Kresh

Kresh is a giant turtle who swims the underground river near the start of the Wailing Caverns. Unlike almost everything else in the caves, he was never twisted by Naralex's nightmare. Groups kill him mainly for his shell, which drops as one of the better shields for players around level 20.

Background

The Wailing Caverns run under The Barrens, and their rivers feed the oases on the surface. When the druid Naralex fell into the Emerald Nightmare while dreaming in the caves, its corruption spread through the water. Raptors, snakes, lizards and plants became "deviate" monsters, and Naralex's own followers went mad.

The caverns' turtles somehow escaped the change. Kresh, an ancient turtle, keeps swimming his old route through the flooded tunnels as if nothing has happened. Later Blizzard material describes him as untouched by the nightmares and adds that many adventurers have failed to take his shell.

Abilities

Kresh has no notable special ability in patch 1.12. He is a tough melee creature with high armor, like other turtles, and relies on that and his health pool.

Strategy

Kresh wanders a long path along the river in the first part of the dungeon, usually between the entrance caves and Lord Cobrahn's area.

• Kill him when his path brings him close, ideally on the way to Cobrahn, rather than chasing him through the water.
• Fighting in the river is awkward: casters can't stand on solid ground and melee players may lose track of the group. Pull him to the bank if possible.
• His path sometimes bugs, sending him into rock where he can get stuck. Killing him early, before it happens, avoids the problem.

There is little danger in the fight itself. A group that can handle the Fanglords will kill Kresh easily.

Loot

Kresh's Back, the turtle's own shell made into a shield, is the reason most groups stop for him. Shields are scarce at this level, so warriors, paladins and shamans often ask to roll on it.

Quests

No quest asks for Kresh by name. Like the deviate creatures, he drops Deviate Hides, and Nalpak, a disciple of Naralex waiting in the caves outside the instance portal, asks for 20 of them in Deviate Hides. The reward is a choice of [Slick Deviate Leggings] or [Deviate Hide Pack].

Later history

Kresh remained in the Wailing Caverns after Cataclysm and later appeared as a card in Hearthstone's Wailing Caverns set, titled Lord of Turtling. The 1.12 version returned with World of Warcraft Classic in 2019.

Sources

• Kresh, Warcraft Wiki
• Wailing Caverns, Warcraft Wiki
• WoWDB NPC, loot and quest data for patch 1.12