Upper Blackrock Spire Dungeon Strategy Guide

By Wowhead Updated: 2020/07/25

Upper Blackrock SpireRewardsLunarfall Inn / Frostwall Tavern

Oralius' Adventure can be completed on any difficulty and rewards players with Oralius' Whispering Crystal, an unlimited-charges "flask”.

For The Children!, which can only be completed in Heroic mode, rewards players with Millhouse Manastorm as a Garrison follower.

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeroy...?Leeroy Jenkins

To complete this achievement, players must locate Leeroy's corpse in the Rookery after killing Kyrak, resurrect it, and then complete all trash and bosses up to and including The Beast before Leeroy's 900-second (15-minute) "chicken timer" expires.

If you do not clear all of those mobs, he will run around pulling everything in the area and die.

ValorValorJudgment of the NaaruOrb of VoidsightInfallible Tracking CharmPurified Shard of the Third MoonGronntooth War HornSign of the EmissaryDraenor Dungeon EventSteamwheedle Preservation SocietyEmissary of WarIron Fleet Treasure ChestThe LanticoreThe LanticoreLanticore SpawnlingChallenge Master: Upper Blackrock SpireDragonmaw? More Like Dragonfall!Bridge Over Troubled FireLeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy...?Magnets, How Do They Work?Glory of the Draenor HeroFrostplains BattleboarLootUpper Blackrock SpireUpper Blackrock SpireUpper Blackrock SpireClick here

Orebender Gor'ashan: Petrified Willow, Gor'ashan's Lodestone Spike, feet, back

Kyrak: Pip's Flenser, Kyrak's Vileblood Serum, ring, shoulder

Commander Tharbek: Tharbek's Unholy Charge, Tharbek's Brutal Possessor, Tharbek's Lucky Pebble, chest, feet

Ragewing the Untamed: Ragewing's Firefang, Blackhand Doomcutter, neck, legs

Warlord Zaela: Emberscale Talisman, Bleakblade of Shahram, Draconian Doomshield, Felshanker, head, waist, wrist

Upper Blackrock SpireChallenge Mode Video Guide

Orebender Gor'ashanLeeroy Jenkins' CorpseKyrakThe LanticoreCommander TharbekSon of the Beast (Optional)Ragewing the UntamedWarlord Zaela

Orebender Gor'ashanNotable Trash Mobs:

Black Iron Grunt - Summons Rallying Banner, which will pull other packs of trash if not quickly killed

Black Iron Berserker - Gains Frenzy, dealing heavy tank damage; can be removed by Enrage-dispelling effects

Black Iron Warcaster - Casts Shrapnel Storm, summoning a small grenade at the targeted player's location; move away before the Shrapnel Storm explodes

Black Iron Leadbelcher - attempt to activate Sentry Cannons, which will deal spiky party damage with Cannon Shot; use crowd-control or stuns to prevent this

Ragemaw Worg - Enrages with Blackrock Rabies, which can be removed by Enrage-dispelling effects; uses Frantic Mauling on the tank

Sentry CannonCannon ShotNote that this function is disabled in Challenge Mode difficulty.Orebender Gor'ashan Tips & StrategyOrebender Gor'ashan

Gor'ashan will occasionally activate several of the Rune Conduits around the room to empower himself with Power Conduit, reducing the damage he takes and allowing him to cast Thunder Cacophony; players must deactivate the Rune Conduits quickly.

Each time Gor'ashan enters this phase, he will activate 2 more Rune Conduits (so first there will be 2 Conduits to deactivate and 2 stacks of Power Conduit on the boss, then 4 and 4, then 6 and 6, then 8 and 8).

While deactivating Rune Conduits, players must also dodge the two Electric Pulses which rotate quickly around the perimeter of the room. Unless the player has a powerful survivability cooldown active, taking any Electric Pulse damage is likely to be fatal. The Electric Pulses move very quickly and players will find it difficult to deactivate more than two Rune Conduits in a row.

Whenever Power Conduit is not active, Gor'ashan will raise a Lodestone Spike from the floor, dealing unavoidable heavy damage to any players lingering there. Players must stay on Gor'ashan's platform or the ramp leading up to it in order to avoid the Lodestone Spike. The Lodestone Spike will begin very shortly after the last Rune Conduit is deactivated, so players should use a personal cooldown for the run back to Gor'ashan's platform..

