Blackrock Depths Guide — Dungeon guide · WoW Wrath of the Lich King
- Level
- 52–60
- Group
- 5 players
- Bosses
- 18
- Difficulty
- Normal
- Location
- Blackrock Mountain
- Key
- None needed
How the run goes
The largest dungeon in the game: a Dark Iron city with a prison, an arena, a bar, a forge and the emperor's palace. Few groups clear it in one go. Plan the run around what you need: a prison and arena run, a bar run, a Lyceum and emperor run, or quest targets in the quarry.
Group: A tank, a healer and three damage dealers from around level 52 for the first half, closer to 58 for the emperor. Fire resistance helps against the deeper elementals, and the Lyceum needs two Shadowforge Torches from the Flame Keepers.
Map and route
Boss 8: Panzor the InvincibleEntranceEntranceStop 1: High Interrogator GerstahnStop 2: Lord RoccorStop 3: Houndmaster GrebmarStop 4: Ring of LawStop 5: Fineous DarkvireStop 6: Lord IncendiusStop 7: Bael'GarQuest giver: Commander Gor'shak · inside Blackrock Depths, What Is Going On?Quest giver: Commander Gor'shak · inside Blackrock Depths, What Is Going On?Quest giver: Marshal Windsor · inside Blackrock Depths, Abandoned HopeQuest giver: Marshal Windsor · inside Blackrock Depths, A Shred of HopeQuest giver: Marshal Windsor · inside Blackrock Depths, Jail Break!Quest giver: Kharan Mighthammer · inside Blackrock Depths, Kharan's TaleQuest giver: Kharan Mighthammer · inside Blackrock Depths, The Bearer of Bad NewsFrom the Detention Block past Gerstahn, Roccor and Grebmar to the Ring of Law, through the quarry and the Black Anvil (Fineous, Incendius, Bael'Gar), then into Shadowforge City: Loregrain, Angerforge and Argelmach, the Grim Guzzler, Flamelash and the Seven, and Magmus before the Emperor.
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
- strategy
! marks a quest giver inside the instance; select it for the quest.
1.Detention Block and the Ring of Law
From the entrance, the Detention Block holds High Interrogator Gerstahn. Lord Roccor and Houndmaster Grebmar stand on the way to the Ring of Law, where walking into the arena starts the event: waves of enemies, then one of six champions picked at random.
2.The quarry and the Black Anvil
Optional, mostly for quests: Fineous Darkvire walks the quarry with escorts, Lord Incendius stands at the Black Anvil, Bael'Gar burns in the lava road and Panzor the Invincible is a rare golem in the manufactory.
3.Shadowforge City
Through the gates of Shadowforge City: Pyromancer Loregrain at the shrine, General Angerforge in his hall, and Golem Lord Argelmach in the golem workshop.
4.The Grim Guzzler
The tavern. Breaking the Thunderbrew lager kegs brings Hurley Blackbreath and his crew; Phalanx guards the door to the back; attacking Plugger Spazzring or stealing his ale turns the whole bar hostile.
5.The Lyceum and the palace
Light the Lyceum's braziers with two Shadowforge Torches to open the way to Ambassador Flamelash, then the Summoners' Tomb, where speaking to Doom'rel starts the Seven. Past them, Magmus guards the hall of flame-breathing statues before the throne room of Emperor Dagran Thaurissan and Princess Moira.
Boss by boss
Detention Block and the Ring of Law
On the way: Anvilrage guards and wardens. The arena event locks you in: be at full health before stepping into the ring.
- Level
- 52 · Elite
- Health
- 9,485
- Mana
- 9,615
- Armor
- 3,072
Shadow Word: PainUtters a word of darkness, inflicting Shadow damage to an enemy every 3 sec. for 18 sec.
Mana BurnHits an enemy with an anti-mana bolt. For each point of mana consumed by the bolt, the target takes 0.5 damage.
Psychic ScreamLets out a psychic scream, causing up to 5 nearby enemies to flee for 6 sec.
Shadow ShieldSurrounds the caster with a shield woven of Shadow magic. The shield lasts 30 sec., absorbs up to 200 Physical or magical damage, and inflicts 10 damage to melee attackers.
A Dark Iron priestess in the Detention Block. She casts Shadow Word: Pain and Mana Burn, fears with Psychic Scream and shields herself.
