Embarking on a journey to Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS) in World of Warcraft is a classic adventure, particularly relevant for WoW Classic and Season of Discovery (SoD) players. This iconic dungeon (which was a 10-man "raid" in vanilla WoW but is now typically run as a 5-man dungeon in later versions and Classic SoD) holds a special place in the hearts of many, offering challenging encounters and valuable loot. But how exactly do you get there, and what secrets does it hold? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Ready for the Challenge, Adventurer?
Before we even talk about how to get to UBRS, let's address the most important question: Are you prepared? Upper Blackrock Spire isn't just a walk in the park. It's a challenging instance, especially in Classic and SoD, that demands teamwork, proper gear, and a good understanding of mechanics. You'll want to be at or near max level for your given expansion (level 60 for Classic/SoD) to tackle this effectively. Have you geared up in other dungeons? Do you have consumables? Are your talents spec'd appropriately? If you're nodding along, then you're ready for the journey!
Understanding Blackrock Mountain and its Instances
Blackrock Mountain is a massive, fiery zone that houses several important instances. Think of it as a multi-layered fortress. You have:
- Blackrock Depths (BRD): A sprawling dungeon, often referred to as "the city" due to its size.
- Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS): The first half of the Blackrock Spire instance. This is your gateway to UBRS.
- Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS): The second and more challenging half, our ultimate destination.
- Molten Core (MC): A classic 40-man raid.
- Blackwing Lair (BWL): Another classic 40-man raid, with an entrance inside UBRS.
Our focus today is navigating from the outside world into UBRS.
Step 2: Journey to Blackrock Mountain - The Fiery Entrance
Your first objective is to reach Blackrock Mountain itself. This volcanic stronghold sits menacingly between two zones:
Tip: Make mental notes as you go.
- Searing Gorge: The northern entrance to Blackrock Mountain.
- Burning Steppes: The southern entrance to Blackrock Mountain.
The choice of which zone to enter from largely depends on your faction and preferred flight paths. Horde players might find Kargath in the Badlands (near Searing Gorge) convenient, while Alliance players often utilize Morgan's Vigil in the Burning Steppes.
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| How Do You Get To Upper Blackrock Spire |
Finding the Mountain's Heart
Once you're in either Searing Gorge or Burning Steppes, head towards the massive, looming structure of Blackrock Mountain. You'll see a large, fiery opening. Enter it!
Inside Blackrock Mountain, you'll be in a vast cavern with chains leading down. This area is often bustling with players. You need to make your way to the middle platform and then climb the chains to reach the second-floor ledge. From there, you'll run along the wall until you see a balcony leading to the entrance of Blackrock Spire.
Step 3: Entering Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS) - Your First Obstacle
The entrance to Upper Blackrock Spire isn't directly from the outside world. It's nestled within Lower Blackrock Spire. So, your immediate goal upon reaching the Blackrock Spire entrance is to zone into LBRS.
Locating the LBRS Portal
Once you've navigated the treacherous paths within Blackrock Mountain to the Spire's entrance, you'll find the portal to Lower Blackrock Spire. It's typically a glowing, swirling vortex. Click on it to zone in!
Tip: Look for small cues in wording.
Step 4: The Crucial Attunement: Obtaining the "Seal of Ascension" (Classic/SoD Specific)
This is the most critical and often the most confusing step for players in WoW Classic and Season of Discovery. In these versions of the game, you cannot simply walk into UBRS. You need a special key: the Seal of Ascension. This requires completing a specific quest chain.
The "Seal of Ascension" Quest Chain Breakdown:
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Start the Quest: Finding Vaelan in LBRS
- To begin, you need to find an NPC named Vaelan inside Lower Blackrock Spire. This can be tricky as he's initially disguised as a Scarshield Infiltrator.
- Directions to Vaelan: Enter LBRS. Go up the stairs to the right and drop down the ledge leading southeast. Go through the gate to your east, then continue through Hordemar City. Look for a stony ramp leading upward to your left just after the first group of mobs near a sconce. Vaelan will be crouching on an edge after climbing this ramp. Approach the Scarshield Infiltrator, and he will reveal himself as Vaelan. Accept the quest "Seal of Ascension."
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Gather the Gemstones & Unadorned Seal:
- Vaelan will task you with collecting four items to forge the Seal of Ascension:
- Gemstone of Spirestone: Drops from Highlord Omokk in LBRS.
- Gemstone of Smolderthorn: Drops from War Master Voone in LBRS.
