 Arathi Basin | |
|---|---|
| Level: 10-70 | |
 Loading screen as of patch 8.1.5 | |
| Races |
  Human  Forsaken |
| Major settlements |
 Trollbane Hall Defiler's Den |
| Location | Arathi Highlands |
| PvP status | Combat zone |
| Conflict in Arathi Basin | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Arathi Basin | ||||||||||
| Result | Unknown, ongoing | ||||||||||
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| Previous | Conflict in Warsong Gulch | ||||||||||
| Next | Conflict in Alterac Valley | ||||||||||
Arathi Basin (pronounced Ah-RATH-ee)[1] (AB for short) is a fast and exciting battleground, located in the Arathi Highlands. The Basin itself is known for its rich mines, fertile land and skilled craftsmen[2] and is 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. A resource race battleground, players must dominate the Basin's bases in order to claim its resources, similar to "King of the Hill" or "Conquest" modes in other games.
There also exists a "Winter Arathi Basin" version, introduced as a PvP Brawl.
Official overview[]
Arathi Basin is a mountain-rimmed valley with some of the most arable acres in the Eastern Kingdoms. The basin has long been a prime point of societal development, offering lumber, gold and prime grazing land for livestock. It was only a matter of time before this fertile place was viewed through the sights of bows and guns.
The Basin's earliest days (and original owners) aren't even footnotes in history – the land frenzy driving Alliance and Horde now dominates the landscape. The League of Arathor, the remnants of the once-proud kingdom of Stromgarde (now occupied by ogres and the criminals of the Syndicate), would claim the basin to profit their allies in Stormwind (and, through them, the whole of the Alliance). Set against them are the forsaken Defilers, free-willed undead who strive to savage the human kingdom of Lordaeron and secure their home in the Undercity – and they demand Arathi's resources to do it.[3]
Description[]
The Arathi Basin is one of the main staging points of war between the humans and the Forsaken in Azeroth. Arathi Basin is a 15 vs 15 domination battleground, where each side attempts to control the Stables, Blacksmith, Mine, Lumbermill and Farm for as long as possible. The Defilers' elite troopers seek to sever the vital connection between the humans and their dwarven allies to the south. Meanwhile, the League of Arathor seek to reclaim lost lands for their benefactors in Stormwind.
Geography[]
Maps and subregions[]
Map of Arathi Basin.
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Map of Winter Arathi Basin.
Map of Arathi Basin prior to patch 8.1.5.
Horde cave entrance behind Hammerfall.
Alliance cave entrance in Refuge Pointe.
Entering Arathi Basin[]
As with all battlegrounds, players of sufficient level can queue for Arathi Basin through the PvP interface.
Players can also queue by speaking to a battlemaster, found in capital cities, or by traveling to their faction's game world entrance to Arathi Basin, found in the Arathi Highlands. The Alliance entrance is located inside Refuge Pointe, while the Horde entrance is located just behind Hammerfall. However, all methods open the same window, offering players the same options. There is, therefore, no practical reason not to simply queue via the PvP interface.
Overview[]
Tactical map of Arathi Basin.
The objective is to be the first team to gain 1,500 resources. This is done by controlling locations on the map ("Resource Nodes"). While a node is controlled, it generates resources for the faction's team that controls it.
Basic rules[]
- Each team may have up to 15 players.
- There are five Resource Nodes on the map: the Farm, the Stables (ST), the Blacksmith (BS), the Lumber Mill (LM), and the Gold Mine (GM or Mine).
- A node only earns resources when it is captured (see below). With the exception of possible strategic value, there is no resource difference between the nodes.
- The rate of resource accumulation increases non-linearly as more nodes are captured. That is, if a team owns 2 nodes, it will not accumulate resources 2x as fast as when it only has 1 node. See below for more info.
Accumulating resources[]
Resources accumulate at the rates shown in the table below.
| Nodes Captured |
Resources per Tick (2 sec) |
Resources per sec |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 1.5 |
| 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 4 | 7 | 3.5 |
| 5 | 60 | 30 |
"Controlling vital resource points is the key to victory. Control all five, and you are virtually guaranteed it." — Loraala.
Honor rewards[]
The game awards bonus honor to everyone on your side of the match for reaching certain goals. The amount of honor gained varies according to level. Those goals are:
- Collecting multiples of 100 resources.
- Winning the match
Losing a match results in less bonus honor, dependent on how many resources your team managed to collect before the loss.
