Dogfights With Dragons
The sixth episode of Living World Season 4, titled War Eternal, concludes the season not with resolution but with escalating turmoil. The narrative opens with a moment of profound sorrow as players confront the apparent death of Aurene, a central figure in the ongoing struggle against the Elder Dragons. This scene echoes the gravity of past losses within the Guild Wars 2 saga, such as the funeral of Eir Stegalkin, grounding the story in a sombre emotional reality. The grief experienced by characters is immediate and unvarnished, setting a tone of urgency that permeates the episode.
Aurene’s eventual resurgence, enabled by her prior consumption of Palawa Joko and the resurrection magic he harboured, shifts the narrative abruptly into a climactic airborne battle against Kralkatorrik. The confrontation unfolds as a dynamic aerial pursuit, surpassing the scale and intensity of earlier encounters with Elder Dragons such as Zhaitan. The mechanics of the fight demand active engagement, avoiding simplistic strategies and instead requiring players to adapt as they gradually weaken the colossal foe. The scale of the conflict, combined with the fluidity of movement and evolving tactics, creates an experience that underscores the magnitude of the threat Kralkatorrik poses.
The battle reaches its zenith when Aurene delivers a decisive blow, severing one of the Elder Dragon’s wings and sending him plummeting into the oceans of Tyria. The cataclysmic impact drags fragments of terrain from the Mists into the world, forming a new zone: Dragonfall. This region, located south of the Ruins of Orr, comprises a fractured amalgamation of landscapes drawn from the domains of human gods. Elements such as the Burning Forest from Balthazar’s realm, sections of Grenth’s Underworld, and parts of Melandru’s domain coalesce into a terrain marked by fiery lava flows, corrupted jungles, and otherworldly distortions. The diversity of environments mirrors the cumulative challenges faced throughout the season, offering visual variety and gameplay complexity.
Dragonfall serves as the final battleground against Kralkatorrik, its shattered geography reflecting the chaos of the preceding conflict. The zone’s vertical design necessitates gliding or flying mounts for practical navigation, though this requirement has drawn criticism from some players who find traversal cumbersome without such tools. Central to the zone is the large-scale meta event, The Battle of Dragonfall, a multi-stage collaborative effort where players capture and defend camps, defeat champions, and bolster camp influence to progress towards the ultimate confrontation. Rewards for participation include unique materials, ascended gear, and exclusive weapon skins, incentivising repeated engagement.
Praised for its striking visuals and imaginative integration of divine realms, Dragonfall provides a challenging yet cohesive conclusion to Kralkatorrik’s arc. While occasionally frustrating for those lacking advanced mobility options, the zone's design delivers a climactic post-finale experience. By weaving together environmental storytelling, demanding mechanics, and a narrative steeped in consequence, War Eternal and its culminating zone leave a lasting impression, marking a significant chapter in Tyria’s ongoing saga.
