Do you hear that distant clang of hammers, the roar of furnace fires, and the guttural shouts of Dark Iron Dwarves? That, my friend, is the call of Blackrock Depths (BRD), one of World of Warcraft's most iconic and sprawling dungeons! And if you're looking to delve into its deeper, more challenging reaches – the Upper City – then you've come to the right place.
BRD is not just a dungeon; it's an entire underground city, a labyrinthine marvel of engineering and dark magic. Many players find its sheer size and complex layout daunting, especially when trying to navigate to specific sections. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategy to confidently make your way to the Blackrock Depths Upper City.
Let's embark on this fiery adventure!
The Journey to the Core: Reaching Blackrock Depths
Before we can even think about the Upper City, we need to get into Blackrock Depths itself. This dungeon is nestled deep within Blackrock Mountain, a formidable peak accessible from two zones.
Step 1: Locating Blackrock Mountain
So, you're ready to brave the fiery depths? Excellent! The first hurdle is getting to Blackrock Mountain. You have two primary entry points:
- From Searing Gorge: This is often the more direct route for Alliance players, though Horde can use it too. Head to the southern part of Searing Gorge, and you'll spot the massive, ominous silhouette of Blackrock Mountain dominating the landscape.
- From Burning Steppes: For Horde players, this might be a more convenient starting point. Travel to the western side of Burning Steppes, and you'll find another entrance leading into Blackrock Mountain.
No matter which zone you approach from, you're aiming for the grand, cavernous entrance into the heart of the mountain.
Step 2: Navigating Blackrock Mountain's Interior
Once you step into Blackrock Mountain, you'll find yourself in a vast, open cavern with molten rivers and intricate dwarven structures. This is not the dungeon yet, but a hub that leads to several instances, including Blackrock Depths, Blackrock Spire (Lower and Upper), and Molten Core.
- Follow the Chains Down: Look for large, impressive chains descending into the lower levels. These aren't just decorative; they're your path! Follow these chains down, carefully navigating the platforms and bridges.
- Through the Quarry Mine: Your descent will eventually lead you into a section known as the Quarry Mine. Continue through this mining area, pushing ever deeper into the mountain's belly.
- The BRD Portal: Keep going until you reach the very back of the Quarry Mine. Here, you'll finally find the glowing, ominous portal that serves as the entrance to Blackrock Depths. Step through it, and prepare for a true dungeon experience!
Delving into the Depths: Towards the Upper City
Now you're inside Blackrock Depths. Congratulations! But this is just the beginning. BRD is massive, and the Upper City is a specific, high-level section. Many groups only run the "Lower City" for specific quests or bosses. To reach the Upper City, you'll need to navigate some of the dungeon's early areas.
Step 3: Navigating the Initial Sections
Upon entering BRD, you'll find yourself in the Detention Block. While you can explore this area, our goal is to bypass most of it to reach the Upper City efficiently.
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The "Shortcut" through the Ring of Law: This is the most common and efficient way to reach the Upper City.
- From the dungeon entrance, proceed straight ahead through the initial corridors.
- You'll soon arrive at a large, circular arena known as the Ring of Law. This area often hosts a challenging event where waves of enemies attack. Many groups skip this event entirely if their sole purpose is the Upper City.
- To bypass the Ring of Law event, look for a pathway to the right (east) as you enter the Ring of Law. This path leads around the arena.
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Through the East Garrison: Following the path around the Ring of Law will lead you into the East Garrison. This area is filled with various Dark Iron Dwarves. Be prepared for combat.
Step 4: Activating the Shadowforge Lock and Bridge
This is a crucial step for reaching the Upper City. Without completing this, you'll be stuck in the lower sections.
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Locate the Shadowforge Gates: As you move through the East Garrison, you'll encounter two large, imposing Shadowforge Gates. These are typically locked.
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The Shadowforge Key or Alternatives:
- The Shadowforge Key: The intended way to open these gates is with the Shadowforge Key. This key is obtained by completing a lengthy quest chain that culminates in defeating Fineous Darkvire within BRD and then using a quest item at the Shrine of Thaurissan. However, for many groups, obtaining this key might be more effort than the immediate reward.
- Rogue Lockpicking: If you have a Rogue in your party (level 280 lockpicking skill required for the gates), they can easily pick the locks on these gates. This is often the fastest and most common method.
- Large Seaforium Charges: Engineers can craft Large Seaforium Charges (Engineering 200 required). These can be used to blow open the gates. This is another popular alternative if a Rogue isn't available.
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Reaching the Shadowforge Lock: Once past the Shadowforge Gates, continue deeper. You'll enter a large, open chamber with a massive bridge spanning a chasm. This bridge is initially raised.