Use Active Mitigation/cooldowns to reduce Blades of Steel damage

Gor'ashan does not melee during Power Conduit; you can help deactivate Rune Conduits, but be sure to return to the platform quickly to pick Gor'ashan up

Use a cooldown when returning to the platform, in case you are targeted by Lodestone Spike

Use Bloodlust/Heroism/Time Warp at the start

When Gor'ashan gains Power Conduit, jump down from the platform, avoid Electric Pulses, and click on the Rune Conduit

Speed boost abilities are excellent for Conduit deactivation, but avoid aspect of the pack

Use a personal damage-reduction CD when running back to the platform, in case you are targeted by Lodestone Spike

The tank will take heavy damage from Blades of Steel

The party may take infrequent, heavy damage from Shrapnel Nova if not avoided

Use throughput or damage-reduction cooldowns during the Power Conduit/Thunder Cacophony phase

Stay in the middle of Gorashan's platform during Power Conduit/Thunder Cacophony to reach the players deactivating the Rune Conduits

Players struck by Electric Pulse or Lodestone Spike will take fatal or near-fatal damage

Stand halfway-2/3rds up the ramp to avoid Shrapnel Nova

Heroic and Challenge Mode Difficulties:Lodestone SpikeElectric PulseThunder CacophonyKyrakNotable Trash Mobs:Black Iron EngineerDebilitating RayBlack Iron AlchemistRejuvenating SerumDrakonid MonstrosityMonstrous SwipeEruptionKyrak Tips & StrategyKyrakDrakonid MonstrosityDebilitating FixationRejuvenating SerumVileblood Serum

Face Drakonid Monstrosity away from the party

Side-step Eruption to avoid heavy damage and the disorient effect

Interrupt Kyrak's Debilitating Fixation when possible

Move Kyrak away from nearby Vileblood Serum pools, but avoid creating LoS issues for your healer

Use Bloodlust/Heroism/Time Warp at the start, if available

Prioritise the two Drakonid Monstrosity adds first, then Kyrak

Interrupt Kyrak's Debilitating Fixation when possible

Dispel Kyrak's Rejuvenating Serum, if possible

Move out of Vileblood Serum puddles

Melee DPS should avoid being in front of the Drakonid Monstrosity, to avoid Monstrous Swipe

Tank damage will be heaviest at the start of the fight, or if struck by Eruption

Party damage will be heavy once Kyrak starts using Vileblood Serum

Interrupt Kyrak's Debilitating Fixation when possible

Dispel Kyrak's Rejuvenating Serum, if possible

Move out of Vileblood Serum puddles

Heroic and Challenge Mode Difficulties:Salve of Toxic FumesSalve of Toxic FumesCleanseDetoxNature's CureRemove CorruptionCommander TharbekNotable Trash Mobs:Black Iron VeteranBlack Iron EliteIntimidating ShoutBerserker ChargeBlack Iron SiegebreakerFrenzySmashSmashSmashBlack Iron SummonerSummon Black Iron VeteranVilemaw Hatchling

Wave 1: 2 Black Iron Leadbelchers, 2 Ragemaw Worgs

Wave 2: 2 Black Iron Berserkers, 2 Black Iron Dreadweavers

Wave 3: 2 Black Iron Summoners, 1 Black Iron Engineer

Commander Tharbek Tips & StrategyCommander Tharbek

Players must dodge the Ironbarb Skyreaver's Incinerating Breath and Noxious Spit, as well as Tharbek's Iron Reaver charge and the Imbued Iron Axes that wander around the room.

These mechanics will deal near-fatal damage if not avoided. Additionally, Tharbek will target random players (including the tank) with Iron Axe bleeds, which cannot be avoided and deals significant damage.

When Commander Tharbek reaches approximately 70% health, he gains Iron Rage, increasing his damage dealt. This will be the most healing-intensive portion of the encounter.

When Commander Tharbek reaches approximately 60% health, Awbee will join the fight, assisting players in a very minor way by damaging Tharbek with Arcane Breath and melee attacks. This is a reference to the blue dragon whelp, Awbee, who appeared in the original Blackrock Spire as a questgiver near the Stadium.

