captured (see below). With the exception of possible strategic value, there is no difference between the nodes.
- The rate of resource accumulation increases non-linearly as more nodes are captured. That is, if a side owns 2 nodes, it will not accumulate resources 2x as fast as when it only has 1 node. See the Strategy section below for more info.
- Arathi Basin is banded by level, just like Warsong Gulch. The minimum level to join is 10, and different instances will spawn for players between levels 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, etc. up to 80-84 and 85.
Entering Arathi Basin Battleground
"Controlling vital resource points is the key to victory. Control all five, and you are virtually guaranteed it." - Loraala.
There are several methods available.
- The battlegrounds tab of the Player vs. Player window allows players to queue for a battle regardless of location.
- You can queue for the battleground through Battlemasters located in each capital city.
- The battleground can be entered directly through entrances located in the Arathi Highlands zone.
- For Alliance players, the entrance is located inside Refuge Pointe.
- For Horde players, the entrance is just north of Hammerfall.
Winning Arathi Basin
Strategy and Tactics
Accumulating Resources
Resources accumulate at the rates shown in the table below.
| Nodes Captured |
Resources Per Tick |
Tick Length (sec) |
Resources Per sec |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 12 | 0.8 |
| 2 | 10 | 9 | 1.1 |
| 3 | 10 | 6 | 1.7 |
| 4 | 10 | 3 | 3.3 |
| 5 | 30 | 1 | 30.0 |
So if your team has three nodes, their team has two nodes, and they lead 1400 to 1300, you can still win if no nodes change hands. But if your team is at 1200 you cannot win unless you gain control of four nodes.
Honor Rewards
The game awards bonus honor to everyone on your side of the match for reaching certain goals. Those goals are:
- Collecting multiples of 260 resources (at 260, 520, 780, ...), rewards 20 honor each (at level 60).
- Winning the match rewards 20 honor (at level 60).
Honor for lower level matches scales down from the amounts given. Other scored events are not granted honor. These include: killing blows, assaulting a node, capturing a node, and defending a node. Honor is awarded for honorable kills as normal.
Winning a complete match (1600 resources and the win bonus) gives 140 honor (at level 60).
Losing a match gives you less bonus honor depending on how many resources your side managed to collect before the loss. You will still accumulate some honor from honorable kills.
On the Battlegrounds Holiday weekend for Arathi Basin, the bonus honor goals are:
- Collecting multiples of 160 resources (at 160, 320, 480, ...), rewards 20 honor each (at level 60).
- Winning the match still rewards 20 honor (at level 60).
Quests
There are a number of quests involving fighting in Arathi Basin, some of which need reputation with the battleground faction. You can get them from one of the NPCs near the battleground entrances in Hammerfall or Refuge Pointe.
The first quest will usually be The Battle for Arathi Basin!, for which you need to assault four different bases.
Alliance
[60P] Control Four Bases, available at friendly and awards 1000 reputation. For this quest your team will need to assault and control 4 bases at the same time.- [60P] Control Five Bases, available at exalted. For this quest your team will need to assault and control all 5 bases at the same time. Rewards the [Arathor Battle Tabard].
Horde
- [60P] Take Four Bases, available at friendly and awards 1000 reputation. For this quest your team will need to assault and control 4 bases at the same time.
- [60P] Take Five Bases, available at exalted. For this quest your team will need to assault and control all 5 bases at the same time. Rewards the [Battle Tabard of the Defilers].
- [60P] Defiler's Advanced Care Package, available at friendly and awards 10 reputation. You also get a [Defiler's Advanced Care Package] which has 20 bandages and 20 Arathi Rations, both only usable in Arathi Basin.
Reputation
Doing battle in Arathi Basin improves your reputation with The Defilers (Horde) or The League of Arathor (Alliance).
- Collecting multiples of 160 resources (at 160, 320, 480, ...) = 10 rep (total 100 rep if you win)
- You would need 320 non-holiday wins to become exalted with the faction.
- Quests in Arathi Basin give reputation too
On the Battlegrounds Holiday weekend for Arathi Basin, the Reputation rewards are:
- Collecting multiples of 150 resources (at 150, 300, 450, ...) = 10 rep (total 130 rep if you win)
Rewards
Arathi Basin items are available by spending honor points. The Alliance vendor for these items is Samuel Hawke <League of Arathor Supply Officer> near the Alliance Arathi Basin battleground entrance in Arathi Highlands. The Horde vendor for these items is Rutherford Twing <Defilers Supply Officer> outside the Horde Arathi Basin battleground entrance in Hammerfall in Arathi Highlands.
Though some of the Arathor and Defiler factions items have different names and artwork, equivalent items' bonuses and equip effects are identical. Highlander's items are Arathor items.
