Blackrock Depths Dungeon Guide for WoW: Forever

Blackrock Depths is a large underground city of Dark Iron dwarves. Aim for levels 52–60, and prepare according to whether you're making a short prison run or going all the way to the emperor. Decide what the group wants before forming it: quests, arena, key, tavern, or the final halls.

The portal is in the lower part of Blackrock Mountain. The Alliance and Horde routes meet at the chains inside the mountain, and you can reach the complex from either side.

Alliance Route

From Morgan's Vigil, head for the southern passage into the mountain. The map marks the outside entrance to Blackrock Mountain.

Horde Route

From Kargath, travel through Searing Gorge to the northern passage. If you have the flight path, you can start from Thorium Point.

Inside, go down the large chain to the central structure, pass through the tomb, and find the second chain leading farther down. From the lower platform, enter the quarry and follow the northern tunnel to the portal. Follow the chains down and leave the upward path to Blackrock Spire.

1. Do your prison quests in the opening section. Loot the Prison Cell Key from High Interrogator Gerstahn to open the cells. You can reach Lord Roccor, Houndmaster Grebmar, and the arena early in the dungeon without making the full run to the emperor.
2. For the Shadowforge Key, pick up Dark Iron Legacy from the ghost Franclorn Forgewright in advance. Defeat Fineous Darkvire, then finish the quest at the shrine.
3. Clear the side areas you need, including Pyromancer Loregrain, Bael'Gar, the vault, and Lord Incendius's platform. Agree on which branches to visit with the group. The dungeon is very long.
4. To go deeper, pass the gate mechanism and continue to General Angerforge, Golem Lord Argelmach, and the tavern. Decide how you'll open the next passage before picking a fight in the tavern.
5. After the tavern, go through Ambassador Flamelash, the Tomb of the Seven, and the Lyceum, in that order. Find the flame keepers and light two braziers to open the way forward.
6. Defeat Magmus, then agree on what to do with Princess Moira Bronzebeard during the fight with Emperor Dagran Thaurissan. Keep her alive for the rescue quests.

Encounter Overview

High Interrogator Gerstahn uses fear. Clear nearby packs first and fight where a feared player won't run into more enemies. Interrupt Mana Burn and dispel the magic damage-over-time effect. Loot the Prison Cell Key after the fight if the party needs access to the prison cells.

Key Abilities

• Shadow Word: Pain.
• Mana Burn.
• Psychic Scream.
• Shadow Shield.

Encounter Overview

Lord Roccor is in the opening section. Clear nearby patrols before pulling him on his own. The healer should watch for interrupts, and the DPS should give the tank time to establish threat.

Key Abilities

• Earth Shock.
• Flame Shock.

Encounter Overview

Houndmaster Grebmar patrols between packs of dogs. Wait for him to move away and clear the two packs separately. Then pull the houndmaster into the cleared area to fight him on his own.

Key Abilities

• Bloodlust.
• Demoralizing Shout.
• Pummel.

Encounter Overview

In the Ring of Law, one of several opponents appears after the opening waves. Against Gorosh the Dervish, move away from the spinning attack and save defensives for the healing reduction. Watch for Grizzle's melee damage buff and Eviscerator's area shadow magic and protective shield. Against Ok'thor the Breaker, dispel Polymorph and stay clear of Arcane Explosion. Remove disruptive curses from Anub'shiah and clear the poison and roots from Hedrum the Creeper. Use Banner of Provocation to start the separate Theldren event, which differs from the regular random arena boss.

Key Abilities

• Whirlwind.
• Mortal Strike.
• Polymorph.
• Arcane Explosion.
• Curse of Tongues.
• Baneful Poison.

Encounter Overview

You need to defeat Fineous Darkvire to get the Shadowforge Key. Clear his entire patrol route before pulling. The boss hits hard and heals himself. Assign an interrupt to his heal and position so your healer can keep casting on the tank.

Key Abilities

• Holy Light.
• Holy Strike.
• Kick.

Encounter Overview

Pyromancer Loregrain is an optional boss near the shrine. Destroy his fire totem as soon as it appears and interrupt spells when possible. Clear other nearby packs before pulling.

Key Abilities

• Scorching Totem.
• Molten Blast.
• Flame Shock.
• Fire Ward.

Encounter Overview

Bael'Gar waits in a side area and can be skipped on a run to the emperor. Face him away from the party and kill the fire adds quickly as they appear. If you're doing A Taste of Flame, check for the quest item before leaving the platform.

Key Abilities

• Summon Spawn of Bael'Gar.
• Magma Splash.

