I have set up a temporary Darkest Hour server in Malaysia as I test out different server location to find one that gives the best ping for most players in Asia.

It can be found in your Darkest Hour server list under the name Asia DH + RO. Its IP is http://110.4.47.226

Turns out Malaysia is not an ideal server location, especially if you are in Australia (pings around 200-220).

I will be testing something in Japan next, hopefully that will give a better ping.

The Malaysia service will be up until the end of this month.

This week's Asia Darkest Hour Duel confirmed Australia’s reputation as a ‘killer’ nation with the top three place getters of the tournament from the land Down Under.

This tournament awarded points based on kills and not for capturing territory or for feeding ammunition to MGs. As a result only true killers were awarded points during the two hour tournament.

Although this was just the second Asia DH Championship round, marquee players are already showing dominance.

Bluey and Yarnu, who were placed first and third respectively in the last Asia DH Duel, exchanged forum taunts in the days leading up this week’s dual however it was youngster Yarnu that was first to fire-up when it counted, taking the leading position early on in the six map tournament.

Bluey described his efforts during the second map, Bois-Jacques, as disappointing because of poor vision, but was confident he would not to be outplayed early. By the third map, Brecourt, he regained valuable tournament position after a solid defence.

During Brecourt, a map made popular by HBO’s Band of Brothers, player GuerillaGorilla said “Bluey did you fall out of your mother’s crotch bearing an MG 42?” At which point Bluey replied, “No ! I had to cut it out of my ball sack.” They breed them tough in Victoria, Australia.

EchoCharlie, who was raised in Victoria and not lost to a killing or two, also performed well in the initial stages of the tournament. Although frustrated and losing momentum during an attack on Brecourt, which saw him scream “get in the bloody cap zones”, EchoCharlie managed good scores during the next two maps, Ginkel Heath and Stoumont.

The final two maps of the tournament, Stoumont and Juno Beach, determined the final places.

Bluey and EchoCharle killed plenty at Stoumont, scoring 29 and 23 points respectively, however Yarnu managed 35 kills during the Belgium based map.

Although not knowing he had a nine kill advantage heading into the final map, Yarnu entered it with confidence securing enough kills to comfortably win the second Asia Darkest Hour Duel.

Winners of the Asia Darkest Hour Duel – Round 2 are :

Yarnu – 132 points
Bluey – 116 points
EchoCharlie – 74 points

Winners will receive their prizes by post in the next few days.

Map score board at image at http://www.asiasponsorshipnews.com/files/ADHDRD1.jpg

Well done DH players Bluey, ]DAK[ShangDi[[-(jp) and Yarnucraft who were the top three place getters of the inaugural Asia DH Challenge.

A modest field fought on Thursday night in what may be the first Darkest Hour match-up played for real life prizes.

Australian based Bluey blitzed the field with a combined score of 444 points. His map knowledge and speed between caps putting him ahead of the pack in attack scenarios.

Californian ShangDi, an unknown player to many taking part in the Challenge, proved superior in defence to his rivals, managing to hold vital cap zones and leading successful counter attacks on zones able to be recaptured. Total score 272.

Yarnucraft, also from Australia, excelled in the use of the German MP40 over the course of the 90 minute tournament. Having honed his skill with the automatic weapon after many years playing Red Orchestra, Yarnu has developed uncanny accuracy at long distance with the MP40. At on point the young player boasted it was better at cracking enemy skulls at range than a bolty! Well done Yarnu, 226 points and a remote control helicopter on its way to you. No buzzing your neighbours cat.

Notable mention to EchoCharlie. Although placed just outside of the prize bubble with a score of 201 points, the contender showed remarkable skill in defence and exhibited good logic when navigating cap zones.

The inaugural Asia DH Challenge ran for 90 minutes and was played on standard DH maps.