- Protect the Border: This is the first chapter of the Bonus Campaign in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
- Primary Objective: Survive the incoming waves of human attackers and destroy their base.
- Hero Unit: You control Rexxar, a Beastmaster, with Misha (Bear) and his unique abilities.
- Key Strategy: Use hit-and-run tactics; Rexxar is mobile but fragile compared to full armies.
- Critical Tip: Keep your units moving; standing still allows the enemy to surround and kill you.
Mission Overview
The "Protect the Border" mission serves as the introductory chapter to the Orc Bonus Campaign, often referred to as the Founding of Durotar. Unlike standard melee or RTS missions, this plays like an Action RPG (ARPG) where you control a small squad of heroes rather than building a base and managing an economy.
Video Highlights:
- Introduction to Rexxar's mechanics and unit control.
- Visual guide of the map layout and enemy spawn points.
- Demonstration of the "hit-and-run" tactic required for survival.
In this mission, you must defend a specific location on the map from waves of human footmen and knights. The enemy will attempt to breach your defenses. If the main structure falls or your heroes die, the mission fails. The difficulty lies in managing your limited health and mana while fending off superior numbers.
You do not have workers or a barracks to reinforce your army. If Rexxar falls, the mission ends immediately. Focus on micromanagement rather than macromanagement.
Core Objectives & Walkthrough
The mission begins with Rexxar and his companions near the coast. The humans have established a beachhead nearby. Your immediate goal is to disrupt their operations and eventually destroy their main camp.
Initial Engagement
Move Rexxar and Misha towards the human tracks mentioned in the dialogue. You will encounter small groups of Footmen first. Use Rexxar's Stampede ability to damage groups and Misha's tanking ability to absorb damage.
Scout the Perimeter
Before attacking the main base, circle around the cliffs to locate the enemy Barracks. Destroying production buildings is crucial to stopping the flow of reinforcements.
Hit-and-Run Tactics
Engage the enemy at the edge of their base, deal damage, and retreat. Let your health regenerate naturally or use consumables if found. Do not fight the entire army at once.
Destroy the Base
Once the waves have thinned out, move into the main human encampment. Target the Town Hall (or equivalent structure) to secure victory and complete the "Protect the Border" mandate.
Use the terrain to your advantage. Choke points on the map allow you to fight enemies one or two at a time, negating their numerical advantage.
Hero Abilities & Combat
Success in this mission relies heavily on understanding your hero's capabilities. Rexxar is a Beastmaster, a class that excels at summoning and controlling beasts.
| Ability | Type | Usage Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Stampede | Area of Effect (AOE) | Use this to clear large groups of Footmen quickly. It deals massive damage over a line. |
| Summon Bear (Misha) | Summon | Misha is your primary tank. Always have her summoned. Send her in first to absorb damage. |
| Attack | Passive/Active | Rexxar deals high physical damage. Focus fire on enemy ranged units or low-health casters. |
| Animal Companion | Passive | Increases the damage of your summoned units. Essential for keeping Misha effective. |
Maintain a rhythm of Attack → Retreat → Regenerate. Unlike standard missions, you cannot simply "A-Move" (attack-move) to victory. Every unit loss is critical.
Enemy Forces & Threats
The human forces in this mission are consistent but relentless. They primarily consist of melee units with some ranged support.
| Enemy Unit | Threat Level | Counter Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Footman | Medium | Weak individually but dangerous in groups. Use AOE abilities like Stampede. |
| Rifleman | High | Focus Rexxar down if he gets too close. Kill them first with Misha's help. |
| Knight | High | High armor and damage. Do not engage early game; wait for levels/abilities. |
| Captain/Mountain King | Very High | Hero unit with high damage and stun. Avoid direct confrontation until late game. |
The enemy may spawn a Hero unit (such as a Mountain King) in later waves. If you see a Hero unit, retreat immediately. You cannot match their damage output early in the mission.
Mission Completion Checklist
To ensure you have successfully completed all aspects of the "Protect the Border" mission, refer to the checklist below.
Essential Milestones:
- Locate the human invasion force on the coast
- Defeat the initial wave of Footmen without losing Misha
- Destroy the enemy Barracks to halt reinforcements
- Eliminate the enemy Hero unit if present
- Raze the main Town Hall structure to trigger victory
Lore Context
This mission takes place shortly after the fall of the Burning Legion. The Orcs, led by Thrall, are trying to establish a new homeland in Durotar. However, the humans of Kul Tiras, led by Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, view the Orcs as a threat that must be eradicated.
Rexxar, a wandering Beastmaster, is not initially part of the Horde. However, his skills and sense of justice draw him into the conflict. By completing this mission, you help secure the safety of the Orcish settlements and pave the way for Rexxar to become a key figure in the Horde's history.
FAQ
Q: What happens if Rexxar dies in Protect the Border?
If Rexxar dies, the mission fails immediately. You do not have a 'Altar' to resurrect him like in standard melee games. You must reload the game from a previous save point.
Q: Can I build units or structures in this mission?
No. This is a hero-style campaign mission. You cannot build Barracks, train units, or harvest resources. You must rely solely on Rexxar and his companions.
Q: How do I heal Rexxar and Misha?
Health regenerates slowly over time when out of combat. You can also find healing items or use consumables dropped by enemies or found in chests. There are no Holy Light spells from Paladins available to you.
Q: Is this mission required for the main campaign?
This is part of the 'Bonus Campaign' (The Founding of Durotar). It is optional in the sense that it is separate from the Night Elf/Undead/Human campaigns, but it is a canonical part of the story and highly recommended.