Two Bosses Enter ... but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com's series of fantasy death matches. This season's bosses come from the five-man instances of Wrath of the Lich King.

While last week's Two Bosses Moorabi/Trollgore matchup was downright gory, this week's battle appears no less likely to end up in a bloody mess. This week, we'll see King Dred of Drak'tharon Keep tear into Jedoga Shadowseeker and her minions inside Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom.

The ground rules:

• Assume that the opponents share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
• In order to give Jedoga access to her minions, we'll set this deathmatch in her stomping grounds in Ahn'kahet – but we'll provide that King Dred arrives on the scene with a raptor posse of his own.
• Don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter.
• Focus on the three S's: style, story and scale.
  

Can a ruthlessly bloodthirsty priestess hold off a rampaging Devilsaur? Join us after the break to cast your vote for who you think will emerge this week's victor.

Two Bosses Enter ... but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com's series of fantasy death matches. This season's bosses come from the five-man instances of Wrath of the Lich King.

It was a bloody job, but someone had to do it – and that someone was Moorabi. The High Prophet of Man'toth made a mammoth mess as he gored Trollgore in this week's Two Bosses Enter, One Boss Leaves. Sixty-five percent of readers handed this week's deathmatch to the Ice Troll. Spectators Heilig, Rowan and Grinton mulled it over from the stands:

Heilig: You're all forgetting the adds. Moorabi has no way to deal with the adds. If he ignores them, Trollgore gets buffed dramatically as the adds stack up and the Consume stacks to ridiculous levels. If he kills them, he gets raped by Corpse Explosions. There's a reason you tank Trollgore away from the person handling the adds, you know. Moorabi has no way to deal with this. Trollgore wins by a mile.

Rowan: He has Quake and Ground Tremor -- that's two AoEs! With adds being non-elite, he can easily pulverize them before they get too close to Trollgore. Moorabi wins this, hands down.

Heilig: Ground Tremor is close range, and Quake is primarily a stun. The adds wouldn't die until they got to Trollgore, whereupon he would explode the corpses right into Moorabi's trunk. Game over.

Grinton: What this fight comes down to is a battle of tusks. And though Trollgore would start off with the upper lower-bite, it's hard to beat what that pachyderm is paching (badum-tish!). Also, to respond to Heilig, Moorabi has two abilities to control adds. So between the stomping and the tusks, Moorabi wins by a long shot.

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It takes all kinds (of players) to make a (game) world - but now that Blizzard is shaping game content specifically to slingshot players into endgame raiding content, it's easy to get the impression that raiding is "the" way to play WoW. New players seem expected to sail through the levels and zip gleefully into PuGs or a raiding guild. All those "accessible" raids and achievements and gear are suddenly sounding more and more like "requirements." DPS minimums, required achievements and Armory checks serve as your credentials to get into groups. Everywhere a new level 80 turns, there's something new to measure up to.

So what if you don't know where to start? What if you miss the mark in the wrong group with the wrong players - will you forever be known as a "scrub"? Will you find yourself blacklisted from the PuG circuit? Is it still practically possible to gear up and catch up? What if you can't get into a successful progression guild? Will you be labeled an oddball or outsider? What if you can't break in - or what if you decide you don't want to?

15 Minutes of Fame is our look at World of Warcraft players of all shapes and sizes – from the renowned to the relatively anonymous, the remarkable to the player next door. Tip us off to players you'd like to hear more about.

I really can't think of a more enjoyable way to game than in the same room as your friends. Even back in the EverQuest era, when my husband's Monk and my own Magician actively avoided one another outside of raids (incompatible characters, incompatible playstyles – we couldn't have been a worse mix), we got plenty of kicks and giggles from keeping an eye on one another's screens. These days, raid nights at our house mean not two but four players (three in my office, one upstairs – more, if friends with laptops are here). AFK breaks spawn a queue at the fridge that inevitably coalesces into a rowdy debate over the evening's tactics and drops.

So when I spotted these kindred spirits in a news tip from Khaz Modan-US, I knew I'd found a group of players who could show WoW.com readers the glories of playing in the same room. "We're a group of eight friends in real life that get together once a week for what we call 'Craft Dinner,' which involves lugging all our gear to one of our houses, sharing a meal together, then hitting up a 10-man raid (we PuG the last two to three spots, generally)," wrote Stumpsky. "Last night, we just cleared 10-man Naxx for the first time -- which was a big accomplishment, as we just started to raid as a full group at the beginning of May. We don't use Vent, because we're all in the same room, and we all find it the most enjoyable way to play the game we love."

And here are the Night Elf forms! I think I've avoided some of the annoying audio issues from the video on the 3.2 Tauren Druid forms, and I've also included an extended shot of the NE cat form's run animation, as it's one of the things that really distinguishes the bigger, sleeker cat model from its live counterpart. Unfortunately, they haven't fixed the bug where one of the bear models (the one linked to the NE's green hair) is unavailable (you'll get the black bear form instead), so only 4 of the 5 new bear colors could be included here.

