The Deadmines

The Deadmines: the Defias hideout

The Deadmines are the Alliance's big dungeon for the early levels. According to the fan addon they sit at levels 17 to 26, with bosses at 19 to 21. At the end a ship waits in an underground bay, Ironclad Cove. For WoW Forever: according to Blizzard the loot of the old dungeons has been reworked, dungeon enemies give around 20 % more experience, and dungeon quests give 50 % less bonus XP.

Approach

The dungeon lies beneath Moonbrook in the south of Westfall. In Moonbrook a hidden passage under a building leads down into the old mine. From there you walk through the tunnels to the portal. By our own conversion of the game data it sits at about 38 / 78 on the Westfall map. The nearest quest hub is Sentinel Hill.

Quests before and inside the dungeon

All dungeon quests in our data are Alliance quests. Pick them up in Westfall and Stormwind City before you set off.

• The Defias Brotherhood (Gryan Stoutmantle, Sentinel Hill): the end of a long quest chain through Westfall. Kill Edwin VanCleef and bring back his head. Choice: Chausses of Westfall, Tunic of Westfall or Staff of Westfall.
• Red Silk Bandanas (Scout Riell, tower on Sentinel Hill): collect 10 Red Silk Bandanas. Per the quest text, the high-ranking Defias in VanCleef's hideout wear them.
• The Search for Keepsakes and Oh Brother... (both from Wilder Thistlenettle in Stormwind City): the first wants 4 Miners' Union Cards. The second wants Thistlenettle's Badge from the foreman Thistlenettle (no English NPC name in our data; the German quest text calls him "Großknecht Thistlenettle").
• Underground Assault (Shoni the Shilent, Stormwind City): fetch the Gnoam Sprecklesprocket. Per the quest text it is the power source of the goblin shredder in the dungeon, i.e. Sneed's Shredder.
• Destruction in the Deadmines (Alba Fairmoon, Westfall): a new quest chain in Forever. It runs through Moonbrook Espionage, Explosive Consultation and An Explosive Plan (Sprite Jumpsprocket in Stormwind City, 54.6 / 8; the district name has no English name in our data). Inside the dungeon you place explosive charges at a hidden forge. At the exit you meet Alba again.
• The Unsent Letter: this quest starts with the item An Unsent Letter, which Edwin VanCleef carries. You take the letter to the City Architect Baros Alexston in Stormwind City.
• Paladins only: The Test of Righteousness (Jordan Stilwell, outside Ironforge): for Jordan's weapon you need, among other things, Whitestone Oak Lumber. Our quest data names Goblin Woodcarver in the Deadmines as the source. The weapon Verigan's Fist comes in the final step afterwards.

The bosses

Rhahk'Zor. The ogre is the first boss. Our data assigns no spell to him. As in Classic he hits hard but has no special abilities (not confirmed for Forever). The tank holds him, everyone else deals damage.

Sneed with Sneed's Shredder. First you fight the shredder. It casts Terrify: a single target flees in fear and may pull extra enemies along the way. Fight in a cleared area for that reason. Fear Ward (in Forever a baseline ability for all Priests from level 20) or the Shaman's Tremor Totem help. Afterwards Sneed jumps out and, per our tactics text, can Disarm. The shredder drops the part for "Underground Assault".

Miner Johnson. The client lists him as his own encounter. As in Classic he is said not to be present in every run and to weaken the tank's armor (not confirmed for Forever). The healer keeps an eye on the tank; otherwise the fight is calm.

Gilnid. The goblin stands in the smelting hall among many workers. Clear the hall before the fight so he does not come with a big group. Our data assigns no spell to him. As in Classic he counts as easy on his own.

Mr. Smite. He casts Smite Stomp, which stuns the group near him (group-wide effect as in Classic; the client only says "stunned"). Then comes Smite Slam, which deals damage and stuns one target briefly. As in Classic he runs to his chest after the stomp and switches weapons. Use the pause to heal. Clear the pirates near him beforehand.

Captain Greenskin. The captain hits his target and one neighbour with Cleave. His Poisoned Harpoon then deals Nature damage over time. The tank turns him away from the group. Pull his pirates one by one first.

Cookie. The cook heals himself with Cookie's Cooking. Interrupt it if your class can, or deal enough damage that the healing does not keep up. He can drop the camp blueprint Blueprint: Cookie's Feast.

Edwin VanCleef. The leader of the Defias calls helpers into the fight with VanCleef's Allies. Have one player take the helpers or kill them quickly so the tank is not overrun. Afterwards take his head for Gryan Stoutmantle. Do not forget the letter.

Notable loot by role

We do not have stats for the boss loot yet ("values to follow"). We therefore list only slot and type.

• Cloth: Corsair's Overshirt (chest) and Cape of the Brotherhood (back) from VanCleef. Gold-flecked Gloves from Sneed. Ogre Loincloth (legs) from Rhahk'Zor. Cookie's Stirring Rod (wand) from Cookie. Emberstone Staff (staff) from Greenskin.
• Leather: Blackened Defias Armor (chest) from VanCleef. Blackened Defias Belt from Greenskin. Smelting Pants from Gilnid. From regular enemies Blackened Defias Boots, Gloves and Leggings.
• Mail and shield: Bandsaw Wristbands from Sneed. Gold-plated Buckler from Miner Johnson.
• Weapons: Smite's Mighty Hammer, Thief's Blade and Smite's Reaver from Mr. Smite. Cruel Barb from VanCleef. Buzz Saw and Buzzer Blade from the shredder. Taskmaster Axe from Sneed. Rockslicer and Rhahk'Zor's Hammer from Rhahk'Zor. Impaling Harpoon from Greenskin. Cookie's Tenderizer from Cookie.
• Trinkets and rings: Lookie's Spyglass (Cookie). Lavishly Jeweled Ring (Gilnid). First Mate Band (Smite).
• Professions and camp: Blacksmithing plans (from 80), Leatherworking and Tailoring patterns (from 75 and 100). Plus three camp blueprints from skill 140: Blueprint: Anvil (Gilnid), Blueprint: Repair Bot (Sneed) and Blueprint: Cookie's Feast (Cookie).

Tips by role

Tank: turn Greenskin away from the group. At Sneed and the shredder fight in a cleared area. On the ship pull the pirates in small groups.

Healer: at Mr. Smite stand outside the stomp if you can. Poisoned Harpoon deals damage over time; a poison cure helps. At VanCleef keep mana for the phase with the helpers.

Damage: interrupt Cookie. At VanCleef switch to the helpers quickly. Watch your threat at Gilnid and on the ship so no extra group runs at you.

Group

The tried setup is one tank, one healer and three damage dealers. A Priest or a Shaman helps against the shredder's fear. In Forever the Alliance can also play Dwarf Shamans.