#1 - Nov. 16, 2012, 7:30 a.m.
The time has come for an event unlike any before in Blizzard Entertainment history (yes, including BlizzCon!). Over the past year, more than 600 professional players from around the world competed in one of the industry's most epic eSports contests ever.
The field has now been narrowed to the 32 best StarCraft II players and 10 best World of Warcraft Arena teams—each of whom will face off for more than $500,000 in prizes and the title of world champion.
We have staff working 'round the clock on the showfloor in Shanghai (say "ni hao" to China's Uncle Bashiok!), here at Blizzard headquarters, as well as from our offices around the globe, to make this event one for the record books.
Dungeon Challenge with Stars and Supreme Quicksand by Daxxarri
Witness five-player teams from each of Asia’s top raiding guilds, Stars and Supreme Quicksand, prove their mettle by competing simultaneously in the Dungeon Challenge, a Challenge Mode race through Shado-pan Monastery, Scarlet Halls, and Stormstout Brewery. Each team must use only a single party composition throughout the competition, and only the most skilled players will turn in the fastest time to emerge victorious. Learn more.
Raid Challenge with Stars and Supreme Quicksand by Daxxarri & Zarhym
In a thrilling test of skill and coordination, two of China’s top raiding guilds, Stars and Supreme Quicksand, will need to choose an ideal raid composition and strategy to gun for the faster 25-player Heroic Mogu'shan Vaults clear. Will they strike a balance between speed and safety or will they go all-in with fewer healers than the norm, aiming to eke out precious seconds on the clock, but risking a catastrophic wipe? Or do they go with a conservative, tried-and-true strategy, secure in the belief that steady (but not necessarily slow!) wins the race? Learn more.
Meet the Arena Players by Nethaera
Familiarize yourself with the teams that will be competing in the World Championship World of Warcraft Arena Global Finals. Get out your sharpies and poster board; you’ll want to be prepared to root on your favorite teams. (You can never go wrong with a little extra glitter too, or maybe some scrolling text on your tablet.) Learn more.