Encounter Overview

Lord Incendius stands by the Black Anvil on a platform above lava. The main danger is losing position to the knockback. Keep a safe part of the platform behind the tank, and have everyone else stay away from the edge. Remove the curse and move out of the fire.

Key Abilities

• Curse of the Elemental Lord.
• Fiery Burst.
• Fire Storm.
• Mighty Blow.

Encounter Overview

In the vault, you can encounter Warder Stilgiss with Verek. Kill the caster first, then his companion. To open the whole vault, you need keys for all twelve compartments. The guards come to life and Watchman Doomgrip appears when you open the last one. Make sure the group is ready before opening the last compartment. A clue on the wall points to the holder of the Dark Keeper Key.

Key Abilities

• Frostbolt.
• Frost Ward.
• Frost Nova.
• Frost Armor.

Encounter Overview

General Angerforge calls for reinforcements. Assign someone to pick up new enemies and use area damage to kill them quickly. Keep incoming adds off the healer, and be ready for reduced armor on the tank.

Key Abilities

• Sunder Armor.

Encounter Overview

Golem Lord Argelmach's Chain Lightning is dangerous. Spread out to limit how many players it hits. Interrupt spells when possible and watch for his lightning shield. Clear the enemies around the room before pulling.

Key Abilities

• Chain Lightning.
• Lightning Shield.
• Shock.

Encounter Overview

Most patrons in the Grim Guzzler start neutral. For one way through, buy six Dark Iron Ale Mug from Plugger Spazzring and give them to Private Rocknot. His stunt activates Phalanx and opens the next door. Watch where you attack to avoid pulling all the patrons. Hurley Blackbreath appears when you break three kegs in the storeroom, and Ribbly Screwspigot is part of a separate quest. If you plan to fight Plugger Spazzring, clear some space and wait for him to approach the cleared area.

Key Abilities

• Thunderclap.
• Mighty Blow.
• Fireball Volley.
• Shadow Bolt.

Encounter Overview

Ambassador Flamelash repeatedly summons spirits that move toward him and buff him if they reach him. Assign DPS to kill them before they reach the boss. Fewer stacks make it easier to keep the tank alive. Letting the spirits through makes the fight more dangerous over time.

Key Abilities

• Burning Spirit.
• Burning Spirit.

Encounter Overview

The rare mob Panzor the Invincible appears in the foundry. Casters should watch for his spell reflection and stop any dangerous casts while it's active. The tank should hold the boss away from other enemies.

Key Abilities

• Spell Reflection.

Encounter Overview

In the Tomb of the Seven, the group fights dwarven spirits one after another. They include Hate'rel, Anger'rel, Vile'rel, Gloom'rel, Seeth'rel, Doom'rel, and Dope'rel. Finish each opponent quickly so the next wave doesn't leave you fighting several at once. Start with plenty of mana, interrupt casters, and keep adds away from the healer.

Encounter Overview

Magmus stands in a long hall lined with fire statues. The tank should choose a spot where the flames from the side walls won't cross the party. Watch where the fire is pointing and move out of it immediately to avoid overwhelming the healer.

Key Abilities

• Fiery Burst.
• War Stomp.

Encounter Overview

Emperor Dagran Thaurissan fights alongside Princess Moira Bronzebeard. Keep the princess alive for the rescue quests. Assign a player to control her and interrupt her healing, and focus damage on the emperor. She becomes friendly when he dies. If you don't need the rescue and you're doing a full clear, take down the princess first. In both cases, watch for increased fire damage and interrupt her heals.

Key Abilities

• Hand of Thaurissan.
• Avatar of Flame.
• Ironfoe.
• Heal.
• Renew.
• Mind Blast.

Enemies respawn quickly in this section. Move together so nobody falls behind. Find Shadowforge Flame Keeper, loot the torches, and light two braziers to open the passage. Coordinate area damage, since stopping on every small pack drains the healer's mana and slows the group down.

1. Ribbly Screwspigot

   Reward — Rancor Boots, Penance Spaulders, Splintsteel Armor, 60 silver, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 53. Faction — Alliance and Horde.

   Quest Giver — Yuka Screwspigot, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 66 22 Copy

2. The Heart of the Mountain

   Reward — 85 silver, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 55. Faction — Alliance and Horde.

   Quest Giver — Maxwort Uberglint, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 65.2 23.8 Copy

3. Attunement to the Core

   Reward — 3 gold 96 silver, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 60. Faction — Alliance and Horde.

   Quest Giver — Lothos Riftwaker, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 26.4 24.6 Copy

4. Dark Iron Legacy

   Reward — Shadowforge Key, 23 silver, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 52. Faction — Alliance and Horde.