The bulk of the items are belts, boots, and shoulders tailored to various classes. More powerful versions of some items can be purchased as you gain levels, allowing higher level players to receive faction rewards with better equipment bonuses.
See Honor rewards for other items which can be purchased with Honor Points.
| Item (Alliance/Horde) | Type | Level #: 
|
Classes | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Talisman of Arathor] / [Defiler's Talisman] |
Trinket | Lvl 28: 25 Lvl 38: 35 Lvl 48: 45 Lvl 58: 55 |
Unrestricted | Absorbs a fixed amount of physical damage for 15 seconds |
| [Highlander's Chain Girdle] / [Defiler's Chain Girdle] |
Waist (Leather/Mail) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Hunter, Shaman | Stamina bonus Improves chance to crit by 1% Increases attack power The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Determination or The Defiler's Determination set. |
| [Highlander's Cloth Girdle] / [Defiler's Cloth Girdle] |
Waist (Cloth) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 38: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Mage, Priest, Warlock | Stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% Increases healing done by spells and effects The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Intent or The Defiler's Intent set. |
| [Highlander's Lizardhide Girdle] / [Defiler's Lizardhide Girdle] |
Waist (Leather) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 38: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Rogue, Druid | Stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Will or The Defiler's Will set. |
| [Highlander's Leather Girdle] / [Defiler's Leather Girdle] |
Waist (Leather) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 38: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Rogue, Druid | Stamina bonus Increases chance to crit by 1% Increases attack power The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Purpose or The Defiler's Purpose set. |
| [Highlander's Lamellar Girdle] | Waist (Mail/Plate) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Paladin | Strength, stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Resolve set. |
| [Defiler's Mail Girdle] | Waist (Leather/Mail) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Hunter, Shaman | Stamina and intellect bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Defiler's Fortitude set. |
| [Highlander's Plate Girdle] / [Defiler's Plate Girdle] |
Waist (Mail/Plate) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Warrior, Paladin | Strength and stamina bonuses Improves chance to crit by 1% The level 58 version of this belt is part of The Highlander's Resolution or The Defiler's Resolution set. |
| [Highlander's Chain Greaves] / [Defiler's Chain Greaves] |
Feet (Leather/Mail) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Hunter, Shaman | Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Determination or The Defiler's Determination set. |
| [Highlander's Cloth Boots] / [Defiler's Cloth Boots] |
Feet (Cloth) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 38: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Mage, Priest, Warlock | Stamina and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases healing done by spells and effects The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Intent or The Defiler's Intent set. |
| [Highlander's Lizardhide Boots] / [Defiler's Lizardhide Boots] |
Feet (Leather) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 38: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Rogue, Druid | Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases attack power The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Will or The Defiler's Will set. |
| [Highlander's Leather Boots] / [Defiler's Leather Boots] |
Feet (Leather) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 38: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Rogue, Druid | Agility and stamina bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases attack power The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Purpose or The Defiler's Purpose set. |
| [Highlander's Lamellar Greaves] | Feet (Mail/Plate) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Paladin | Strength, agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Resolve set. |
| [Defiler's Mail Greaves] | Feet (Leather/Mail) | Lvl 28: 45 Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Hunter, Shaman | Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Run Speed increased slightly Increases chance to crit with spells by 1% The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Defiler's Fortitude set. |
| [Highlander's Plate Greaves] / [Defiler's Plate Greaves] |
Feet (Mail/Plate) | Lvl 28: 45br/> Lvl 40: 55 Lvl 48: 70 Lvl 58: 85 |
Warrior, Paladin | Strength, agility, and stamina bonuses Run Speed increased slightly The level 58 version of these boots is part of The Highlander's Resolution or The Defiler's Resolution set. |
| [Highlander's Chain Pauldrons] / [Defiler's Chain Pauldrons] |
Shoulders (Mail) | Level 60: 130 | Hunter, Shaman | Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Determination or The Defiler's Determination set. |
