Tyrant Velhari (Hellfire Citadel) Strategy Guide

By Wowhead Updated: 2018/05/12

Tyrant VelhariHellfire CitadelHellfire CitadelTyrant VelhariClass GuidesWarcraft LogsMelee DPSRanged DPSHealersTanksLoot and RewardsSeal of Inevitable Fate Bonus RollsTyrant Velhari

LFR (685)

Cloth: Felfume Gloves, Mantle of Unrestrained Contempt
Leather: Mantle of Unrestrained Contempt
Mail: Harbinger's Desecrated Chain Shirt, Rancorbite Grips
Plate: Demonbreaker Gauntlets
Neck: Thorny Choker of Suffering, Willbreaker Brooch
Cape: Impertinent Student's Cloak
Ring: none
Trinket: Accusation of Inferiority
Weapons: Spiked Gnarlroot Greatclub

Normal, Heroic, Mythic (700, 715, 730)

Cloth: Contemptuous Wristguards, Satin Gloves of Injustice
Leather: Oppressor's Merciless Treads
Mail: Haughty Chain Legguards, Pauldrons of Contempt, Spiked Throatcrusher Boots
Plate: Gauntlets of Derision
Neck: Choker of Sneering Superiority
Cape: none
Ring: Loathful Encrusted Band, Pompous Ceremonial Ring
Trinket: Malicious Censer, Tyrant's Decree
Weapons: Fallen Defender of Argus, Maul of Tyranny, Warhammer of Arrogance

Tome of Chaoslegendary questlineWe Don't Need No Library CardHellfire CitadelGlory of the Hellfire RaiderInfernal DirewolfTyrant VelhariNon-Lethal EnforcerReturn to Table of ContentsNotable Trash MobsLord Aram'elDemon PortalDemonic BarrierDemon Portals

A Portal Guardian guards each portal, and will deal heavy Fire damage to players in front of him with Hellfire Slash

A Somber Guardian patrols the hall, and will periodically buff other enemies with Guardian's Watch

Darkcaster Adepts cast Shadow Bolts at random players

Grim Collaborator casts Corrupting Slash at players in front of him, causing the affected players to take 25% additional damage but deal 50% additional damage

The Umbral Supplicant will cast Unholy Aegis when brought below 50% health; the cast cannot be conventionally interrupted

Unholy Aegis prevents 90% of the damage dealt to the Supplicant, and also inflicts heavy AoE damage on the raid for 12 seconds

Players can stun the Supplicant as it reaches 50% health, or as it begins to cast Unholy Aegis, and should then burn the Supplicant down quickly

Stunning the Supplicant while it is buffed by Unholy Aegis will not reduce the raid damage; the damage keeps pulsing

Shadowheart FiendSlavering Hound

Shadowheart Fiends cast Shadowflame Blast at random players, dealing moderate damage and putting up small healing-absorption shields on the affected players

This damage and healing-absorption effect splash to other players within 3 yards of the target, so players should spread out slightly

Slavering Hounds will cast Terrifying Howl every 30 seconds, applying a 3-second fear effect to nearby players

Due to this fear effect, players may want to pull these trash packs back into Socrethar's room to avoid pulling additional packs

Lord Aram'elShadow Bolt VolleyShadow Bolt VolleyUmbral SupplicantsUnholy AegisEredar FaithbreakerHellfire Blast

This ability summons a small ball of flames that will chase the target for 30 seconds or until detonated

The Hellfire Blast will detonate if it strikes any player in its path

The detonation deals heavy Fire damage to players in its area of effect

If the Hellfire Blast has not detonated at the end of its 30 second duration, it will fizzle, dealing moderate Fire damage to all players

Mini-Bosses

Vindicator Bramu will cast Enforcer's Onslaught, summoning a ball of Roaring Flames that will create Searing Blaze patches beneath the feet of all players struck by its effect

Protector Bajunt will protect his allies with Hallowed Sanctum; this cannot be interrupted, so tanks must move enemies out from beneath its effect

Adjunct Kuroh will cast Dark Revival, which resurrects Protector Bajunt and Vindicator Bramu with full health

Kuroh will also cast Harbinger's Mending, which will heal allies if not interrupted

Return to Table of ContentsTyrant Velhari Encounter Mechanics

The first phase, Oppression, begins when players engage Velhari

The second phase, Contempt, begins when players have reduced Velhari to 70% health

The third phase, Malice, begins when players have reduced Velhari to 40% health

Phase Overview

During Oppression, Velhari's Corrupt Power generator is Annihilating Strike, and her Corrupt Power spender is Infernal Tempest

During Contempt, Velhari's Corrupt Power generator is Tainted Shadows, and her Corrupt Power spender is Font of Corruption

During Malice, Velhari's Corrupt Power generator is Bulwark of the Tyrant, and her Corrupt Power spender is Gavel of the Tyrant

