Raids

Blackwing Lair

Nefarian's stronghold at the top of Blackrock Spire — a 40-player raid for guilds that have mastered the Molten Core, home of Tier 2 and some of the game's most demanding encounters.

Location
Blackrock Mountain (Searing Gorge / Burning Steppes)
Level
Level 60
Bosses
8
Raids
40 players

Entrance

Blackwing Lair sits at the top of Blackrock Spire. Attuned players touch the Orb of Command, near the Blackrock Spire entrance inside the mountain, to be teleported to the lair; the long way is through Upper Blackrock Spire.

Overview

After his father’s defeat, Nefarian — who calls himself Lord Victor Nefarius among mortals — took over the peak of Blackrock Mountain and began breeding a chromatic dragonflight from the blood of all five colours. Blackwing Lair is his laboratory and fortress, guarded by drakonids, captured dragons and the black drakes of his brood.

It is the second 40-player raid and a clear step up from the Molten Core. Encounters like Razorgore, Vaelastrasz and Nefarian’s class calls test the whole raid rather than only the tanks and healers, and the lair drops Tier 2 shoulders, gloves, belts, bracers, chests and boots.

Attunement

Pick up General Drakkisath’s Command from a Scarshield Quartermaster in Lower Blackrock Spire, then kill General Drakkisath in Upper Blackrock Spire and touch the Orb of Command. Attuned players can use the orb as a teleport straight to the lair.

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

  1. 1

    Razorgore the Untamed

    One player controls Razorgore through the Orb of Domination and uses him to destroy all the black dragon eggs while the raid holds off waves of dragonkin and orcs. Once the eggs are gone, Razorgore turns on the raid with Conflagration and a fire cleave.

    Notable loot
    • Arcane Infused Gem
    • Bracelets of Wrath
    • Judgement Bindings
    • Netherwind Bindings
    • Bindings of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Bracers
    • Stormrage Bracers
    • Dragonstalker's Bracers
    • Bloodfang Bracers
    • Bracers of Ten Storms
    • The Untamed Blade
    • Gloves of Rapid Evolution
    • Mantle of the Blackwing Cabal
  2. 2

    Vaelastrasz the Corrupt

    The red dragon starts at 30% health and gives the raid Essence of the Red (endless mana, energy and rage). Burning Adrenaline goes to a random mana user and to the tank and kills them after a short time — affected players run away from the raid, and tanks rotate. A pure damage race.

    Notable loot
    • Rejuvenating Gem
    • Waistband of Wrath
    • Judgement Belt
    • Netherwind Belt
    • Belt of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Belt
    • Stormrage Belt
    • Dragonstalker's Belt
    • Bloodfang Belt
    • Belt of Ten Storms
    • Mind Quickening Gem
    • Helm of Endless Rage
    • Pendant of the Fallen Dragon
    • Red Dragonscale Protector
    • Dragonfang Blade
  3. 3

    Broodlord Lashlayer

    Reached through the Suppression Room and its traps. Two tanks: Knock Away drops threat, Mortal Strike cuts healing, and Blast Wave hits everyone nearby.

    Notable loot
    • Lifegiving Gem
    • Head of the Broodlord Lashlayer
    • Sabatons of Wrath
    • Judgement Sabatons
    • Netherwind Boots
    • Boots of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Boots
    • Stormrage Boots
    • Dragonstalker's Greaves
    • Bloodfang Boots
    • Greaves of Ten Storms
    • Maladath, Runed Blade of the Black Flight
    • Heartstriker
    • Black Brood Pauldrons
    • Bracers of Arcane Accuracy
  4. 4

    Firemaw

    First of the three drakes. Shadow Flame requires the Onyxia Scale Cloak, Wing Buffet reduces threat, and Flame Buffet stacks on the whole raid — step out of line of sight to drop the stacks.

    Notable loot
    • Gauntlets of Wrath
    • Judgement Gauntlets
    • Netherwind Gloves
    • Handguards of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Gloves
    • Stormrage Handguards
    • Dragonstalker's Gauntlets
    • Bloodfang Gloves
    • Gauntlets of Ten Storms
    • Claw of the Black Drake
    • Cloak of Firemaw
    • Firemaw's Clutch
    • Legguards of the Fallen Crusader
  5. 5

    Ebonroc

    Black drake whose Shadow of Ebonroc on the tank heals him whenever that tank hits him — a second tank taunts at once. Also Shadow Flame and Wing Buffet.

