How to Queue for the Blackrock Depths 20th Anniversary: A Comprehensive Guide to Azeroth's Grand Celebration!
Are you ready to dive back into the fiery depths of Blackrock Mountain, reimagined for World of Warcraft's epic 20th Anniversary? This special event brings back one of the most iconic and sprawling dungeons in WoW history as a full-fledged raid experience, packed with nostalgia, new challenges, and incredible rewards. Whether you're a seasoned veteran looking to relive the glory days or a new adventurer eager to experience a piece of WoW history, this guide will walk you through every step of queuing for and conquering the Blackrock Depths 20th Anniversary raid.
Step 1: Get Ready for Adventure! (Engage the User Here!)
Before we even think about setting foot in the Caverns of Time, let's get you in the right mindset! Are you prepared to face the Dark Iron Dwarves, fire elementals, and the menacing Emperor Dagran Thaurissan once more? This isn't just any old dungeon run; it's a celebration, a challenge, and a chance to earn some truly unique loot. Take a moment to check your gear, stock up on potions, and maybe even find a few friends to join you on this epic journey. The Blackrock Depths Anniversary raid is designed for groups, and while LFR is available, the true essence of this experience shines with a coordinated team. So, gather your courage, prepare your spells, and let's get started!
Step 2: Understanding the 20th Anniversary Event Hub
The 20th Anniversary celebration is centered around a specific location in Azeroth. This isn't just about Blackrock Depths; there are many other activities and rewards to discover!
Sub-heading: Where to Find the Celebration
The main hub for the 20th Anniversary event, including access to Blackrock Depths, is located outside the Caverns of Time in Tanaris. This is your primary destination for all things anniversary-related.
- For Alliance players: The quickest way to get there is to head to the portal room in Stormwind's Mage Tower and take the portal to the Caverns of Time.
- For Horde players: Similarly, head to the portal room downstairs in Orgrimmar and use the Caverns of Time portal.
Once you arrive, you'll notice a bustling event area filled with vendors, quests, and fellow adventurers.
Sub-heading: Event Duration
The 20th Anniversary event typically runs for a significant period. For the 2024-2025 celebration, it began on October 22, 2024, and is scheduled to run until January 6, 2025. This gives you ample time to participate in all the festivities and tackle Blackrock Depths multiple times.
Step 3: Choosing Your Difficulty and Preparing Your Group
The Blackrock Depths 20th Anniversary raid offers different difficulties to cater to various player preferences and skill levels. Understanding these options is crucial for a smooth queuing process.
Sub-heading: Difficulty Options
There are three main difficulties for the Blackrock Depths Anniversary raid:
- LFR (Looking for Raid) Difficulty: This is the most accessible option, perfect for players looking to experience the raid with minimal hassle. It's often divided into multiple wings for shorter play sessions. You can queue for this solo through the Group Finder (default hotkey: I).
- Normal Mode: Designed for groups of up to 15 players, this mode offers a more challenging experience than LFR. The difficulty scales with your group size. This is a great option for guilds or pre-made groups.
- Heroic Mode: The most difficult version of the raid, Heroic mode is for players seeking a serious challenge and offers the best rewards. Like Normal, it scales for up to 15 players, but mechanics and boss damage are significantly tougher.
Sub-heading: Grouping Up
For Normal and Heroic difficulties, forming your own group is essential. You cannot simply queue solo for these modes.
- For LFR: You can use the built-in Group Finder (default hotkey: I) and navigate to the "Raid Finder" section. Select "Blackrock Depths 20th Anniversary" and queue up. The system will automatically match you with other players.
- For Normal and Heroic:
- Guild Groups: Coordinate with your guildmates to form a raid group. This is often the most efficient and enjoyable way to tackle these difficulties.
- Community Groups: Utilize in-game communities or third-party platforms (like Discord servers or WoW forums) to find like-minded players seeking a Blackrock Depths run.
- Premade Groups (Group Finder): You can create a custom group in the Group Finder (default hotkey: I) under the "Premade Groups" tab. Be sure to specify the difficulty (Normal or Heroic) and any specific requirements you have (e.g., ilvl, voice chat).
Step 4: Locating Moira Thaurissan – Your Gateway to Blackrock Depths
Unlike standard dungeons or raids, the anniversary Blackrock Depths has a specific entry point that's tied to the event.
Sub-heading: Finding Moira
Once you are in the 20th Anniversary event area in the Caverns of Time (Tanaris), you need to find Moira Thaurissan. She is your key to entering the Normal and Heroic difficulties of the raid.
- Look for Moira Thaurissan standing near the Mole Machine in the center of the event area. A helpful coordinate for her location is approximately /way Tanaris 62.98 69.95.
- She will have a quest for you (often an introductory one related to the event), and more importantly, she will offer you the option to enter the Blackrock Depths raid.
Step 5: Queuing and Entering the Raid
The actual process of queuing or entering varies slightly depending on your chosen difficulty.
Sub-heading: The LFR Queue Process
- Open Group Finder: Press 'I' on your keyboard to open the Group Finder.
- Select Raid Finder: Navigate to the "Raid Finder" tab.