The Aura of Oppression deals damage to players when they move

The Aura of Contempt prevents players from being healed to full health

The Aura of Malice increases the damage that players will take, but also increases the damage that players deal

At 90% health, Velhari summons an Ancient Enforcer

At 60% health, Velhari summons an Ancient Harbinger

At 30% health, Velhari summons an Ancient Sovereign

Touch of HarmEdict of CondemnationSeal of DecayReturn to Table of ContentsTouch of HarmTouch of HarmTouch of HarmTouch of Harm

Dispelling Touch of Harm will cause the debuff to jump to another player, but progress made on reducing the size of the absorption effect will be retained

Healers should cast their powerful single-target spells on the Touch of Harm targets to break the shell

Only dispel the Touch of Harm if the player affected will die before healers can break through the absorption shell

The player affected by Touch of Harm should avoid taking excessive damage when possible

Touch of Harm is first cast approximately 15 seconds into the fight, and every minute thereafter

Healers should try to remove the first Touch of Harm well before the second Touch of Harm is cast, so that they have time to heal up the other damage in the fight

Edict of CondemnationEdict of Condemnation

The damage is shared amongst all players standing in the purple ring surrounding the Edict of Condemnation target

Each time the Edict of Condemnation deals damage, the subsequent tick will have a smaller radius

The Edict of Condemnation target should run to a prearranged stack point to assist the raid in splitting the damage

Raid cooldowns should be used to mitigate the damage from this ability, particularly in Phase 1 where heavy movement is penalized by Aura of Oppression

Seal of DecaySeal of DecayAura of ContemptHeroic DifficultyReturn to Table of ContentsPhasesPhase 1: OppressionAura of Oppression

The damage is based upon time spent moving and will tick every 0.5 seconds while a player is in motion

Players should minimize movement and use a damage-reduction cooldown if a large amount of movement is required

Heavy movement is still required for the Edict of Condemnation ability, and the raid will take heavy damage from Aura of Oppression during this time

Consider using a Stampeding Roar to help players position quickly for the Edict of Condemnation

Players will take damage from moving into position, then from the three ticks of Edict of Condemnation, and again from spreading back out; use raid cooldowns to heal through this very dangerous part of the phase

Annihilating Strike

Annihilating Strike deals heavy damage to players standing in the cone effect, and cannot be outranged

Additionally, any player struck by Annihilating Strike will summon a small Searing Blaze at their feet

3 seconds later, the Searing Blaze will erupt in a geyser of flames, dealing moderate damage to players within 3 yards of it and knocking those players through the air

The player targeted by Annihilating Strike should move to a clear space to minimize the number of targets affected

Once the Searing Blaze forms, step just out of its graphical effect to avoid taking damage from it; do not over-move!

Annihilating StrikeEdict of CondemnationAnnihilating StrikeSearing BlazeAnnihilating StrikeInfernal Tempest

Every 1.5 seconds for 6 seconds, Velhari will burn all players in the raid with Infernal Tempest

This damage splashes on to other players within 2 yards, so the melee DPS must be moderately spread out to avoid taking heavy damage

When a player is struck by Infernal Tempest, they will create a Searing Blaze at their feet

3 seconds later, the Searing Blaze will erupt in a geyser of flames, dealing moderate damage to players within 3 yards of it and knocking those players through the air

Every player will summon 4 Searing Blazes over the course of each Infernal Tempest

Infernal TempestSearing BlazeSearing BlazeSearing BlazeSearing BlazeAura of OppressionSearing BlazeEnforcer's OnslaughtRoaring Flames

Roaring Flames spawn a few yards in front of the Ancient Enforcer, and will move in a straight line in the direction the Enforcer is facing

Once the Roaring Flames reach the end of their path, they will return to the Ancient Enforcer's original position

Players struck by the Roaring Flames will take heavy damage and create a Searing Blaze at their feet

The tank should face the Ancient Enforcer away from the raid, toward an open space where no players are standing, to reduce the chance that anyone will take Roaring Flames damage

Melee DPS can watch the Enforcer's cast bar to determine when this ability will occur and move out of the way of the Roaring Flames before they spawn

Infernal TempestEdict of CondemnationBloodlustHeroismTime WarpReturn to Table of ContentsPhase 2: ContemptAura of OppressionAura of Contempt

Initially, the Aura caps players' health at 80%, but every 13 seconds the cap reduces by 5%

So 13 seconds into the phase, players cannot be healed above 75%; 26 seconds in, they cannot be healed above 70%; and so on

Effective health via absorption effects or damage reduction cooldowns is very valuable in this phase

When possible, the raid should save cooldowns like Rallying Cry, Aura Mastery, and Power Word: Barrier for the Edict of Condemnation casts in Phase 2