    Notable loot
    • Gauntlets of Wrath
    • Judgement Gauntlets
    • Netherwind Gloves
    • Handguards of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Gloves
    • Stormrage Handguards
    • Dragonstalker's Gauntlets
    • Bloodfang Gloves
    • Gauntlets of Ten Storms
    • Band of Forced Concentration
    • Aegis of Preservation
    • Shadow Wing Focus Staff
  6. 6

    Flamegor

    Third drake. Fire Nova when he frenzies, so hunters must Tranquilizing Shot him every time; Shadow Flame and Wing Buffet as with his brothers.

    Notable loot
    • Gauntlets of Wrath
    • Judgement Gauntlets
    • Netherwind Gloves
    • Handguards of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Gloves
    • Stormrage Handguards
    • Dragonstalker's Gauntlets
    • Bloodfang Gloves
    • Gauntlets of Ten Storms
    • Dragon's Touch
    • Herald of Woe
    • Shroud of Pure Thought
  7. 7

    Chromaggus

    Chromatic hound with two of five breaths (Time Lapse, Corrosive Acid, Igniting Flesh, Frost Burn, Incinerate) — hide behind the pillars when he breathes. Brood Afflictions stack on players; five different ones turn you into a dragonkin. Frenzy needs Tranquilizing Shot.

    Notable loot
    • Pauldrons of Wrath
    • Judgement Spaulders
    • Netherwind Mantle
    • Pauldrons of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Spaulders
    • Stormrage Pauldrons
    • Dragonstalker's Spaulders
    • Bloodfang Spaulders
    • Epaulets of Ten Storms
    • Chromatic Boots
    • Ashjre'thul, Crossbow of Smiting
    • Elementium Threaded Cloak
    • Chromatically Tempered Sword
    • Taut Dragonhide Shoulderpads
  8. 8

    Nefarian

    Phase 1: Lord Victor Nefarius sends drakonids of two colours down both sides of the room. Phase 2: Nefarian lands with Bellowing Roar, Shadow Flame (Onyxia Scale Cloak) and class calls that punish each class in turn. Phase 3 at 20%: dead drakonids rise as skeletons — area damage and off-tanks.

    Notable loot
    • Head of Nefarian
    • Neltharion's Tear
    • Pure Elementium Band
    • Breastplate of Wrath
    • Judgement Breastplate
    • Netherwind Robes
    • Robes of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Robes
    • Stormrage Chestguard
    • Dragonstalker's Breastplate
    • Bloodfang Chestpiece
    • Breastplate of Ten Storms
    • Ashkandi, Greatsword of the Brotherhood
    • Crul'shorukh, Edge of Chaos
    • Staff of the Shadow Flame
    • Lok'amir il Romathis
    • Mish'undare, Circlet of the Mind Flayer
    • Prestor's Talisman of Connivery
    • Therazane's Link
    • Cloak of the Brood Lord

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

  • Blackhand's Command

    Both factionsLevel 60

    Starts at: General Drakkisath's Command, dropped by Scarshield Quartermasters in Lower Blackrock Spire

    Read the orders, defeat General Drakkisath in Upper Blackrock Spire and touch the Orb of Command to become attuned to Blackwing Lair.

  • The Lord of Blackrock

    Both factionsLevel 60

    Starts at: Head of Nefarian (drop), turned in to Thrall (Horde) or Highlord Bolvar Fordragon (Alliance)

    Present Nefarian's head in your capital, where it is displayed and buffs everyone nearby.

    Rewards
    • Master Dragonslayer's Medallion
    • Master Dragonslayer's Orb
    • Master Dragonslayer's Ring

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

Blackwing Lair — Level 1

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

  • Every raider needs an Onyxia Scale Cloak for Firemaw, Ebonroc, Flamegor and Nefarian's Shadow Flame.
  • Plan Razorgore's egg route and assign tanks for the add waves before you start.
  • Elementium Ore drops from Blackwing Lair trash; it is needed for the Thunderfury chain.
  • Hourglass Sand cures Chromaggus' bronze affliction — bring stacks.
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