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Activating the Bridge: On one side of this chamber, you'll find a mechanism known as the Shadowforge Lock. Interacting with this device will lower the bridge, providing access to the Upper City. If you have the Shadowforge Key, you'll use it here. If a Rogue picked the previous gates, they might need to pick another lock here, or in some iterations of the game, simply interacting with it will suffice after passing the gates.
Step 5: Entering the Upper City Proper
With the bridge lowered, your path to the Upper City is now clear!
- Crossing the Bridge: Walk across the newly lowered bridge. Be mindful of any patrolling mobs.
- Welcome to the Upper City: Once you cross, you'll find yourself in the bustling, higher-level areas of Blackrock Depths, often referred to as the "Upper City" or "Emperor's side." This section leads to many of the dungeon's most iconic bosses, including General Angerforge, Golem Lord Argelmach, and ultimately, Emperor Dagran Thaurissan and Princess Moira Bronzebeard.
Important Considerations for Your BRD Upper City Run:
- Group Composition: BRD is a long and challenging dungeon, especially the Upper City. A balanced group with a tank, healer, and damage dealers is highly recommended. Crowd control is also extremely valuable.
- Level Range: The recommended level range for Blackrock Depths: Upper City is generally 54-61 in WoW Classic. Being closer to the higher end of that spectrum will make your run significantly smoother.
- Quests: There are numerous quests available for Blackrock Depths, many of which take you into the Upper City. Before you go, consider picking up all relevant quests to maximize your experience and rewards. This can include the Molten Core attunement quest, which involves speaking to a ghost inside BRD (and yes, it often requires you to die and release as a spirit to interact with him).
- Supplies: Bring plenty of potions, food, and water. As one of the longest dungeons in the game, you'll need to sustain your group through multiple encounters.
- Patience and Communication: BRD can be a test of patience. The sheer size means runs can take a while. Good communication within your group is key to success, especially when navigating complex pulls or boss mechanics.
Remember, Blackrock Depths offers a truly unique and memorable dungeon experience. While getting to the Upper City might seem like a trek, the rewards and satisfaction of conquering this sprawling stronghold are well worth the effort!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Blackrock Depths Upper City, with quick answers:
How to get the Shadowforge Key?
The Shadowforge Key is obtained by completing a quest chain. You start by dying inside Blackrock Mountain and speaking to the ghost of Franclorn Forgewright. This leads to a quest to retrieve the "Ironfel" from Fineous Darkvire within Blackrock Depths, and then using it at the Shrine of Thaurissan to create the key.
How to skip the Ring of Law event in BRD?
To skip the Ring of Law event, simply take the path to the right (east) as you enter the circular arena. This path bypasses the central fighting area and leads directly to the East Garrison.
How to open the Shadowforge Gates without the key?
The Shadowforge Gates can be opened by a Rogue with sufficient lockpicking skill (280 required) or by using a Large Seaforium Charge crafted by an Engineer (Engineering 200 required).
How to find Fineous Darkvire for the Shadowforge Key quest?
Fineous Darkvire is located in the Hall of Crafting within Blackrock Depths. You'll typically encounter him after passing through the Shadowforge Gates and progressing deeper into the dungeon.
How to get to the Emperor Dagran Thaurissan?
Emperor Dagran Thaurissan is the final boss of the Blackrock Depths Upper City. You reach him by navigating through the Upper City, past bosses like General Angerforge and Ambassador Flamelash, and then through the Lyceum area to his throne room.
How to reach the Grim Guzzler?
The Grim Guzzler is a famous bar area within Blackrock Depths. It is located after the Ring of Law and past General Angerforge, accessible via a path off the main route to the Emperor.
How to get out of Blackrock Depths quickly?
The fastest way to exit Blackrock Depths is to use your Hearthstone or ask a Mage in your group for a portal. Otherwise, you'll have to retrace your steps back to the instance portal.
How to do the Molten Core attunement quest in BRD?
The Molten Core attunement quest ("Attunement to the Core") is picked up from Lothos Riftwalker, a ghost located near the entrance of Blackrock Depths. You need to die inside Blackrock Mountain and release your spirit to talk to him.
How to know if you're in the "Upper City" part of BRD?
The "Upper City" typically begins after you've activated the Shadowforge Lock and crossed the bridge that was previously raised. The enemies in this section are generally higher level and the architecture changes to reflect the more regal, inner workings of the Dark Iron capital.
How to prepare for a Blackrock Depths Upper City run?
Prepare by forming a balanced group (tank, healer, DPS), ensuring everyone is adequately geared for their level, bringing plenty of consumables (food, water, potions), and ideally, having someone who can open the Shadowforge Gates (Rogue or Engineer) to save time.