If you're unable to play this with audio, the pertinent commentary is that: a). I tried to keep the camera as close as possible to help people appreciate the detail, mostly because: b). A lot of the subtler color distinctions just don't come across very well on the capture, and I think I spent too much time trying to get every angle as a result: c). The forms are really gorgeous, and the NE cat in motion is lovely, and: d). I'm still a dork.

UPDATE: A new PTR build went live late last night after the video was completed and uploaded, and Blizzard fixed the bug where one of the Night Elf bear forms was unavailable. I've included pictures past the cut.

Sometimes you'd like to know that there are other MMOs out there, right? Our sister site Massively can provide you with everything you need to know about all those other shiny MMOs! Check out this roundup of the latest news from the wider MMO world.

	Mythic employees shocked at Mark Jacobs' departure Mythic employees were surprised by their boss' departure, sources told me today. I spoke with a former employee, who asked to remain anonymous, about what they and their old co-workers thought regarding today's announcement that Mark Jacobs, the vice president and general manager of EA Mythic, will be leaving the company due to a new partnership with BioWare.
	Australian network filtering promises to reach out to block games, online games and more Australian Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, has promised to extend Australia's proposed network-level content filtering regime to block games, online games, downloadable games, and websites that sell or allow download of games that are deemed not to be suitable for a 15-year-old audience. This, despite research by the IEAA (the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia) that the average age of Australian Gamers is 30.
	Highlights from the SOE Fan Faire 2009 community address Sony Online Entertainment Fan Faire 2009 is happening in Las Vegas, and of course they've had a number of things to unveil so far. SOE president John Smedley gave his community address last evening, and other speakers made an appearance as well. We've got a few highlights from SOE Fan Faire 2009 for you:
	Massively Exclusive: 5 million accounts, vehicles & more in FusionFall This past January, Cartoon Network launched their first foray into the MMO space with the wildly successful FusionFall, offering families who like to game together a great deal at $9.95 a month for up to four separate MMO accounts. Since those exciting first days of launch, they've given away all manner of funky swag, racked up over 5 million accounts, and started a whole new generation of explorers down the road of MMO enjoyment.

World of WarCrafts spotlights art and creativity by WoW players, including fan art, cooking, comics, cosplay, music and fan fiction. Show us how you express yourself by contacting our tips line (attention: World of WarCrafts) -- not-for-profit work only, please.

Is there somewhere in game that feels like home to your character? Reader Asphydel's characters hail from Pinky Street – literally. Pinky Street is a line of four-inch anime figurines that come with interchangeable parts, allowing you to create trendy, custom figures with your own look. The line encourages customizations, from swapping out parts and accessories to adding entirely new paint jobs.

Asphydel of Ghostlands-US took the look a step farther, bringing her figurine into the World of Warcraft with Pinkycized versions of her Priest and her boyfriend's Mage. "I actually have a background in art and had taken a class in 3D," she explains. "We had a small section on making molds, so it was pretty darn easy for me to follow various suggestions and ideas I had found online. I can imagine that it can be a little overwhelming for anyone who has never looking into it ... O_o I knew it was for me in my first classes."

Hail and well met, Druid colleagues. I ventured into the scary realm of moviemaking in order to capture the new Druid forms on the PTR. Because my Hordeside main copied over first, we'll take care of the Tauren initially. The Night Elf video is in progress, and I've been told that Blizzard fixed the bug where one of the NE bear forms wasn't properly linked to a hair color, so stay tuned.

Anyway, this is my first video and I apologize for the amateurish quality; I'll get better (though not necessarily less dorky) with practice, but I really wanted to get this out for everyone who can't get on the PTR but wants to see what the new forms look like in motion. If you can't run sound at the moment, the only really pertinent commentary is that: a). The forms are beautiful: b). They look great in motion: c). For whatever reason, the bear butt has actually grown, and: d). The Night Elf video is on its way.

If you're having issues with Viddler, you can find the same video (in slightly higher quality) here on YouTube.

It's officially summer, or Midsummer, if you like. This week's list is pretty hefty and even has a few seasonal entries. Enjoy!

• Cru the Dwarf: Sir Lothar has been given some cryptic orders.
• Dark Legacy Comics: Invention Time! I really liked this one. What could go wrong with Invention Time?
  
• GU Comics: Ingenious Plan. I have not yet done this, but I can't say I've been looking forward to it either. I did however spend some time screwing up my karma by the bonfire in Silvermoon City.
• GU Comics: More Fire Catching. I echo these sentiments.
• In the conclusion to Victor's plight from Experience Points, the punishment is laid out. I for one, agree RedWoodElf's comment. Then he ventures out onto a date "IRL" but doesn't get what he bargained for. Personally, I like comparing their head sizes. Oddly enough, he bravely pushes through.
  
• Check out the latest from Flintlocke vs. the Horde. I am totally jealous of that dude's button.
• In LFG's latest, the gnomes are getting restless, though they remain content to do nothing about it.
• NoObz: I'm Worth It. I never find any good options either.
• NPC: Kitty Names Revealed. It seems that cat identities are similar to those of females on the Internet.
• NPC: Perspective. Heck, people need guild bank alts these days! I have two.
• Teh Gladiators: The Beast Rares its Ugly Head(s).
• Kuo: When the Kobold disappears, the adventurers employ their own methods of finding him.
• World of Warcraft, eh?: The Battle is Lost. I love the detail of the creepy centaur's fingernails. I can't wait for the new features!

