Cataclysm Dungeons

world of warcraft cataclysm classic dungeons & dungeon list by level
  • Author: Furious
  • Date: November 19, 2023
  • Updated: March 17, 2024
  • Expansion: Cataclysm

Welcome to our comprehensive dungeon guide for Cataclysm! Each dungeon in Cataclysm is uniquely designed with its level requirements and, for those brave enough, heroic versions demanding higher item levels. Fear not, as you’re likely to find allies of similar prowess to join forces with you in these harrowing instances.

So, rally your comrades and prepare to plunge into the heart of these epic dungeons. Whether you’re battling through the Timeless Sands in the Halls of Origination or facing the horrors in the Grim Batol, each step brings you closer to understanding the full extent of Cataclysm’s impact on Azeroth. Embrace the adventure in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, where every dungeon beckons with the promise of legendary tales and glorious triumphs!

Cataclysm Dungeons by Level

Cataclysm Dungeons
Level Range
Min Level to Enter
Min Level for Dungeon Finder
Blackrock Caverns
80-83
77
80
Throne of the Tides
80-83
77
80
The Stonecore
82-85
79
81
Vortex Pinnacle
82-85
79
81
Lost City of the Tol’vir
83-85
80
83
Halls of Origination
83-85
80
83
Grim Batol
84-85
80
84
The Deadmines (Heroic)
85
85
85
Shadowfang Keep (Heroic)
85
85
85
Zul’Gurub (Heroic)
85
85
85
Zul’Aman (Heroic)
85
85
85
End Time
85
85
85
Well of Eternity
85
85
85
Hour of Twilight
85
85
85

In Cataclysm, the Heroic versions of each dungeon require players to be at level 85, with a recommended average item level of at least 346 to enter.

Blackrock Caverns

Blackrock Caverns, a treacherous dungeon located within the fiery depths of Blackrock Mountain, offers a challenging experience for adventurers in the Cataclysm expansion. As you navigate through the dark and molten passages, you’ll encounter a series of formidable bosses. Your journey begins with Rom’ogg Bonecrusher, a brutal captor of slaves. Next, you’ll face Corla, Herald of Twilight, and her zealot followers. Then, test your mettle against Karsh Steelbender, a master of molten metal. Beauty, a fearsome core hound, awaits further in, guarding her brood. Finally, confront Ascendant Lord Obsidius, a shadowy figure lurking in the depths. Be wary of pulling too many of the cavern’s denizens at once, as the combination of fiery elementals and Twilight’s Hammer cultists can quickly overwhelm unprepared parties. Defeating these foes will not only challenge your skills but also bring you one step closer to thwarting the nefarious plans of Deathwing and his followers.

Throne of the Tides

In the depths of Vashj’ir lies the Throne of the Tides, a crucial dungeon in the Cataclysm expansion. Set within the heart of the Abyssal Maw, adventurers must navigate the submerged corridors teeming with naga and face the perils of the deep. Your first challenge is the formidable Lady Naz’jar, a naga commander with deadly abilities. Following her, you’ll encounter Commander Ulthok, a vicious cephalopod with a crushing grip. The journey continues with a battle against Erunak Stonespeaker, who falls victim to the mind-controlling Mindbender Ghur’sha. The final confrontation is against the monstrous Ozumat, a behemoth of the deep. Be prepared for the unique underwater dynamics and the challenging mechanics each boss presents. Overcoming these foes requires both strategic prowess and the ability to adapt to the aquatic environment. Success in the Throne of the Tides not only brings you valuable loot but also further unravels the story of Neptulon and the naga’s sinister schemes beneath the waves.

The Stonecore

Nestled in the heart of Deepholm, the elemental plane of earth, lies The Stonecore, a key dungeon in the Cataclysm expansion. This cavernous dungeon is a bastion of the Twilight’s Hammer cult and houses some of the most formidable earth elementals under Deathwing’s command.

Your first challenge is Corborus, a massive gyreworm that burrows through rock and stone. This encounter will test your ability to dodge lethal attacks while combating both the boss and its spawned adds. Up next is Slabhide, a stone drake with a penchant for aerial bombardment and evasive maneuvers, demanding precise movement and positioning.

