Running a good variable counterattack defense in Warsong Gulch requires two things: good communication and mobility. Rogues and druids should keep their sprints off cooldown. Mages should keep blink off cooldown. Speed potions should be in good supply. Everyone on the team needs to watch chat for where the flag carrier is and where they are going.

There are three ways to get the flag out of a base in Warsong: The ramp, tunnel and graveyard. The variable counterattack doesn't care about this information. By the time anyone gets to these places, the flag is gone anyway.

There are only two ways to get a flag IN to a base, because the graveyard is not normally accessible from the ground. This provides the defense with an advantage.

The variable counterattack selects one base entrance to cover with from two to four people. This forces the flag carrier to the other entrance, where the rest of the players are waiting to attack.

The moment the flag is picked up, players should immediately move to their respective entrances to the opposing base, not chase the flag carrier.