Tainted Shadows

She casts Tainted Shadows three times to reach 3 charges of Corrupt Power

The targeted tank will take moderate Shadow damage from each cast

Additionally, Tainted Shadows will radiate Corrupted Blast damage onto players within 5 yards

Tanks should time their swaps around the Tainted Shadows attacks, which should help to manage Seal of Decay as well

Tainted ShadowsFont of Corruption

Players affected by Font of Corruption will take Tainted Shadows damage each time Tainted Shadows damage is dealt

These players are immune to Corrupted Blast damage, but can still affect other players with their own Corrupted Blast

The targeted players should stack in a designated location so that they can be efficiently healed with ground-based AoE

The designated location should be close enough to the Edict of Condemnation location that these players can assist in splitting its damage without splashing Corrupted Blast

Harbinger's Mending

Harbinger's Mending is a HoT effect that heals Velhari for 2% of her health immediately, and an additional 1% of her health each time the HoT ticks

If Harbinger's Mending is not interrupted, players with offensive dispels such as Purge can remove the HoT from Velhari

Mortal Wounds and other heal-reduction effects present on Velhari will reduce the amount of healing dealt by a successful Harbinger's Mending cast

Return to Table of ContentsPhase 3: MaliceAura of ContemptAura of Malicetake

When this occurs, players will be able to be healed to full health, but they will be very low, since losing the Aura of Contempt does not restore health

A throughput raid CD can be used here to quickly heal the raid back up in preparation for the Malice phase's mechanics

The Aura of Malice initially increases player damage by 10%, and increases damage taken by 20%

Each 5 seconds, these effects increase by 10%

Bulwark of the TyrantDespoiled Ground

Despoiled Ground will deal moderate Shadow damage to players in its area of effect

These patches of Despoiled Ground will not despawn until Tyrant Velhari is dead, so players must use the encounter space wisely

At the start of this phase, players should loosely group up in one area of the room, moving each time the Despoiled Ground forms

Bulwark of the Tyrant/Despoiled Ground occurs approximately every 10 seconds

Tanks should time their swaps around Bulwark of the Tyrant

Bulwark of the TyrantGavel of the Tyrant

Initially, players will take a moderate hit of Fire damage and be knocked back

Players should position themselves so that the knockback does not push them into Despoiled Ground

Gavel of the Tyrant will then deal periodic Fire damage over eight seconds

Whenever Gavel of the Tyrant and Edict of Condemnation overlap, the raid should use strong cooldowns, and players should use personal CDs

Gavel of the Tyrant occurs approximately every 30 seconds

Sovereign's Ward

Sovereign's Ward reduces the damage Velhari takes by 90% for 20 seconds

After the Sovereign's Ward effect ends, the Ancient Sovereign will recast it almost immediately, allowing players little to no time to actually damage Velhari

Sovereign's Ward will be removed if the Ancient Sovereign dies

Players should prioritize killing the Ancient Sovereign quickly

Return to Table of ContentsTyrant Velhari Strategy Summary

Mark a stacking position for Edict of Condemnation, and another for the Phase 2 Font of Corruption targets at least 5 yards away from the Edict stack point

Tank Velhari close to her starting position, so that ranged DPS and healers have most of the room behind her to spread out in

Leave the center axis of the room clear for Annihilating Strike positioning during Phase 1

Face the Ancient Enforcer away from melee so they are not struck by Enforcer's Onslaught

During Phase 1, players should focus their damage on Tyrant Velhari, allowing passive cleave and multi-DoTting to gradually reduce the Enforcer's health

Players should push Velhari into Phase 2 before the Edict of Condemnation/Infernal Tempest overlap at 2 minutes into the fight

When Velhari transitions to Phase 2 at 70% health, the raid can quickly finish off the Enforcer if it is still alive

When the Ancient Harbinger spawns, players should swap to it and kill it immediately

Interrupt Harbinger's Mending

Players with Font of Corruption should stack on the assigned stack point, and players with Tainted Shadows should avoid splashing Corrupted Blast onto other players

When the Ancient Sovereign spawns in Phase 3, players should swap to it and kill it immediately

Group up in one quadrant of the room and gradually move as Bulwark of the Tyrant drops Despoiled Ground

Throughout the fight, use healing CDs for Edict of Condemnation

Return to Table of ContentsTank Responsibilities

Tanks should swap duties after receiving 2-3 stacks of Seal of Decay

Use damage-reduction cooldowns to assist with Infernal Tempest/Aura of Oppression damage, Tainted Shadows damage, and Bulwark of the Tyrant damage

When adds spawn, tank them near the boss to allow for cleave damage

Ensure the Ancient Enforcer is facing away from the melee and the bulk of the raid for Enforcer's Onslaught

Interrupt the Ancient Harbinger's Harbinger's Mending cast when possible

Damage-Dealer Responsibilities

Save DPS cooldowns for the Ancient Harbinger and the Ancient Sovereign that spawn when Tyrant Velhari reaches 60% and 30% health respectively

