Wailing Caverns — Classic dungeon · WoW WotLK
- Level
- 17–24
- Group size
- 5 players
- Location
- The Barrens
- Continent
- Kalimdor
- Difficulty
- Normal
- Bosses
- 8
- Quests
- 9
- Availability
- Open from launch
- Access
- No key needed to enter
Classic guide shown for ForeverThis guide describes the instance as it was in the expansion it comes from. Its encounters and loot carry over to Wrath of the Lich King, but keys and attunements changed: see the Attunements guide.MoreLess
Overview
A branching cave network corrupted by the Emerald Nightmare. Defeat the four Fanglords before starting the Disciple of Naralex escort; clearing only the final corridor will not unlock the event.
How to get there
Find the skull-shaped cavern southwest of the Crossroads. Follow the uninstanced cave down to the portal; the quest givers are in a chamber above the cavern mouth.
Show entrance on the World MapAlliance
Approach through Ratchet and ride inland. Pick up neutral quests above the cave before following your group through the outer tunnels.
Horde
Travel from the Crossroads southwest to the oasis and cavern. Collect the Thunder Bluff and Crossroads quest chains before leaving town.
On the leveling routes
- Horde, levels 10–19: The Barrens (Tauren start)
- Horde, levels 11–19: The Barrens (Orc and Troll start)
- Horde, levels 19–23: Stonetalon Mountains (Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms route, Kalimdor route)
- Horde, levels 20–30: The Barrens (Dungeon route)
Requirements & attunements
No key. The Naralex event depends on defeating the four Fanglords during the run.
All attunements and keys →Map
From the entrance to Lady Anacondra, Kresh in the water and Lord Cobrahn in the western caves, then up to Lord Pythas, round to Skum and on to Lord Serpentis and Verdan the Everliving. Mutanus appears when the Disciple of Naralex's ritual ends.
Bosses
Lady Anacondra
Healing Touch
Sleep
Thorns Aura
Lightning Bolt
Interrupt healing and wake or protect players affected by Sleep.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Lady Anacondra
- Item level 21 · Waist · Leather · Requires level 16~10%
Lord Cobrahn
- Healing Touch
Cobrahn Serpent Form- Druid's Slumber
- Lightning Bolt
Interrupt his healing before he transforms; keep the group together during the snake phase.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Lord Cobrahn
- Item level 24 · Waist · Mail · Requires level 19~20%
- Item level 23 · Legs · Leather · Requires level 18~20%
- Item level 22 · Chest · Cloth · Requires level 17~60%
Kresh
An optional turtle encounter. Let the tank hold him and save mana for the Fanglord route if you skip him.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Kresh
- Item level 20 · Off Hand · Shields · Requires level 15~10%
Lord Pythas
- Healing Touch
- Sleep
Thunderclap- Lightning Bolt
Interrupt healing and prepare for Thunderclap damage around the tank.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Lord Pythas
- Item level 24 · One-Hand · One-Handed Maces · Requires level 19~40%
- Item level 23 · Chest · Leather · Requires level 18~60%
Skum
Chained Bolt
Spread enough to reduce the value of his chain lightning; do not stand with the tank unnecessarily.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Skum
- Item level 22 · Back · Cloth · Requires level 17~50%
- Item level 22 · One-Hand · Daggers · Requires level 17~50%
Lord Serpentis
- Healing Touch
- Sleep
- Lightning Bolt
Interrupt Healing Touch and remove Sleep when possible.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Lord Serpentis
- Item level 24 · Ranged · Bows · Requires level 19~25%
- Item level 23 · Hands · Cloth · Requires level 18~25%
- Item level 23 · Feet · Mail · Requires level 18~25%
- Item level 23 · Feet · Leather · Requires level 18~25%
Verdan the Everliving
Grasping Vines
Save defensive abilities for his heavy melee swings; casters should stay out of melee range.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Verdan the Everliving
- Item level 25 · Off Hand · Shields · Requires level 20~40%
- Item level 25 · Two-Hand · Staves · Requires level 20~40%
- Item level 23 · Back · Cloth · Requires level 18~20%
Mutanus the Devourer
- Thundercrack
- Naralex's Nightmare
Terrify
Complete the Naralex escort waves, then keep healing available for the boss rather than spending all mana on the final wave.
