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Why Fish in Hostile Territory?

Most territory belonging to the opposing faction (Horde vs Alliance) contains the same fish as friendly home territory. For example, the waters of Mulgore are similar to Elwynn Forest. However, there are a few achievements that require anglers to venture into hostile capitals to fish:

This guide will help anglers to fish in enemy capital cities, and complete these achievements.

General Tips and Strategies

Hidden Fishing

Some of the rare catches may require hours of fishing. You can retire ((log out)) in hostile cities, so you do not need to fish all day long ((you will not gain a rested XP bonus)). You cannot set your hearthstone or use vendors inside an enemy city, so plan to be away from home some time: Getting into a hostile city is often the hardest part. If you are fishing for a rare fish, remember that you can throw unwanted catches back in ((delete them from your bags)) to save bag space.

You will be "flagged PvP" when you enter an opposing faction's capital. This means anyone can attempt to kill you. Expect to be mercilessly slaughtered by members of the other faction. You can defend yourself against anyone that attacks you, but each "local" defender you kill tends to alert 2 more. Unless you are travelling with a large group of raiders, it is best to avoid combat if possible.

If you die, your ghost will appear in the graveyard of the town outside the capital: Not the nearest graveyard. For example, Razor Hill graveyard for a death in Orgrimmar. You will then need to run back to your corpse and resurrect as normal. Try to avoid dying under the feet of several guards...

Szarsky writes: "For those who don't want a repair bill... run naked... and watch the Horde [or Alliance] scream." Heath notes that, "your gear might just buy you a few more seconds to find a guard-free spot before you die."

Capital cities are typically defended by level 75 guards. These either patrol or guard places like gateways. Guards use abilities that limit movement. For example, guards in Ironforge afflict invaders with Thunderclap (movement speed reduced by 67%) and have nets. Some patrols have stealth-detection abilities, such as the Thief Catchers in Ironforge. Riding as far away from guards as possible will allow high-level anglers to evade most guards. Just don't stop! Lower-level anglers will suffer very high numbers of deaths. While it is possible to enter hostile cities at low level, it is not recommended.

Other members of the opposing faction are not so easy to evade. The best strategy is to enter capital cities at quiet times of day. But even at 5 o'clock in the morning, there will be people about. Elixir of Camouflage helps, since it prevents Hunters from tracking you. Hunters are the most likely to spot you with their tracking ability.

Vanyalosswen writes: "Turn off any titles you may have. In an enemy player's vision, 'Bob of the Shattered Sun' makes a much larger patch of red over your head than just 'Bob'."

As discussed in detail below, you should select a fishing position that is well hidden: Behind an object and not visible from a nearby path. The best technique involves "sleeping" while fishing (pictured right). Simple cast, then go to sleep ((type /sleep - thanks Oberweiss and others)). You will lie down in the water, which makes you much harder to spot. Your fishing bobber will float above the surface, and will splash, creating a noise. So anyone very close will be able to spot you.

There are many different enemy reactions to spotting you fishing:

The first 2 reactions mean you should never engage an enemy until they engage you. The most annoying reaction is the relentless attacker. Always remember that you don't have to resurrect at your corpse immediately.

Remember to use class and race-specific abilities. Some of these are obvious, like using stealth (instead of riding). Most classes have some ability that will help, such as a magic shield to be used when riding past guards, or a Soulstone that saves a corpse run.

Trinkets may also help, such as Medallion of the Alliance (removes movement impairing effects), and Darkmoon Card: Twisting Nether (chance to resurrect). Items like the Orb of Deception (which transform your appearance) or cooked Deviate Fish may help disguise you from some enemy, however guards will still attack you.

Ironforge

Ironforge Map

Should I be describing how to infiltrate my adopted home of Ironforge? Promise that you have only come to fish!

The dwarves have defended Ironforge very well. It is a hard city for Horde to get into, but fishing is fairly easy. The direct method of entering Ironforge is described first. There is an alternative method via Stormwind described below, which is particularly useful for any angler using stealth.