Move out of the Ironbarb Skyreaver's Incinerating Breath

Move Tharbek away from Noxious Spit and Imbued Iron Axes

Side-step Tharbek's Iron Reaver charge

Save stronger survivability CDs for Tharbek's Iron Rage

Avoid the Imbued Iron Axes and Noxious Spit puddles

Move out of the way of Tharbek's Iron Reaver charge

Stay behind, or far away from, the Ironbarb Skyreaver to avoid Incinerating Breath

Ranged DPS should DoT the Vilemaw Hatchlings flying overhead

Use a personal damage-reduction CD when affected by the Iron Axe bleed, especially after Tharbek gains Iron Rage

The tank, and players affected by the Iron Axe bleed, will take heavy damage, especially during Tharbek's Iron Rage

Players caught in Incinerating Breath or Imbued Iron Axe will take near-fatal damage

Use throughput CDs when the party is low, after Tharbek gains Iron Rage

Avoid the Imbued Iron Axes and Noxious Spit puddles

Move out of the way of Tharbek's Iron Reaver charge

Stay behind, or far away from, the Ironbarb Skyreaver to avoid Incinerating Breath

Use a personal damage-reduction CD when affected by the Iron Axe bleed, especially after Tharbek gains Iron Rage

Heroic and Challenge Mode Difficulties:Ironbarb Skyreaver

While both Tharbek and the Skyreaver are active, tank damage is extremely high.

Players should use Bloodlust/Heroism/Time Warp to finish off the Skyreaver.

Vilemaw HatchlingSon of the Beast (Optional)Son of the BeastLeeeeeeeeeeeeeroy...?The BeastBlack Iron Drake-KeeperTerrifying RoarFlame Eruption

Terrifying Roar applies a Physical-school fear (cannot be dispelled); this can be countered by and Tremor Totem, but by very few other abilities.

Son of the Beast will also rush to the farthest-away target with Fiery Charge, knocking the player back if this is not avoided, and leaving a Fiery Trail on the ground that will damage anyone who crosses its path.

Face Son of the Beast away from the party so his Fiery Charge is more obvious

Move Son of the Beast away from nearby Fiery Trail

Use a survivability cooldown before Terrifying Roar, if possible, in case you are feared through Fiery Trail

Ranged DPS should stand more than 10 yards from Son of the Beast to avoid Terrifying Roar

Side-step Fiery Charge if you are the target, or put your back to a wall

Melee DPS should move away before Terrifying Roar if possible

Players struck by Fiery Charge or who stand in the Fiery Trail it leaves behind will take heavy damage

Outside of these events, most of the damage is moderate tank damage

Use a cooldown on the tank (such as Pain Suppression) if the tank is afflicted by Terrifying Roar

Stand more than 10 yards from Son of the Beast to avoid Terrifying Roar

Side-step Fiery Charge if you are the target, or put your back to a wall

Ragewing the UntamedNotable Trash Mobs:

Of these, the Black Iron Drake-Keeper are the most dangerous, as they will occasionally break off from the group and run to nearby Whelp cages.

If not stunned or otherwise prevented, the Drake-Keepers will release a pack of 10 Whelps from each cage, rapidly overwhelming the group.

Since Drake-Keepers come in groups of four, players should use single-target CC on some of them to help stagger their attempts to release Whelps.

Black Iron GroundshakerEarthpounderEarthpounderRagewing the Untamed Tips & StrategyRagewing the UntamedMagma SpitEngulfing FireEngulfing FireEngulfing FireFire StormRagewing WhelpEngulfing FireMagma SpitBurning RageRipping Claw

Tank Ragewing facing just to the right or left of the center of the bridge, so it's obvious when she turns to use Engulfing Fire

Run to the opposite side of the bridge for Engulfing Fire

Get back into melee range quickly to avoid taking Fire Breath damage

Move away from Magma Spit pools

Use damage reduction CDs for high stacks of Ripping Claw

Quickly gather the Ragewing Whelps, and move out of Fire Storm

When Ragewing lands on the platform after the second Whelp phase, quickly taunt her and face her away from the party

Use Bloodlust/Heroism/Time Warp at the start of the fight

During Ragewing Whelp phases, AoE the Whelps and stay out of Fire Storm

Run to the opposite side of the bridge for Engulfing Fire

Move away from Magma Spit pools

When Ragewing lands on the platform after the second Whelp phase, stay behind her

Remove Ragewing's Burning Rage (an Enrage effect) if possible

Tank damage will be heavy when Ripping Claw stacks are high

Players struck by Engulfing Fire are likely to take fatal damage

Players who stand in Magma Spit pools are likely to take fatal damage

Use damage-reduction or throughput CDs during the Whelps phases

Run to the opposite side of the bridge for Engulfing Fire

Move away from Magma Spit pools and Fire Storm

Heroic and Challenge Mode Difficulties:Engulfing FireStampeding RoarBurning RageTranquilizing ShotSootheBloodlustHeroismTime WarpWarlord ZaelaNotable Trash Mobs:Windfury TotemWindfury buffWindfury TotemBlack Iron RageguardShattering SmashWarlord Zaela Tips & StrategyWarlord ZaelaBlack Iron CycloneRebounding Blade

Three Black Iron Wyrm Riders will land on the platform, causing moderate tank damage and minor annoyance with Chain Pull.

