World of Warcraft News and Raiding Strategies

As you can see, we’re currently adding a large new wave of players to the WoW Community Council. You can expect to see many more of them introduce themselves and get started posting here over the next few days.

We’ve really enjoyed our time so far with the inaugural Council Members, and this new series of invites is intended to fulfill one of our original goals: ensure that the Council includes numerous players who represent all of the different playstyles and perspectives of our diverse community.

We expect to continue to add additional new waves of Council Members at times during this first year, and so on throughout the life of the program, whenever we see areas of discussion where more voices would be welcome, and especially when current Council Members reach their one-year term limit.

And again, we’re thankful to all who applied to be a part of this.

On February 10 at 3:00 p.m. PST, the ominous depths of Blackwing Lair will be waiting for those brave enough to master its dangers. Gather your staunchest allies and prepare to undertake a treacherous journey into the heart of the mountain to reap the treasures within—with some new twists in Season of Mastery.

Raid Bosses: 8
Level: 60
Location: Burning Steppes

How to Get There

Blackwing Lair is located at the very height of Blackrock Spire. You can enter the mountain from either the Burning Steppes or through Searing Gorge.

Getting Attuned

One does not simply walk into Blackwing Lair. One must become attuned first.

Head toward Blackrock Spire and take the passageway just to the right. Here, you’ll need to fight your way through some of the Scarshield Legion to get to the Scarshield Quartermaster. Once you kill him, you’ll be able to loot Blackhand’s Command. Right-clicking it will bring up the quest Blackhand’s Command.

The quest will send you into Upper Blackrock Spire to access the Orb of Command located behind General Drakkisath’s throne. You can either have your group distract him, or just kill him to get him out of the way.

You’ll be able to access an additional alternate entrance within Upper Backrock Spire after Warchief Rend Blackhand has been defeated. You’ll need to be in a raid group to enter.

Face the Black Dragonflight


8 bosses await within Blackwing Lair, each with their own challenges to face and strategies you’ll need to employ to defeat them. You’ll need to coordinate closely with your raid team to be victorious.

• Razorgore the Untamed: Razorgore is tasked with protecting and cultivating various black dragon eggs secreted away in Blackwing Lair.
  
• Vaelastrasz the Corrupt: Having confronted Nefarian and losing to him in battle, Vaelastrasz has been corrupted and forced to fight Nefarian’s enemies.
  
• Broodlord Lashlayer: Lashlayer is a drakonid of the black dragonflight. Even though drakonid are not true dragons, the dragonflights often use them as frontline soldiers.
  
• Firemaw, Ebonroc, and Flamegore: As members of the black dragonflight, each of these imposing dragons are under the command of Nefarian, but ultimately owe their loyalty to Deathwing.
  
• Chromaggus: A unique chromatic monster created by Nefarian, Chromaggus can harness the power of the various dragonflights against its enemies.
  
• Nefarian: The lord of Blackrock Spire, Nefarian is a member of the black dragonflight, the eldest son of Deathwing, and creator of the chromatic dragonflight.

Dressing to Impress

Players will be able to continue their pursuit of their Tier 2 set and their associated bonuses in Blackwing Lair, including bracers, belts, boots, gloves, shoulders, and chests.

• Druid: Stormrage Raiment
  
• Hunter: Dragonstalker Armor
  
• Mage: Netherwind Regalia
  
• Paladin: Judgement Armor
  
• Priest: Vestments of Transcendence
  
• Rogue: Bloodfang Armor
  
• Shaman: The Ten Storms
  
• Warlock: Nemesis Raiment
  
• Warrior: Battlegear of Wrath

Tier 2 helms can be acquired in Onyxia’s Lair from Onyxia, and legs can be earned in Molten Core from Ragnaros.

Additional Items

You’ll also find some additional notable items such as the Claw of the Black Drake, Chromatically Tempered Sword, Dragonbreath Hand Cannon, and Drake Fang Talisman. You’ll also be able to loot Elementium Ore from the Blackwing Technicians. This rare metal can be can be smelted to make an Elementium Bar, which is needed as a part of the quest line to forge the legendary sword Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker (yes, we said it).

As with his sister Onyxia, you’ll be able to loot the Head of Nefarian when you defeat him, which will begin a quest and allow you to spread word of your victory. As a reminder, the Rallying Cry of the Dragonslayer buff granted by turning in this quest will only work outdoors—it is disabled in raid instances for Season of Mastery.

Now Playing! The Darkmoon Faire

A gathering of the exotic from around the world and beyond, the Darkmoon Faire is a celebration of the wondrous and mysterious found in Azeroth. While the Faire spends most of its time in parts unknown, Silas Darkmoon and his enigmatic employees do stop from time to time in Mulgore and Elwynn Forest. When the Faire is on its way, barkers will stop by Orgrimmar and Ironforge to announce its arrival.