Horde should fly to Kargath in The Badlands. Ride north into Loch Modan, then west, along the southern fringe of Loch Modan. Travel through the Trogg areas, avoiding the Alliance town of Thelsamar. Aim for the Southern Gate Pass, which is north of the Searing Gorge gate. The pass takes you into Dun Morogh.

There are some level 30 dwarven patrols on the roads, which should not be a problem for higher-level anglers. Other dwarves in the area are typically very low level, and probably too busy mining to notice you.

Follow the road west until close to Kharanos. You will see Ironforge built into the mountain to the north. Make any final preparations, and ride up the path towards the gates: Guards along the path are level 75, and will react to you. At the top of the path, you will see the entrance to Ironforge. Members of the Alliance often duel each other here. There is a very strong chance they will opt to "duel" you. Keep moving. The guards behind you are.

Thiealze offers an alternative route: "Horde visitors to Ironforge can use the Booty Bay to Gnomeregan transporters. It's a very short trip from Orgrimmar to Ratchet, then take the boat, and then the transporter located near the inn. Once you arrive at Gnomeregan, simply ride east until you reach the hill leading up to the gates of the city." Gummo adds, "you only need to be at least level 20 and start the quest Chief Engineer Scooty in Orgrimmar."

Ride into Ironforge. Go left at the main entrance, turn the corner, and keep left. The area you just rode into is The Commons. There will always be members of the Alliance idling here, but if you keep to the left, you will avoid most of them. Avoid the large pit that runs through this part of Ironforge: If you fall in, find the ramp back up to "street level".

By this stage, you'll have about a dozen angry dwarven guards, and possibly a few other members of the Alliance chasing you. Up ahead is the Mystic Ward.

Keep riding into the Forlorn Cavern. Ride through the narrow entrance on the north-east side of the Mystic Ward. You will "aggro" 2 guards here, but you should have lost all the guards from the entrance by now. On the southern side of the Forlorn Cavern is a large pool. You will be fishing here. Try and get right into the back of the cave. Now deal with whoever is chasing you... or die. Note that riding through the Forlorn Cavern and into the neighboring Hall of Explorers will not evade the guards: You will simply alert a new pair of guards at the opposite entrance to the Forlorn Cavern.

Once inside the Forlorn Cavern you should be able to fish: Few Alliance come here, and most of them are low-level (for training). The cave is dark, and if you keep a low profile (sleep, as described above), most of those that do come will not see you.

Spleen writes: "If you're unlucky enough to be [corpse] camped, go around into the Great Forge as a ghost and resurrect inside one of the buildings. Your corpse will disappear from where it was on the other side of the wall, and the alliance will have no idea where you are."

Before patch 3.1 it was possible to fish in the Mystic Ward and Great Forge. Fish can now only be caught in the Forlorn Cavern.

Stormwind (and on to Ironforge)

Horde only need one catch in Stormwind to complete The Fishing Diplomat. There are no rare fish to catch. There may be need to enter the city of Stormwind at all: The achievement has been completed by fishing from Stormwind Harbor.

Fly to Grom Gol Base Camp in Stranglethorn Vale, then ride/swim north up the coast to Westfall. Ride along the coast to avoid most Alliance in the area. At the northern border of Westfall swim north-west. Swim along the base of the cliffs until you see one of the piers of Stormwind Harbor. There are a few places at the base of the cliff where you can stand and fish. Alternatively, keep swimming north until you reach the lighthouse island, and fish there. Tithegha notes that you can use a water walking ability or Elixir of Water Walking to stand in the sea and fish.

On fishing in Stormwind itself, Griezz writes: "If you carefully search the moat [at the main city entrance], hugging the city-side edge of the moat as much as possible, you will find a very small part of the moat's wall where you can stand and the text above the minimap actually says 'Stormwind'."

Having trouble getting to the Forlorn Cavern in Ironforge? Oberweiss suggests riding into the city of Stormwind, round the canals to the Dwarven District, and into the Deeprun Tram. There are no guards in the Deeprun Tram, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this marvel of Gnomish technology, as it speeds you from Stormwind to Ironforge. When you arrive in Ironforge, ride into Tinker Town, turn right, and ride north and west, through the Hall of Explorers, to the Forlorn Cavern. These are all quiet areas of Ironforge.

