Wrath of the Lich King · Tier 10 · Icecrown Citadel
Icecrown Citadel raid guide
Tactics for all 12 encounters, progression checklists and a documented change history from original Wrath to Wrath Classic.
English10/25-player12 bossesNerf history
How to use this guide
Read the change history and boss summaries before the detailed instructions. Boss cards cover core tactics and role assignments, with version-specific difficulty differences where applicable.
This guide covers level 80 Wrath. Level 60 Classic, Timewalking and legacy scaling from later expansions are outside its scope.
Icecrown Citadel in chronological Wrath progression
Tier 10’s 12 encounters span five sections, ending at the Frozen Throne. The guide distinguishes normal and heroic mechanics, the original limited-attempt system and the progressively increasing 5–30 percent raid buff.
For raid lead: Choose the 10- or 25-player version and any difficulty options available for this raid, then assign encounter responsibilities before pulling.
Quick links
Icecrown Citadel: nerf and change history
The timeline separates intentional difficulty changes, release schedule, loot/catch-up changes, and actual bug fixes. Inaccurate pre/post figures are not filled with guesswork.
| Date | Documented change | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Patch 3.3 · December 8, 2009 | Icecrown Citadel opened wing by wing; heroic and Lich King came in steps. | The publication structure limited the pace of progression. |
| March 2, 2010 | Strength of Wrynn / Hellscream's Warsong activated at 5%. | health, Healing and damage increased; buff could be turned off. |
| March 30 – July 20, 2010 | The bonus increased in steps of five percentage points to 10, 15, 20, 25 and finally 30 percent. | This was the raid's documented total progressive nerf. |
| Wrath Classic | In Wrath Classic, all 12 encounters opened on 12 October 2023 in both normal and heroic modes. | This simultaneous opening differs from the original wing-by-wing rollout; later buff changes and hotfixes are recorded separately. |
Each boss’s nerf section refers to this raid-wide timeline and highlights only changes relevant to that encounter.
Icecrown Citadel - bosses in order of progression
Encounter 1 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Lord Marrowgar
Lower Citadel · Bone Spike, Coldflame and Bone Storm.
10/25-playerLevel 80Lower Citadel
TL;DR: Keep the tanks stacked together to share Saber Lash. Free every Bone Spike target immediately. Keep melee inside the boss’s hitbox while avoiding Coldflame. Spread during Bone Storm and stay away from Marrowgar.
Raid priorities
- Keep the tanks stacked together to share Saber Lash.
- Free every Bone Spike target immediately.
- Keep melee inside the boss’s hitbox while avoiding Coldflame.
- Spread during Bone Storm and stay away from Marrowgar.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Lord Marrowgar in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign tank stacking, Bone Spike targets and safe Bone Storm movement.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Saber Lash
The damage splits between the tanks.
Bone Spike
Impaled players need to be freed.
Coldflame
Flames travel in straight lines.
Bone Storm
Marrowgar moves between targets and leaves fire trails.
Phase plan and tactic
Stack tanks
Keep the tanks stacked together to share Saber Lash.
Keep the tanks stacked together to share Saber Lash.
Free impaled players
Free every Bone Spike target immediately.
Free every Bone Spike target immediately.
Avoid fire
Keep melee inside the boss’s hitbox while avoiding Coldflame.
Keep melee inside the boss’s hitbox while avoiding Coldflame.
Bone Storm
Spread during Bone Storm and stay away from Marrowgar.
Spread during Bone Storm and stay away from Marrowgar.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 2 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Lady Deathwhisper
Lower Citadel · Mana Shield, cultist adds and phase-2 threat management.
10/25-playerLevel 80Lower Citadel
TL;DR: Assign add groups to both spawn sides. Prioritize Empowered and Deformed adds and interrupt casters. Break the Mana Shield during a clear add window. In phase 2, swap tanks for Touch of Insignificance: taunt on normal, manage threat order on heroic. Kite Vengeful Shades without letting them hit players.
Raid priorities
- Assign add groups to both spawn sides.
- Prioritize Empowered and Deformed adds and interrupt casters.
- Break the Mana Shield during a clear add window.
- In phase 2, swap tanks for Touch of Insignificance: taunt on normal, manage threat order on heroic. Kite Vengeful Shades without letting them hit players.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Lady Deathwhisper in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign spawn coverage, interrupts, priority targets and a tank-swap plan for the chosen difficulty.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Mana Shield
Phase-1 damage drains the Mana Shield.
Cult Fanatics and Adherents
Use the appropriate damage and dispel response for each add type.
Death and Decay
Move out of the affected ground.
Frostbolt and Touch of Insignificance
Interrupt Frostbolt. Touch of Insignificance reduces tank threat generation. Tank swaps can use taunts on normal; heroic Deathwhisper is taunt-immune, so swaps require threat management.
Phase plan and tactic
Cover add spawns
Assign add groups to both spawn sides.
Assign add groups to both spawn sides.
Control priority adds
Prioritize Empowered and Deformed adds and interrupt casters.
Prioritize Empowered and Deformed adds and interrupt casters.
Break the shield
Break the Mana Shield during a clear add window.
Break the Mana Shield during a clear add window.
Phase 2: interrupts and threat
In phase 2, swap tanks for Touch of Insignificance: taunt on normal, manage threat order on heroic. Kite Vengeful Shades without letting them hit players.
