Prime Targets in the Fourth War

Messaggio di HiVolt

With all of the posts I've read about the new war between the Alliance and the Horde, I decided to look at things from a militaristic standpoint and actually lay out what the prime targets of the two factions might be. I'll not be including major cities, because those should be understood, and I'll try to limit my list to about five main targets for each faction in no particular order. I also won't be including strongholds and cities in Northrend or Outland. This list focuses on the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor.

Alliance Targets:
1. Grom'gol Base Camp - This is the southernmost Horde base in the Eastern Kingdoms, and it is the only area in the southern Eastern Kingdoms from which the Horde could set up a force in en masse. Being in relatively close proximity to Stormwind, it would be imperative to destroy this stronghold before the Horde could move a large enough force to invade the Alliance capitol.
2. Stonard - This base situated in the Swamp of Sorrows is in close proximity to the Dark Portal, and would have an easy time of enlisting forces from Outland. As such, the Alliance would need to destroy or capture this stronghold so that the Horde would have a much harder time bringing in auxiliary forces from Outland, or sending reinforcments to Outland should war break out there as well.
3. Splintertee Post - This would be the first major target for the Alliance in Kalimdor. It would provide a stanging point for attacking the bases in the Barrens, and would effectively deprive the Horde of the resources held within Warsong Gulch.
4. Shadowprey Village - Being the only western port for the Horde, the destruction or capture of this city would be necessary to prevent retreat to Silvermoon or the Undercity from the Horde's westerly forces in Kalimdor. It would also prevent any attempt at a naval incursion on The Exodar.
5. The Echo Isles - The capture of these islands would be necessary to ensure that flight from Orgrimmar could not be readily achieved. It would also allow for a counter on the Horde sending forces to Theramore.

Horde Targets:
1. Southshore - The capture of this port would be imperative to the Horde. From this vantage, they would be able to mount a full naval assault on Kul'Tiras, Gilneas, and the Wetlands.
2. Aerie Peak - Along with being a huge morale blow to the Alliance, the capture of Aerie Peak would effectively destroy the majority of the Alliance's gryphon squadrons, and would almost certainly ensure that no aid would come to the Alliance forces in Dun Baldar.
3. Kul'Tiras - Along with being a morale boost to the Horde (forces still bitter from Admiral Daelin Proudmoore's attack upon them) and a morale shock to the Alliance, the destruction of this kingdom would completely the naval force of the Alliance in the northern and central Eastern Kingdoms. Capture of this area would be necessary to ensure Horde victory in the Eastern Kingdoms.
4. Astranaar - The capture of this city would be necessary to ensure a Horde victory in Warsong Gulch. It would also grant the Horde full control of Ashenvale which would allow the horde to mount a large enough force to lay siege to Darnassus.
5. Feathermoon Stronghold - The destruction or capture of this island would allow for further strengthening of the eastern Horde forces in Kalimdor. It would also set up a secondary eastern port should Shadowprey Village be overtaken.

There you have it, my idea of what the prime targets of the Horde and the Alliance will be in the Fourth War. If you have any that you want to add to the list, feel free to do so. If you want to speculate about Outland or Northrend, the floor is yours.

Edit: Typo in Shadowprey Village's target description.

Messaggio di Adamsm

Stonard wouldnt be cause there's nothing there, Alliance have a direct flight to Netherguarde after all. Grom'gol/Shadowprey/Splintertree are the same; there are enough alliance forces around them that they are only outposts at the most. Echo Islands makes no sense as well my friend, after all they were conquered by that Troll Witch doctor and havent been cleaned out since.

As for the Alliance towns: Southshore only makes sense in that Horde would be moving through them. Aerie Peak defended itself just fine during second and third war so I believe it would still be near impentrable in Fourth War. Kul'Tiras is out of the way, in the southern islands, and more then likey have an alliance with the Goblin trade princes so attacking them would be making an enemy out of the Goblin's. Astranaar and Feathermoon make sense due to the fact that both are sentinal base camps......but on the flip side, those are sentinal base camps with both being protected by lore figures.

Messaggio di Skreeran

Wow, this is really impressive... O.o

You really thought this out...

Messaggio di 229054

This post was from a user who has deleted their account.

Messaggio di HiVolt

I think you may be thinking of this in too much of a WoW sense, rather than in a sense of force mobilization.

Stonard wouldnt be cause there's nothing there, Alliance have a direct flight to Netherguarde after all.