The journey intensifies with Ozruk, a giant elemental who requires careful handling due to his powerful defensive and offensive abilities. Timing and coordination are crucial to withstand his assault.

The final confrontation is with High Priestess Azil, a zealous leader of the Twilight’s Hammer. This encounter combines the dangers of gravity wells, summoned adds, and her potent shadow magic, requiring a keen awareness of the environment and quick responses.

Vortex Pinnacle

  • Level Requirement: 81
  • Recommended Level: 82-85
  • Dungeon Finder Level Requirement: 82
  • Location: Skywall, Uldum
  • Boss Encounters: Grand Vizier Ertan, Altairus, Asaad

Soaring high above the deserts of Uldum, the Vortex Pinnacle is an awe-inspiring dungeon located in the elemental plane of air, Skywall. This dungeon, part of the Cataclysm expansion, is known for its stunning visuals and unique mechanics, presenting adventurers with challenges set against a backdrop of floating islands and swirling winds.

The first encounter is with Grand Vizier Ertan, a powerful elemental lord who wields the forces of wind. This fight demands mobility and strategic positioning to avoid the damaging vortexes and harness the winds to your advantage.

Next, you face Altairus, the mighty wind lord, where you must contend not only with his formidable attacks but also with the ever-changing wind directions that can either aid or hinder your movement and abilities.

The final challenge is Asaad, a zealous adherent of Al’Akir. This encounter tests your group’s coordination and timing, especially when dealing with his Static Cling ability and the need to utilize grounding fields correctly to survive his devastating Supremacy of the Storm.

Lost City of the Tol’vir

In the sun-drenched sands of Uldum lies the Lost City of the Tol’vir, a pivotal dungeon in the Cataclysm expansion. This ancient city, now overrun by Neferset Tol’vir, presents a series of unique challenges and rich lore for adventurers.

Your first encounter in this dungeon is with General Husam, a formidable Tol’vir leader known for his explosive tactics. Maneuvering and positioning are key to avoiding his traps and surviving his onslaught.

Next, you face the dual challenge of Lockmaw, a vicious crocolisk, and his unpredictable companion, Augh. This encounter demands attention to movement and quick responses to avoid being overwhelmed.

High Prophet Barim is your third adversary, a Tol’vir priest with command over both light and shadow. This battle will test your group’s ability to handle both his phases effectively, dealing with summoned adds and avoiding his deadly attacks.

The final battle is against Siamat, Lord of the South Wind. This elemental lord presents a complex fight, requiring careful coordination to handle his control over the winds and his minions.

Halls of Origination

The Halls of Origination, located in the enigmatic land of Uldum, is a sprawling dungeon in the Cataclysm expansion filled with ancient Egyptian-themed lore and challenging encounters.

Your adventure starts with Temple Guardian Anhuur, a sentinel guarding the sacred halls. This fight requires balancing between dealing with Anhuur’s abilities and managing the snake adds.

Next, you will encounter Earthrager Ptah, where you must navigate his summoning of dust-born creatures while avoiding his powerful earth-based attacks.

Anraphet awaits you further in, offering a test of endurance against his rapid succession of destructive spells.

The dungeon then presents a unique set of three bosses, each with their own mechanics: Isiset, the goddess of magic; Ammunae, the life warden; and Setesh, the god of chaos. Each boss challenges your group with different tactics and environmental hazards.

The final confrontation is against Rajh, the sun god. This encounter demands high mobility and careful management of his solar energies.

Grim Batol

Located in the rugged terrain of the Twilight Highlands, Grim Batol is a formidable dungeon in the Cataclysm expansion, steeped in Warcraft lore and fraught with peril.

Your first encounter in Grim Batol is with General Umbriss, a powerful member of the Twilight’s Hammer cult. His aggressive tactics and ability to call reinforcements make for a challenging start to the dungeon.

Next, you face Forgemaster Throngus, known for his shifting defensive strategies and massive arsenal. Adapting to his changing combat style is crucial for survival.