- Tanks
- Clear her room's guards first, then hold her; fears will move you.
- Healers
- Mana Burn drains you: stay out of her range if you can, and dispel Shadow Word: Pain.
- Damage dealers
- Dispel her Shadow Shield, interrupt her spells and kill her quickly.
- Level
- 51 · Elite
- Health
- 11,460
- Armor
- 4,527
Ground TremorStuns nearby enemies, rendering them unable to move or attack for 2 sec.
Flame ShockInstantly burns an enemy, then inflicts additional Fire damage every 3 sec. for 12 sec.
Earth ShockShocks an enemy with concussive force, inflicting Nature damage and interrupting the spell being cast for 2 sec.
An elemental lord who casts Flame Shock and Earth Shock and uses Ground Tremor.
- Tanks
- Pull him away from the area's patrols and hold him while the group burns him.
- Healers
- Ground Tremor stuns everyone near him: stay at range.
- Damage dealers
- Ranged damage avoids his ground tremor; melee expect the stun and stay ready.
- Level
- 52 · Elite
- Health
- 10,670
- Armor
- 3,074
BloodlustIncreases an ally's attack speed by 30% for 30 sec.
Demoralizing ShoutReduces the melee attack power of nearby enemies by 10 for 30 sec.
PummelPummels an enemy for 45 damage and interrupts the spell being cast for 5 sec.
A Dark Iron houndmaster with hounds, Bloodlust, Demoralizing Shout and Pummel.
- Tanks
- Pick up the hounds and Grebmar together and keep all of them on you.
- Healers
- Pummel interrupts casters near him: stay at range and heal from there.
- Damage dealers
- Kill the hounds first, then Grebmar; his Bloodlust speeds up his attacks.
- 4
Ring of Law — Anub'shiah, Eviscerator, Gorosh the Dervish, Grizzle, Hedrum the Creeper, Ok'thor the Breaker
Loot and drops →- Level
- 52 · Elite
- Health
- 16,208
- Mana
- 10,205
- Armor
- 3,072
Demon ArmorProtects the caster, increasing armor by 210, Shadow resistance by 3, and health regeneration for 30 min.
Shadow BoltHurls a bolt of dark magic at an enemy, inflicting Shadow damage.
Enveloping WebImmobilizes an enemy, increases the time between its attacks by 100%, and prevents it from casting spells for 8 sec.
Curse of WeaknessReduces the Physical damage dealt by an enemy by 1 for 2 min. Only one curse per warlock can be active on any one target.
Curse of TonguesForces nearby enemies to speak in Demonic, reducing their casting speed by 50% for 15 sec. Only one curse per warlock can be active on any one target.
BanishBanishes an enemy, preventing all action but making it invulnerable for up to 15 sec. Only one target can be banished at a time.
Vicious RendInflicts Physical damage to an enemy every 3 sec. for 15 sec.- Shadow Bolt VolleyHurls missiles of dark magic, inflicting Shadow damage to nearby enemies.
An arena event: waves of beasts and Dark Iron fighters, then one of six champions chosen at random, each with its own tricks (shadow bolts and curses, webs, whirlwinds, banishes).
- Tanks
- Gather each wave on you in the middle of the ring, then pick up the champion when it enters.
- Healers
- Keep mana for the champion. Remove curses and webs where you can.
- Damage dealers
- Kill the waves fast with area damage and save cooldowns for the champion.
The quarry and the Black Anvil
On the way: Fire elementals and Dark Iron miners. Lava edges: keep your back clear of them.
- Level
- 53 · Elite
- Health
- 27,944
- Mana
- 9,910
- Armor
- 3,126
Devotion AuraGives 20 additional armor to nearby party members for 4 min. Players may only have one aura on them per paladin at any one time.
Holy StrikeConsecrates the caster's weapon, inflicting 1 additional damage on its next attack. All damage inflicted is based on Holy magic.
KickKicks an enemy for 2 damage, interrupting the spell being cast for 6 sec.
Holy LightCalls upon Holy magic to heal an ally.
Seal of ReckoningSurrounds an ally with a seal that lasts 30 sec. Every time the sealed character strikes an enemy, the sealed character gains health.
A Dark Iron paladin with escorts, Holy Strike, Holy Light and Seal of Reckoning. He carries Ironfel for the Shadowforge Key quest.