- Choose Blackrock Depths: You should see "Blackrock Depths 20th Anniversary" listed among the available raids. Select it.
- Click Join: Click the "Join" or "Queue" button. The system will then find a group for you, and once enough players are gathered, you'll be prompted to enter the instance.
Sub-heading: The Normal/Heroic Entry Process
- Form Your Group: Ensure your raid group of 10-15 players is fully assembled and ready.
- Raid Leader Initiates: Only the raid leader can initiate the entry.
- Speak to Moira Thaurissan: The raid leader (and ideally the entire group) should be near Moira Thaurissan in the Caverns of Time event area.
- Select Entry Option: Interact with Moira Thaurissan. She will present options to enter the Blackrock Depths raid on Normal or Heroic difficulty. The raid leader selects the desired difficulty.
- Confirm Entry: A confirmation pop-up will appear for all raid members. Accept it, and you'll be teleported directly into the instance!
Step 6: Conquering the Depths and Claiming Your Rewards!
Once inside Blackrock Depths, you'll be facing a reimagined version of the classic dungeon, complete with updated mechanics for its raid bosses. Be prepared for iconic encounters with foes like Emperor Dagran Thaurissan, Golem Lord Argelmach, and General Angerforge.
Sub-heading: Key Rewards
The 20th Anniversary Blackrock Depths raid offers a variety of exciting rewards:
- Anniversary Gear: You can acquire exclusive gear inspired by the original dungeon, featuring classic designs updated for modern aesthetics. Item levels will vary based on difficulty (LFR: 584-593 ilvl, Normal: 597-606 ilvl, Heroic: 610-619 ilvl). This gear drops directly from bosses.
- Bronze Celebration Tokens: These are the primary currency for the 20th Anniversary event. You'll earn some from an introductory quest for the raid and a weekly completion quest. These tokens can be spent at various vendors in the Caverns of Time for:
- Revamped Tier 2 Transmog Sets: Relive the glory of classic armor sets!
- New Mounts and Pets: Expand your collection with unique anniversary additions.
- Returning Anniversary Items: Missed something from previous anniversaries? Now's your chance!
- Timewarped Relic Coffer Keys: These keys drop from bosses within the Blackrock Depths raid (all difficulties) and can be used to purchase specific raid gear from Dark Iron Dwarf vendors located near Moira Thaurissan in the Caverns of Time.
- Achievements: Earn unique achievements for completing the raid on different difficulties and for exploring certain areas within it.
Remember, successful raid completion often hinges on good communication, understanding boss mechanics, and working together as a team. Good luck, adventurers!
10 Related FAQ Questions (How to...)
How to Check the Blackrock Depths 20th Anniversary Event Start and End Dates?
You can check the official World of Warcraft news site or in-game calendar for the precise start and end dates of the 20th Anniversary event, which includes the Blackrock Depths raid. The event ran from October 22, 2024, to January 6, 2025.
How to Get to the Caverns of Time for the Anniversary Event?
Alliance players can use the portal in the Stormwind Mage Tower, and Horde players can use the portal in Orgrimmar's portal room, both leading directly to the Caverns of Time event hub.
How to Find Moira Thaurissan in the Caverns of Time?
Moira Thaurissan is located near the Mole Machine in the central area of the 20th Anniversary event hub in the Caverns of Time. A useful coordinate is approximately /way Tanaris 62.98 69.95.
How to Queue for Blackrock Depths LFR Difficulty?
Open your Group Finder (default hotkey 'I'), select the 'Raid Finder' tab, choose 'Blackrock Depths 20th Anniversary', and click 'Join' or 'Queue'.
How to Enter Blackrock Depths on Normal or Heroic Difficulty?
You must form a pre-made group of 10-15 players. The raid leader then speaks to Moira Thaurissan at the Caverns of Time event hub and selects the desired difficulty to enter.
How to Get Blackrock Depths Anniversary Raid Gear?
Gear drops directly from bosses within the raid on all difficulties (LFR, Normal, Heroic). Additionally, you can earn Timewarped Relic Coffer Keys from the raid to purchase specific pieces from vendors in the Caverns of Time.
How to Earn Bronze Celebration Tokens from Blackrock Depths?
You can earn Bronze Celebration Tokens from an introductory quest for the Blackrock Depths raid and a weekly completion quest for defeating the final boss. These tokens are used for various anniversary rewards.
How to Get the Tier 2 Transmog Sets from the 20th Anniversary Event?
You can purchase the revamped Tier 2 transmog sets from Traeya, one of the vendors located at the 20th Anniversary event hub in the Caverns of Time, using Bronze Celebration Tokens.
How to Prepare My Character for the Blackrock Depths Raid?
Ensure your character is appropriately geared for the chosen difficulty, and consider stocking up on consumables like potions and flasks. Familiarizing yourself with the classic Blackrock Depths dungeon layout and boss abilities (now updated for the raid) will also be beneficial.
How to Find a Group for Normal or Heroic Blackrock Depths if I Don't Have a Guild?
You can use the "Premade Groups" tab within the Group Finder (default hotkey 'I') to look for existing groups or create your own. Alternatively, explore in-game communities or external WoW community platforms to find fellow players.