   Quest Giver — Franclorn Forgewright, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 28.8 28.4 Copy

5. The Love Potion

   Reward — Manacle Cuffs, Nagmara's Whipping Belt, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 54. Faction — Alliance and Horde.

   Quest Giver — Mistress Nagmara, Blackrock Depths.

6. A Taste of Flame

   Reward — Shaleskin Cape, Wyrmhide Spaulders, Valconian Sash, 2 gold 65 silver, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 58. Faction — Alliance and Horde.

   Quest Giver — Cyrus Therepentous, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 94.8 31.6 Copy

7. Overmaster Pyron

   Reward — 1 gold 55 silver, 5,100 XP, 100 reputation with the Gnomeregan Exiles.

   Quest Level 52. Faction — Alliance.

   Quest Giver — Jalinda Sprig, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 85.4 70 Copy

8. Incendius!

   Reward — Sunborne Cape, Nightfall Gloves, Crypt Demon Bracers, Stalwart Clutch, 85 silver, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 56. Faction — Alliance.

   Quest Giver — Jalinda Sprig, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 85.4 70 Copy

9. The Good Stuff

   Reward — A Dingy Fanny Pack, 85 silver, quest completion XP.

   Quest Level 56. Faction — Alliance.

   Quest Giver — Oralius, Burning Steppes.

   /way Burning Steppes 84.4 68.4 Copy

10. Hurley Blackbreath

Reward — Swiftstrike Cudgel, Limb Cleaver, Dark Dwarven Lager, 1 gold 65 silver, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 55. Faction — Alliance.

Quest Giver — Ragnar Thunderbrew, Dun Morogh.

11. Kharan Mighthammer

Reward — quest completion XP.

Quest Level 59. Faction — Alliance.

Quest Giver — King Magni Bronzebeard, Ironforge.

12. The Fate of the Kingdom

Reward — quest completion XP.

Quest Level 59. Faction — Alliance.

Quest Giver — King Magni Bronzebeard, Ironforge.

13. Marshal Windsor

Reward — 5,450 XP, 100 reputation with Stormwind.

Quest Level 54. Faction — Alliance.

Quest Giver — Marshal Maxwell, Burning Steppes.

14. Jail Break!

Reward — choose one of Blade of Reckoning, Skilled Fighting Blade, Ward of the Elements, 1 gold 75 silver, 7,750 XP, 150 reputation with Stormwind.

Quest Level 58. Faction — Alliance.

Quest Giver — Marshal Windsor, Blackrock Depths.

15. KILL ON SIGHT: Dark Iron Dwarves

Reward — 1 gold 55 silver, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 52. Faction — Horde.

Quest Start — WANTED, Badlands.

16. Lost Thunderbrew Recipe

Reward — Swiftstrike Cudgel, Limb Cleaver, Superior Healing Potion, Greater Mana Potion, 85 silver, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 55. Faction — Horde.

Quest Giver — Shadowmage Vivian Lagrave, Badlands.

17. KILL ON SIGHT: High Ranking Dark Iron Officials

Reward — 1 gold 65 silver, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 54. Faction — Horde.

Quest Start — WANTED, Badlands.

18. The Rise of the Machines

Reward — 2 gold 65 silver, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 58. Faction — Horde.

Quest Giver — Lotwil Veriatus, Badlands.

19. Disharmony of Flame

Reward — Sunborne Cape, Nightfall Gloves, Crypt Demon Bracers, Stalwart Clutch, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 52. Faction — Horde.

Quest Giver — Thunderheart, Badlands.

20. Disharmony of Fire

Reward — Sunborne Cape, Nightfall Gloves, Crypt Demon Bracers, Stalwart Clutch, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 56. Faction — Horde.

Quest Giver — Thunderheart, Badlands.

21. Commander Gor'shak

Reward — quest completion XP.

Quest Level 52. Faction — Horde.

Quest Giver — Galamav the Marksman, Badlands.

22. The Last Element

Reward — 2 gold 45 silver, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 54. Faction — Horde.

Quest Giver — Shadowmage Vivian Lagrave, Badlands.

23. Operation: Death to Angerforge

Reward — 2 gold 65 silver, quest completion XP.

Quest Level 58. Faction — Horde.

Quest Giver — Warlord Goretooth, Badlands.

24. The Royal Rescue

Reward — quest completion XP.

Quest Level 59. Faction — Alliance and Horde.

Quest Giver — Thrall, Orgrimmar.

The table below lists loot from dungeon bosses and events.