While true in the sense of the flight path, I don't think you could call it feasible to move a large force through gryphons alone. We're not talking about adventurers in WoW, we're talking about soldiers.

Grom'gol/Shadowprey/Splintertree are the same; there are enough alliance forces around them that they are only outposts at the most.

Grom'gol Base Camp is the southernmost Horde base in the Eastern Kingdoms, and it lies relatively close to Stormwind. This means it would be an asset to the Horde and a prime target of the Alliance. Were the Horde able to mount a large enough force in the area, they could easily lay siege to Stormwind.

I don't see how Splintertree falls into the same category of an outpost. It's the largest Horde influence in Ashenvale, and as such would likely be the base that much of the Warsong Clan calls home. It's also in relatively close proximity to Orgrimmar, and the Alliance could mount an attack on the city from the area relatively easily.

Shadowprey on the other hand, I will give you, it is relatively small, but it is still the only area directly on the eastern coast of Kalimdor where the Horde has influence. I think it would be within reason to say the Horde would amass a naval fleet at the area.

Echo Islands makes no sense as well my friend, after all they were conquered by that Troll Witch doctor and havent been cleaned out since.

This one I'll give you, though I do believe it would be the best point to set up a staging area in the south of Durotar, what with its close proximity to the area. It could also serve as a nearby port from where an effective blockade on Bladefist Bay could make berth. Perhaps another area would serve just as well though.

As for the Alliance towns: Southshore only makes sense in that Horde would be moving through them.

Well if all goes to plan, each faction would only be moving through each of these areas.

Aerie Peak defended itself just fine during second and third war so I believe it would still be near impentrable in Fourth War.

This one I'll give you as well. But I do believe it would be worth the Horde thinking about, if not actually attempting to capture.

Kul'Tiras is out of the way, in the southern islands, and more then likey have an alliance with the Goblin trade princes so attacking them would be making an enemy out of the Goblin's.

Kul'Tiras is not in the southern islands. It's actually off the coast of Khaz Modan. It also has the largest naval fleet in the Alliance. It's a wonderful target for the Horde. And I don't think you should assume that they have an alliance with the Goblin trade princes. Sure they are mainly a merchant nation, but the Goblins haven't made the mistake of allying with anyone since the Second War. I would say them having a contract with Kul'Tiras is a better choice of words, but then they have a contract with the Horde also. Remember the zeppelins?

Astranaar and Feathermoon make sense due to the fact that both are sentinal base camps......but on the flip side, those are sentinal base camps with both being protected by lore figures.

I don't see how them being protected by lore figures makes any difference. Who's to say that the Horde armies that attack them won't be?

Thanks for the observations; with a few of them I think I did need to clarify the reasoning.

Messaggio di Adamsm

Astranaar and Feathermoon make sense due to the fact that both are sentinal base camps......but on the flip side, those are sentinal base camps with both being protected by lore figures.
I don't see how them being protected by lore figures makes any difference. Who's to say that the Horde armies that attack them won't be?

In those cases Im just saying, attacking both of those towns would be equal to the Alliance attacking Razor Hill, Bloodhoof Village or Brill; all towns with large number of the elite guards. Don't forget, the Sentinals held off the Demon Forces in War of the Ancients and first part of the 3rd War. Those are the elite of the elite of the Night Elf forces.

Messaggio di HiVolt

In those cases Im just saying, attacking both of those towns would be equal to the Alliance attacking Razor Hill, Bloodhoof Village or Brill; all towns with large number of the elite guards. Don't forget, the Sentinals held off the Demon Forces in War of the Ancients and first part of the 3rd War. Those are the elite of the elite of the Night Elf forces.

I understand your reasoning, and even though these targets would be undeniably hard to capture, it could still be done, especially with Feathermoon Stronghold due to it's location. And the only reason I left out the Razor Hill/Bloodhoof/etc. is because I would think that an attack on the zone itself would lead to a siege of the city. Once you've pushed that far into enemy territory, it's hard for you to be derailed.

You forgot Hammerfall / Refuge Point ^^.

I'm glad you brought this up, for either faction to take one of these areas would grant them the resources of Arathi Basin, and could turn the tide in the north of the Eastern Kingdoms. Not to mention, it would be beneficial for the Alliance to take Hammerfall on a morale level. What would be a bigger shot to the ego of the Horde than capturing the town where one of the Horde's greatest heroes fell in battle?