Reader comments – ahh, yes, the juicy goodness following a meaty post. [1.Local] ducks past the swinging doors to see what readers have been chatting about in the back room over the past week.

When Entertainment Weekly chatted with Ryan Reynolds about his "Must List", the X-Men: Wolverine actor had nothing but scorn at the possibility of his having a favorite video game. "I don't really play videogames," he told EW. "Is there a way to waste more f-ing time?"

"He's probably just grumpy because the cover made him look dumber than a box of nails," commented WoW.com reader Gessilea. "Come on, that expression totally screams 'Which end do I put this in again?'"

We suspect Reynolds may have just finished reading the comments at WoW.com – whewww, what a fractious lot this week! Join us in picking a few nuggets out of the rubble and wrap up with a couple of latecomers to last week's epic rap battle comments war.

Insider Trader is your inside line on making, selling, buying and using player-made products.

Patch 3.2 has been shaping up to be a welcome event for professions in World of Warcraft. Soon, we will all have access to the next "tier" of gems and profession-unique buffs.

This week, I will be devoting the column space to answering some reader questions. Pre-patch notes and Public Test Realm data can often create confusion, especially when we know that anything could change before we ever see it live.

At the very end, I have included a bit of a spoiler, although I attempted to keep the details to a minimum and the wild speculation to a maximum.

Are the new flasks for Alchemists only? - Joemama
The new flask is called Flask of the North and can only be used by Alchemists with a skill of at least 400. This flask is clearly inferior to the Wrath raiding flasks because it is meant to be used in arenas. While it should give you a bit of a boost, Blizzard does not want everyone suddenly becoming Alchemists in order to compete.

Of course, if you play the game primarily for arena, then you might consider switching if you haven't already.

The most exciting changes for Alchemists will likely be the new epic gem transmutes and the fact that potions will stack to 20.

Two Bosses Enter ... but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com's series of fantasy death matches. This season's bosses come from the five-man instances of Wrath of the Lich King.

Charging ... goring ... exploding ... cannibalizing ... This week's Two Bosses Enter deathmatch is ugly, ugly, ugly. In the ring: Moorabi of Gundrak versus Trollgore of Drak'tharon Keep. It's going to be rough, and it's going to be bloody.

The ground rules:

• Assume that the opponents share similar levels, health pools and comparative overall damage output.
• This match takes place in neutral territory, although the usual waves of Undead will come from ... someplace ... to accompany Trollgore.
• Don't get caught up in gameplay mechanics and what actual players might do in each encounter.
• Focus on the three S's: style, story and scale.
  

What's your theory on how this fight goes down? Leave your comment, then cast a vote for who you think will be left standing.

Two Bosses Enter ... but only One Boss Leaves, in WoW.com's series of fantasy deathmatches. This season's bosses hail from the five-man instances of Wrath of the Lich King.

It was indeed the day that time stood still: Chrono-Lord Epoch (The Culling of Stratholme) shattered the Halls of Lightning's Volkhan in this week's Two Bosses Enter deathmatch. "Honestly, Chrono-Lord Epoch should be able to destroy pretty much any boss in the game," observed kabshiel. "He can stop time, for Pete's sake! All Volkhan does is make little robots and break them. Manipulating the space-time continuum > Toy making."

The only dissenting opinion this week came from Kar On E: "Although it's pretty obvious at this point that Chrono-Lord Epoch is going to win, I'm going to make the case for Volkhan. In this, I'm presuming that neither has read any strategy on the other and that each is going about it on wits alone."

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You can't talk to the enemy in the World of Warcraft. Shouting "KEK" when you're on your Alliance character doesn't read as "LOL" to the Horde players, no matter how many times you've heard that rumor. You can't Mind Control the enemy and then babble away in your own tongue (although that did work for one amazing, once-upon-a-time period in a long-ago patch). The truth is, trying to leapfrog the Alliance/Horde language barrier is a bannable offense; you're just not supposed to talk to the enemy.

That said, there is a way you can make your intentions known to players of the opposite faction: standard, pre-set emotes. The only emotes that work between factions are the ones that are already in place in the game. Creating your own emote by typing "/e yourmessage" only works for players of your own faction; for others, it translates to "X makes some strange gestures" – pretty antagonistic, really, no matter what you're actually intending to convey.

We can't believe it either – Turpster has been let loose on WoW.com to bring you videos from in and around the World of Warcraft! You've heard him on The WoW Insider Show now see him on TurpsterVision right here on WoW.com

Today FigurePrints revealed their brand new line of 3D printed WoW products in the form of 3-piece collectible non-combat pets -- FigurePets! As always I was on hand with a camera, a knife and a box of products to open cautiously on camera to give you the first impressions on this exciting new product range.

Also I managed to sit down with Ed Fries, the FigurePrint founder, and ask him a few questions about the new FigurePets and what else might be on the horizon for 3D Printed WoW Products.

Behind the break you'll find the video, interview and a photo gallery of the FigurePets.