During Phase 1, multi-DoT or cleave onto the Ancient Enforcer, but focus the majority of your damage on Tyrant Velhari to beat the 2-minute Edict of Condemnation/Infernal Tempest overlap

If targeted by Annihilating Strike, move into a clear area so that other players are not struck by the cone effect, and move out of the Searing Blaze when it spawns

If targeted by Edict of Condemnation, move to the designated stack point to split the damage with the raid, and use a personal damage-reduction cooldown if possible

During Phase 2, DPS priority should be Ancient Harbinger > Tyrant Velhari

Interrupt the Ancient Harbinger's Harbinger's Mending cast when possible

If targeted by Tainted Shadows, move away from other players

If targeted by Font of Corruption, move to the designated stack point

During Phase 3, DPS priority should be Ancient Sovereign > Tyrant Velhari

If targeted by Bulwark of the Tyrant, move out of the Despoiled Ground quickly

Healer Responsibilities

Do not dispel Touch of Harm unless the affected player is likely to die before you have healed off the effect

Use powerful single-target healing spells to heal the player with Touch of Harm

Absorption effects will not contribute to removing Touch of Harm, but will prevent this player from taking damage, so they are not wasted, but should be prioritized on other players

Use external CDs on tanks with high stacks of Seal of Decay during dangerous abilities like Infernal Tempest or Gavel of the Tyrant

AoE healing will be required during Phase 1's Infernal Tempests, but if players manage the movement properly, raid CDs should not be necessary

Use raid CDs for Edict of Condemnation

If targeted by Annihilating Strike, move into a clear area so that other players are not struck by the cone effect, and move out of the Searing Blaze when it spawns

If targeted by Edict of Condemnation, move to the designated stack point to split the damage with the raid, and use a personal damage-reduction cooldown if possible

If targeted by Tainted Shadows, move away from other players

If targeted by Font of Corruption, move to the designated stack point

If targeted by Bulwark of the Tyrant, move out of the Despoiled Ground quickly

Return to Table of ContentsWhen to use Bloodlust/Heroism/Time WarpBloodlustHeroismTime WarpWhen to use Legendary Ring EffectsEdict of CondemnationInfernal TempestTainted ShadowsBulwark of the TyrantLooking For Raid DifficultyHeroic DifficultyThunderous CrashImpatient MindHarbinger's MendingImpatienceHarbinger's MendingReturn to Table of ContentsMythic DifficultyAura of OppressionAura of ContemptAura of OppressionAura of MaliceEdict of Condemnation

This means that the Heroic mode strategy of having the Edict target run into melee or a designated stack point is unlikely to work

The raid can instead run to the Edict target, or players can Leap of Faith the Edict target onto a stack point

Note that Leap of Faith will cause the targeted player to take one tick of Aura of Oppression damage

Touch of Harmcurrent

The targeted player's health will dwindle quickly under the Touch of Harm effect

Healers will have to dispel Touch of Harm as the affected player's health dips low

The Touch of Harm damage can be absorbed, so Discipline Priests with Clarity of Will can prevent a lot of this damage

This extends the amount of time that throughput healers have to heal down the Touch of Harm effect before it must be dispelled

Similarly, Life Cocoon or Guardian Spirit (particularly with the ) can be used at the start of a fresh Touch of Harm effect to quickly heal off a large portion of the healing absorption shield

The Ancient Enforcer will summon two Roaring Flames fireballs, instead of one, with the Enforcer's Onslaught ability

Both fireballs will travel in the direction the Enforcer is facing, but angle away from each other

Melee DPS must use the 2-second cast time on Enforcer's Onslaught to position themselves out of the path of both fireballs, to avoid Roaring Flames damage and to prevent Searing Blazes from forming

The Enforcer tank should be certain to face the add away from the majority of the raid, especially late in the phase when movement is heavily penalized

Tanks and Melee DPS may wish to use personal damage-reduction cooldowns while moving out of the way of the Roaring Flames

The Ancient Harbinger's Impatience reduces cast times by 20% per stack, rather than 10%

BloodlustHeroismTime WarpAura of ContemptMethod's Mythic Tyrant Velhari GuideReturn to Table of ContentsAbout the Author:Restoration Shaman@healiocentrichealiocentric ... a blog that revolves around healing

Comments

Comment by LoKHor

This fight sounds extremely intense, in terms of managing stacking, positioning and movement. I predict it will be a sticking point for a few guilds until they have a chance to practice each phase.

Comment by Rotorua

Got this on heroic tonight :)

Comment by 1418056

Great guide!

But just a note for the next one you write: the spells are all linked to ptr, players that read the site at another language can't read the spell and tooltips in their native language.

Tyrant Velhari (Hellfire Citadel) Strategy Guide

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