Entering Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS) in WoW Classic requires a special item, the Seal of Ascension. This isn't just a simple key you pick up; it's the culmination of an epic and sometimes challenging questline that takes you deep into the heart of Blackrock Mountain and beyond. If you're ready to unlock this iconic 10-player dungeon and face its formidable challenges, then let's get started!
How to Get the Key for Upper Blackrock Spire: The Seal of Ascension Attunement Guide
Are you ready to dive into one of World of Warcraft Classic's most iconic and rewarding dungeons? The Upper Blackrock Spire, or UBRS, is a staple for many max-level players seeking valuable pre-raid gear and a thrilling group experience. But before you can step foot inside, you'll need the coveted Seal of Ascension. This guide will walk you through every step of the attunement questline, ensuring you're well-equipped to face the trials ahead.
Step 1: Laying the Groundwork – The Unadorned Seal
Alright, adventurer, let's begin our journey! The first piece of the puzzle isn't a quest, but an item: the Unadorned Seal of Ascension. This unassuming trinket is the trigger for the entire attunement process.
Sub-heading: Where to Find the Unadorned Seal
The Unadorned Seal of Ascension is a random drop from most enemies within Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS). This means you'll be spending some time in LBRS, clearing trash mobs.
- Tip: While farming for this, you might as well start forming groups and getting familiar with LBRS, as you'll be spending more time there later in the questline.
- Patience is key here. The drop chance isn't 100%, so be prepared for a few runs. You can also sometimes find this on the Auction House, but often at a significant price.
Step 2: The Mysterious NPC – Finding Vaelan
Once you have your Unadorned Seal of Ascension, your next objective is to find a hidden NPC within LBRS named Vaelan. He's disguised as a Scarshield Infiltrator and won't reveal himself until you're close.
Sub-heading: Navigating LBRS to Vaelan
- Enter Lower Blackrock Spire: The entrance to LBRS is located within Blackrock Mountain. You can enter Blackrock Mountain from either the Burning Steppes (south) or Searing Gorge (north). Once inside Blackrock Mountain, head towards the chains leading down into the core. LBRS is the instance on the right as you face the main fiery path, past the large chains.
- Initial Path: After entering LBRS, go up the stairs to your right.
- The Ledge and Gate: You'll soon see a ledge that leads southeast. Fall down this ledge. Then, proceed through the gate to your east.
- Hordemar City: Continue through this area, which is known as Hordemar City. Keep an eye out for a stony ramp leading upward to your left, just after the first group of mobs near a sconce.
- Locating Vaelan: Climb this stony ramp. Vaelan can be found crouching on an edge at the top. He'll appear as a Scarshield Infiltrator until you approach him. Interact with him to receive the quest "Seal of Ascension."
Step 3: Gathering the Gemstones – A Dungeon Crawl
With the "Seal of Ascension" quest in hand, Vaelan tasks you with collecting three specific gemstones from bosses within LBRS. This means more dungeon delving!
Sub-heading: The Three Bosses and Their Gems
You'll need to defeat these bosses in Lower Blackrock Spire to acquire their respective gemstones:
- Gemstone of Spirestone: Drops from Highlord Omokk.
- Gemstone of Smolderthorn: Drops from War Master Voone.
- Gemstone of Bloodaxe: Drops from Overlord Wyrmthalak.
- Important Note: These gemstones are not guaranteed drops. Each has approximately a 1 in 5 chance to drop. This means you might need to run LBRS multiple times to collect all three. Consider forming a dedicated "UBRS Key" group to make these runs more efficient.
Step 4: Forging the Seal – The Dragon's Breath
Once you've collected all three gemstones and the Unadorned Seal of Ascension, return to Vaelan in LBRS. He will then give you the Unforged Seal of Ascension and an Orb of Draconic Energy and send you on your most dangerous task yet: forging the seal with the help of a powerful Black Dragon.
Sub-heading: Confronting Emberstrife in Dustwallow Marsh
- Travel to Dustwallow Marsh: You'll need to head to the southern part of Dustwallow Marsh. Emberstrife's cave is located in the south-central part of the zone, often near Onyxia's Lair.
- Form a Group: Emberstrife is an Elite dragon and a tough fight. Do not attempt this solo. Bring a small group (2-3 players, including a tank and healer) at your level (level 55+ recommended).
- The Ritual:
- Place the Unforged Seal: When you're ready, place the Unforged Seal of Ascension on the ground at the location you plan to tank Emberstrife.
- Dismiss Pets (if applicable): If you're a pet class (Hunter, Warlock), make sure to dismiss your pet before pulling Emberstrife. Your pet can interfere with the next step.
- Weaken Emberstrife: Engage Emberstrife and bring its health down to approximately 10%. Be careful not to kill it!
