The end of OnlyFangs: DDoS attacks leads to wipe in WoW Classic Hardcore
The end of OnlyFangs marks a tragic moment in Classic Hardcore, highlighting the devastating impact of ongoing DDoS attacks.
In a devastating turn of events, the Hardcore Classic WoW OnlyFangs guild suffered a complete wipe in Blackwing Lair due to the ongoing DDoS attacks plaguing Blizzard’s servers. This latest incident raises further concerns about the integrity of gameplay in the wake of these relentless cyber assaults, which have disrupted players’ experiences for weeks.
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OnlyFangs wipe
Since the Liberation of Undermine Race to World First in The War Within, Blizzard has been targeted by near-daily DDoS attacks, causing widespread latency issues and disconnections across all versions of the game. While many players have been affected, the Hardcore Classic community has arguably suffered the most, as a single disconnect at the wrong moment can spell the permanent end of a character.
On March 23, DDOS were still going and even aknowledged by Blizzard. Before the attacks escalated, OnlyFangs had been progressing through Blackwing Lair, facing off against the formidable Vaelastrasz the Corrupt. Guild leader sodapoppin found himself afflicted by Burning Adrenaline, a mechanic that all but guarantees death. In a desperate bid for survival, he managed to hearthstone out while barely clinging to life, logging off at just 7% health to avoid certain doom. His guild had planned to heal him upon his return in Kargath, and against all odds, this strategy worked—at least for the moment.
However, as the raid pressed onward, disaster struck once again. During their encounter with Flamegor, DDoS attacks resumed, causing mass disconnections. One by one, members of were disconnected from the game, unable to react as the dragon tore through their ranks. When the dust settled and some were able to log back in, they discovered the horrifying truth—nearly the entire raid had perished while they were helplessly trapped offline.
In cases where a raid invites a troll or griefer, leading to a wipe in Classic Hardcore, the responsibility falls partly on the raiders, as they chose to bring that player into their group. However, in this case, Sodapoppin and OnlyFangs had no way to avoid the DDoS attack.
End of OnlyFangs
The heartbreak and frustration felt by the end of OnlyFangs and their supporters were overwhelming. Hardcore mode in Classic WoW is an unforgiving challenge where every decision matters, but no amount of preparation could have saved them from the DDOS attacks.
Following internal discussions, sodapoppin and the remaining members of OnlyFangs made the difficult decision to disband entirely in their Discord server, citing the ongoing instability of Blizzard’s servers and the inability to protect against targeted DDoS attacks. For a guild that worked tirelessly to cement their place in Hardcore history, this is a crushing and tragic conclusion.
The future of WoW Classic Hardcore
The broader WoW community remains divided on the issue of whether Blizzard should intervene. Some argue that a rollback should be considered, as this was not an in-game mistake but an external attack that unfairly ended the journey for many Hardcore characters, not only OnlyFangs members. Others worry that setting such a precedent would lead to demands for rollbacks in every case of unfair death, creating a slippery slope Blizzard may be unwilling to navigate.
- “While I understand the risk with Hardcore, I feel like a targeted attack like this should be rolled back. And I used to be on the ‘too bad, so sad’ train.”
- “Blizzard shot themselves in the foot by not rolling back when 1000 players lost their characters last week. If they do it now, they risk angering everyone else.”
- “Now the people behind the DDoS attacks know they have all the power. They can do this whenever they get bored.”
Unfortunately, this is not just a WoW issue—DDoS attacks have plagued numerous online games in recent years. Final Fantasy XIV has suffered from prolonged periods of unplayability due to similar attacks, while League of Legends’ Korean team T1 was unable to participate in scrims for extended periods due to repeated targeted disruptions. Players across multiple games have pleaded for stronger protections, yet solutions remain elusive.
Lasting words
With the official end of OnlyFangs, its former members are left to decide their individual fates. Some may attempt to rebuild under a new banner, while others may leave Hardcore Classic WoW behind entirely. The loss of such a dedicated guild is a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in online gaming communities when faced with external interference.
Despite the grim circumstances, there remains a glimmer of hope. Many in the community continue to push for Blizzard to take action—not just in response to this incident, but in securing their servers against future threats. Disconnect protection for Hardcore mode, better infrastructure to resist attacks, and stricter penalties for offenders are all being demanded by frustrated players.
Spread the word about these ongoing issues—raising awareness is the best way to push for change. If your character fell due to a disconnect, your journey may have ended, but your legacy in Hardcore Classic WoW will live on.
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