Drahga Shadowburner presents a unique battle, as you not only face Drahga himself but also the powerful elemental he summons. Managing both threats simultaneously is key to this encounter.

The final challenge is Erudax, the Duke of Below. This formidable foe tests your group’s ability to handle his shadowy assaults and the creatures he summons to aid him in battle.

The Deadmines (Heroic)

In the Heroic mode of The Deadmines, a classic dungeon reimagined for Cataclysm’s endgame, players revisit the iconic pirate-themed instance with a heightened level of challenge and revamped encounters, all set in the depths beneath Westfall.

Your first encounter, Glubtok, showcases his mastery of fire and frost magic, demanding quick responses to his area-of-effect attacks.

Next is Helix Gearbreaker, where players must manage both Helix and his lumbering oaf, facing a combination of mechanical mayhem and direct assaults.

The innovative and deadly Foe Reaper 5000 awaits as the third challenge, requiring careful coordination to manipulate the prototype reaper and avoid its devastating attacks.

Admiral Ripsnarl presents a spectral combat experience, with his ability to vanish and summon vampiric vapors adding layers of complexity to the fight.

The penultimate encounter with “Captain” Cookie is a unique and less traditional battle, focusing more on managing environmental hazards than direct combat.

The final showdown is with Vanessa VanCleef, daughter of the infamous Edwin VanCleef. This encounter is a gauntlet of trials, revisiting earlier parts of the dungeon with a twist and culminating in a dramatic battle against Vanessa herself.

Shadowfang Keep (Heroic)

In its Heroic version for Cataclysm’s endgame, Shadowfang Keep offers a heightened challenge within the haunted walls of one of Azeroth’s most iconic castles. Situated in the eerie Silverpine Forest, this dungeon is steeped in the lore of the Forsaken and the Scourge.

Your journey in Heroic Shadowfang Keep begins with Baron Ashbury, a cunning undead noble who tests your group’s ability to handle his devastating life-draining abilities and his tactic of bringing party members to the brink of death before attempting to heal himself.

Next, you confront Baron Silverlaine, whose ability to summon ghostly allies from the keep’s storied past requires efficient target management and quick takedowns.

Commander Springvale, an unyielding specter, challenges adventurers with his commanding presence and powerful defensive tactics, including the summoning of loyal guards and use of holy magic.

Lord Walden presents a fight where quick reaction times are crucial, as his concoctions cause various harmful effects, demanding constant movement and situational awareness.

The final battle against Lord Godfrey is a true test of endurance and skill. This formidable foe uses a deadly combination of pistol barrages, cursed bullets, and lethal AoE attacks, requiring precise coordination and strategic use of the battleground to avoid his onslaught.

Zul’Gurub (Heroic)

Zul’Gurub, once a 20-man raid in the original game, returns in Cataclysm as a Heroic mode 5-man dungeon. Set deep in the jungles of Northern Stranglethorn, this revamped dungeon is steeped in troll lore and offers a series of challenging and unique encounters.

The first boss, High Priest Venoxis, tests your group’s ability to handle poison-based attacks and area control. His venomous tactics require constant movement and quick dispels.

Bloodlord Mandokir, a notorious raptor-riding troll, presents a dynamic fight where he gains strength each time he defeats a player, making effective use of crowd control and damage mitigation essential.

The Cache of Madness offers a choice of four possible bosses – Gri’lek, Renataki, Hazza’rah, and Wushoolay – each with distinct mechanics and requiring specific strategies to defeat.

High Priestess Kilnara is a fight that begins with managing a large number of adds, transitioning into a battle against Kilnara’s devastating panther form and her powerful abilities.

Zanzil, a master of toxic brews and undead minions, challenges players to strategically use cauldrons to counteract his deadly concoctions.

The final encounter, Jin’do the Godbreaker, sees players dismantling his power by destroying the chains that bind Hakkar the Soulflayer, all while fending off Jin’do’s assaults and avoiding his manipulation of the spirit world.

Zul’Aman (Heroic)

In Cataclysm, Zul’Aman returns as a challenging Heroic mode 5-man dungeon. This instance, originally a raid in the Burning Crusade expansion, is set in the Ghostlands and is steeped in the lore of the Amani trolls.

