01-22-2008, 02:18 AM
I think the last time I ran into one of those marathon "Stonehearth stalemates" was on one of the early PTRs featuring pre-made characters. I was therefore for about half an hour of an AV that seemed to be running well into hour 9 or 10.
My results from this weekend: took part in 6 or 7 matches, won exactly 1 (as alliance). In the only match we won, we bypassed every single objective and took the relief hut as soon as possible. Success rates in the other matches varied from "took a couple of towers, attacking the relief hut" to "blocked at Iceblood Graveyard, denied any bonus honor". In one match we attacked IB and FW at the same time which seemed promising until the horde counterattacked and took back both before they capped. I also had the occasional match with a quarter of the alliance team AFK.
My observation is that if Horde parks a reasonable defence force at the Iceblood Graveyard chokepoint, and stops any alliance getting behind them, its very hard to stop them winning. Assaults on IB GY are possible to repel with committed defence; assualts on Stonehearth are much more difficult to stop (unless the alliance commits almost their entire defence sacrificing offence). The infamous Alliance choke-point (the final bridge) isn't much help in the current AV: it only protects the two Dun Baldar bunkers and Vandar. If you're stalling the Horde there, chances are you're down to around 200 reinforcements or less already. By that time, the Horde can play an attrition game.
My results from this weekend: took part in 6 or 7 matches, won exactly 1 (as alliance). In the only match we won, we bypassed every single objective and took the relief hut as soon as possible. Success rates in the other matches varied from "took a couple of towers, attacking the relief hut" to "blocked at Iceblood Graveyard, denied any bonus honor". In one match we attacked IB and FW at the same time which seemed promising until the horde counterattacked and took back both before they capped. I also had the occasional match with a quarter of the alliance team AFK.
My observation is that if Horde parks a reasonable defence force at the Iceblood Graveyard chokepoint, and stops any alliance getting behind them, its very hard to stop them winning. Assaults on IB GY are possible to repel with committed defence; assualts on Stonehearth are much more difficult to stop (unless the alliance commits almost their entire defence sacrificing offence). The infamous Alliance choke-point (the final bridge) isn't much help in the current AV: it only protects the two Dun Baldar bunkers and Vandar. If you're stalling the Horde there, chances are you're down to around 200 reinforcements or less already. By that time, the Horde can play an attrition game.