New Grab Bag today, and they're not messing around.  This one's huge!  It focuses on the next Live Event, Bitter Rivals and the introduction of the new Slaywer and Choppa careers.

Q. If we unlock the Slayer, will we also unlock the Choppa on our account? Will the Choppa/Slayer head-start be account-based or realm-based?

A.  Yep, unlocking one unlocks both for your account – so you can play them anywhere on any server (but not both on the same server, of course).

Q. How will this event be compared to the Heavy Metal Event that saw the ushering in of the Black Guard and Knight?

A.  Similar in many regards with a few key differences.  First, the event this time is one week instead of two.  Also, there’s a different, unique Scenario for this event, The Twisting Tower.  There are still pies to be thrown, however these pies pack a unique filling....

Check out the full Q & A after the jump!

Grab Bag No. 11 - Bitter Rivals

Welcome to the Bitter Rivals Special issue of the Grab Bag, where we're answering all your burning questions about the upcoming Live Event which will herald the arrival of the latest WAR careers - the Choppa and the Slayer! This Live Event will be arriving soon with the launch of 1.2, but you can get the full scoop right now! Sit back, relax, and sink your teeth into one of our biggest Grab Bags yet!

Q. When will the new careers become available to people that unlock them? When will they become available to everyone? Will the new classes be released for early players immediately after the event ends, or will there be a lull in between?

A. The careers will be available the day after the event ends.  A week after that, anyone who didn’t complete the event will be able to play them.

Q. I’ve recently returned to WAR and don’t have a Rank 40. What Rank will I need to participate in the event to unlock the Slayer/Choppa early?

A. Any Rank!

Q. Can I, as a Rank 40 account holder, start at Rank 20 so as not to have to do the grind all over again.

A. And lose the opportunity to smash your way through the Gates of Ekrund as a Slayer or Choppa?  Sorry, no.  You’ll start at Rank 1 and slash your way to the top!

Q. Will there be an open RvR lake-based content during the Bitter Rival's Live Event, similar to the Ogre Tyrants and such during the Keg End Event? Or will it be more like the Night of Murder event? Or will it simply be Scenario-based like the Heavy Metal event?

A. Each event is unique in its own way, and Bitter Rivals is no exception.  However, Bitter Rivals does incorporate some elements from events gone by.  There are Open RvR Public Quests that players can participate in.  They don’t necessarily contribute Influence toward the event, but they do help everyone get into the spirit of welcoming the long awaited Slayers and Choppas into the WAR!

Q. If we unlock the Slayer, will we also unlock the Choppa on our account? Will the Choppa/Slayer head-start be account-based or realm-based?

A.  Yep, unlocking one unlocks both for your account – so you can play them anywhere on any server (but not both on the same server, of course).

Q. How will this event be compared to the Heavy Metal Event that saw the ushering in of the Black Guard and Knight?

A.  Similar in many regards with a few key differences.  First, the event this time is one week instead of two.  Also, there’s a different, unique Scenario for this event, The Twisting Tower.  There are still pies to be thrown, however these pies pack a unique filling....

Q. Will our Slayers and Choppas be able to receive the event rewards (perhaps via mail) and/or titles if we unlock them a week early? (This is primarily for the people who are switching their mains.)

A. At the end of the event, they won’t be available.  However, we are looking to add this option in the future.

Q. Roughly how many Tome Tasks will there be for the Bitter Rivals live event?

A. There are 10 tasks and open RvR PQs to enjoy.

Q. Will the Bitter Rivals live event offer anything for those of us who do not plan on playing a Slayer or Choppa?

A.  Oh, just to name a few... unique Titles, awesome and unique Siege Weapons (boulder-throwing troll anyone?), Trophies, and a badass Scenario.

Q. Can we expect the Twisting Towers or Reikland Factory to be a permanent addition to Warhammer sometime in the future?

A.   Anything is possible. :)

Q. When can we expect the Slayer and Choppa to go live seeing as the Bitter Rivals live event that introduces them is coming with 1.2?