- Tanks
- Clear his escorts first, then hold him; he's a paladin and will try to heal himself.
- Healers
- Steady damage on the tank with spikes from Holy Strike: keep the tank high.
- Damage dealers
- Interrupt his Holy Light every time, or the fight drags on much longer.
- Level
- 55 · Elite
- Health
- 16,991
- Armor
- 3,234
Curse of the Elemental Lord
Fiery BurstInflicts Fire damage to all enemies in a selected area.
Mighty BlowInflicts normal damage plus 25 to an enemy, knocking it back.
Fire StormCalls down a pillar of flame, burning all enemies in a selected area for 324 to 376 Fire damage and an additional 185 to 215 damage every 3 sec. for 30 sec.
A fire lord at the Black Anvil who casts Fire Storm and Fiery Burst, curses the group and knocks the tank away with Mighty Blow.
- Tanks
- Fight with your back to a wall, away from the lava: Mighty Blow can throw you into it.
- Healers
- Fire Storm and Fiery Burst hit the group; remove his curse if you can.
- Damage dealers
- Spread out a little against his fire and keep away from the edge of the lava.
- Level
- 52 · Elite
- Health
- 25,330
- Armor
- 3,074
- Summon Spawn of Bael'GarSummons 1 Spawn of Bael'Gar in a selected area to aid the caster in battle for 3 min. The violent summoning also inflicts 1388 to 1612 Fire damage to enemies in the selected area.
A giant fire elemental in the lava road who calls Spawns of Bael'Gar.
- Tanks
- Pick up each fiery spawn as it appears and keep them away from the healer.
- Healers
- Damage on the tank rises with each spawn left alive; keep the tank topped up as they arrive.
- Damage dealers
- Kill the spawns, then Bael'Gar. Use the quest item on his remains if you need it.
- Level
- 56 · Rare elite
- Health
- 13,495
- Armor
- 3,289
A rare golem in the manufactory with no special abilities.
- Tanks
- Clear the constructs around him, then hold him: he's a rare and hits hard.
- Healers
- Plain but heavy melee damage on the tank: keep healing steady and use bigger heals on spikes.
- Damage dealers
- Kill him when he's up; he drops good gear for the level.
Shadowforge City
On the way: Large Anvilrage and Fireguard packs. Angerforge's and Argelmach's rooms are full of guards and golems: clear them first.
- Level
- 52 · Rare elite
- Health
- 8,300
- Mana
- 23,250
- Armor
- 2,481
Fire WardSurrounds the caster with a shield that lasts 1 min. and can absorb a fixed amount of Fire damage.
Molten BlastBurns an enemy, inflicting Fire damage.- Flame ShockInstantly burns an enemy, then inflicts additional Fire damage every 3 sec. for 12 sec.
Scorching TotemSummons a Scorching Totem at the caster's feet. Totem lasts 35 sec. and attacks a nearby enemy every 2 sec.
A Dark Iron fire mage with a Scorching Totem, Molten Blast, Flame Shock and Fire Ward.
- Tanks
- Clear his guards, then hold him away from his fire totem's reach.
- Healers
- Fire damage hits the group, mostly from his totem: ask for it to be destroyed quickly.
- Damage dealers
- Destroy the Scorching Totem at once and interrupt his fire spells.
- Level
- 55 · Elite
- Health
- 22,272
- Armor
- 3,234
Sunder ArmorHacks at an enemy's armor, reducing it by 0 per Sunder Armor. Can be applied up to 5 times. Lasts 30 sec.
A Dark Iron general who stacks Sunder Armor on the tank and calls Anvilrage reinforcements at low health.
- Tanks
- Clear his guards first. Sunder Armor stacks on you; pick up the reinforcements when they arrive.
- Healers
- Tank damage climbs as Sunder stacks, then again when the guards come.
- Damage dealers
- Kill him fast at the end, or switch to the reinforcements if they reach the healer.
- Level
- 55 · Elite
- Health
- 13,362
- Mana
- 17,928
- Armor
- 3,232
Lightning ShieldSurrounds the caster with 3 balls of lightning that have 50% chance of striking melee or ranged attackers for 4 damage. Each time the lightning shield strikes, a ball of lightning dissipates. Thus, the shield expires after 10 min. or after it has struck 3 times.