Emberscale Ironflight drakes will swoop down and cover one third of the platform with Burning Breath; this occurs in an alternating pattern, e.g. the first Breath will be oriented east-west, and the next will be north-south, then east-west, etc.

Despite the reach of the graphic, players will take heavy damage from Burning Breath if they are standing anywhere in the targeted segment of the platform. Players can watch the drakes to predict their position and preemptively move out of the area to avoid taking any damage.

Black Iron Wyrm RiderBurning Breath

Use cooldowns or active mitigation to counter the heavy damage of Destructive Smite

Move away from Zaela as she begins her Black Iron Cyclone

Pick up the Black Iron Wyrm Riders when they land, and drag them out of the Emberscale Ironflights' Burning Breath

Taunt Zaela when she lands and move her out of the Emberscale Ironflights' Burning Breath

Use Bloodlust/Heroism/Time Warp at the start of the fight

Ranged DPS should stay spread out to minimize Rebounding Blade damage

If targeted by Black Iron Cyclone, kite Zaela away from allies

If targeted by Chain Pull, move away from the adds once you land, but be mindful of Burning Breath

Avoid standing in Burning Breath

Tank damage will be very high; use tank CDs while the Black Iron Wyrm Riders are active

Players who stand in Burning Breath will be heavily injured

Use damage-reduction or throughput cooldowns when Zaela lands

If targeted by Black Iron Cyclone, kite Zaela away from allies

If targeted by Chain Pull, move away from the adds once you land, but be mindful of Burning Breath

Avoid standing in Burning Breath

Heroic and Challenge Mode Difficulties:Black Iron Wyrm RiderDragon RoarChain PullDragon Roar

The knock-back is more problematic than the damage, as it can force players to take damage from Burning Breath.

Players affected by Chain Pull should move away from the Wyrm Riders as fast as possible, and use a damage-reduction CD if they cannot avoid Dragon Roar.

Emberscale IronflightBurning Breath

Note that the same third of the platform cannot be targeted twice in a row.

One simple way to avoid damage is to simply move into the segment that was most recently targeted, after the Breath fades.

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About the Author:Restoration Shaman@healiocentrichealiocentric ... a blog that revolves around healingAcknowledgementsArielleEsothHamletSerrinneCymre BrightbladeCymre Jones

Comments

Comment by Jovio

I love it that you have taken every roles aspect of the encounters as well as overall mob mechanics. Great guide!

Comment by pathofcloud

Do you have to rez Leroy immediately? Is it possible to go back and rez him right before Zaela or at least wait until after the trash before the next boss or does the timer start immediately after Kyrak dies?

Comment by gunsotsu

upper black rock spire is a leveling dungeon? what?

no it is not

everbloom
shadowmoon burial grounds
upper black rock spire
grim rail depot

do not become avialble until 100..

Comment by 853092

This guide is slightly incorrect. In order to get the Leeroy achievement, you don't need to clear the whole instance. You just need to clear everything up to and including Son of the Beast. Literally all of the trash. Leeroy is lvl 60 and will aggro anything that catches his faintest scent.

In addition, you have slightly more than the 900 seconds to finish. You can start clearing while one person is rezzing, and Leeroy has some dialog before starting the timer. When he's done, he still has to run all the was from the rookery to the Son of the Beast's room which takes a little less than a minute.

Comment by Claskent

You do not have to clear the entire dungeon, you just have to kill every mob up until Ragewing.

Comment by Glitterangel

Awesome and indepth

Comment by 2250

Class and Role breakouts provide basic information to returning WoW vets out of the loop with the patch/xpack changes. It is interesting to compare this instance to the old one I remember running in a 40/15 man group 10 years ago.

Comment by incenderus

Good job!

Comment by Dayani

Updated 12/8 - removed bad advice on Gor'ashan, removed section on CM Tharbek that no longer exists in game, removed knockback on Warlord Zaela Heroic/CM difficulty as that never made it to the live version. :) -- Dayani

Comment by Gharlane

Great guide! My only real quibble is that in the Loot and Rewards section, this sentence:

"Players who complete Challenge Master: Skyreach are awarded the title %s, Scion of Rukhmar."

seems to belong to another guide. Thanks again for posting the guide :)

Comment by kimpossibleof07

I really appreciate that it was broken down by responsibilities.

Upper Blackrock Spire Dungeon Strategy Guide

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