Battle for Darkshore

The Battle for Darkshore is the second warfront in Battle for Azeroth where the Forsaken and the night elves struggle for control of a staging area near the former night elven capital region of Teldrassil.

It also came with an updated outdoor Darkshore region.

• The Moonspray — Starting area for the Alliance, off the coast of the Ruins of Auberdine.
• Bashal'Aran — Capture and Rebuild!
• Tree of Life — Main structure which improves the base.
• It can be further upgraded into the Tree of Ages and later the Tree of Eternity; which further increase resource collection and troop deployment rates.
• Altar of Elders — Access to powerful player bonuses
• Ancient of War — Primary troop production building.
• Glaiveworks — Vehicle production building.
• Hunter's Lodge — Upgrade the weapons and armor of units.
• Lornesta Mine — Allows for the collection of iron.
• Cinderfall Grove — Allows for the collection of wood.
• Forlorn Crossing — Secure a foothold in Darkshore.
• Gloomtide Strand — Summon an Archdruid to assist your army. Allows the recruitment of druid units.
• Ashwood Depot — Capture to provide fast access to captured locations. Allows the recruitment of huntress units.
• Lor'danel Landing — Capture to lay siege to the Dredge.
• The Dredge — Assault and defeat the enemy commander.

• The Black Arrow — Starting area for the Horde, off the coast of the Ruins of Auberdine.
• Bashal'Aran — Capture and Rebuild!
• Great Hall — Main structure which improves the base.
• It can be further upgraded into a Stronghold and later a Fortress; which further increase resource collection and troop deployment rates.
• Altar of Storms — Access to powerful player bonuses.
• Barracks — Primary troop production building.
• Plagueworks — Vehicle production building.
• Armory — Upgrade the weapons and armor of units.
• Lornesta Mine — Allows for the collection of iron.
• Cinderfall Grove — Allows for collection of wood.
• Forlorn Crossing — Secure a foothold in Darkshore.
• Gloomtide Strand — Summon an Abomination to assist your army. Allows for recruitment of Alchemist units
• Ashwood Depot — Capture to provide fast access to captured locations. Allows for recruitment of Lancer units.
• Lor'danel Landing — Capture to lay siege to the Dredge.
• The Dredge — Assault and defeat the enemy commander.

With most of the night elf population seemingly destroyed in the War of the Thorns, Tyrande Whisperwind subsequently asked Anduin Wrynn for Alliance aid in reclaiming Darkshore and the remains of Teldrassil from the Horde, but Anduin was unable to acquiesce, arguing that their resources would be stretched too thin with the Alliance already simultaneously engaging on several battlefronts at Arathi and Zandalar throughout the course of the Fourth War, but vowed to help reclaim Teldrassil before the war's conclusion (although he apparently was unable to do so). Maiev Shadowsong, Sira Moonwarden and Shandris Feathermoon also unsuccessfully asked Anduin for assistance shortly afterwards, but were able to secure support from Gilneas and Genn Greymane as well as Alliance adventurers.

Almost immediately after the successful completion of the Night Warrior ritual in Bashal'Aran by High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind in revenge for the Burning of Teldrassil at the hands of Sylvanas Windrunner, Maiev and Shandris were ordered to prepare the night elves' forces for war against the Horde to reclaim the ancestral lands of Darkshore for the kaldorei. Although Tyrande and Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage were able to temporarily drive away Nathanos Blightcaller and slay Brynja, several night elves, including Delaryn Summermoon and Sira Moonwarden (despite her efforts to follow and slay the Horde adventurer ) were raised as Forsaken, embittered and disillusioned by Tyrande and Elune's apparent abandonment of them when they needed them most. Malfurion Stormrage personally intercepted and ambushed several Horde convoys bringing supplies to the warfront, killing most of the party, with the lone surviving troll left traumatized by his close encounter with death and reporting the experience shortly afterwards to the commanders of the Horde base in Darkshore. Tyrande and Malfurion along with Dori'thur, Tyrande's owl companion, and other night elf forces, then confronted Nathanos and his forces yet again, although Nathanos would survive the encounter and the battle would continue elsewhere.

With most of Darkshore still seemingly controlled by Horde forces, the Alliance forces under Maiev Shadowsong's leadership (including adventurers from Boralus ) launched a full-scale coastal attack from the Moonspray, assaulting and capturing the Ruins of Auberdine and killing the death knight Deathguard Captain Vandel, destroying the Forsaken's Blight Throwers in the process. After rescuing several ancients, the Alliance forces, largely consisting of night elves and Gilneans (the latter personally led by Princess Tess Greymane), fought beside Maiev and cleared a path towards Bashal'Aran, where they slew Blightguard Captain Thedric and reclaimed the ancient Highborne settlement for their main base of operations against the Horde. Malfurion rallied the Tree of Life Shadebough, the Ancient of War Gnarlroot, and the Ancient of Lore Elderbranch to aid their efforts, and Jarod Shadowsong helped recruit additional allies from Bashal'Aran, where most of Maiev's surviving Wardens (including Mirana Starlight, Marin Bladewing, Drelanim Whisperwind, Shalis Darkhunter, and Malace Shade) were also stationed. Shortly afterwards, Lornesta Mine and Cinderfall Grove were also captured, their iron and wood benefiting the Alliance soldiers and reinforcing their buildings respectively.