Visitors will be able to access the Faire in alternating months either in Elwynn Forest or Mulgore and the Faire is accessible to both the Horde and Alliance. Those on PvP realms will need to exercise caution when entering into enemy territory.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy food, drink, and rare item vendors offering additional exotic goods.

Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets and Prizes

Completing games and quests for the Darkmoon Faire will generally reward you with Darkmoon Prize Tickets. Tickets can also be earned by offering trade goods to Chronos, Kerri Hicks, Rinling, or Yebb Neblegear.

Speak to Gelvas Grimegate to redeem Darkmoon Faire Tickets for various prizes, including some epic-quality pieces of gear. You’ll also be able to trade in Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets toward reputation.

Darkmoon Cards

Darkmoon Cards can now be collected from across Azeroth. Once a deck is completed, players can turn it in to Professor Thaddeus Paleo for an epic-quality Trinket.

Type - Trinket

• Beasts Deck - Darkmoon Card: Blue Dragon
• Elementals Deck - Darkmoon Card: Maelstrom
• Portals Deck - Darkmoon Card: Twisting Nether
• Warlords Deck - Darkmoon Card: Heroism

Fortunes Told

Life is full of mystery and wonder; no two adventurer’s tales are alike. Seek out Azeroth-renowned fortune teller Sayge to discover your future. After answering two of Sayge’s questions, you will receive a powerful buff based on your responses. Keep in mind that for Season of Mastery these buffs won’t work inside raid instances.

Fun Faire Activities

The Humanoid Cannonball

The Blastenheimer 5000 Ultra Cannon launches Fairegoers through the air towards a target sitting in the waters south of the fairground.

Tank Battle Simulator

Test your tank commander skills by using your Darkmoon Tonk to destroy Tonk Targets.

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Season of Mastery has an accelerated content release schedule. Keep an eye on https://worldofwarcraft.com/news to get the latest news on all things WoW Classic.
Epic new challenges await—seek them out!

The next World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Content Update is drawing near. Prepare to step into the brink and face Zovaal, the elusive Jailer and ruler of the Maw in Shadowlands before he rewrites the very rules of reality.

With the help of the Primus, you’ll be able to step into a strange new land —Zereth Mortis. Created by the First Ones as a workshop to create afterlives, its denizens—the automa—have built all that exists in the Shadowlands. It is an otherworldly location that defies all concepts of reality or physics. The Jailer intends to use the secrets within to reshape reality and bend it to his malevolent will.

Meet new allies—The Enlightened—delve into the runic and lyrical language of the automa and engage in the campaign to push back the Jailer’s forces before he reaches his end goal within the Sepulcher of the First Ones.

Learn more about what to expect in this content update in our previously published preview.

Shadowlands Season 2 Ending Soon
The end of Shadowlands Season 2 is around the corner, here’s what to expect:

SHADOWLANDS SEASON 2: PVP
The current season of Shadowlands PvP content will end at 10:00 p.m. PST on February 21.

With the season’s end, it will no longer be possible to earn PvP seasonal rewards, titles, or Shadowlands Season 2 rankings.

SHADOWLANDS SEASON 2: MYTHIC+
The current season of Mythic+ content will end with the start of maintenance on February 22. With the season’s end, ratings that qualify for the 0.1% “Tormented Hero” title and achievement will be recorded.

“Tormented Hero” will be rewarded during the following weeks after the season ends, so be sure not to change factions until after you have received the title.

For one week following the end-of-season, we will have an off-season. Once the off-season ends, Shadowlands Season 3 will begin on the week of March 1 with the weekly reset in each region.

PVP OFF-SEASON
Players can still queue for rated PvP and earn appropriate rewards, but the PvP leaderboards will be locked.

MYTHIC+ OFF-SEASON
Mythic+ dungeons will still be playable using Season 2 affixes and rewards. Mythic+ Ratings can still be accumulated, and the seasonal achievements will still be available – except for the 0.1% “Tormented Hero” title and achievement.

Pursue Zovaal's forces into the Sepulcher of the First Ones and prepare for the most epic Shadowlands raid yet—coming with the start of Season 3.

The Jailer has breached the Sepulcher, the mysterious heart of the Shadowlands. Should he control its primordial power, he will reshape the cosmos with Death at the fore. As Zovaal prepares to dominate reality, champions of Azeroth charge forth to stop him. Will their resolve outmatch his?

