Dungeons

Wailing Caverns

A maze of fungus-choked caves under the Barrens, where the Druids of the Fang have turned Naralex's dream into a nightmare. A classic first big dungeon for Horde players in their late teens and early twenties.

Location
The Barrens
Level
Level 17
Bosses
8

Entrance

The cave mouth sits in the hills south-west of the Crossroads, beside Lushwater Oasis. Horde players simply ride out from the Crossroads; Alliance players usually arrive by boat at Ratchet and cross the Barrens carefully.

Overview

Wailing Caverns is a winding cave system beneath the northern Barrens. The druid Naralex went into the caves to heal the land through the Emerald Dream, but his dream soured into a nightmare, and his former disciples - the Druids of the Fang - now serve that corruption and twist the local wildlife into deviate monsters.

It is a long dungeon with lots of optional side paths. For Horde characters it is the go-to stop around level 17-24, with many quests from Thunder Bluff and Ratchet. Groups that go in for the quests should plan on a full run, because the four Fang druids are spread across the whole map.

Route

Head into the caves and clear Lady Anacondra and Lord Cobrahn first, then work through the upper ledges for Lord Pythas and Lord Serpentis. Kresh and Skum live in the water channels and can be skipped. Once all four druids are dead, return to the Disciple of Naralex near the entrance and escort him to his master - protect him from the waves of deviate creatures that attack during the ritual until Mutanus the Devourer appears. Verdan the Everliving sits off the path near the waterfall and is optional.

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

  1. 1

    Lady Anacondra

    A Druid of the Fang near the start of the caverns. Like all the Fang druids she puts a player to sleep and casts Lightning Bolt - interrupt her casts and kill her quickly.

    Notable loot
    • Belt of the Fang
    • Snakeskin Bag
  2. 2

    Lord Cobrahn

    Fang druid who shifts into a large serpent partway through the fight and poisons the tank. Keep cure poison or a potion ready.

    Notable loot
    • Robe of the Moccasin
    • Leggings of the Fang
    • Cobrahn's Grasp
  3. 3

    Kresh

    A huge turtle that patrols the water channels. Optional and simple - just a tough melee target.

    Notable loot
    • Kresh's Back
    • Worn Turtle Shell Shield
  4. 4

    Lord Pythas

    Fang druid who sleeps players and heals himself. Interrupt the heals so the fight does not drag on.

    Notable loot
    • Armor of the Fang
    • Stinging Viper
  5. 5

    Skum

    A thunder lizard lurking in a flooded side area. Optional; hits with lightning but has no tricky mechanics.

    Notable loot
    • Tail Spike
    • Glowing Lizardscale Cloak
  6. 6

    Lord Serpentis

    The last of the four Fang druids, perched high above the caverns. Same toolkit: sleep, lightning and self-heals.

    Notable loot
    • Footpads of the Fang
    • Serpent Gloves
    • Venomstrike
  7. 7

    Verdan the Everliving

    A massive plant elemental near the waterfall. Optional; his grasping vines knock the group down, so keep the healer topped up.

    Notable loot
    • Seedcloud Buckler
    • Living Root
    • Sporid Cape
  8. 8

    Mutanus the Devourer

    The nightmare given form. He only appears after you escort the Disciple of Naralex and finish the awakening ritual. He can sleep and fear players, so spread out and keep dispels ready.

    Notable loot
    • Deep Fathom Ring
    • Slime-encrusted Pads
    • Mutant Scale Breastplate

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

  • Deviate Hides

    Both factionsLevel 17

    Starts at: Nalpak, in the cave above the dungeon entrance

    Skin or loot hides from the deviate creatures inside and around the caverns.

    Rewards
    • Deviate Hide Pack
    • Slick Deviate Leggings

  • Deviate Eradication

    Both factions

    Starts at: Ebru, in the cave above the dungeon entrance

    Thin out the mutated ravagers, vipers, shamblers and dreadfangs that roam the instance.

    Rewards
    • Talbar Mantle
    • Quagmire Galoshes

  • Serpentbloom

    Horde

    Starts at: Apothecary Zamah, Spirit Rise in Thunder Bluff

    Pick the glowing Serpentbloom flowers that grow in the caverns.

  • Leaders of the Fang

    Horde

    Starts at: Nara Wildmane, Elder Rise in Thunder Bluff

    Defeat the four Fang druids - Anacondra, Cobrahn, Pythas and Serpentis - and bring back their gems.

    Rewards
    • Crescent Staff
    • Wingblade

  • Smart Drinks

    Both factions

    Starts at: Mebok Mizzyrix, Ratchet

    Collect Wailing Essence from the ectoplasms that drift through the caves.

  • Trouble at the Docks

    Both factions

    Starts at: Crane Operator Bigglefuzz, Ratchet

    Take back a stolen bottle of port from Mad Magglish, a goblin who hides inside the dungeon.

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

Wailing Caverns — Level 1

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

  • Druids of the Fang cast a sleep spell - have someone ready to interrupt or kill casters first.
  • The Disciple of Naralex at the start will escort you to Naralex once all four Fang druids are dead; Mutanus only spawns at the end of that event.
  • The caves loop back on themselves and are easy to get lost in - stay together and follow the tank.
  • Deviate Fish caught in the oasis pools outside are useful for cooks (Savory Deviate Delight).
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