Tol Barad is an island off the coast of the Eastern Kingdoms, coveted by the leaders of the Horde and the Alliance. Its strategic and isolated location makes it an ideal stronghold from which to carry out military maneuvers. In World of Warcraft®: Cataclysm Classic™, a battle will be fought for control of this prized place. Unique rewards await its conquerors.
The Battle for Tol Barad
Just like Wintergrasp in Wrath of the Lich King Classic™, Tol Barad will be a battleground that pits teams of 80 players against each other. You can access Tol Barad through mage portals for level 85 players or through portals in Stormwind and Orgrimmar. Up to 80 players per faction will fight across the island to claim it. These battles will take place every two and a half hours.
Tol Barad will be a capture map. There are three strongholds and three towers that the defending team must keep under control. When the attackers destroy them, each tower will add five minutes to the standard fifteen-minute battle timer. To win, the attackers must capture and control all three strongholds. If the attacking team fails to do so, the defending faction will be declared the winner. Similar to The Eye of the Storm, in Tol Barad, the determination of whether a stronghold has been captured is based on the number of players from each team in the vicinity. However, another factor comes into play: every time a member of your faction is killed in the vicinity of a stronghold, the progress bar will slightly advance in favor of the opposing faction. Therefore, not only the number of players from each team in the area will matter in determining who controls it, but also the number of fallen allies.
To destroy the defenders’ towers, attackers will have access to a new type of war machine: abandoned siege engines. There will be six of these machines spread across the map, which can be used to bombard the towers. Unlike the siege engines in Wintergrasp, these cannot attack players or buildings while being driven. In this case, players must drive the machines until they are within range of the towers and then dismount from them, turning them into an automatic cannon to besiege the towers. The siege engine will continue to inflict damage on the nearest tower within its range until it is destroyed by the opposing team.
Rewards for the Victors
Players who win the Battle of Tol Barad will receive honor points and Tol Barad commendations. These commendations can be used, along with new reputations, at special vendor shops that offer epic items, mounts, and more.
Into Baradin Hold
Like the Vault of Archavon in the past, Tol Barad will offer players the opportunity to form a raid and face formidable beasts locked away in Baradin Hold to earn valuable rewards, once season 9 of PVP has started.
Completing Missions is My Mission
Aside from the battle for control of Tol Barad, there are many missions available for both factions near the main island on Tol Barad Peninsula. The Horde members will lend their aid to a new faction, the Hellscream’s Reach, which fights for control of Tol Barad. On the opposing side are the Baradin’s Wardens, an Alliance faction that also aspires to control the territory. There will be twelve unique missions available each day for both factions, regardless of who controls the battlefield. Completing these missions will grant experience, gold, and Tol Barad commendations. By completing these tasks, players will uncover information about the dangerous prisoners that Tol Barad housed and discover why this remote territory is of such importance to Hellscream’s Reach and Baradin’s Wardens. Additionally, increasing reputation with these new factions will grant access to incredible rewards.
Much is at stake following the Cataclysm, and Tol Barad will be the stage for a fierce dispute between the Horde and the Alliance, but it is up to you to help decide which side will turn this island into the next great military port of the Eastern Kingdoms.