After successfully constructing an Altar of Elders (enhancing individual player strengths with the aid of Moon Priestess Lasara), the Hunter's Lodge (allowing the upgrade and armor of units by Sentinel Cordressa Briarbow), and the Glaiveworks (from which glaive thrower vehicles were built by Erion Shadewhisper), the Alliance forces were able to capture Forlorn Crossing, Gloomtide Strand, and Ashwood Depot in quick succession, further substantially bolstering their strategic assets and resources. After Ashwood was captured, Mordent Evenshade and Fidelio Featherleaf managed to effectively open a flight path network throughout the region, with the aid of the kaldorei's hippogryph riders and chimaera; Thisalee Crow and Keeper Dagda inspired the wisps at Cinderfall Grove to gather necessary wood resources; and Gloomtide Strand considerably empowered the night elves' druidic forces as well, enabling them to heal and restore their allies. They then moved northwards and routed the remaining Horde forces, including Magmaster Blastcrank and an azerite-fueled shredder, at the ruins of the destroyed and blighted night elf town Lor'danel, reclaiming what remained of the settlement for the kaldorei and securing Lor'danel Landing. For their final assault, the Alliance forces and Maiev herself together attacked the Dredge, an artificial goblin platform in the Veiled Sea, subsequently defeating Sira Moonwarden and ultimately winning the Battle for Darkshore for the Alliance.

Night elves

• (rallies the ancients to aid the Alliance cause at Bashal'Aran)
• , a Tree of Life
• , an Ancient of War
• , an Ancient of Lore

• (Commander of the Alliance forces, appointed by Tyrande Whisperwind)
• (General of the Sentinel Army)
• (Recruitment Officer at Bashal'Aran)
• (offered a variety of quests during the conflict)
• (helped open flight path network)
• (provided hippogryph flight path throughout the battlefield)
• (stationed at the Hunter's Lodge)
• (stationed at the Altar of Elders)
• (stationed at the Glaiveworks)
• (stationed at Lornesta Mine)
• (stationed at Forlorn Crossing)
• (stationed at the Twilight Vale)
• (huntress who fought at Ruins of Auberdine)
• (archdruid who fought at Bashal'Aran)
• (warrior who fought at Lor'danel Landing)
• (mage slain by the Horde)
• (druid slain by the Horde)
• (huntress slain by the Horde)
• (Highborne warrior and ghost attacked by the Horde at the Ruins of Mathystra)
• (stationed near Cinderfall Grove)
• (stationed at the Grove of the Ancients)
• (located north of Bashal'Aran)
• (located in the Withering Thicket)
• (located at the Maw of the Void while fighting Croz Bloodrage)

The Wardens (stationed at Bashal'Aran):

The Moonspray Crew:

Gilneans and other Alliance NPCs:

• (stationed at Gloomtide Strand)
• (stationed at Nazj'vel)

The Altar of Elders at Bashal'Aran, with the aid of Moon Priestess Lasara, allows the transformation of Alliance players into: A Keeper of the Grove, a defensive tank unit with potent area attacks and self-healing abilities. A Faerie Dragon, a healer unit that restores allies. A Dryad, a ranged attack unit with devastating poison.

Trained Troops recruited by Jarod Shadowsong: - Sentinel: A melee combatant, able to provide the strength and perseverance to progress your efforts on the battlefield - Sentinel's Glaive - Archer: Agile, ranged recruits, able to inflict great damage from a distance - Shoot - Druid: A druid skilled in restorative magic, able to heal the wounds of injured allies - Healing Touch - Huntress: Hardened warriors which act as tanks, proficient in mounted combat tactics, including the ability to stun and inflict potent amounts of damage to nearby enemies - Charge

🇨🇴

• Stage 1 – For Auberdine!
• Remove the Forsaken threat at the ruins of Auberdine.
• Auberdine threat reduced

• Stage 2 – Applying Pressure
• Defeat the Horde's forward commander at the ruins of Auberdine
• Deathguard Captain Vandel defeated

• Stage 3 – Protecting the Ancients
• Rescue the Ancient Protectors.
• Rescue the Ancients

• Stage 4 – Maintaining Momentum
• Fight beside your commander to clear a path to Bashal'Aran.
• Clear a path to Bashal'Aran

• Stage 5 – A Presence No More
• Defeat Blightguard Captain Thedric at Bashal'Aran.
• Blightguard Captain Thedric defeated

• Stage 6 – Reclaim Bashal'Aran
• Reclaim Bashal'Aran for the Alliance.
• Reclaim Bashal'Aran

