After receiving his degree in Journalism & Media Communications from CSU in 2019, Erik began building his career in online media, and found his dream job when he joined The Best War Games as a staff writer. Though he started on the News and Lists teams back in 2021, Erik has since established himself as a key member of the Guides team as a specialist editor.
When he's not replaying Elden Ring or perusing gaming leak forums online to learn anything he can about Half-Life 3, you can usually find Erik at the reservoir with his paddleboard or, on less sunny days, hunched over his desk like a shrimp painting 3D-printed miniatures.
One of the biggest changes to WoW Classic in the Season of Discovery is its level-gated content. In Phase One, players can get to Level 25, which will increase to 40, 50, and finally 60 in later Phases. At the end of each of these new brackets will be a new Raid, and for Phase One, the WoW SoD team has completely re-tuned the Blackfathom Deeps from a Dungeon into a 10-man Raid.
Each of the BFD bosses has been completely reworked from their classic counterparts – so players will have to adopt new strategies to take down the re-tuned and amplified bosses of BFD. This guide goes over what players should do to prepare for the Raid, as well as strategies for each role – DPS, Healer, and Tank – to quickly reference before each fight.
Blackfathom Deeps – Overview & Preparation
Blackfathom Deeps is found in the northwest of Ashenvale, on the northern coast of the Zoram Strand. In Phase One, BFD is available as a Raid at the max level, but in later phases, it will become an optional Raid that players can take on while leveling up for its high-tier loot and quest XP. The Raid has seven bosses spread throughout the revamped underwater labyrinth.
Right now, the optimal Raid composition is two healers, two tanks, and six DPS that have at least a few Interrupts between them. Before heading to the Instance, though, be sure to get your gear Enchanted and pick up a few consumables to help with some specific mechanics. Some useful consumables include;
Shadow Protection Potion, for Twilight Lord Kelris' second phase and Gelihast's murloc waves (in certain situations)
Free Action Potions, for in case Twilight Lord Kelris' abilities aren't interrupted
A Food consumable that provides a buff to your class' primary stats
Also remember to stop by Darnassus on the way to Blackfathom Deeps to pick up the Boon of Blackfathom world buff. This world buff is automatically given to everyone in Darnassus when any player turns in the final Blackfathom Deeps quest. It increases Hit Chance, Critical Chance, AP and SP, and Movement Speed – plus, it lasts for two hours.
Pick this up ahead of time and use a Chronoboom Displacer to store the World Buff until Raid time. This item can be purchased from any Reagent vendor, and will re-apply the World Buff with its remaining duration upon use.
Baron Aquanis
Baron Aquanis DPS Tips
Melee DPS
Stand behind the boss at all times to avoid the Bubble Beam ability
If you get hit by the Depth Charge debuff, immediately stop attacking and jump into the water. Swim back once the debuff is gone.
Ranged DPS
Keep an eye out and move to avoid the boss' Bubble Beam ability
Move between platforms to avoid the boss' Torrential Downpour AoE
Notably, you can still hit the boss from the water below safely if the trash is cleared
Take care to walk between enemies (and don't attack them) during the March Of The Murlocs ability between phases – there are three total waves
Avoid Gelihast's Shadow Crash ability, which deals massive AoE Shadow damage and is aimed at Ranged party members
Gelihast Tank Tips
Swap Tanks upon reaching two stacks of Shadow Strike – Gelihast's damage becomes significantly higher at three and higher stacks
Take care to walk between enemies (and don't attack them) during the March Of The Murlocs ability between phases – there are three total waves
If you still have the debuff when March Of The Murlocs begins, consider popping a Shadow Protection Potion in case one makes contact
Lorgus Jett
Lorgus Jett DPS Tips
Melee DPS
Immediately stop attacking Lorgus Jett when he casts Corrupted Lightning Shield Totem. Destroy this Totem as fast as possible, then swap back to Lorgus
Get out of the way of the boss' Molten Boulder ability, which will roll around the room slowly and deal massive Fire damage to anyone it hits
Ranged DPS
Immediately stop attacking Lorgus Jett when he casts Corrupted Lightning Shield Totem. Destroy this Totem as fast as possible, then swap back to Lorgus
Get out of the way of the boss' Molten Boulder ability, which will roll around the room slowly and deal massive Fire damage to anyone it hits
Lorgus Jett Healer Tips
Get out of the way of the boss' Molten Boulder ability, which will roll around the room slowly and deal massive Fire damage to anyone it hits
Watch out for the boss' Windfury Totem, which can be a huge DPS boost for the boss, and prepare to use Emergency Healing abilities if available
Lorgus Jett Tank Tips
Immediately stop attacking Lorgus Jett when he casts Corrupted Lightning Shield Totem. Destroy this Totem as fast as possible, then swap back to Lorgus
Get out of the way of the boss' Molten Boulder ability, which will roll around the room slowly and deal massive Fire damage to anyone it hits
Interrupt every Shadowy Chains that the boss attempts to cast. It is cast about every 10 seconds in Phase One, so Rogues can Kick it every time on cooldown. Other DPS should focus on Interrupting Mind Blast.