| [Highlander's Epaulets] / [Defiler's Epaulets] |
Shoulders (Cloth) | Level 60: 130 | Mage, Priest, Warlock | Stamina and intellect bonuses Restores 5 mana every 5 seconds Increases healing done by spells and effects These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Intent or The Defiler's Intent set. |
| [Highlander's Lizardhide Shoulders] / [Defiler's Lizardhide Shoulders] |
Shoulders (Leather) | Level 60: 130 | Rogue, Druid | Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Increases attack power These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Will or The Defiler's Will set. |
| [Highlander's Leather Shoulders] / [Defiler's Leather Shoulders] |
Shoulders (Leather) | Level 60: 130 | Rogue, Druid | Agility and stamina bonuses Increases attack power These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Purpose or The Defiler's Purpose set. |
| [Highlander's Lamellar Spaulders] | Shoulders (Plate) | Level 60: 130 | Paladin | Strength, agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Resolve set. |
| [Defiler's Mail Pauldrons] | Shoulders (Mail) | Level 60: 130 | Hunter, Shaman | Agility, stamina, and intellect bonuses Restores 4 mana every 5 seconds These shoulders are part of The Defiler's Fortitude set. |
| [Highlander's Plate Spaulders] / [Defiler's Plate Spaulders] |
Shoulders (Plate) | Level 60: 130 | Warrior, Paladin | Strength, agility, and stamina bonuses These shoulders are part of The Highlander's Resolution or The Defiler's Resolution set. |
| [Cloak of the Honor Guard] / [Deathguard's Cloak] |
Back | Level 60: 85 | Unrestricted | Agility and stamina bonuses Increases Attack Power |
| [Ironbark Staff] | Staff | Level 60: 185 | Unrestricted | Intellect and stamina bonuses Improves chance to crit with spells by 2% Increases damage and healing from spells and effects |
| [Sageclaw] / [Mindfang] |
Dagger | Level 60: 130 | Unrestricted | Stamina bonus Improves chance to crit with spells by 1% Increases damage and healing from spells and effects |
Experience in Arathi Basin
- Players are awarded ~0.8% of a level for completing a Match.
- Players are awarded ~0.8% of a level per 260 Resources.
- Players are awarded ~0.8% of a level for a Victory.
- The specific % of exp does vary per level, but it should amount to just under 16 Victories per level.
Achievements
| Title | Description | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
 [Arathi Basin Victory]
|
Win Arathi Basin.
|
10 
|
 [Arathi Basin Veteran]
|
Complete 100 victories in Arathi Basin.
|
10
|
 [Arathi Basin Perfection]
|
Win Arathi Basin with a score of 1600 to 0.
|
20
|
 [Me and the Cappin' Makin' it Happen]
|
Take 50 flags in Arathi Basin | 10
|
 [Disgracin' The Basin]
|
Assault 3 bases in a single Arathi Basin battle.
|
10
|
 [Overly Defensive]
|
Defend 3 bases in a single Arathi Basin battle.
|
10
|
 [To The Rescue!]
|
Come to the defense of a base in Arathi Basin 50 times by recapping the flag.
|
10
|
 [Resilient Victory]
|
Overcome a 500 resource disadvantage in a match of Arathi Basin and claim victory.
|
10
|
 [Territorial Dominance]
|
Win 10 Arathi Basin matches while controlling all 5 flags.
|
10
|
 [Let's Get This Done]
|
Win Arathi Basin in 6 minutes.
|
10
|
 [We Had It All Along *cough*]
|
Win Arathi Basin by 50 points or less.
|
10
|
  [The Defiler]
|
Gain exalted reputation with The Forsaken Defilers.
|
10
|
  [Knight of Arathor]
|
Gain exalted reputation with The League of Arathor. | |
 [Arathi Basin All-Star]
|
Assault and Defend 2 bases in a single Arathi Basin match.
|
20
|
 [Arathi Basin Assassin]
|
Get five honorable kills at each of the bases in a single Arathi Basin battle.
|
20
|
 [Master of Arathi Basin]
|
Complete the Arathi Basin achievements listed below. | 25
|
Patch changes
- Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Minimum required level lowered to 10, brackets now span 4 or 5 levels instead of 10.
- Patch 3.3.3 (2010-03-23): Battlegrounds will no longer award Marks of Honor.
- Players with existing Marks of Honor can still turn them in to their respective faction's quest givers, including individual marks for those who may have more marks for one Battleground than another.
- Items which previously required Marks of Honor will have their costs adjusted to remove these requirements.
- Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04):
- When standing at a capture point that you control, you will gain a buff called Honorable Defender. This buff grants +50% honor gained from kills.
- The time it requires to capture a base has been reduced to 8 seconds, down from 10 seconds.
- The game now ends when one team reaches 1600 victory points, down from 2000.
- Patch 1.8.1 (2005-10-25): Certain geometry exploits in Arathi Basin have been fixed.
- Patch 1.7.1 (2005-09-22): Altered geometry in Arathi Basin to prevent a possible exploit.
- Patch 1.7.0 (2005-09-13): Added.
See also
- Alliance battleground strategies
Historic info
External links
- Arathi Basin section at the Official site.
Previews
Humor
- Who's Arathi MP3, a parody by anim5 of International Detective Dragons From Outer Space of Abott and Costello's "Who's on First?" skit.
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