Blackfathom Deeps

Blackfathom Deeps in WoW Forever: a sunken temple for both factions

Blackfathom Deeps lies on the west coast of Ashenvale, on The Zoram Strand. According to the quest texts it was once a temple of Elune. Today the Twilight's Hammer and the naga have settled there. Per the game data it is listed in the dungeon list for both factions, with target level 22. The quests sit between level 22 and 27. There is no official level statement for Forever. The client lists seven boss encounters. As in all old dungeons, the loot was reworked according to Blizzard.

Getting there

The Horde has it short: according to the quest text, Zoram'gar Outpost lies directly south of the dungeon on The Zoram Strand. Je'neu Sancrea stands there (Ashenvale 11.6, 34.3). The Alliance usually comes via Auberdine in Darkshore and travels south along the coast (as in Classic, not checked in Forever). The entrance is a tunnel whose walls, per the quest text, are covered in sapphires. In Classic, part of the way is under water. Swimming aids such as Water Breathing (Shaman), Unending Breath (Warlock) or Aquatic Form (Druid) therefore save time.

Alliance quests

• Knowledge in the Deeps – Gerrig Bonegrip in Ironforge, available from level 10. Find the Lorgalis Manuscript. Reward: Sustaining Ring.
• Researching the Corruption – Gershala Nightwhisper in Auberdine (Darkshore 38.3, 43). Bring 8 Corrupted Brain Stems. Choice of Beetle Clasps, Prelacy Cape and a new pair of bracers (ID 270021).
• In Search of Thaelrid – Dawnwatcher Shaedlass in Darnassus. Leads to Argent Guard Thaelrid inside the dungeon.
• Twilight Falls – Argent Guard Manados in Darnassus. Bring 10 Twilight Pendants.
• Blackfathom Villainy – starts at Argent Guard Thaelrid in the dungeon. Bring the Head of Kelris to Dawnwatcher Selgorm in Darnassus. Choice of Gravestone Scepter, Arctic Buckler, Dark Ritual Leggings, Cultist's Armguards.
• Paladins: Seeking the Kor Gem at Thundris Windweaver in Darkshore (37.4, 40.1). The Corrupted Kor Gem from the dungeon belongs to the quest chain "The Test of Righteousness" by Jordan Stilwell, which ends with Verigan's Fist.

Horde quests

• Trouble in the Deeps – Tsunaman in Stonetalon Mountains (47.4, 64.2) sends you to Je'neu Sancrea.
• The Essence of Aku'Mai – Je'neu Sancrea. Collect 20 Sapphires of Aku'Mai in the entrance tunnel.
• Allegiance to the Old Gods – begins with a Damp Note from the dungeon. In the follow-up quest you kill Lorgus Jett. Choice of Band of the Fist or Chestnut Mantle.
• Amongst the Ruins – Je'neu Sancrea. Retrieve the Fathom Core from the Fathom Stone, which per the quest text lies in the water near the ruins.
• Baron Aquanis – begins with the Strange Water Globe that Baron Aquanis drops.
• Blackfathom Villainy – starts at Argent Guard Thaelrid. Bring the Head of Kelris to Bashana Runetotem in Thunder Bluff.
• New in Forever, Undead paladins: Seeking the Kor Gem at Ulric Frostveil in Ashenvale (11.8, 34.4). Per our quest data, the purified gem is needed for "A Moon-Kissed Blade" (Trevan Rol, Silverpine Forest).

The bosses

The tactics are based on the Classic state. Abilities may have changed in Forever.

Ghamoo-ra. The giant turtle has a lot of armor. Armor reduces every kind of physical damage, including arrows and bullets. Spell damage therefore has a clear advantage. Otherwise the fight is calm, a good moment for the tank to build threat safely.

Lady Sarevess. The naga throws lightning that hits several targets and slows enemies. Two companions fight alongside her. Control or kill them first. Stand spread out so the lightning does not hit the whole group.

Geilhast (Gelihast). The murloc lives in a cave full of murlocs and throws nets. Clear the cave piece by piece before you attack him. After that he is a short fight.

Lorgus Jett. The Twilight's Hammer shaman wanders through the ruins with his followers. In Classic he casts Lightning Bolt, wears a Lightning Shield and places totems. Destroy the totems at once and interrupt his casts. With Purge (Shaman) or Dispel Magic (Priest) you take his shield away. For the Horde he is the target of "Allegiance to the Old Gods".

Baron Aquanis (Horde quest). In Classic the water elemental appears when a Horde player with the quest uses the Fathom Stone. He slows with frost and uses Frost Nova. Ranged players keep their distance.

Old Serra'kis. The shark is fought under water. Watch your breath bar and fight close to a spot where you can surface for air.

Twilight Lord Kelris. In Classic the cult leader puts players to Sleep and attacks with Mind Blast. Dispel the sleep from the healer immediately, for example with Dispel Magic (per the client, Purify only removes poison and disease, 1152). His head completes the Villainy quest of both factions. Afterwards you light the fires at the shrine. Each fire calls a wave of enemies. Light the next one only when the group is ready again.

Aku'mai. The hydra is the final boss. She creates poison clouds that you leave at once. At low health she becomes enraged and deals more damage. Save strong abilities and potions for the end.

Notable loot by role

We do not have stats for these drops yet. Sorted by slot and armor type; the boss assignment comes from addon data.

• Tank: Arctic Buckler (quest "Villainy"), Tortoise Armor (chest, mail, Ghamoo-ra), Algae Fists (hands, mail, Gelihast).
• Healers and casters: Leech Pants (legs, cloth, Aku'mai), Gaze Dreamer Pants and Rod of the Sleepwalker (Kelris), Ghamoo-ra's Bind (waist, cloth), Glowing Thresher Cape (Old Serra'kis).
• Melee: Strike of the Hydra (two-hand sword, Aku'mai), Reef Axe (Gelihast), Twilight Maul (Lorgus Jett), Bite of Serra'kis (dagger), Darkwater Talwar (Lady Sarevess). Leather wearers: Naga Battle Gloves, Bands of Serra'kis, Moss Cinch. Mail wearers: Treacherous Treads, Twilight Lord Girdle.
• Ranged: Fallenroot Longbow (Lorgus Jett), Naga Heartpiercer (Lady Sarevess).
• Everyone: Cursed Murloc Eye (trinket, Gelihast), Spiked Shell Band (ring, Ghamoo-ra).
• Professions and camp: "Blueprint: Fishing Rack" (Gelihast) plus many plans and patterns, for example "Pattern: Filigreed Pearly Circlet" (Aku'mai).

Tips

Tank: Pull enemies out of the water onto land, where you are safe from stragglers. Mark the companions at Lady Sarevess.

Healer: Keep some distance from the group while swimming, but stay in range. Kelris' Sleep often hits you, so the group needs a second dispeller or patience.

Damage: Casters shine at Ghamoo-ra. At the shrine waves, area damage pays off once the tank has everything bound. Interrupt Lorgus Jett.

Group: Tank, healer and three damage dealers as in Classic. According to Blizzard, dungeon enemies give about 20 % more experience in Forever, dungeon quests 50 % less bonus experience. You find groups through the group finder with the dungeon list.