Chain LightningStrikes an enemy with a lightning bolt that arcs to another nearby enemy. The spell affects up to 5 targets, inflicting greater Nature damage to each successive target.
ShockInstantly throws a bolt of lightning at an enemy, inflicting Nature damage.
A Dark Iron engineer in the golem workshop with Lightning Shield and Chain Lightning; his golems wake to help him.
- Tanks
- Clear the golems in the room before the fight: he wakes any that are still standing.
- Healers
- Spread out for Chain Lightning and heal the tank through his shocks.
- Damage dealers
- Melee watch for Lightning Shield; interrupt his Chain Lightning.
The Grim Guzzler
On the way: The patrons are friendly until something sets them off. Agree before anyone touches a keg.
- Level
- 55 · Elite
- Health
- 13,070
- Armor
- 3,234
- Flame BreathInflicts 10 Fire damage to enemies in a cone in front of the caster.
Drunken RageIncreases the caster's attack speed by 50% and increases the Physical damage it deals by 50 for 15 sec.- BanishBanishes an enemy, preventing all action but making it invulnerable for up to 15 sec. Only one target can be banished at a time.
- Curse of TonguesForces an enemy to speak in Demonic, reducing its casting speed by 50% for 15 sec. Only one curse per warlock can be active on any one target.
- Demon ArmorProtects the caster, increasing armor by 210, Shadow resistance by 3, and health regeneration for 30 min.
ImmolateBurns an enemy, then inflicts additional Fire damage every 3 sec. for 21 sec.- Shadow BoltHurls a bolt of dark magic at an enemy, inflicting Shadow damage.
A drunken brawler who comes with his crew when you break the Thunderbrew kegs. He breathes fire and flies into a Drunken Rage.
- Tanks
- Be ready before the last keg breaks; pick up Hurley and his crew.
- Healers
- Flame Breath hits a cone in front of him: stay to the side.
- Damage dealers
- Kill his crew first, then Hurley; pull him away from the Grim Guzzler's patrons.
- Level
- 55 · Elite
- Health
- 18,298
- Armor
- 3,234
ThunderclapInflicts 71 to 79 Nature damage to nearby enemies, increasing the time between their attacks by 33% and slowing their movement by 40% for 10 sec.- Mighty BlowInflicts normal damage plus 25 to an enemy, knocking it back.
Fireball VolleyInflicts Fire damage to nearby enemies.
The Grim Guzzler's guardian golem. He uses Thunderclap, Mighty Blow and Fireball Volley.
- Tanks
- Pull him somewhere you can't be knocked into the patrons.
- Healers
- Fireball Volley hits everyone in range: heal the group and stay mobile.
- Damage dealers
- Burn him quickly; he has a lot of health, so pull him away from the bar's patrons first.
- Level
- 55 · Elite
- Health
- 10,455
- Mana
- 16,936
- Armor
- 3,232
- BanishBanishes an enemy, preventing all action but making it invulnerable for up to 15 sec. Only one target can be banished at a time.
- Curse of TonguesForces an enemy to speak in Demonic, reducing its casting speed by 50% for 15 sec. Only one curse per warlock can be active on any one target.
- ImmolateBurns an enemy, then inflicts additional Fire damage every 3 sec. for 21 sec.
- Demon ArmorProtects the caster, increasing armor by 210, Shadow resistance by 3, and health regeneration for 30 min.
- Shadow BoltHurls a bolt of dark magic at an enemy, inflicting Shadow damage.
Gout of Flame
The bartender. Attacking him, or stealing his ale, makes the patrons hostile. He casts warlock spells and breathes fire.
- Tanks
- Agree with the group before anyone attacks; pick up Plugger and the patrons together.
- Healers
- A large fight: heal everyone and stay near the exit you agreed on.
- Damage dealers
- Kill the patrons that reach the healer, then Plugger.
The Lyceum and the palace
On the way: The Lyceum's Flame Keepers and the palace's guards are tough. The flame statues in Magmus's hall fire down the corridor: fight away from them.
- Level
- 55 · Elite
- Health
- 27,840
- Armor
- 3,234
- Burning Spirit
A fire elemental in the Lyceum. Burning Spirits come from the room's edges and empower him if they reach him.
- Tanks
- Hold him in the centre of the Lyceum so the damage dealers can meet the spirits before they reach him.
