Getting to Blackrock Foundry in Dragonflight might seem a bit daunting at first, especially if you're returning to the game or haven't ventured into older content much. But fear not, adventurer! This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the treacherous lands of Draenor and infiltrate the heart of the Iron Horde's industrial might.
Prepare for Your Journey: Why Blackrock Foundry?
Before we dive into the "how," let's quickly touch on the "why." Blackrock Foundry (BRF) is a raid from the Warlords of Draenor expansion, and even in Dragonflight, it remains a popular destination for several reasons:
- Transmogrification (Transmog): BRF offers some fantastic armor sets and weapon models that are highly sought after for character customization. If you want your Dragon-riding hero to look like a true Iron Horde champion, this is your spot!
- Mount Farming: The legendary Ironhoof Destroyer mount has a small chance to drop from the final boss, Blackhand, on Mythic difficulty. Many players undertake weekly runs solely for this magnificent beast.
- Achievements: There are numerous achievements tied to clearing the raid and defeating its bosses on various difficulties.
- Lore: If you're a lore enthusiast, revisiting BRF allows you to experience a crucial chapter in the Warlords of Draenor storyline, witnessing the Blackrock clan's industrial might under the command of Warlord Blackhand.
So, are you ready to conquer the Foundry? Let's get started!
Step 1: Establish Your Presence in Draenor!
Alright, adventurer, let's begin! Before you can even think about setting foot in Blackrock Foundry, you need to be in Draenor. This isn't the Dragon Isles, so we're heading back in time to an alternate timeline!
Sub-heading: The Fastest Way to Draenor (For Both Factions!)
For most players in Dragonflight, the quickest and most common ways to reach Draenor are via your capital cities:
- Alliance: Head to the Mage Tower in Stormwind City. On the upper level, you'll find a portal that takes you directly to Ashran in Draenor.
- Horde: Travel to the Cleft of Shadow in Orgrimmar. You'll find a portal there that also leads directly to Ashran in Draenor.
Pro-Tip: If you've played through the Warlords of Draenor content previously, you might also have your Garrison Hearthstone. This is an excellent way to get directly to your Garrison in Shadowmoon Valley (Alliance) or Frostfire Ridge (Horde), from where you can then easily travel to Gorgrond.
Step 2: Navigate to Gorgrond, the Heart of the Iron Horde's Industry
Once you've arrived in Ashran, Draenor, your next objective is to reach the zone of Gorgrond. This is where the Blackrock Foundry is located.
Sub-heading: From Ashran to Gorgrond
Depending on your faction, your initial path from Ashran will differ slightly, but the general direction is north.
- For Alliance (from Stormshield, Ashran):
- Head north out of Stormshield.
- Follow the main road that leads into Gorgrond.
- For Horde (from Warspear, Ashran):
- Head north out of Warspear.
- Follow the main road that leads into Gorgrond.
Alternatively, if you have flying unlocked in Draenor (which you likely do if you're level 70+ in Dragonflight), you can simply fly directly to Gorgrond. This will save you a good chunk of time!
Step 3: Pinpointing the Blackrock Foundry Entrance
You're in Gorgrond now, surrounded by the harsh, industrial landscape. The Blackrock Foundry isn't exactly a subtle structure – it's a massive, imposing fortress built into the mountains.
Sub-heading: Exact Location and Visual Cues
The entrance to Blackrock Foundry is located in the northern part of Gorgrond.
- Coordinates: The approximate coordinates for the entrance are 51.4, 28.7.
- Visual Aid: Look for a gigantic industrial gate built right into the mountainside. There will be various Iron Horde machinery and structures surrounding it. You'll likely see a raid meeting stone nearby as well.
- Closest Flight Path: The closest flight path is Arcanist Windlebop, which is a neutral flight point situated between Everbloom Wilds and Highpass, slightly southeast of the Foundry.
Don't forget to enable "Dungeon Entrances" on your map filters (the little magnifying glass icon on your world map)! This will put a helpful portal icon right on your map, guiding you directly to the entrance.
Step 4: Entering the Foundry and Choosing Your Difficulty
Congratulations, you've made it to the entrance! Now, it's time to step inside.
Sub-heading: Stepping Inside and Difficulty Selection
- Walk In: Simply walk through the massive gate. You won't need any special attunements or quests to enter Blackrock Foundry on Normal, Heroic, or Mythic difficulties.