The most difficult part of this is the ride through the Market District, which tends to be full of Alliance. Instead enter via Stormwind Harbor (thanks donquixote235). Swim to the north end of Stormwind Harbor, near the boat yard. There are no guards in this area. Mount and ride up the ramps to the main city of Stormwind. You will need to evade several guards, including a few patrols. However, these guards are only level 65. Once you reach the main city, ride through the Cathedral District to your left, and then across the canal to the Dwarven District. The only guards here are patrolling, and can be avoided.

Orgrimmar

Orgrimmar Map

Orgrimmar is easier to enter than Ironforge, but probably harder to fish in.

Alliance should fly to Ratchet in The Barrens, then ride north along the west side of the Southfury River (which runs along the border with Durotar). Avoid the Horde guard-towers.

Orgrimmar will be visible to the north-east. The city has 2 entrances. The main gates, on the southern side of the city, open out into The Valley of Strength. This area is always packed with Horde, and almost impossible to ride through without being killed. So we'll be using the "broken" side gate, on the west side of the city. Horde tend to refer to the gate as broken, because it is so easy for the Alliance to use it to enter Orgrimmar.

The Southfury River continues past Orgrimmar, north to Azshara. Before a small waterfall, you will see a heavily guarded bridge, which crosses the river into Orgrimmar. There are 5-6 guards on the bridge, all of which you will alert. Make any final preparations, and ride across. Once inside the city, keep riding! Stay off the road to avoid patrols. Just before you reach the Valley of Spirits, the guards chasing you will leave you in peace. An alternative may be to use Invisibility (as a mage, or potion) to sneak past all the guards on the bridge.

Now you have 2 options:

  1. Fish in The Valley of Spirits.
  2. Continue riding into Orgrimmar, until you reach The Valley of Honor.

The Valley of Spirits is a lot easier to get to, but a lot more Horde travel through the area, so you will need to remain well-hidden. The Valley of Honor is a far more dangerous ride, but is easier to hide in.

If you fish in The Valley of Spirits, find a location at the back of the pool, either behind a rock, or behind the large troll-style hut. There are a lot of Horde trainers in this area, but these will not attack you - just avoid the nearby guard. Horde frequently arrive here via portal, but tend to immediately mount up and ride away. Elixir of Camouflage is almost essential to avoid Hunters, and the noise created by your splashing bobber can still reveal your position.

To reach The Valley of Honor, continue riding along the path, as it curves left, then right past The Valley of Wisdom into The Drag. About half-way along The Drag, on the left side, is the entrance to The Valley of Honor. There are a lot of guards along this route, including groups of guards at the entrance to The Drag and The Valley of Honor.

If you manage to reach The Valley of Honor, aim for the north-west side of the small lake. Look for the rocks and waterfall. This will be far enough that most of the guards stop chasing. It is easy to sit on a rock behind the waterfall, and fish. You will be practically invisible to Horde in the area if you use Elixir of Camouflage, as Capo notes: "The downside of this is your fishing right below the hunter trainer." The noise of the waterfall will cover some of your bobber splashes.

There is (was) an alternative option for catching a specific fish in Orgrimmar. It may not be possible with patch 3.1 - read this discussion. During the quest, Fate, Up Against Your Will, Alliance can enter Orgrimmar without being attacked by Horde - and fish. Any fish normally caught in Orgrimmar can be caught during the quest, including Old Crafty. The quest chain starts in Dragonblight, following the battle at Angrathar the Wrath Gate. Once you arrive in Orgrimmar, simply walk outside of Thrall's throne room. Once you have finished fishing, return to Thrall to continue the quest chain. (Thanks Kahless and others.)

Fishing in this "phased" Orgrimmar may not allow you to complete the achievement, The Fishing Diplomat - read this discussion.

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Completing achievements? These detailed guides will help complete individual fishing achievements:
More Fishing Achievements »