The Drek Rush

The Alterac Valley weekend just passed was very interesting. I usually run them numerous times to get as much Honour as possible. Win or lose doesn't really matter to me just so long as it's interesting. And, this was interesting.

There was a move afoot to try something that I haven't seen so publicly discussed before. I shall call it the "Drek Rush". The chat was filled with cries to rush Drek, everyone rush Drek and kill him, quick as possible. Kill Drek and the game is over and won. Anyway, "interesting notion" I reflected to myself. I put in a comment encouraging the idea and maybe a warning that leaving everything undefended would give the Horde an equal chance to do the same thing to us. Prophetic as it turned out, several times over.

The first time, I died at Tower Point and ended up "rezzing" at Dun Baldar First Aid Station. Thats how far the Horde had advanced while we were still only at Tower Point. They had already taken Stonehearth GY and Stormpike GY. We had taken Iceblood GY but it wasn't ours yet, perhaps they were in a similar situation. Through attrition at the frontline our numbers increased in defending Dun Baldar. We were able to push the Horde back and eventually retake Stormpike GY however it was far too late. Our reinforcements were depleted to the point where it was only time before we ran out.

The second and third times our people actually got as far as Drek and the two Frostwolf Towers, and there it seemed to stall. Once again I ended up in the defence however this time we were outgunned and outclassed. The forward elements seemed to have the numbers and the time but kept arguing about what to actually do. Both times they just ran out of time. The Horde, far more together and co-ordinated, and no appearance at all of hesitation over what they needed to do, just pushed through against all opposition and killed Stormpike himself.

So why didn't it work. The Drek Rush. Well I figure for several reasons. One, it was AV weekend. All the best Horde are going to be there when there is bonus honour to be made. Two, it was evening. The Horde are at their worst early in the morning; as they start waking up late morning they get on and go for it. Three, there must be no hesitation about a Drek Rush. All your own resources are abandoned in the hope of taking theirs quicker than they take yours. Four, everyone thought it was a good idea but there was no precise plan of action, and no clear idea of what actually works.

So. What actually works? Phase One. Take Iceblood Graveyard. Leave a small group to defend it and move up to Tower Point. Wait for Tower Point to fall to you, burst into flames, before moving forward. While waiting send a group to take out Iceblood Tower. This is a short period of defence. The team must hold Tower Point, Iceblood Graveyard and Iceblood Tower. These three make an immensely strong triangle in the middle of their territory. When all three are definitely yours then move on the Frostwolf Graveyard in bulk. This begins Phase Two and roughly 10 minutes have elapsed.

Frostwolf Graveyard must be overwhelmed and a small force must defend it to ensure that it comes to the Alliance. FWGY is the resurection point for troops who die when taking out Drek, the run from IBGY is too long. The bulk of the forward elements must then take both East and West Frostwolf Towers, and they must burst into flames before taking out Drek.

Phase Three. Final Phase. Take out Drek. Everyone goes in and focuses on Drek. The Drek supporters are not material and will die however it is important that Drek dies first. Drek dies and the game is won. In the old days there was time to take out the Drek supporters one at a time. Not anymore. Go in, spread out and focus on Drek. DO NOT leave the room. If Drek leaves the room chasing an idiot runner then he resets to full health. (Same applies to Galv).

When I was part of a team that took out Drek in 20 minutes we also took out Galv and the Frostwolf Relief Hut. It was dream like. I have not mentioned Galv or the Frostwolf Relief Hut here however so long as the team can do them without being distracted by the main goal then by all means do them. Galv must be brought down while waiting for Tower Point to fall and when Tower Point falls everyone must be ready to move on FWGY. The Frostwolf Relief Hut can be taken while waiting for the East and West towers to burn. Good luck.