- Protect the Border: A pivotal mission in the Rexxar Campaign requiring tactical defense and offense.
- Primary objective: Destroy the Human battleships before they decimate the Troll villages.
- Key strategy: Utilize Rexxar's Misha and Chen Stormstout's abilities to counter air units effectively.
- Essential loot: Secure the Tome of Knowledge and Wand of Negation found on the islands.
- Critical timing: Balance exploration for unique items with the urgent need to defend the Trolls.
Mission Overview
This mission, part of the Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne Rexxar Campaign, tasks you with a dual objective: explore the Echo Isles for resources and allies while simultaneously defending the Darkspear Trolls from a hostile Human fleet. The mission introduces unique hero items and requires a balance between aggressive exploration and defensive timing.
Video Highlights:
- Introduction to the Echo Isles map layout and Troll villages.
- Location of the Tome of Knowledge and Wand of Negation.
- Effective use of Liquid Fire to halt battleship repairs.
- Strategies for handling the "Marauder" and "Mogul" enemy types.
The Human fleet begins its attack almost immediately. Do not spend too much time clearing creeps on the first island; move towards the Troll villages as soon as possible to prevent early game over scenarios.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Follow these steps to ensure a successful mission completion.
Initial Preparation and Item Pickup
Start by clearing the immediate area around your starting position. You will encounter Mogul and Marauder units. Look for a unique item drop, the Wand of Negation, which is crucial for dispelling enemy buffs or summoning spells later in the campaign. Grab the Tome of Knowledge if available to boost your hero stats.
Rendezvous with the Trolls
Head towards the Echo Isles to meet up with the Troll leader. You will find Rokhan and other Troll allies establishing outposts. Speak to the quest giver to trigger the defense objective. The Human fleet, consisting of battleships and flying machines, will soon approach.
Defending the Villages
Position your heroes near the coast. The primary threat comes from the Human Battleships. Use Rexxar's Call of the Wild (if available) or Chen's Firebolt to deal damage. Focus fire on one ship at a time. If you have the Liquid Fire ability or item, use it to prevent the ships from repairing themselves.
Destroying the Fleet
Once the transport ships land, they will unload footmen and riflemen. Use area-of-effect (AoE) spells like Breath of Fire to clump them together. After defeating the ground forces, focus all remaining damage on the Battleships. Destroying all ships completes the primary objective.
Chen Stormstout is exceptionally useful in this mission due to his Drunken Brawler and Breath of Fire. Keep him slightly behind the front lines to maximize his damage output while keeping Rexxar and Misha tanking the hits.
Enemies and Threats
The Human forces utilize a mix of naval and air units that can overwhelm unprepared players.
| Enemy Type | Threat Level | Weakness | Recommended Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battleship | High (S-Tier) | Slow movement | Focus fire, Liquid Fire |
| Flying Machine | Medium (B-Tier) | Low HP | Anti-air spells, Ranged attacks |
| Footman/Rifleman | Low (C-Tier) | Melee/Ranged standard | AoE spells like Breath of Fire |
| Marauder | Medium (B-Tier) | High physical damage | Kiting, Tank with Misha |
You may encounter Revenants and Naga units while exploring the smaller islands. While not part of the main objective, they guard valuable experience points and items. Clear them only if you have time before the main assault begins.
Essential Loot and Items
Exploring the Echo Isles yields several powerful items that can aid Rexxar in future missions.
Tome of Knowledge
- Effect: Permanently increases Intelligence.
- Location: Found on a secluded island guarded by creeps.
- Value: Essential for spellcasters like Chen.
Wand of Negation
- Effect: Dispels magic and summons.
- Location: Dropped by specific creeps in the starting area.
- Value: Critical for removing enemy buffs.
Gauntlets of Ogre Strength
- Effect: Increases Strength.
- Location: Often found in random item drops.
- Value: Boosts Rexxar's health and damage.
Mission Checklist
Use this checklist to track your progress through the mission.
Protect the Border Objectives:
- Locate and secure the Wand of Negation
- Meet the Darkspear Trolls on the Echo Isles
- Survive the initial Human fleet assault
- Destroy all Human Battleships
- Eliminate all landed ground forces
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I take too long exploring the islands?
The Human fleet will continue to bombard the Troll villages. If the main Troll building is destroyed, you fail the 'Protect the Border' mission. Always prioritize the defense trigger over full exploration.
Q: Which hero is best for this mission?
Rexxar is essential for tanking with Misha, but Chen Stormstout provides excellent crowd control with his Drunken Haze and Breathath of Fire, making him the best damage dealer in this scenario.
Q: How do I stop the battleships from repairing?
Use the **Liquid Fire** ability (if available on your air units or via items) to set the ships on fire. This ability prevents buildings and ships from repairing, allowing you to whittle them down effectively.
Q: Is there a bonus objective?
While not explicitly labeled as a bonus, fully exploring the islands to find the **Tome of Knowledge** and other unique items provides a long-term advantage for the campaign.