Hey there, aspiring adventurer! Are you ready to delve into one of the most iconic and challenging dungeons in all of World of Warcraft Classic? Blackrock Spire, often simply called "BRS," is a sprawling fortress teeming with danger, valuable loot, and crucial lore. But before you can conquer its fiery depths, you need to know how to get there.
This isn't just a simple stroll! Blackrock Spire, especially its upper section, requires some preparation and even an attunement quest. So, buckle up, grab a refreshing beverage, and let's embark on this epic journey together.
Getting to Blackrock Spire: Your Comprehensive Guide
Blackrock Spire is divided into two distinct instances: Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS) and Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS). While the physical entrance to both is the same, accessing UBRS requires a specific attunement. This guide will cover both.
Step 1: Locate Blackrock Mountain
First things first, you need to find the massive, imposing structure that houses Blackrock Spire: Blackrock Mountain itself!
Sub-heading: Where in the World is Blackrock Mountain?
Blackrock Mountain is strategically located in the eastern kingdoms, acting as a fiery nexus between two prominent zones:
- Searing Gorge: You can enter Blackrock Mountain from the southern part of Searing Gorge. Look for a large, scorched entrance that clearly leads into the mountain's core.
- Burning Steppes: Alternatively, you can approach from the north-western side of Burning Steppes. This entrance also directly feeds into the mountain.
Choose the zone that's most convenient for your current location. If you're questing in either of these areas, you're already halfway there!
Step 2: Navigate Inside Blackrock Mountain
Once you've stepped through the entrance of Blackrock Mountain, you'll find yourself in a vast, cavernous interior, filled with lava flows, chains, and various pathways leading to different instances. It can be a bit disorienting at first, but don't worry, we'll guide you.
Sub-heading: Finding the LBRS Entrance
The entrance to Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS) is found within the lower levels of Blackrock Mountain.
- Descend the Chains: Upon entering Blackrock Mountain, you'll typically see large chains leading downwards. Carefully descend these chains. Watch your step, as a fall into the lava can be deadly!
- Locate the Balcony: Once you're on the lower platform, you'll need to navigate around until you find a balcony or a raised ledge. This might involve a bit of running along the wall.
- The Doorway: On this balcony, you'll see a distinct doorway, often flanked by Blackrock Orcs or other denizens of the mountain. This is your entrance to Lower Blackrock Spire. The approximate coordinates inside Blackrock Mountain for the LBRS entrance are often around (37, 80), but visual cues are usually more helpful.
LBRS is generally designed for players level 55-60 and is a 5-man dungeon.
Step 3: The Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS) Attunement
This is where things get a little more involved. Unlike LBRS, you can't just waltz into UBRS. You'll need to complete a specific quest chain to gain access. This quest rewards you with the Seal of Ascension, a ring that serves as your key.
Sub-heading: The "Seal of Ascension" Questline
This attunement quest chain is crucial for UBRS access. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:
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Initiate the Quest: Find Vaelan in LBRS
- To begin, you need to enter Lower Blackrock Spire.
- Once inside, head up the stairs on your right.
- Jump off the ledge to the southeast.
- Proceed through the gate to your east and continue through Hordemar City.
- Look for a stony ramp leading upward to your left, just past the first group of mobs near a sconce.
- Climb this ramp, and you will find an NPC named Vaelan. He might initially be disguised as a "Scarshield Infiltrator," but he will reveal his true form as you approach. Accept the quest "Seal of Ascension" from him.
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Gather the Gemstones and Unadorned Seal
- Vaelan will task you with collecting four specific items to forge the Seal of Ascension. You can collect these items before picking up the quest to speed things up!
- 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: This has a small chance to drop from most Dragonkin enemies within LBRS trash mobs. You might need to farm for this a bit.
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Return to Vaelan (First Time)
- Once you have all four components, return to Vaelan inside LBRS.
- Turn in the quest. He will then instruct you on the next phase.
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Taming Emberstrife in Dustwallow Marsh
- Vaelan will send you to Dustwallow Marsh to deal with an elite dragon named Emberstrife.