Tactics for tanks, healers and damage dealers →Loot · Mutanus the Devourer
- Item level 27 · Shoulder · Cloth · Requires level 20~33%
- Item level 26 · Finger · Requires level 20~33%
- Item level 28 · Chest · Mail · Requires level 20~33%
Quests
Leaders of the Fang Level 14+ · Horde
Starts:
- Nara Wildmane · Thunder Bluff, Elder Rise (75.6, 31.6)Show on World Map
Requires: Nara Wildmane
Objectives: 1 × Gem of Cobrahn · 1 × Gem of Anacondra · 1 × Gem of Pythas · 1 × Gem of Serpentis
Rewards
See also: Wailing Caverns
Trouble at the Docks Level 14+ · Both factions
Starts:
- Crane Operator Bigglefuzz · The Barrens, Ratchet (63.1, 37.6)Show on World Map
Objectives: 1 × 99-Year-Old Port
See also: Wailing Caverns
Serpentbloom Level 14+ · Horde
Starts:
- Apothecary Zamah · Thunder Bluff, Spirit Rise (22.8, 20.9)Show on World Map
Objectives: 10 × Serpentbloom
Rewards
See also: Wailing Caverns
Deviate Hides Level 13+ · Horde
Starts:
- Nalpak · The Barrens (46, 35.7)Show on World Map
Objectives: 20 × Deviate Hide
Rewards
See also: Wailing Caverns
Deviate Eradication Level 15+ · Both factions
Starts:
- Ebru · The Barrens (46, 35.7)Show on World Map
Objectives: 7 × Deviate Ravager · 7 × Deviate Viper · 7 × Deviate Shambler · 7 × Deviate Dreadfang
Rewards
See also: Wailing Caverns
Hamuul Runetotem Level 13+ · Horde
Starts:
- Tonga Runetotem · The Barrens, The Crossroads (52.3, 31.9)Show on World Map
Requires: Altered Beings
Leads to: Nara Wildmane
See also: Wailing Caverns
Nara Wildmane Level 12+ · Horde
Starts:
- Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem · Thunder Bluff, Elder Rise (78.6, 28.6)Show on World Map
Requires: Hamuul Runetotem
Leads to: Leaders of the Fang
See also: Wailing Caverns
Smart Drinks Level 14+ · Both factions
Starts:
- Mebok Mizzyrix · The Barrens, Ratchet (62.4, 37.6)Show on World Map
Requires: Raptor Horns
Objectives: 6 × Wailing Essence
See also: Wailing Caverns
The Glowing Shard Level 15+ · Both factions
Objectives: 1 × Glowing Shard
See also: Wailing Caverns
Loot & rewards
Notable boss drops. Full loot tables are longer.
- Item level 21 · Waist · Leather · Requires level 16
Lady Anacondra
- Item level 24 · Waist · Mail · Requires level 19
Lord Cobrahn
- Item level 23 · Legs · Leather · Requires level 18
Lord Cobrahn
- Item level 22 · Chest · Cloth · Requires level 17
Lord Cobrahn
- Item level 20 · Off Hand · Shields · Requires level 15
Kresh
- Item level 24 · One-Hand · One-Handed Maces · Requires level 19
Lord Pythas
- Item level 23 · Chest · Leather · Requires level 18
Lord Pythas
- Item level 22 · Back · Cloth · Requires level 17
Skum
- Item level 22 · One-Hand · Daggers · Requires level 17
Skum
- Item level 24 · Ranged · Bows · Requires level 19
Lord Serpentis
- Item level 23 · Hands · Cloth · Requires level 18
Lord Serpentis
- Item level 23 · Feet · Mail · Requires level 18
Lord Serpentis
- Item level 23 · Feet · Leather · Requires level 18
Lord Serpentis
- Item level 25 · Off Hand · Shields · Requires level 20
Verdan the Everliving
- Item level 25 · Two-Hand · Staves · Requires level 20
Verdan the Everliving
- Item level 23 · Back · Cloth · Requires level 18
Verdan the Everliving
- Item level 28 · Chest · Mail · Requires level 20
Mutanus the Devourer
- Item level 27 · Shoulder · Cloth · Requires level 20
Mutanus the Devourer
- Item level 26 · Finger · Requires level 20
Mutanus the Devourer
Tips & preparation
- Bring a way to remove Sleep or assign a player to watch for slept healers.
- The route includes a small jump near the later caverns. Regroup after it instead of pulling while someone is still finding the path.
- Speak to the Disciple at the entrance only after the Fanglords are dead and the party is ready for an escort.