Your first encounter in Zul’Aman is with Akil’zon, the Eagle avatar. This fight challenges players to manage powerful electrical storms and avoid his sweeping wind attacks.

Next is Nalorakk, the Bear avatar, who switches between troll and bear forms, each with different abilities that require adaptability in tactics.

Jan’alai, the Dragonhawk avatar, presents a unique challenge with his fire-based attacks and the management of hatching dragonhawk eggs.

Halazzi, the Lynx avatar, tests your group’s ability to handle both his lynx form and his spirit phases, where he summons spirit allies.

Hex Lord Malacrass is a formidable foe who siphons the abilities of party members, using their own powers against them, making this a fight that demands strategic coordination and quick responses.

The final boss, Daakara, takes on aspects of the previous animal avatars, offering a dynamic and multifaceted fight that revisits the earlier challenges of the dungeon in a new form.

End Time

End Time, introduced in the Cataclysm, is a dungeon set within the Caverns of Time. This instance offers a unique and compelling journey through a desolate future Azeroth if Deathwing’s plans succeed.

The dungeon presents a non-linear sequence of encounters where players face echoes of notable Warcraft heroes twisted by the dark future:

  1. Echo of Baine: Battling on fragmented platforms, players must skillfully navigate the environment while contending with Baine’s powerful attacks and lava eruptions.
  2. Echo of Jaina: In a fight involving precise movement and crowd control, players face Jaina’s frost spells, which can freeze them solid if not carefully managed.
  3. Echo of Sylvanas: This encounter tests players’ ability to handle Sylvanas’s shadowy assaults and her ability to resurrect defeated foes.
  4. Echo of Tyrande: Players confront Tyrande under a moonlit sky, dodging her lunar abilities and managing adds spawned throughout the fight.

The final battle is against Murozond, a corrupted aspect of Nozdormu. This encounter is a test of endurance and strategy, with players needing to manipulate the flow of time itself to counteract Murozond’s temporal distortions.

Well of Eternity

The Well of Eternity is a dungeon set within the Caverns of Time. This instance takes players back to a pivotal moment in Azeroth’s history, the War of the Ancients, allowing them to witness the events leading up to the Sundering.

The first encounter is against Peroth’arn, a cunning demon with stealth abilities and devastating energy attacks. Players must navigate his periods of invisibility and counter his powerful assaults.

Next, players face Queen Azshara, one of the most powerful sorceresses in Azeroth’s history. The fight requires careful management of her mind control abilities and the enchanted minions she summons to her aid.

The final battle is a two-part encounter with Mannoroth and Varo’then. Initially, players confront Varo’then, whose swordplay and tactics demand agility and coordination. Following his defeat, the focus shifts to Mannoroth, a fearsome pit lord. This part of the fight tests players’ ability to handle his immense demonic power and the chaos unleashed by the Well of Eternity’s energies.

Hour of Twilight

Hour of Twilight, another dungeon introduced in Cataclysm, is set in the Dragonblight region of Northrend. This instance plays a pivotal role in the narrative arc of Cataclysm, depicting the urgent efforts to thwart the final aspects of Deathwing’s apocalyptic plan.

The first encounter is with Arcurion, an elemental ascendant tasked with halting Thrall’s progress. Players must contend with his icy powers, including freezing the ground and summoning ice elementals, while protecting Thrall from harm.

Next, players face Asira Dawnslayer, a lethal assassin hired by the Twilight’s Hammer. Her fight involves evading her smoke bombs and quick-strike abilities, all while countering her deadly marksmanship.

The final and most climactic encounter is with Archbishop Benedictus, once a figure of the Light, now corrupted by the Twilight’s Hammer. In this battle, players experience his dual nature, as he wields both holy and shadow energies. This two-phase fight challenges players to adapt to his shifting abilities and the changing area-of-effect attacks.

 

About the Author

Furious

If I'm not working or spending time with the family I'm probably gaming. Some of my favorite recent games I've played are Far Cry 5, World of Warcraft Classic, and 7 Days to Die.
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