War stories, articles & game guides
Gamer
Tribute
2026
Expeditions,
War Stories &
Culture
War stories, articles & game guides
Gamer
Tribute
2026
Expeditions,
War Stories &
Culture
“As a champion, you have mastered the art of mounted combat, besting challengers of all levels. When the tournament begins, those you have defeated will have redoubled their efforts and will seek to avenge their losses to you.
It would be wise to continue practicing your skills against the combatants waiting in the Ring of Champions. Equip your lance, go to the stables on the southern side of the grounds. then mount up on any mount you’re permitted to use, and face the champions.”
-Luuri
Bring 4 Marks of the Champion to Luuri at the Argent Tournament Grounds. If you lose your lance, you can get another from any of the Lance Racks near the stables or in the Silver Covenant Pavilion.
You will be able to choose one of these rewards:
Champion’s Writ
Champion’s Purse
You will receive: (if completed at level 100)
Upon completion of this quest you will gain:
Quest Giver: Luuri (Alliance non-DK)/Cellian Daybreak (Horde non-DK)/Illyrie Nightfall (DK version) – Argent Tournament Grounds, Icecrown
Objective: Collect 4 Marks of the Champion by defeating Champion NPCs in jousting duels at the Ring of Champions.
Quick Facts
Walkthrough
Preparation
| Button | Ability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thrust | Melee attack. Does NOT trigger GCD, so it can be used simultaneously with Defend. |
| 2 | Shield-Breaker | Ranged attack. Removes one enemy Defend stack. |
| 3 | Charge | Rush from distance. High damage, removes one enemy Defend stack. |
| 4 | Defend | Adds a shield stack (max 3). Reduces damage taken significantly. |
| 5 | Refresh Mount | Heals your mount. Use between fights. |
| 6 | Duel | Initiates the jousting duel. |
Jousting Strategy
Champion NPCs are more aggressive than Valiants. They will use Charge, Shield-Breaker, and Defend actively. Here is a reliable rotation:
| Enemy Shields | Your Thrust Damage |
|---|---|
| 3 (green) | ~325 |
| 1 (yellow) | ~1,300 |
| 0 (none) | ~3,250 |
Stripping their shields before spamming Thrust makes an enormous difference. Always prioritize breaking their Defend.
Staying in melee range after stripping all shields prevents the Champion from using Charge or Shield-Breaker against you. They can only Thrust back, which deals low damage against your 3 Defend stacks.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
Efficiency Tips
Explore Icecrown’s hidden easter eggs, lore mysteries, and connections across Warcraft history in Vikstone’s Icecrown Chronicles, along with the complete quest storyline.
Vikstone's War Journal“As a champion, you have mastered the art of mounted combat, besting challengers of all levels. When the tournament begins, those you have defeated will have redoubled their efforts and will seek to avenge their losses to you. It would be wise to continue practicing your skills against the combatants waiting in the Ring of Champions. Equip your lance, go to the stables on the southern side of the grounds, then mount up on any mount you’re permitted to use, and face the champions.”
Seek to avenge their losses to you. I have watched that go badly for somebody already. A hyldnir spent months training at Valkyrion for the privilege of losing to me a second time in front of a val’kyr.
Ironforge, then Stormwind, then Gnomeregan, then the Exodar, each of them riding for a city and each carrying a mark I needed. Champions do not build their guard up over the course of a bout the way valiants do. They come out with all three layers already on them and put a layer back faster than a valiant can manage. Charge, take one off on the way in, and then thrust until there is nothing left to thrust at.
Three layers, held and refreshed. That is the same problem the Lich King’s commanders set me in the Court of Bones yesterday, and nobody on these grounds appears to have noticed that their finest riders and his are difficult in exactly the same way.
“Well done. Training against the other champions is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for tournament competition. I know you’ll make the Alliance proud, Vikstone.”
Then, as I was turning to go: “You handle your mount well, Vikstone. In time, your competitors will learn to fear you.”
Every daily on those grounds is preparation for a fight the Crusade has not started yet, and the moment somebody finally spots a gap in the Citadel’s defenses the pretending stops with Exploiting an Opening.