- Travel to Emberstrife's cave in Dustwallow Marsh (often found around coordinates (37, 30)).
- Engage Emberstrife in combat. The key here is NOT to kill him outright.
- Weaken Emberstrife: Bring his health down to roughly 25% or lower.
- Use the Orb: Once he's weakened, use the Orb of Draconic Energy (which Vaelan gave you) to mind control him.
- Forge the Seal: While Emberstrife is under your control, use his Flames of the Black Flight ability to forge the Forged Seal of Ascension.
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Final Return to Vaelan
- With the Forged Seal of Ascension in hand, return to Vaelan once more inside LBRS.
- Turn in the quest. He will reward you with the Seal of Ascension ring!
This ring is bind on pickup and required to open the UBRS door. Make sure the player who wants to open the door has it equipped!
Step 4: Entering Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS)
With your hard-earned Seal of Ascension, you are now ready to tackle UBRS!
Sub-heading: The Locked Door
- Re-enter LBRS: Just like before, enter Lower Blackrock Spire from Blackrock Mountain.
- The UBRS Door: Once inside LBRS, immediately go up the left side of the first set of stairs.
- Turn Left: After ascending these stairs, turn left. You will see a large, locked door. This is the entrance to Upper Blackrock Spire.
- Unlock with the Seal: The player in your group who possesses and has equipped the Seal of Ascension can now open this door. No rogue lockpicking or other means will bypass this attunement.
UBRS is a challenging 5-man dungeon, often considered a "raid in miniature" due to its difficulty and gear quality, intended for level 55-60 players.
And there you have it! A complete, step-by-step guide to reaching the depths of Blackrock Spire. Prepare for epic battles and some of the best pre-raid gear in the game!
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackrock Spire
Here are 10 common questions and their quick answers to further assist your journey into Blackrock Spire:
How to find the initial entrance to Blackrock Mountain? You can find entrances to Blackrock Mountain in the southern part of Searing Gorge or the north-western part of Burning Steppes.
How to tell the difference between LBRS and UBRS? LBRS is the initial dungeon you enter within Blackrock Mountain, accessible without attunement. UBRS is a separate, more challenging instance located inside LBRS, requiring the "Seal of Ascension" attunement to enter.
How to get the "Seal of Ascension" faster? You can pre-farm the three gemstones from Highlord Omokk, War Master Voone, and Overlord Wyrmthalak, and the Unadorned Seal of Ascension from LBRS trash, before you even pick up the "Seal of Ascension" quest from Vaelan.
How to defeat Emberstrife for the attunement quest? Bring a group, as Emberstrife is an elite dragon. Do not kill him; instead, weaken him to around 25% health, then use the Orb of Draconic Energy to mind control him and forge the seal.
How to open the UBRS door if I don't have the Seal of Ascension? You cannot. At least one person in your group must have the Seal of Ascension equipped to open the door to Upper Blackrock Spire.
How to know what level I should be for Blackrock Spire? Lower Blackrock Spire (LBRS) is typically for players level 55-60. Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS) is also for level 55-60 players, often geared towards those preparing for raids.
How to handle trash mobs in Blackrock Spire? Many of the mobs are Orcs, which are susceptible to crowd control spells like Sap (Rogue) and Polymorph (Mage). Utilizing CC can make pulls much more manageable, especially in UBRS.
How to find quests for Blackrock Spire? Many quests related to LBRS and UBRS are found in the Burning Steppes (Alliance) and Badlands/Kargath (Horde), as well as some starting inside the instances themselves. Check quest hubs in those zones as you approach level 55.
How to deal with General Drakkisath in UBRS? General Drakkisath is a challenging fight. A common strategy involves a Hunter kiting Drakkisath out of the room while the rest of the group kills his two elite guards. Once the guards are down, the Hunter Feigns Death, and the group engages Drakkisath.
How to get back to the entrance if I die inside? You will typically respawn at the graveyard outside Blackrock Mountain, requiring you to run back inside. For LBRS, there is a meeting stone outside that can summon party members. For UBRS, you'll need someone with the Seal of Ascension to reopen the door for you if you release spirit outside the instance.