- Healers
- Damage rises sharply if Burning Spirits reach him: heal the tank through it.
- Damage dealers
- Kill every Burning Spirit before it reaches him, then go back to Flamelash.
- 16
The Seven — Doom'rel, Gloom'rel, Hate'rel, Anger'rel, Seeth'rel, Vile'rel, Dope'rel
Loot and drops →- Level
- 56 · Elite
- Health
- 12,954
- Mana
- 17,304
- Armor
- 3,287
Summon Voidwalkers- Demon ArmorProtects the caster, increasing armor by 210, Shadow resistance by 3, and health regeneration for 30 min.
- Shadow Bolt VolleyHurls missiles of dark magic, inflicting Shadow damage to nearby enemies.
- ImmolateBurns an enemy, then inflicts additional Fire damage every 3 sec. for 21 sec.
- Curse of WeaknessReduces the Physical damage dealt by an enemy by 1 for 2 min. Only one curse per warlock can be active on any one target.
HamstringInflicts weapon damage plus 1 to an enemy, reducing its movement speed by 60% for 10 sec.
Mortal StrikeInflicts 130% weapon damage and leaves the target wounded, reducing the effectiveness of any healing by 50% for 5 sec.
Recklessness
Seven Dark Iron spirits in the Summoners' Tomb. Speaking to Doom'rel starts the event; they wake one at a time, each with its own abilities (shadow bolts, voidwalkers, Mortal Strike, curses).
- Tanks
- Pick up each dwarf as it wakes and keep it away from the group.
- Healers
- Each dwarf hits differently; Doom'rel, the last, summons voidwalkers.
- Damage dealers
- Kill each dwarf before the next one wakes: they come one at a time, and overlap is what kills groups.
- Level
- 56 · Elite
- Health
- 24,291
- Armor
- 3,380
- Fiery BurstInflicts Fire damage to all enemies in a selected area.
War StompInflicts normal damage plus 50 to nearby enemies, knocking them back and stunning them for 8 sec.
A giant golem guarding the throne room's hall. He uses Fiery Burst and War Stomp, and the flame statues fire down the corridor while he lives.
- Tanks
- Pull him out of the statues' fire lanes and hold him where the fire can't reach.
- Healers
- War Stomp stuns those close to him; stay out of the statues' fire.
- Damage dealers
- Avoid the statues' fire and kill him; the way to the Emperor opens behind him.
- Level
- 56 · Elite
- Health
- 26,649
- Armor
- 3,289
Hand of ThaurissanInflicts Fire damage to an enemy, stunning it for 5 sec.- Avatar of FlameSurrounds the caster in flames for 10 sec., giving the caster magic immunity and the ability to inflict 170 to 230 Fire damage to an enemy on attack.
HealCalls upon Holy magic to heal an ally.
RenewHeals the target of 810 damage over 15 sec.
Power Word: ShieldDraws on the soul of the party member to shield them, absorbing 942 damage. Lasts 30 sec. While the shield holds, spellcasting will not be interrupted by damage. Once shielded, the target cannot be shielded again for 15 sec.- Mind BlastInflicts Shadow damage to an enemy, but causes a high amount of threat.
- Shadow Word: PainUtters a word of darkness, inflicting Shadow damage to an enemy every 3 sec. for 18 sec.
SmiteSmite an enemy for 371 to 415 Holy damage.
The Dark Iron emperor, with Princess Moira Bronzebeard healing him. He stuns with Hand of Thaurissan and burns everything near him with Avatar of Flame.
- Tanks
- Hold the emperor; pick up his guards. Move away from Avatar of Flame if it's hurting too much.
- Healers
- Avatar of Flame hits everyone near him; keep the tank healthy through the stuns.
- Damage dealers
- Interrupt Moira's heals or crowd-control her. Kill the emperor; leave Moira alive if you're rescuing her for the quest.
Before you go
- Collect Dark Iron Legacy from Franclorn Forgewright while dead outside the dungeon.
- The Lyceum requires two Shadowforge Torches from Flame Keepers. Move together rather than fighting respawning enemies indefinitely.
- Bring a way to handle humanoid runners and reserve fire protection for the deeper elemental sections.
- No key for the first prison section. The Shadowforge Key opens useful internal routes; Molten Core attunement is a separate quest in the deeper city.