Darkspear Islands

15 vs 15 · levels 30-60 (reported brackets 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60)

Map and plan

15 vs 15Levels 30-60 (reported brackets 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60)

Hold four capture points and run the center flag. Points tick in while you hold bases, faster with more bases. Bringing the center flag to a base your team holds gives bonus points. The first team to 2000 points wins.

New in Forever: New in Forever. Darkspear Raiders (Horde) fight the Theramore Expeditionary Force (Alliance) on islands off Dustwallow Marsh. Queue at a battlemaster in a capital, or at the faction bases in the Barrens (Merchant Coast for Horde, Northwatch for Alliance) where a portal takes you in. Each faction has its own reputation, vendors and battleground quests. Marks of Honor go into reputation quests. Exalted unlocks a short questline for a faction tabard. It has its own Mark of Honor (reported 3 for a win, 1 for a loss in beta).

Alliance start (stone fort): North end of the green northern island.Shipwreck Cove: Northwest base by wrecked ships. Its spot moved in an October beta build, so older videos may show it elsewhere.Abandoned Tower: Northeast base. Defenders can stand on top and hold it from above.Center flag: Flag spawns here. Carry it to any base your team holds.Camp: Southwest base. Troll camp in the red hills of the southern island.Ruins: Southeast base. Troll ruins with the capture flag in the open.Horde start: Southern red island.Alliance start (stone fort)Shipwreck CoveAbandoned TowerCenter flagCampRuinsHorde start
schematic, not to scale. Two islands joined by bridges. Alliance starts on the north island, Horde on the south island (Conquest Capped). Base positions come from beta data and may change. Blue: Alliance. Red: Horde. Gold: neutral.

The plan

  1. The first minuteTake the bases closest to your start and leave a defender on each. Do not send everyone to the center flag. You need a base you own before the flag is worth anything.
  2. The middle gameHold two bases safely before going for a third. Then send the flag with a small escort to your closest safe base. The flag gives more points the more bases you hold.
  3. Closing it outCheck the score before each push. If you are ahead, protect your bases and pull enemies away from them. If you are behind, take a weak enemy base or stop their flag carrier.
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Your job by role

Base defender

Two per base is a good default. Stay on the base, call attackers early, and do not chase.

Flag carrier

Pick up the center flag only when your team holds a base. Take the shortest safe path to it. Use bridges, not water.

Escort

Keep the carrier moving. Slow or stop anyone chasing them.

Healer

Stay with the main group or the carrier. Keep out of sight lines near the Tower top.

Damage

Move with the main group to take or retake bases. Kill the enemy flag carrier when they run.

Scout / stealth

Watch enemy bases. One stealthy player can flip an empty base.

Calls you will see in chat

inc Tower 3Three enemies coming to the Abandoned Tower. Same for Cove, Camp or Ruins.
Tower / Cove / Camp / RuinsThe four bases: Abandoned Tower, Shipwreck Cove, Camp, Ruins.
flag upThe center flag is ready to take (common carry-over from other flag maps).
FC to CoveOur flag carrier is heading to Shipwreck Cove to score.
EFCEnemy flag carrier. Stop them before they reach a base.
hold 2Keep two bases safe before pushing more.

Newcomer mistakes

  • Everyone rushing the center flag while the enemy takes your bases.
  • Leaving a base empty. One stealthy enemy can flip it.
  • Attacking the Abandoned Tower with melee only. Bring ranged and crowd control, or pick another base.
  • Fighting near edges. Knockbacks can throw you into the sea, and the water is reported to be deadly.
  • Trying to swim between islands, especially with the flag.
  • Chasing a lone enemy far from your base.
  • Trusting old beta videos for Shipwreck Cove's location.

See all four maps on the Battlegrounds page, and class tips in each class guide.

Sources

  1. Battle for the Darkspear Islands in World of Warcraft: Forever (Blizzard, Oct 7 2026)
  2. WoW Forever: Darkspear Islands Battleground Overview (Conquest Capped)
  3. WoW Forever Darkspear Islands PvP Guide (Overgear)
  4. WoW Forever Darkspear Islands Guide (LePreStore)
  5. Darkspear Islands (battleground) (Warcraft Wiki)
  6. WoW Forever Battlegrounds: All Four Maps, Brackets and Marks (wowforevertierlist.com)
  7. WoW Forever Darkspear Islands Guide (wow.gg)