Dungeons

Blackfathom Deeps

Flooded night elf temple ruins on the Ashenvale coast, taken over by naga and the Twilight's Hammer, who worship the old god creature Aku'mai. For both factions around level 22-30.

Location
Ashenvale
Level
Level 22
Bosses
7

Entrance

On the Zoram Strand in western Ashenvale: swim out to the half-sunken ruins and dive down to the entrance. Alliance players come south from Auberdine/Astranaar; Horde players have Zoram'gar Outpost right next door.

Overview

Blackfathom Deeps was once a temple to the moon goddess Elune, swallowed by the sea when the Well of Eternity exploded. The naga have since claimed the drowned halls, and the Twilight’s Hammer cult has moved in to venerate Aku’mai, a monstrous servant of the old gods, while studying the corrupted waters.

It is a sprawling, watery dungeon with lots of swimming and a few optional areas. Both factions have quests here, which makes it a good mid-20s stop on either side; Alliance players often treat it as their next step after the Deadmines.

Route

From the entrance, follow the tunnels to Ghamoo-ra’s flooded cavern and on to Lady Sarevess. Geilhast’s murloc cave and Old Serra’kis’s underwater tunnel are side areas you can skip if you are short on time. The main path leads through the Twilight’s Hammer camp, where Lorgus Jett may be patrolling, to the altar of Twilight Lord Kelris. Behind him, light the four braziers to open the door into Aku’mai’s lair.

Based on Classic Era; details may differ in WoW Forever and will be checked after launch.

  1. 1

    Ghamoo-ra

    A giant turtle in the first flooded cavern. Heavy armour and a trample attack, but otherwise a simple tank-and-spank.

    Notable loot
    • Ghamoo-ra's Bind
    • Tortoise Armor
  2. 2

    Lady Sarevess

    A naga commander with ranged lightning attacks that hit several players. Fight her near the pillars and interrupt where you can.

    Notable loot
    • Naga Battle Gloves
    • Strike of the Hydra
  3. 3

    Geilhast

    A murloc lord in a cave full of murlocs. Clear the packs around him first; on his own he is easy.

    Notable loot
    • Algae Fists
  4. 4

    Lorgus Jett

    A Twilight's Hammer shaman who wanders with escorts and does not always spawn in the same spot. Interrupt his heals.

  5. 5

    Old Serra'kis

    A huge shark in a flooded tunnel - the fight is entirely underwater, so watch your breath bar.

    Notable loot
    • Bands of Serra'kis
    • Tidal Charm
  6. 6

    Twilight Lord Kelris

    Leader of the cult, meditating at the altar. He sleeps players and hits with shadow magic. After he dies, the four braziers in the next room can be lit to open the way to Aku'mai - each one brings a wave of enemies.

    Notable loot
    • Rod of the Sleepwalker
    • Head of Kelris
  7. 7

    Aku'mai

    The three-headed hydra the cult serves, waiting in the deepest pool. It spits poison and goes into a frenzy late in the fight - save healing cooldowns for the end.

Based on Classic Era; details may differ in WoW Forever and will be checked after launch.

  • Knowledge in the Deeps

    Alliance

    Starts at: Gerrig Bonegrip, the Forlorn Cavern in Ironforge

    Recover an ancient manuscript lying in the depths of the temple.

  • Researching the Corruption

    Alliance

    Starts at: Gershala Nightwhisper, Auberdine

    Collect corrupted brain stems from the naga and creatures in the dungeon.

  • Blackfathom Villainy

    Both factions

    Starts at: Argent Guard Thaelrid, inside Blackfathom Deeps

    Bring the head of Twilight Lord Kelris to the Argent Dawn's contacts in Thunder Bluff or Darnassus.

    Rewards
    • Gravestone Scepter
    • Arctic Buckler

  • The Essence of Aku'Mai

    Horde

    Starts at: Je'neu Sancrea, Zoram'gar Outpost

    Gather the blue Sapphires of Aku'Mai that grow on the walls of the tunnels near the entrance.

  • The Orb of Soran'ruk

    Both factions

    Starts at: Doan Karhan, the Barrens (warlock quest)

    Warlocks take Soran'ruk fragments from the Twilight acolytes in this dungeon (plus a large fragment from Shadowfang Keep).

    Rewards
    • Orb of Soran'ruk
    • Staff of Soran'ruk

Based on Classic Era; details may differ in WoW Forever and will be checked after launch.

Blackfathom Deeps — Level 1

Map from the game files (Classic layout). Tap to open it full size.

  • Much of the instance is underwater or next to deep water - casters with water breathing or Unending Breath make the swim segments easier.
  • The Sapphires of Aku'Mai for the Horde quest are on the cave walls right at the start; you can collect them before the group fully forms up.
  • Lighting each brazier before Aku'mai triggers a wave of adds - rest up between them.
  • Argent Guard Thaelrid is inside the dungeon; talk to him to pick up Blackfathom Villainy mid-run.
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