- Protect the Border: A pivotal mission in the Rexxar Campaign requiring tactical defense.
- Inspection mechanic: Scrutinize passing units to identify spies and saboteurs.
- Base defense: Manage workers, repair towers, and fend off naval assaults.
- Hero synergy: Utilize Rexxar, Chen, and Rokhan's unique abilities for survival.
- Critical timing: Balance between aggressive scouting and protecting the Troll village.
Mission Overview and Objectives
The "Protect the Border" mission is a challenging scenario in the Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne Rexxar Campaign. This mission tests your ability to manage a base, inspect units for potential threats, and defend against relentless naval assaults from Kul Tiras. Unlike standard skirmish maps, this scenario requires high micro-management skills and attention to detail.
Video Highlights:
- Detailed walkthrough of the inspection phase and base defense.
- Strategies for handling the "Spy" mechanics and unit management.
- Tips for utilizing the Troll allies and unique items found on the map.
Failing to identify spies or allowing the base to be destroyed will result in a mission failure. Pay close attention to unit descriptions and behavior patterns during the inspection phase.
| Objective | Description | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect Units | Identify and eliminate spies hiding among friendly units. | High |
| Defend Base | Protect the Troll village and your own structures from naval attacks. | Critical |
| Destroy Fleet | Eliminate the Kul Tiras battleships to remove the threat. | Medium |
| Gather Resources | Collect gold and lumber to maintain your army and defenses. | Low |
Hero Composition and Abilities
Success in this mission relies heavily on the synergy between your three heroes: Rexxar, Chen Stormstout, and Rokhan. Each hero brings a distinct set of abilities that are crucial for survival.
Rexxar
- Tank & DPS: High durability and damage.
- Summon Bear: Misha acts as a tank.
- Area Control: Good for crowd control.
Chen Stormstout
- Support: Healing Wave and Drunken Haze.
- Crowd Control: Storm, Earth, and Fire.
- Durability: High evasion with Drunken Brawler.
Rokhan
- Utility: Hex and Healing Ward.
- Scouting: Sentry Wards for vision.
- Buffer: Serpent Wards for damage.
Use Chen's Drunken Haze followed by Rokhan's Hex to disable elite enemy units temporarily. This combination allows Rexxar to deal damage without taking significant hits.
| Hero | Key Ability | Usage Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Rexxar | Summon Misha | Use Misha to tank tower hits and absorb damage from battleships. |
| Chen | Healing Wave | Keep your main army and heroes healed during prolonged engagements. |
| Rokhan | Hex | Turn powerful enemy units into critters, neutralizing their threat instantly. |
Step-by-Step Inspection Guide
The inspection phase is the most unique aspect of this mission. You must identify enemy spies disguised as friendly units.
Initial Setup
Position your heroes near the inspection point. Ensure Rokhan has Sentry Wards ready to provide vision on approaching paths.
Analyze Units
Look for units with suspicious behavior or descriptions. Spies often have slightly different stats or names compared to standard units.
Interrogate and Attack
Select a unit and check its details. If it confirms as a spy, focus fire with Rexxar and Chen to eliminate it immediately before it causes damage.
Manage Resources
While inspecting, ensure your peasants are gathering resources. Build a few Guard Towers near the coast to fend off early naval harass.
Prepare for Assault
Once the inspection phase concludes or is interrupted, be ready to defend against a full-scale naval invasion from Kul Tiras.
Spies often reveal themselves by attacking your units unexpectedly or having a "suspicious" description in the unit tooltip. Always keep your heroes grouped to quickly burst down any identified spy.
Base Defense and Naval Combat
Defending your base against the Kul Tiras fleet requires a mix of static defenses and mobile hero units.
| Defensive Structure | Purpose | Upgrade Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Guard Tower | Anti-air and light naval defense. | High |
| Cannon Tower | Heavy damage to battleships and armor. | Medium |
| Barracks | Producing Footmen/Riflemen for support. | Low |
Kul Tiras battleships have long range and high damage. Do not engage them with your main army alone. Use your heroes' hit-and-run tactics to chip away at their health while towers provide cover fire.
Strategic Defense Layout:
- Frontline: Use Misha and Chen to tank damage.
- Backline: Position Rokhan and ranged units to deal damage safely.
- Repair: Keep at least two peasants on auto-repair for damaged towers.
Essential Milestones
Mission Completion Goals:
- Identify and eliminate all spies during the inspection phase
- Build at least 3 Guard Towers along the coastline
- Destroy the initial Kul Tiras transport ship
- Reach Level 5 on all three heroes
- Eliminate the main Kul Tiras battleship fleet
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I fail to identify a spy?
If a spy is not identified, they will deal massive damage to your base or units, often resulting in a critical failure of the mission objective. Always inspect units carefully.
Q: Can I rebuild my base if it is destroyed?
While you can rebuild structures, losing your Town Hall or all workers can put you in an unrecoverable economic state. Prioritize defending your primary production buildings.
Q: Which hero should I level up first?
Focus on **Rexxar** for raw damage and tanking, followed by **Chen** for his healing capabilities. Rokhan is essential for utility but requires less experience to be effective.
Q: Are there any hidden items on the map?
Yes, the map contains unique items like the **Tome of Strength** and **Wards**. Exploring the islands with Rexxar early on can yield significant power spikes.