• Stage 7 – Sinking Our Roots
• Expand your base at Bashal'Aran.
• Restore the Ancient of War
• Construct the Altar of Elders
• Construct the Hunter's Hall

• Stage 8 – Advancing Our Efforts
• Construct the means necessary to defeat the enemy.
• Restore the Tree of Ages
• Construct the Glaiveworks
• Build a Glaive Thrower

• Stage 9 – The Northern Shore
• Remove the remaining Horde threat at Lor'danel Landing.
• AzerMEK MK II defeated (x2)
• Magmaster Blastcrank defeated
• Dredge Defences Destroyed

• Stage 10 – The Fallen Moon
• Defeat the enemy commander and reclaim Darkshore for the Alliance.
• Horde commander defeated

🇨🇴

• Stage 1 – Purging the Ruins
• Remove the Kaldorei presence from the ruins of Auberdine.
• Auberdine purged

• Stage 2 – Advance the Front
• Defeat the Alliance's forward commander at the ruins of Auberdine.
• Nevara Nightshade defeated

• Stage 3 – Free the Ensnared
• Save Master Apothecary Farenell and Deathstalker Commander Belmont from the Druids of the Branch.
• Deathstalker Commander Belmont Freed
• Master Apothecary Faranell freed

• Stage 4 – Charge Onward
• Fight beside your commander to clear a path to Bashal'Aran.
• Clear a path to Bashal'Aran

• Stage 5 – Crush the Resistance
• Defeat Archdruid Andrenius at Bashal'Aran
• Archdruid Andrenius defeated

• Stage 6 – Establish a Foothold
• Claim Bashal'Aran for the Horde.
• Claim Bashal'Aran

• Stage 7 – Enhance Our Operations
• Expand your base at Bashal'Aran.
• Construct the Barracks
• Construct the Altar of Storms
• Construct the Armory

• Stage 8 – Advancing The Effort
• Construct the means necessary to defeat the enemy.
• Construct the Stronghold
• Construct the Plagueworks
• Build a Forsaken Blight Thrower

• Stage 9 – The Northern Shore
• Remove the remaining Alliance threat at Lor'danel Landing.
• Ancient Protector defeated (x2)
• Myara Nightsong defeated
• Warship Glaivethrower destroyed (x4)

• Stage 10 – End of the Road
• Defeat the enemy commander and claim Darkshore for the Horde.
• Alliance commander defeated

...

🇨🇴 ... 🇨🇴 ...

• Alliance
• Horde

Alliance and Horde players will have an introductory scenario, going over the events leading up to the warfront in Darkshore.

The Warfront feature is active for Alliance players immediately and starts the countdown clock for Horde players who wish to access Darkshore. This stage will last for 7 days.

The Horde starts off controlling Darkshore. During this stage, Horde players will be able to teleport to Darkshore, where there will be some things to do:

• Complete a number of quests in the area.
• Kill rare spawns for mounts and toys.
• A special World Quest which tasks players with killing a World Boss named Ivus the Forest Lord for loot.

Neither team is able to access the Warfront feature at this time. This stage will last until the Horde reaches 100% contribution.

Now, The Alliance will be able to teleport to Darkshore at any point as they maintain control. There will be some things to do:

• Complete a number of quests in the area.
• Kill rare spawns for mounts and toys.
• Defeat the World Boss Ivus the Corrupted for loot.

Similar to stage one, Horde players will be able to access Warfronts and the countdown clock for Alliance control of Arathi starts. This phase will also last for 7 days.

The content that Alliance players have will not change. They are still able to teleport to the zone, complete quests and kill the World Boss Ivus the Corrupted for loot.

Just like the second stage, neither team is able to access the Warfront feature at this time. This stage will last until the Alliance reaches 100% contribution.

Now, Horde will once again be able to teleport to Darkshore at any point as they maintain control. There will again be some things to do:

• Complete a number of quests in the area.
• Kill rare spawns for mounts and toys.
• Defeat the World Boss Ivus the Forest Lord for loot.

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• Capturing Bashal'Aran
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• Capturing Lornesta Mine & Cinderfall Grove
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• Lor'danel Landing taken
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• Assaulting the Dredge
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• Attacking Sira Moonwarden
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• Capturing Bashal'Aran
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• Lor'danel Landing taken
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• Assaulting the Dredge
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• Attacking Maiev Shadowsong
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• Victory
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• While the Battle for Stromgarde was reminiscent of the Warcraft III battles between the Alliance and the Horde, the Darkshore warfront is a callback to the night elven and Scourge ones.
• Initially, it was planned to have more enemy commanders beside Maiev Shadowsong and Sira Moonwarden during the warfront rotations, with Malfurion Stormrage and Nathanos Blightcaller being another ones. They both appear in the Battle for Darkshore, but have comparatively limited roles.
• Notably, Tyrande Whisperwind herself although appearing at the Tides of Vengeance cinematic, is not present at the Battle for Darkshore, implying she is engaging Forsaken and Horde forces elsewhere in the region.

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