- Gemstone of Bloodaxe: Drops from Overlord Wyrmthalak in LBRS.
- Unadorned Seal of Ascension: Has a small chance to drop from most enemies within LBRS. You might need to clear a fair amount of trash to get this one.
- Tip: You can collect these pieces before picking up the quest to save time.
- Vaelan will task you with collecting four items to forge the Seal of Ascension:
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Forge the Forged Seal of Ascension (with Emberstrife):
- Once you have all four items, return to Vaelan in LBRS. He will then direct you to Dustwallow Marsh to confront the elite dragon Emberstrife.
- Important: You don't kill Emberstrife. Instead, you need to weaken it and then use the Orb of Draconic Energy (provided by Vaelan) to force the dragon to create the Forged Seal of Ascension.
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Receive the Seal of Ascension:
- Return to Vaelan in LBRS one last time with the Forged Seal of Ascension. Completing this quest will finally reward you with the Seal of Ascension ring.
- This ring is key! It grants some resistance but, most importantly, allows you to open the door to UBRS.
Step 5: Locating the UBRS Entrance within LBRS
Now that you possess the magnificent Seal of Ascension (or are in a group with someone who does), you're ready to find the actual entrance to Upper Blackrock Spire.
Navigating to the UBRS Door:
- Enter LBRS: Start by entering Lower Blackrock Spire as you normally would.
- Head Left: Upon entering, go up the left side of the first set of stairs.
- Find the Locked Door: Turn left again, and you will see a large, locked door. This is the entrance to UBRS.
Opening the Door:
- The player with the Seal of Ascension equipped simply needs to approach the door. It will automatically open for the group.
- Crucially, only one person in the group needs the Seal of Ascension to open the door. Once the door is open, that player can remove the ring and put their normal gear back on. The door will remain open for your group.
- Note: Even a Rogue with maximum Lockpicking cannot open this door without the Seal of Ascension.
Step 6: Stepping into Upper Blackrock Spire!
Congratulations, adventurer! You've navigated the treacherous Blackrock Mountain, delved into Lower Blackrock Spire, completed a challenging attunement quest, and finally, unlocked the entrance to Upper Blackrock Spire. Gather your party, prepare for battle, and enjoy the spoils that await you within this legendary instance!
Tip: Reread tricky sentences for clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Upper Blackrock Spire
Here are 10 common questions about getting to and tackling UBRS, with quick answers:
How to get to Blackrock Mountain?
You can get to Blackrock Mountain by entering its cavernous opening from either Searing Gorge (north) or Burning Steppes (south).
How to enter Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS)?
Once inside Blackrock Mountain, navigate to the second-floor ledge by climbing the chains in the central area, then jump onto the balcony leading to the LBRS portal.
How to start the UBRS attunement quest?
To start the UBRS attunement, you need to find Vaelan, an NPC disguised as a Scarshield Infiltrator, inside Lower Blackrock Spire. He's typically found on a ledge after a stony ramp in Hordemar City.
How to get the Unadorned Seal of Ascension?
The Unadorned Seal of Ascension has a small chance to drop from most enemies within Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS). Keep clearing trash until it drops.
How to get the Gemstones for the Seal of Ascension?
The three required gemstones drop from specific bosses in Lower Blackrock Spire: Highlord Omokk (Spirestone), War Master Voone (Smolderthorn), and Overlord Wyrmthalak (Bloodaxe).
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
How to complete the Emberstrife part of the attunement?
You need to travel to Dustwallow Marsh, weaken the elite dragon Emberstrife, and then use the Orb of Draconic Energy (provided by Vaelan) on it to receive the Forged Seal of Ascension.
How to open the UBRS door once attuned?
Equip the Seal of Ascension ring and simply walk up to the locked door inside Lower Blackrock Spire. The door will open automatically for your group.
How to find the UBRS entrance inside LBRS?
Upon entering Lower Blackrock Spire, go up the left side of the first set of stairs, then turn left again. The locked door to UBRS will be there.
How to know if I'm high enough level for UBRS?
For WoW Classic and Season of Discovery, it's highly recommended to be level 60 to comfortably tackle UBRS. In later expansions where it might be a lower-level dungeon, simply being within the suggested level range should suffice.
How to leave UBRS after completing it?
Once you've finished UBRS, you can simply use your Hearthstone, or locate the exit portal within the instance (usually near the entrance or final boss area, depending on the version of the game you're playing).
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