Messaggio di HiVolt

On a side note to all of this, I'd like to talk about the importance of Theramore in the Fourth War. Let's take a look at the facts before the speculation.

Populace:
The city is ruled by Lady Jaina Poudmoore, who has been campaigning for a peaceful coexistence between the Alliance and the Horde since she heeded Medivh's advice and fled to Kalimdor. However, the city is inhabited by natives of the northern Eastern Kingdoms, most of which still hold a hatred for the Horde.

Location:
The city is situated on the southeast of Horde territories in Kalimdor. As such, it is on a flank of the Horde, the other being the forces from Darnassus and the Exodar.

Armed Forces:
Theramore contains the largest Alliance naval force in Kalimdor since the rampant destruction in Azshara at the hands of Illidan Stormrage and Lady Vashj.

Now for the speculation:

If Theramore does indeed stick to its allegiance with the Alliance, it would be put at a precarious position in Kalimdor. While in cooperation with Darnassus and the Exodar, it could, barring any Horde victories, effectively cut off Orgrimmar from Thunder Bluff. This could be done by capturing or destroying Horde bases in the south of Kalimdor, while Alliance forces in the north capture or destroy Horde bases there. Through these means, the Horde territory in Kalimdor would be reduced to Durotar, The Barrens, and Mulgore. If the northern and southern Alliance forces made a simultaneous push into the Barrens, the supply and force lines between Thunder Bluff and Orgrimmar would be severed, isolating them.

On the other hand, Theramore is isolated from the rest of the Alliance in both Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. As such, it would be made into one of the first major targets of the Horde on the continent. If the Horde were to allow the presence of Theramore in the southeast, they could be setting themselves up for disaster later in the war.

Messaggio di HiVolt

With the Cataclysm having been announced, and the confirmation of hostility between the Horde and the Alliance, some of these seem to be coming true. Others however, not so much.

What changes might you make to this?

What has increased in strategic value? What has decreased?

Messaggio di Adamsm

Well, you can take off Southshore now that we know it's going to be crushed in Cataclysm. Astranaar is under assault from what we saw in the trailer, as well as most of Ashenvale being clear cut, and the Horde is now getting an outpost in lower Darkshore which should be interesting; closer flight point for a strike against Teldrassil.

Messaggio di Orranis

Well, with Cataclysm, some places such a Desolace will become a lot more important for resources. Pretty much any place with Boats/Zepplins would be good as well.

Messaggio di Monday

What about targets in Outlands? During the Cataclysm would be a prime time to capture them, as most produce metals, and resources unavailable on Azeroth.

Edit: I think Stromgarde should be a targer as well, as by now it should be recaptured.

Messaggio di HiVolt

Speaking of Desolace... I think due to that regrowth, Shadowprey is going to become a much bigger target than it was previously.

All it would take to cut it off completely from the rest of the Horde is a joint movement from Feathermoon Stronghold and Nigel's Point.

If the Alliance could take that town, they would essentially own everything on Southwest Kalimdor.

Messaggio di Adamsm

Aye, that is true; have another port there as well.

As for Stromgarde, it is being reclaimed in Cata as well.

Messaggio di HiVolt

I think I'll take some time to revise and rework the original list to reflect the changes we know about in Cataclysm, and try to work in Outland and Northrend, the latter especially.

Messaggio di Monday

I think I'll take some time to revise and rework the original list to reflect the changes we know about in Cataclysm, and try to work in Outland and Northrend, the latter especially.

Aye. Northrend is just ripe for fighting, especially with all the RAS stuff affecting the feeling of the soldiers in Northrend.

Messaggio di Adamsm

Messaggio di HiVolt

Well, Northrend is only important in the ports; it's only suppose to be the southern coastline that's taking the hit; so Valiance Keep, Valguarde, the Walrus people, and Warsong hold should be taking a hit. As for Outlands; I don't know, unless there going to do something with the Netherwing and the 2-3 hidden lairs of Deathwing in Outland, can't see them doing much more with it.

I agree, Northrend will be invaluable for it's ports, that's the main reason that I want to work it in.

As for Outland, honestly... the ore would be nice, but I really don't see it as being of extreme strategic importance.

There's plenty of ore in Azeroth, and Azeroth has the benefit of having vast forests as well. Outland is much more limited in those areas. The harvesting of energies from the Nether is about the only thing I could see being of worth in Outland.

Prime Targets in the Fourth War

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