Blackfathom Deeps

Blackfathom Deeps is a flooded, half-ruined night elf temple on the coast of Ashenvale, now held by naga and by the Twilight's Hammer cult. The dungeon is built for characters around level 24 to 32. Its watery halls, swimming sections and a final boss tied to the Old Gods give it a feel unlike the caves and castles of other early dungeons.

Background

Long ago the temple was a shrine to the moon goddess Elune. It was thought lost when The Sundering tore the continent apart and dragged parts of the coast into the sea. Over the following millennia the sunken ruins became a series of caverns below the Ashenvale shore.

In recent years the Twilight's Hammer, a doomsday cult devoted to the Old Gods, was drawn there by whispers and dreams. In the deepest pool of the temple lives Aku'mai, a monstrous hydra that serves the Old Gods, and the cult tends the creature as an object of worship. The naga of Lady Sarevess have also moved into the flooded upper halls, and the satyr and corrupted creatures of the area have followed.

Both factions take an interest. The Argent Dawn sends agents from Darnassus to watch the cult, and the shamans of the Earthen Ring investigate from the Horde's Zoram'gar Outpost on the same coast.

Bosses

Ghamoo-ra is a giant turtle, Gelihast a murloc chieftain and Old Serra'kis a shark that circles a flooded chamber. Baron Aquanis, a water elemental, appears only when a player activates the Fathom Stone near the entrance.

Quests

• The Essence of Aku'Mai: Je'neu Sancrea of the Earthen Ring wants 20 [Sapphire of Aku'Mai], crystals found near the entrance. A Horde quest.
• Allegiance to the Old Gods and Allegiance to the Old Gods: a damp note found inside leads Horde players to the cult's ties to the Old Gods. Rewards include [Band of the Fist].
• Amongst the Ruins: bring Je'neu the [Fathom Core], found underwater early in the dungeon.
• Knowledge in the Deeps: Gerrig Bonegrip in Ironforge wants the [Lorgalis Manuscript].
• Researching the Corruption: Gershala Nightwhisper in Auberdine wants 8 Corrupt Brain stems from the naga. Rewards: [Beetle Clasps] or [Prelacy Cape].
• In Search of Thaelrid: find Argent Guard Thaelrid, an Argent Dawn scout hiding inside the temple.
• Twilight Falls: collect 10 Twilight Pendants from cultists for Argent Guard Manados in Darnassus. Alliance only.
• Blackfathom Villainy (Alliance) and Blackfathom Villainy (Horde): bring the [Head of Kelris] to Darnassus or Thunder Bluff. Both offer [Gravestone Scepter] or [Arctic Buckler].

Strategy notes

• The way in is through a pool on the beach. Players swim down to reach the portal, and parts of the dungeon itself require swimming. Characters without water breathing should watch their breath bar in the deeper channels.
• Ghamoo-ra blocks the way early. He has a lot of armor but little damage.
• Lady Sarevess fights with two naga guards and casts Forked Lightning and Slow.
• Twilight Lord Kelris meditates in a ruined hall above a pool. He casts Mind Blast and puts players to Sleep. After he dies, the group must light the four Fires of Aku'mai on altars nearby. Each fire summons a wave of creatures; when all four are lit, the gate to Aku'mai's lair opens.
• Old Serra'kis waits in a flooded side room and can be skipped.
• Aku'mai's lair is reached through tunnels full of snapjaw turtles. The hydra uses Poison Cloud and goes into a frenzy at low health. Keep the group spread and heal through the frenzy.

History

Blackfathom Deeps was in the game at launch in November 2004. Cataclysm (patch 4.0.3a) adjusted its levels and quests along with the rest of the old world.

Later history

In late 2023 Blackfathom Deeps became the first raid of Season of Discovery, a Classic-era season. It was rebuilt as a 10-player raid for level 25 characters with new boss mechanics and loot. The original five-player version also returned with World of Warcraft Classic in 2019.

Sources

• Blackfathom Deeps, Warcraft Wiki
• Blackfathom Deeps (Classic), Warcraft Wiki
• Aku'mai, Warcraft Wiki
• WoWDB quest and loot data for patch 1.12