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The Ten Ton Hammer Team flexing their muscle.

The World of Warcraft Arena Tournament is a tournament currently being held by Blizzard that has players compete for over $200,000 in cash prizes. The tournament gives players up to three free level 70s (you can delete and remake those three slots until teams are locked), any piece of high-end gear they want, access to all of the enchants and gems, and tons of various other gear like food, water, bandages, soul stones, reagents, and cash that they want. The tournament is currently going on and Ten Ton Hammer has been invited to clash swords with everyone else vying for the top.

For our first push into the Arena Realm two resident community managers, David “Xerin” Piner and Gabriel “DarkFact” Zamudio, entered into the arena realm with the intent on creating a 2v2 team to fight it out with everyone else. Their goal was simple, live to win. The world they entered was far different than the world on the live servers. The entire world has transformed into something entirely different visible from the first second they logged in.

The first major change is that there are no NPCs outside of a row of class trainers, merchants, and a few arena related NPCs. They’re all goblins dressed in various outfits that are well labeled in just what exactly they’re trying to do. Class trainers don’t exactly sell skills (when you spec a talent you’re given every rank) but they offer respecs and there is even a Hunter NPC that grants you a free pet of your choosing.

The merchants sell everything. Soul Shards and Poisons for Warlocks and Rogues make things much easier in the tournament without having to finding mobs to kill or waiting to craft poisons. Every reagent is available making buffing your arena team easy no matter the size. Bandages, food, water, mounts, and various other necessities round out the rest of the items available for sell. Enchanting merchants sell useable enchants that will enchant your gear after a short cast time. Gem merchants sell… well gems. Weapon and Armor sellers sell weapons and armor. The current season gear along with many popular raid items are available for sale.

Loading into the game grants players a full set of season 2 arena gear (the highest available set), bandages, bags, arrows (if you’re a hunter), a mount, various alternate trinkets, additional sets of season 2 gear if your class has it available, and a few other various items. The gear isn’t enchanted nor does it have gems meaning that you’ll have to enchant/socket it yourself.

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While no one may hear it, it's the truth.

The rest of the world truly is blank. There is nothing else. No Thrall defending Orgrimmar, no way into Outland to meet Rexxar, and no flight masters offering flights anywhere. There is nothing in the world. It’s blank, empty, and rather lonesome. The entire game feels different without the bustle in the major cities. The NPCs really give the game depth. Though who can complain when there is no need for them when you’re given everything you need right from the start.

Continue to the next page to hear about life on the Arena Tournament direct from our community managers.

Comments or questions? Email us ([email protected]) or post on our forums!