A.  They’ll go live for everyone one week after the event.  So, two weeks after version 1.2 goes live.

Q. Am I going to get another nifty title for completing all events?

A.  Nifty? How about an awesome title?

Q. Will the 10% Renown gain in Twisting Tower be only for player kills or also for Scenario completion?

A. It will be for player kills only.

Q. Will the Slayer/Choppa have any special advantages in the Twisting Tower?

A.  The Twisting Tower is only available during the event, so you won’t be able to participate in it with a Slayer or Choppa.

Q. Are the Event-based Siege Weapons (Giants and Flame Cannons) one-time, one-use items that are non-replaceable, or do they unlock a new Siege Weapon option from the War Camp Quartermasters?

A.  There are Trolls and Axe Hewers, not Giants and Flame Cannons. Great ideas, though!  You’ll get a stack of them and once they’re gone they’re gone.  However, they’re awesome and they may find their way back into the game through … other methods.

Q. How effective are the Trolls and Axe Hewers? Are they comparable to current Siege weapons? Does one Axe Hewer equal one single-target cannon, or three?

A.  They are slightly more powerful then their counterparts.

Q. Will the Trolls and Axe Hewers be able to take down Boiling Oil targets that have defenders repairing it?

A.  These weapons are people killers.  What else would you expect from a Slayer and Choppa event?

Q. Are there any incentives to actually use the new Siege Weapons rather than just putting them in the bank to show-off later?

A.  They are slightly more powerful, so kill more people with them.  To allow them to collect dust would be a disgrace!

Q. Will the advanced reward for the Bitter Rivals event, the Siege Weapons, remain in game in some reusable format, or will they be expendable like all other Siege Equipment?

A.  Anything is possible, stay tuned! :)

Q. Will the Trolls, seeing as how they are actual NPCs, automatically fire at doors or will they need to be "encouraged" to toss each boulder?

A.  You’ll interact with the Troll just like you would a cannon.  Try and not think about how that interaction actually works otherwise you may need to take a shower.  They’re not for killing doors either, they kill players. They kill players good.

Q. How will the Axe Hewer and Troll work since they are Influence Rewards? Once you unlock them, do you simply go to a Quartermaster and buy one? Is it always in your inventory and you must click a Siege Pad?

A. You’ll get an item when right clicked on will give you a stack of five.  Use those items on the Siege Pads to unleash hell on your enemies.

Q. What happens if I accidentally delete my Axe Hewer or Troll after the event is over?

A. Ack! Don’t do that! 

Q. Are the Axe Hewer and Troll placed down on Siege Pads? If so, when you step away from it, can those that have not unlocked the siege reward use it?

A.  Yes, they’re used on Siege Pads.  And yes, if you leave them you allow someone else the opportunity to use them.

Q. Are there any restrictions to the Axe Hewer and Troll Siege Weapons (ie. only  x number of these special types may be set down on a Keep)?

A.  They work and behave just like any other Siege Weapon.

Q. The Axe Hewer seems to be a direct shot siege, similar to what already is in the game. What about the Troll? Is this a new type of Ram, or does it serve another purpose?

A.  The Axe Hewer and Troll are both “catapult” style Siege Weapons as they are meant to kill other players.

Q. The Troll seems a little big. Can defenders use this Siege Weapon? If so, and they are placed on pads, just thinking about a huge Troll standing on a Keep wall ... well, it makes me giggle.

A.  Trolls are much more manageable when it comes to Siege Pads.

Q. Will the siege Troll and Axe Hewer rewards have limited charges?

A.  Yes, they have five charges.

Q. Will there be both PvE only and RvR only options of completing this event, to encompass the core philosophy of WAR that players can do either exclusively?

A.  There is a mixture of both, though to fully complete the entire event, you’ll need to do a bit of both PvE and RvR.

Q. Will there be tasks that are rather difficult to achieve if not many people are around?

A.  The tasks are designed so that there are a variety of tasks in both PvE and RvR so that everyone has a fair chance at completing them. 

Q. Will the live event be able to be completed exclusively from RvR? Will it be able to be completed without participating in Scenarios?

A.  You can do a mixture of both, but you’ll need to participate in the Twisting Tower Scenario to fully complete the event.