Other scored events do not award bonus honor. These include: killing blows, assaulting a node, capturing a node, and defending a node.
Reputation[]
Participating in Arathi Basin improves your reputation with The Defilers (Horde) or The League of Arathor (Alliance).
- Collecting multiples of 100 resources grants 50 reputation (up to a total 750 rep per win).
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.
Strategy and tactics[]
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].
- [10-30] 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.
Arathi Basin items[]
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: 45 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 |
Achievements[]
| Title | Description | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
 [Arathi Basin Victory]
|
Win Arathi Basin.
|
10 
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 [Arathi Basin Veteran]
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Complete 100 victories in Arathi Basin.
|
10
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 [Arathi Basin Perfection]
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Win Arathi Basin with a score of 1600 to 0.
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20
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 [Me and the Cappin' Makin' it Happen]
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Take 50 flags in Arathi Basin | 10
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 [Disgracin' The Basin]
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Assault 3 bases in a single Arathi Basin battle.
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10
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 [Overly Defensive]
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Defend 3 bases in a single Arathi Basin battle.
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10
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 [To The Rescue!]
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Come to the defense of a base in Arathi Basin 50 times by recapping the flag.
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10
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 [Resilient Victory]
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Overcome a 500 resource disadvantage in a match of Arathi Basin and claim victory.
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10
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 [Territorial Dominance]
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Win 10 Arathi Basin matches while controlling all 5 flags.
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10
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 [Let's Get This Done]
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Win Arathi Basin in 6 minutes.
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10
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 [We Had It All Along *cough*]
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Win Arathi Basin by 50 points or less.
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10
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 [The Defiler]
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Gain exalted reputation with The Forsaken Defilers.
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10
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 [Knight of Arathor]
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Gain exalted reputation with The League of Arathor. | |
 [Arathi Basin All-Star]
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Assault and Defend 2 bases in a single Arathi Basin match.
|
20
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 [Arathi Basin Assassin]
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Get five honorable kills at each of the bases in a single Arathi Basin battle.
|
20
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 [Master of Arathi Basin]
|
Complete the Arathi Basin achievements listed below. | 25
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Historic info[]
Notes and trivia[]
- Looking around the Basin's scenery, classes with tracking can spot Arathi Giants, Arathi Ragers, Bound Arathi Ragers channeling or attacking each other, as well as Highland Bristlebacks, Highland Thrashers, and Plains Creepers on their minimap.
- Members of the Horde managed to capture and domesticate some of the horses from the stables.[4]
- The intended setting of the Arathi Basin is meant to evoke the Scottish Highlands.[5]
Gallery[]
Patch 8.1.5 remaster.
Winter Arathi Basin Brawl.
Winter Arathi Basin loading screen.
Old loading screen prior to patch 8.1.5.
Patch changes[]
- Patch 8.1.5 (2019-03-12): Updated to current expansion quality.
- Patch 7.2.0 (2017-03-28): Added Arathi Blizzard PvP Brawl.
- Patch 6.2.0 (2015-06-23): Capturing a point in the following Battlegrounds now takes 6 seconds (down from 7 seconds).
- Arathi Basin
- The Battle for Gilneas
- Deepwind Gorge
- Rated Eye of the Storm
- Hotfix (2015-01-13): Players should now always have a fixed 25-second resurrection timer while in a Rated Battleground match.
- Hotfix (2015-01-09): Using Ice Floes or Aspect of the Fox should no longer incorrectly allow players to capture a point while moving.
- Hotfix (2015-01-08): Capturing a point in Arathi Basin, The Battle for Gilneas City, and the Rated Battlegrounds version for Eye of the Storm should now take 7 seconds (down from 8 seconds). This change restores time to capture a point back to what it was for these Battlegrounds in pre-6.0.2.
- Hotfix (2014-11-03): Increased Honor gains for Arathi Basin, Deepwind Gorge, Eye of the Storm, and The Battle for Gilneas. Honor is now awarded for every 150 resources gathered (up from Honor being awarded for every 250 resources gathered).
- Hotfix (2014-03-11): Bonus [Honor] is now awarded to the team for every 130 resources gained (down from 260) or every 100 resources gained when it’s featured on Call to Arms (down from 200).
- 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[]
- Arathi Basin, TCG card
References[]
External links[]
| Arathi Basin | Old Arathi Basin | Winter Arathi Basin | Comp Stomp | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
World of Warcraft Official Game Guide - Arathi BasinHumor[]
- 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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