A Beginner's Guide to Cheap Tricks in Arena

This is a collection of some of the cheap tactics that other teams have used against me in my time spent in arenas. I do not encourage or endorse using any of these, as some are walking the line of cheating. I am just reporting what I have seen with hope that Blizzard will work towards eliminating all of these. I have also included a few strategies that my teams have developed to recognize and prevent these from happening.




* Using quest items and non-combat pets:

Players simply use this as a way to clutter the screen and to make targeting slightly more difficult. Although these items do not give players any statistical advantage, they can be distracting if you aren’t expecting them.


Confirmed quest items that are being used are:


    a. [Totem of Spirits] (http://www.thottbot.com/i30094) from the Enraged Spirits quests in Shadowmoon Valley.


    b. [Archmage Vargoth's Staff] (http://www.thottbot.com/i28455) from the Image of Archmage Vargoth quests in Netherstorm.




Also, any non-combat pets can be used.  The best I've seen have been the ones that can be mistaken for tiny Polymorphed targets.



* Blade’s Edge Arena “Jail” bug:


Players, specifically healers, have been using this area to escape their opponent’s pets. This allows them to drop combat and regain Mana by drinking. The usual tactic is to lure your team to one side and CC them there, while their healer(s) run back across and drink to full. The pet bugs outside the jail and refuses to move until the player leaves. The best way to prevent this is to have all of your teammates aware of the other team’s positions at all times.




* Pet despawning:


This has mainly happened to me in Ruins of Lordaeron. It can also be done in both other Arenas, but is much more difficult. The strategy is to bait the Warlock or Hunter back to the starting area and lock them down there. While they are snared, run the pet all the way back to the other starting area. This is tough to prevent because if you pull the pet off, the player can drink. The best bet is to just pull your pet off and inform your partner.




* Nagrand Arena pillar wall jump drinking:


I have seen this once, and my opponent refused to tell me how he accomplished this. I’m assuming he found a way to wall jump up the pillar a bit. He drank to full mana, while my pet was attacking him. Awareness is the key to preventing this, also. If anyone knows exactly how he did this, please email me.




* Weapon Buffs:

Players are able to use an exploit to use weapon buffs in arena. This is done by de-equipping your weapon, putting on the buff, joining arena, then re-equipping your weapon. Many players forget to re-equip their weapon more than not, and end up hurting themselves rather than helping.


The buffs players have been using are:


a. Superior Mana Oil (http://www.thottbot.com/i22521)


b. Superior Wizard Oil (http://www.thottbot.com/i22522)


c. Sharpening Stones (http://www.thottbot.com/?s=sharpening+stone)




Recognition is everything in preventing these cheap tactics. Again, I do not encourage their use, but rather want everyone to be informed. If you have any that I did not list, post them below. I will try to edit them in. Thanks and good luck in your arenas.



Aleph

<TAO>

Tichondrius