Pop a Shadow Protection Potion right before Phase 2 (at about 35% health) and nuke him down. Kelris cannot be interrupted in Phase Two and will constantly fire off Mind Blasts.
Avoid standing in the Shadow Crash AoE area by checking your debuffs
When transported to the shadow realm, kill Priestesses until one reveals a Portal to bring you back to the normal world. Kelris targets the closest players, and doesn't target the same players twice. Coordinate groups of two (Tank+melee DPS) to stand close and force Kelris to teleport them. Others should stand at max range to prevent being targeted.
Twilight Lord Kelris Healer Tips
Heal as little as possible in Phase One to conserve mana for the much harder-hitting Phase Two
Stay at max range at all times to prevent being sent into the Dream realm via Kelris' Sleep ability
If Shadow Chains isn't interrupted, use a Free Action Potion to prevent being CCed before it goes off. Priests can also use Dispel Magic.
Pop a Shadow Protection Potion right before Phase 2 (at about 35% health) and nuke him down. Kelris cannot be interrupted in Phase Two and will constantly fire off Mind Blasts.
Avoid standing in the Shadow Crash AoE area by checking your debuffs
Twilight Lord Kelris Tank Tips
Position the boss so that Ranged party members can still hit Kelris while giving them space to avoid the Shadow Crash AoE DoT
Help DPS interrupt Mind Blast and Shadowy Chains in Phase One
In Phase Two, use personal defensive Cooldowns to help Healers, and pop a Shadow Protection Potion right before he hits the 35% HP mark.
When transported to the shadow realm, kill Priestesses until one reveals a Portal to bring you back to the normal world. Kelris targets the closest players, and doesn't target the same players twice. Coordinate groups of two (Tank+melee DPS) to stand close and force Kelris to teleport them. Others should stand at max range to prevent being targeted.
Aku-mai
Aku-mai DPS Tips
Melee DPS
Stay behind the boss at all times to avoid being hit by either Corrosive Blast or Void Blast. The boss may suddenly face a different direction than the Tank, so stay close to reduce travel distance.
Immediately stop attacking Aku-Mai when adds spawn and focus on them. These can quickly turn a successful attempt sour if not dealt with quickly.
Use defensive Cooldowns towards the end of the fight to help Healers, especially if both Tanks go down – Aku-Mai hits very hard
Ranged DPS
Stay behind the boss at all times to avoid being hit by either Corrosive Blast or Void Blast. The boss may suddenly face a different direction than the Tank, so stay close to reduce travel distance.
Immediately stop attacking Aku-Mai when adds spawn and focus on them. These can quickly turn a successful attempt sour if not dealt with quickly.
Use defensive Cooldowns towards the end of the fight to help Healers, especially if both Tanks go down – Aku-Mai hits very hard
Aku-mai Healer Tips
Stay behind the boss at all times to avoid being hit by either Corrosive Blast or Void Blast. The boss may suddenly face a different direction than the Tank, so stay close to reduce travel distance.
Consider swapping to a single-target Healing focused build, with Runes like Beacon of Light, as Aku-Mai will mostly focus on a single Tank at a time
Aku-mai Tank Tips
Run to the opposite side of Aku-Mai to face it away from the party, to prevent them from being hit by the boss' Corrosive and Void Blast, and to have Cleansing Pools close by
Offtank should use AoE Tanking abilities, like Thunderclap or Consecration, to get Threat for adds that spawn regularly throughout the fight
Only use Cleansing Pools if you have four or more stacks of Corrosion or Shadow Seep, as they are limited, and swap Tanks when this limit is reached