- Raid Difficulties:
- Raid Finder (LFR): To access the LFR version of Blackrock Foundry, you'll need to speak to Seer Kazal in your Garrison (if you completed the Garrison campaign for Tier 2) or a specific NPC in Warspear/Stormshield (check WoWHead for the exact NPC if your Garrison isn't accessible or upgraded). LFR offers a more casual experience with less challenging mechanics and lower item level loot.
- Normal, Heroic, Mythic: For these difficulties, you just walk right into the instance. As a high-level Dragonflight character (level 70+), you should have no problem soloing Normal and Heroic, and likely even Mythic, for transmog and the mount. Mythic difficulty is the only one that drops the Ironhoof Destroyer.
Remember: Raids can only be cleared once a week per character on each difficulty. So, if you're farming for transmog or the mount, make sure to do your weekly Mythic run!
Step 5: Conquering Blackrock Foundry (Soloing Tips)
Once inside, the Foundry is yours to conquer. As a high-level Dragonflight character, most bosses will be trivial, but a few might have mechanics that require a tiny bit of attention.
Sub-heading: General Soloing Strategies
- Damage is King: Your overwhelming damage output at max level in Dragonflight will largely bypass many of the raid's intended mechanics. You'll likely "one-shot" or quickly burst down most bosses.
- Movement: Be aware of ground effects or abilities that might one-shot you if you stand in them for too long, even with your high health pool.
- Specific Bosses to Note (Briefly):
- The Blast Furnace: This fight has a specific sequence of actions involving bombs and adds that you need to follow to make the boss vulnerable. You can't just burst him down. Look up a quick guide for this one if you get stuck, but even then, your damage will make it incredibly fast.
- Hans'gar and Franzok: This fight involves moving conveyor belts and stamping presses. Pay attention to the yellow warning squares on the ground to avoid the presses.
- Iron Maidens: This fight can be a bit chaotic with three bosses, but your damage should make it manageable.
- Blackhand: The final boss. His fight has phases where the floor breaks, causing you to fall. Don't worry, it's part of the fight and won't kill you. This is your target for the Ironhoof Destroyer on Mythic!
Don't be afraid to pull multiple trash packs together! Your AoE abilities will make short work of them, speeding up your run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to Blackrock Foundry and their quick answers:
How to get to Draenor in Dragonflight?
You can take the portal to Ashran from the Mage Tower in Stormwind (Alliance) or the Cleft of Shadow in Orgrimmar (Horde).
How to unlock Blackrock Foundry?
Blackrock Foundry does not require any special unlocking quests. You can simply walk into the instance on Normal, Heroic, or Mythic difficulty once you are in Gorgrond, Draenor.
How to solo Blackrock Foundry in Dragonflight?
As a level 70+ character in Dragonflight, you can easily solo Blackrock Foundry on all difficulties (Normal, Heroic, Mythic) due to the significant level and gear advantage.
How to get the Ironhoof Destroyer mount?
The Ironhoof Destroyer mount has a small chance to drop from Warlord Blackhand, the final boss of Blackrock Foundry, only on Mythic difficulty.
How to find the Blackrock Foundry entrance on the map?
Open your world map (M), click the "Map Filters" (magnifying glass) icon in the top left, and enable "Dungeon Entrances." This will show a portal icon for the raid in northern Gorgrond.
How to skip bosses in Blackrock Foundry?
There are no official skips within Blackrock Foundry that teleport you past bosses. You must clear the wings sequentially, although you can often run past trash mobs without engaging them.
How to change Blackrock Foundry difficulty?
Right-click on your character portrait, navigate to "Raid Difficulty," and select your desired difficulty (Normal, Heroic, or Mythic). For LFR, you'll need to queue with Seer Kazal.
How to reset Blackrock Foundry for another run?
You can only run each difficulty of Blackrock Foundry once per week per character. The raid resets with the weekly server reset (Tuesday in North America, Wednesday in Europe).
How to get the transmog gear from Blackrock Foundry?
Transmog gear drops from the bosses within Blackrock Foundry on all difficulties. Mythic difficulty generally offers the highest item level and most visually distinct appearances.
How to deal with the Blast Furnace boss in Blackrock Foundry?
The Blast Furnace requires specific mechanics: kill Furnace Engineers for bombs, use bombs on the Bellows, then kill Elementals to remove shields from the attacking mobs before you can damage the main boss. Even with high damage, this sequence must be followed.