Unlocking the door to Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS) in World of Warcraft Classic is a rite of passage for any aspiring raider. It's not just a simple dungeon run; it's an epic quest chain that tests your patience, perseverance, and ability to navigate one of the most iconic zones in the game: Blackrock Mountain. This guide will walk you through every single step to earn your coveted Seal of Ascension, the key that grants you access to the heart of the Spire!
Your Journey to the Seal of Ascension: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Embark on Your Quest for the Unadorned Seal (Engage!)
Are you ready to dive into the fiery depths of Blackrock Mountain? This isn't just about killing a few mobs; it's about setting foot into a legendary location that hums with the echoes of war and ancient power. Before you even think about entering UBRS, you need to begin your journey by obtaining a crucial item: the Unadorned Seal of Ascension.
- What you need to do: Head into Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS). This dungeon is where you'll spend a good amount of time, as the Unadorned Seal is a random drop from most of the trash mobs within LBRS. Yes, that's right – it's a grind!
- Pro-Tip: Form a strong group! LBRS can be challenging, especially if you're not well-geared. A balanced party with a tank, healer, and DPS will make this much smoother. Don't be afraid to clear entire sections to maximize your chances.
Step 2: Seek Out Vaelan – The Hidden Quest Giver
Once you have the Unadorned Seal of Ascension in your possession, your next objective is to find a rather elusive NPC: Vaelan. He's hidden within LBRS itself, disguised as a "Scarshield Infiltrator."
- Where to find him:
- Enter LBRS.
- Head up the first set of stairs to your right.
- Fall down the ledge to the southeast.
- Enter the gate to your east.
- Continue through Hordemar City until you see a stony ramp leading upward to your left, just after the first pack of mobs near a sconce.
- Vaelan will be crouching on an edge after climbing this ramp. He won't reveal himself immediately; you need to walk up to him for him to shed his disguise and offer you the quest.
Step 3: Gather the Gemstones of Command
Vaelan will now give you the quest "Seal of Ascension." This quest requires you to collect three specific gemstones, each dropped by a different boss within LBRS. This is where your dungeon crawling skills will be put to the test!
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The Three Gemstones:
- Gemstone of Spirestone: Drops from Highlord Omokk.
- Gemstone of Smolderthorn: Drops from War Master Voone.
- Gemstone of Bloodaxe: Drops from Overlord Wyrmthalak.
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Important Note: The drop chance for these gemstones is not 100%. You may need to run LBRS multiple times to acquire all three. Persistence is key here! You can collect these before accepting the quest from Vaelan to potentially save some time.
Step 4: The Dragon's Breath – Forging the Seal
With the Unadorned Seal and all three Gemstones in hand, return to Vaelan in LBRS. He will now give you the next crucial step: forging the seal in the flames of the Black Dragonflight. This involves a journey to Dustwallow Marsh and an encounter with a dragon named Emberstrife.
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Preparation is crucial:
- Bring a group: While you won't be killing Emberstrife outright, you'll need a tank and a healer to manage the fight.
- Party, not Raid: Make sure you are in a standard party group (up to 5 players), not a raid group.
- Dismiss pets: If you are a pet class (Hunter, Warlock), dismiss your pet before engaging Emberstrife, as it can interfere with the next step.
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The Encounter with Emberstrife:
- Travel to Dustwallow Marsh and find Emberstrife in his cave (located in the southern part of the zone).
- Open Vaelan's Gift (the chest he gave you) to receive two vital items: the Unforged Seal of Ascension and the Orb of Draconic Energy.
- Place the Unforged Seal of Ascension on the ground where you intend to tank Emberstrife.
- DPS Emberstrife down to approximately 10% health. Stop attacking once he's low!
- Now, use the Orb of Draconic Energy on Emberstrife. This will mind control him.
- Once you have control of Emberstrife, use his fourth ability on the temporary action bar: Flames of the Black Flight. This is a frontal cone breath attack, so make sure Emberstrife is facing the Unforged Seal of Ascension on the ground to properly forge it.
- If the ability is on cooldown, try using Emberstrife's Enrage ability to reset it. If all else fails, you may need to try again by having Emberstrife despawn and respawn, or by switching layers.
- Once successfully cast, you will be able to loot the Forged Seal of Ascension from the ground.
Step 5: Claim Your Key!
With the Forged Seal of Ascension in your inventory, return to Vaelan in LBRS one last time. Turn in the quest, and he will finally reward you with the legendary Seal of Ascension!
- Congratulations! You now possess the key to Upper Blackrock Spire. This item is a ring, and you must have it equipped in your inventory to open the locked door to UBRS. Don't worry, once inside, you can swap it out for your preferred gear.
Upper Blackrock Spire Entrance Location
Now that you have your key, where do you use it? The entrance to UBRS is inside LBRS, acting as a "dungeon within a dungeon."
- Finding the UBRS Door:
- Enter Lower Blackrock Spire.
- Immediately go up the left side of the first set of stairs.
- At the top, turn left. You will see a large, locked door. This is the entrance to Upper Blackrock Spire.
- With your Seal of Ascension equipped, click on the door to open it.
Voila! You have successfully attuned yourself to Upper Blackrock Spire and are ready to face the challenges within, including the infamous Warchief Rend Blackhand and General Drakkisath!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to start the UBRS key quest chain?
You start by getting the Unadorned Seal of Ascension from trash mobs in Lower Blackrock Spire, and then finding Vaelan inside LBRS.
How to find Vaelan in LBRS?
Vaelan is disguised as a Scarshield Infiltrator. After entering LBRS, go up the right stairs, fall southeast, go through the east gate, and then up the stony ramp to your left in Hordemar City. Walk up to him to reveal him.
How to get the three gemstones for the Seal of Ascension quest?
The Gemstone of Spirestone drops from Highlord Omokk, the Gemstone of Smolderthorn from War Master Voone, and the Gemstone of Bloodaxe from Overlord Wyrmthalak, all within LBRS.
How to forge the Seal of Ascension with Emberstrife?
Take the Unforged Seal of Ascension and Orb of Draconic Energy to Emberstrife in Dustwallow Marsh. Get Emberstrife to ~10% health, use the Orb to mind control him, and then use his "Flames of the Black Flight" ability on the Unforged Seal placed on the ground.
How to ensure Emberstrife casts "Flames of the Black Flight" correctly?
Make sure Emberstrife is facing the Unforged Seal of Ascension when you cast the ability, as it's a frontal cone. If the ability is on cooldown, try using his Enrage to reset it.
How to avoid issues with pets during the Emberstrife encounter?
If you are a pet class, dismiss your pet before engaging Emberstrife, as pets can interfere with your ability to use the Orb of Draconic Energy.
How to open the UBRS door once I have the key?
You must equip the Seal of Ascension ring in your inventory, then click on the locked door to Upper Blackrock Spire, which is located inside Lower Blackrock Spire (up the left stairs from the LBRS entrance, then turn left).
How to farm the Unadorned Seal of Ascension faster?
Focus on clearing as many trash packs as possible in Lower Blackrock Spire, as it's a random drop from most mobs. Run LBRS repeatedly with a efficient group.
How to know if I'm ready for the UBRS key quest chain?
It's recommended to be at least level 55-60 and have a decent group for LBRS, as you'll be running it multiple times and facing challenging bosses.
How to handle the travel to Dustwallow Marsh for the Emberstrife part?
Dustwallow Marsh can be a long journey, especially for Alliance. Ensure you have flight paths or a warlock with you for summons if possible to expedite travel.