- Use the Orb: Once Emberstrife is at low health, immediately use the Orb of Draconic Energy. This will mind control Emberstrife.
- Forge with Flames: While controlling Emberstrife, you'll gain a temporary action bar. Use the fourth ability, "Flames of the Black Flight," to breathe fire onto the Unforged Seal on the ground. Make sure Emberstrife is facing the seal when you use the ability.
- Loot the Forged Seal: If successful, you'll be able to loot the Forged Seal of Ascension from the ground.
- Troubleshooting: If the ability is on cooldown, try using Emberstrife's "Enrage" ability to reset it. If all else fails, you may need to kill Emberstrife, wait for it to respawn, and try again.
Step 5: The Final Step – Receiving Your Key!
With the Forged Seal of Ascension in your possession, it's time to return to Vaelan one last time.
Sub-heading: Completing the Attunement
- Return to LBRS: Head back into Lower Blackrock Spire to Vaelan's location.
- Turn in the Quest: Speak to Vaelan and turn in the "Seal of Ascension" quest.
Congratulations! You will now be rewarded with the Seal of Ascension ring! This ring is your key to Upper Blackrock Spire. You must have this ring equipped to open the door to UBRS. Once inside, you can unequip it and put your regular gear back on.
Getting to Upper Blackrock Spire (The Door)
Now that you have the Seal of Ascension, you're probably wondering where to use it! The entrance to Upper Blackrock Spire is inside Lower Blackrock Spire.
Sub-heading: Locating the UBRS Entrance
- Enter Lower Blackrock Spire: Again, enter LBRS through Blackrock Mountain.
- The UBRS Door: Once inside LBRS, head up the left side of the first set of stairs. You'll immediately see a large, locked door on your left. This is the entrance to Upper Blackrock Spire.
- Equip and Open: Approach the door with the Seal of Ascension equipped. The door will now be interactable and you can open it, granting you and your group access to UBRS!
This attunement process is a testament to the classic WoW experience, requiring dedication, group coordination, and a bit of patience. But the rewards, both in terms of gear and the satisfaction of overcoming a challenging quest, are well worth it! Good luck, adventurer!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to start the Seal of Ascension quest?
You start the "Seal of Ascension" quest by first obtaining the Unadorned Seal of Ascension as a random drop from mobs in Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS), and then bringing it to the hidden NPC Vaelan inside LBRS.
How to find Vaelan in Lower Blackrock Spire?
Vaelan is disguised as a Scarshield Infiltrator in LBRS. From the entrance, go up the stairs to the right, fall down the southeast ledge, go through the east gate into Hordemar City, and find a stony ramp leading up on your left. Vaelan is crouched on an edge at the top of this ramp.
How to get the three gemstones for the quest?
The three gemstones – Gemstone of Spirestone, Gemstone of Smolderthorn, and Gemstone of Bloodaxe – drop from Highlord Omokk, War Master Voone, and Overlord Wyrmthalak respectively, all bosses found within Lower Blackrock Spire.
How to mind control Emberstrife for the quest?
To mind control Emberstrife, you must first place the Unforged Seal of Ascension on the ground, then damage Emberstrife down to approximately 10% health. At that point, use the Orb of Draconic Energy to take control of it, and then use its "Flames of the Black Flight" ability on the seal.
How to get to Dustwallow Marsh?
Dustwallow Marsh can be reached by traveling south from the Barrens (Horde) or by taking a boat from Theramore Isle (Alliance, or Horde if you can safely reach it). It's located on the west coast of Kalimdor.
How to open the UBRS door?
To open the door to Upper Blackrock Spire, you must have the Seal of Ascension ring equipped. The door is located inside Lower Blackrock Spire, on the left side of the first set of stairs after entering.
How to get to Upper Blackrock Spire?
Upper Blackrock Spire's entrance is within Lower Blackrock Spire, which itself is located inside Blackrock Mountain. You must first enter LBRS, then use the Seal of Ascension to open the UBRS door.
How to find Lower Blackrock Spire?
Lower Blackrock Spire's entrance is in Blackrock Mountain, which can be accessed from the Burning Steppes or Searing Gorge. Once inside the mountain, LBRS is the instance on the right side of the main path, past the chains.
How to get a group for the Emberstrife part of the quest?
The Emberstrife encounter typically requires a small group (2-3 players) with a tank and healer. It's advisable to ask in general chat, your guild chat, or form a "UBRS Key" group to specifically tackle this part of the quest.
How to know if I already have the Seal of Ascension?
The Seal of Ascension is a unique ring item that will be in your inventory or equipped if you have completed the questline. Its tooltip will explicitly state its purpose for opening the UBRS door.