Raids

Onyxia

Onyxia's Lair in Dustwallow Marsh — a single-boss 40-player raid against the brood mother of the black dragonflight, usually the first raid a level 60 guild clears.

Location
Dustwallow Marsh
Level
Level 60
Bosses
1
Raids
40 players

Entrance

The lair is in the Wyrmbog in the south of Dustwallow Marsh. Alliance players fly to Theramore, Horde players to Brackenwall Village, then ride south. Entering requires the Drakefire Amulet.

Overview

Onyxia, daughter of Deathwing, has long hidden in plain sight among the nobility of Stormwind as Lady Katrana Prestor. Her true form waits in a lava-cracked cave in Dustwallow Marsh, surrounded by her brood. The raid is a single, iconic encounter in three phases, and nearly every guild meets her early in its career.

Because the fight is short and resets on its own timer, Onyxia stays on the schedule long after a guild has moved on to bigger raids. Her head is the start of one of the game’s great traditions: it is hung at the city gates and grants everyone nearby a short buff.

Attunement

You need the Drakefire Amulet. Both factions earn it through long chains that pass through Blackrock Depths and Lower and Upper Blackrock Spire.

  • Alliance: starts with Highlord Bolvar Fordragon and Marshal Windsor in Blackrock Depths (“Jail Break!”), unmasks Lady Prestor in Stormwind and ends with Haleh in Winterspring.
  • Horde: starts with Warlord Goretooth in Kargath (“Warlord’s Command”), passes through Thrall and Rexxar, and ends with Rexxar in Desolace.
  • Both: the last step is killing General Drakkisath in Upper Blackrock Spire for his blood.

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

  1. 1

    Onyxia

    Phase 1: tank her sideways with the raid at her flanks — she cleaves the front and tail-swipes the back. Phase 2 (from about 65%): she takes off, casts Fireball at random players and occasionally Deep Breath across the room, while whelps pour from the side caves. Phase 3 (from about 40%): she lands, fears the raid with Bellowing Roar and lava erupts from the floor — Fear Ward and Tremor Totems are worth their weight in gold.

    Notable loot
    • Head of Onyxia
    • Onyxia Hide Backpack
    • Mature Black Dragon Sinew
    • Helm of Wrath
    • Judgement Crown
    • Netherwind Crown
    • Halo of Transcendence
    • Nemesis Skullcap
    • Stormrage Cover
    • Dragonstalker's Helm
    • Bloodfang Hood
    • Helmet of Ten Storms
    • Deathbringer
    • Vis'kag the Bloodletter
    • Ring of Binding
    • Ancient Cornerstone Grimoire
    • Sapphiron Drape
    • Eskhandar's Collar
    • Shard of the Scale

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

  • Drakefire Amulet

    AllianceLevel 60

    Starts at: Haleh, Mazthoril (Winterspring)

    The final step of the long Alliance attunement chain: bring Haleh the blood of General Drakkisath from Upper Blackrock Spire.

    Rewards
    • Drakefire Amulet

  • Blood of the Black Dragon Champion

    HordeLevel 60

    Starts at: Rexxar, Desolace

    The final step of the Horde attunement chain: bring Rexxar the blood of General Drakkisath.

    Rewards
    • Drakefire Amulet

  • Victory for the Alliance

    AllianceLevel 60

    Starts at: Head of Onyxia (drop), turned in to Highlord Bolvar Fordragon in Stormwind

    Hand in Onyxia's head. The head is hung in the city and grants a buff to nearby players.

    Rewards
    • Dragonslayer's Signet
    • Onyxia Tooth Pendant
    • Onyxia Blood Talisman

  • Victory for the Horde

    HordeLevel 60

    Starts at: Head of Onyxia (drop), turned in to Thrall in Orgrimmar

    Hand in Onyxia's head. The head is hung in the city and grants a buff to nearby players.

    Rewards
    • Dragonslayer's Signet
    • Onyxia Tooth Pendant
    • Onyxia Blood Talisman

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

Onyxia — Level 1

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

  • Never stand in front of or behind her in phase 1.
  • In phase 2, watch for her flying to one end of the room — that means Deep Breath down the middle; move to the sides.
  • Have everyone (especially healers) nearby a Tremor Totem or Fear Ward for phase 3.
  • Onyxia drops the Tier 2 helms; her scales are also used to craft the Onyxia Scale Cloak needed later in Blackwing Lair.
  • The Drakefire Amulet is required to enter — start the attunement chain early, it takes several dungeons.
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