Raid bosses: 11
Difficulties: Raid Finder, Normal, Heroic, Mythic
Level: 60
Raid Finder Minimum Item Level: 220

RAID UNLOCK SCHEDULE
March 1 – Normal and Heroic difficulties. Note that the last three bosses (Lords of Dread, Rygelon, and The Jailer) will NOT be available in this first week.
March 8 – The remaining three bosses unlock for Normal and Heroic. All bosses are available for Mythic. Raid Finder Wing 1: Ephemeral Plains (Vigilant Guardian, Skolex, the Insatiable Ravener, Artificer Xy'mox, Halondrus the Reclaimer) becomes available.
March 22 – Raid Finder Wing 2: Cornerstone of Creation (Dausegne, the Fallen Oracle, Prototype Pantheon, Lihuvim, Principal Architect) becomes available.
April 5 – Raid Finder Wing 3: Domination's Grasp (Anduin Wrynn, Lords of Dread, Rygelon) becomes available.
April 19 – Raid Finder Wing 4: The Grand Design (The Jailer) becomes available.

Vigilant Guardian

This eternal guardian lies in wait, keeping a timeless vigil over the entrance to the Sepulcher of the First Ones.

Skolex, the Insatiable Ravener

With the Sepulcher of the First Ones vulnerable, devourers swarm in to feed their hunger. Among these aberrations is the ravenous Skolex. As the great worm consumes vast amounts of ephemera, the Sepulcher is thrown out of balance and threatens to collapse upon itself.

Artificer Xy'mox

After his defeat in Castle Nathria, Artificer Xy'mox sank back into the shadows to plot his next heist. With the Sepulcher of the First Ones now vulnerable, Xy'mox has summoned the full might of the Xy Cartel to plunder the ancient knowledge and powerful relics buried there.

Dausegne, the Fallen Oracle

Dominated by the Jailer, Dausegne leads the Mawsworn in a battle to gain control of the Forge of Afterlives. The Jailer plans to use its power to unleash an eternity of torment upon all of reality.

Prototype Pantheon

Bereft of the cosmic spirits of the Eternal Ones, these incomplete host bodies can only carry out their base directives without mercy or compassion. With the enemy at the gates, Lihuvim has little choice but to activate these dangerous prototypes.

Lihuvim, Principal Architect

With meticulous care, Lihuvim weaves ephemera into being in accordance with the hallowed will of the First Ones. Now this process is threatened as Mawsworn forces seek to claim this power.

Halondrus the Reclaimer

For eons Halondrus traversed the cliffs of the Sepulcher of the First Ones, fulfilling its sacred purpose of reclaiming ephemera and returning it to the great cycle. With intruders now throwing this pattern into anarchy, the ancient keeper will do whatever it must to maintain order.

Anduin Wrynn

Controlled by Domination magic, Anduin is being forced to aid the Jailer's plan to remake reality. As time runs out to stop him, the champions of Azeroth must make a difficult choice: defeat the young king to save the cosmos, or risk everything in order to restore his soul.

Lords of Dread

Using subterfuge and guile, the nathrezim have worked for eons to bring the Jailer's plan to fruition. Now, on the brink of their master's victory, they only need to complete one final task to ensure none are left to resist the new order of the cosmos.

Rygelon

Drawn to observe the fateful events unfolding within the Sepulcher of the First Ones, Rygelon succumbed to the Jailer's domination. Now this constellar turns its cosmic power against any who would oppose the Banished One.

The Jailer

For untold millennia, the Jailer patiently unfolded his plan to reach the heart of the Sepulcher. Now poised upon the precipice of his final victory, the heroes of Azeroth must rally to prevent the Jailer from dominating all of reality.

COSMIC SPOILS
The path to the Banished One’s defeat is paved with treasure.

New Mounts and Class Sets

Mounts: Zereth Overseer (Mythic-difficulty Jailer), Shimmering Aurelid (Glory of the Sepulcher Raider)

Class Sets: Each class can obtain an all-new 5-piece set that confers fabulous power to those determined enough to procure them.

NEW ACHIEVEMENTS, NEW REWARDS
Complete the following achievements to earn a coelenterate mount and title worthy of saviors of reality.

Glory of the Sepulcher Raider: Complete the listed Sepulcher of the First Ones raid achievements—Amidst Ourselves; Coming to Terms; Four Ring Circus; Power ON; Shimmering Secrets; The Protoform Matrix; We Are All Made of Stars; Where the Wild Corgis Are; Wisdom Comes From the Desert; Xy Never, Ever Marks the Spot; Damnation Aviation.

Mount Reward: Shimmering Aurelid

Mythic: The Jailer: Defeat The Jailer in Sepulcher of the First Ones on Mythic difficulty.

Title Reward: Guardian of the Pattern

TIME-LIMITED ACHIEVEMENTS
Those who defeat The Jailer on Heroic or Mythic difficulties prior to the next raid tier can earn these achievements that they can proudly /flex.

Ahead of the Curve: The Jailer—Defeat the Jailer in the Sepulcher of the First Ones on Heroic difficulty or higher before the release of the next raid tier.

Cutting Edge: The Jailer—Defeat Defeat The Jailer in the Sepulcher of the First Ones on Mythic difficulty before the release of the next raid tier.