In phase 2, swap tanks for Touch of Insignificance: taunt on normal, manage threat order on heroic. Kite Vengeful Shades without letting them hit players.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 3 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Icecrown Gunship Battle
Rampart of Skulls · Cannons, boarding squad and rocket dodge.
10/25-playerLevel 80Rampart of Skulls
TL;DR: Assign two cannon users and a boarding team. Shoot enemy deck adds and the ship without overheating the cannons. Board behind the tank to kill the Battle-Mage, then return before the enemy commander’s stacks become dangerous. Avoid rocket markers on your own deck.
Raid priorities
- Assign two cannon users and a boarding team.
- Shoot enemy deck adds and the ship without overheating the cannons.
- Board behind the tank to kill the Battle-Mage, then return before the enemy commander’s stacks become dangerous.
- Avoid rocket markers on your own deck.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Icecrown Gunship Battle in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign cannon users, the boarding tank, mage damage and the return call.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Cannons
Cannon attacks generate Heat while damaging the enemy ship.
Battle-Mage
The mage freezes your cannons.
Enemy commander
The boarding tank faces Muradin or Saurfang and their stacking damage buff.
Rocket Artillery
Ground markers warn of incoming rockets.
Phase plan and tactic
Assign teams
Assign two cannon users and a boarding team.
Assign two cannon users and a boarding team.
Use cannons
Shoot enemy deck adds and the ship without overheating the cannons.
Shoot enemy deck adds and the ship without overheating the cannons.
Board and return
Board behind the tank to kill the Battle-Mage, then return before the enemy commander’s stacks become dangerous.
Board behind the tank to kill the Battle-Mage, then return before the enemy commander’s stacks become dangerous.
Avoid rockets
Avoid rocket markers on your own deck.
Avoid rocket markers on your own deck.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 4 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Deathbringer Saurfang
Deathbringer's Rise · Blood Power, Beasts and Mark healing.
10/25-playerLevel 80Deathbringer's Rise
TL;DR: Spread ranged players for Blood Nova. Swap tanks when Rune of Blood is applied. Control Blood Beasts with available stuns, slows and knockbacks, then kill them before contact. Save damage and healing cooldowns for the final pressure as Marks accumulate.
Raid priorities
- Spread ranged players for Blood Nova.
- Swap tanks when Rune of Blood is applied.
- Control Blood Beasts with available stuns, slows and knockbacks, then kill them before contact.
- Save damage and healing cooldowns for the final pressure as Marks accumulate.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Deathbringer Saurfang in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign ranged spacing, Beast control and dedicated Mark healing.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Blood Power
Blood Nova, Blood Beast hits and the tank debuff contribute Blood Power.
Mark of the Fallen Champion
At 100 Blood Power, Saurfang applies a Mark.
Rune of Blood
Swap tanks to handle this debuff.
Blood Beasts
Do not let Blood Beasts hit players.
Phase plan and tactic
Spread ranged players
Spread ranged players for Blood Nova.
Spread ranged players for Blood Nova.
Swap tanks
Swap tanks when Rune of Blood is applied.
Swap tanks when Rune of Blood is applied.
Kill Beasts
Control Blood Beasts with available stuns, slows and knockbacks, then kill them before contact.
Control Blood Beasts with available stuns, slows and knockbacks, then kill them before contact.
Support Mark targets
Save damage and healing cooldowns for the final pressure as Marks accumulate.
Save damage and healing cooldowns for the final pressure as Marks accumulate.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 5 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Festergut
Plagueworks · Inoculation, tank stacks and tight enrage.
10/25-playerLevel 80Plagueworks
TL;DR: Mark two Gas Spore gathering positions. Gain Inoculated from each spore while avoiding unnecessary overlapping splash. Swap tanks at nine Gastric Bloat stacks, before the tenth. Use cooldowns around the third Inhale and Pungent Blight.
Raid priorities
- Mark two Gas Spore gathering positions.
- Gain Inoculated from each spore while avoiding unnecessary overlapping splash.
- Swap tanks at nine Gastric Bloat stacks, before the tenth.
- Use cooldowns around the third Inhale and Pungent Blight.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Festergut in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Mark spore gathering points and assign tank swaps and Inhale cooldowns.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Gaseous Blight and Inhale
Each Inhale reduces ambient raid damage but increases tank damage.
Gas Spore
Spores grant stacking Inoculated protection.
Pungent Blight
Build three Inoculated stacks before this raid-wide burst.
Gastric Bloat
The tank explodes at ten stacks.
Phase plan and tactic
Assign spore positions
Mark two Gas Spore gathering positions.
Mark two Gas Spore gathering positions.
Build protection
Gain Inoculated from each spore while avoiding unnecessary overlapping splash.
Gain Inoculated from each spore while avoiding unnecessary overlapping splash.
Swap before ten stacks
Swap tanks at nine Gastric Bloat stacks, before the tenth.
Swap tanks at nine Gastric Bloat stacks, before the tenth.
Plan cooldowns
Use cooldowns around the third Inhale and Pungent Blight.
Use cooldowns around the third Inhale and Pungent Blight.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 6 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Rotface
Plagueworks · Ooze kiting and Slime Spray.
10/25-playerLevel 80Plagueworks
TL;DR: Players with Mutated Infection move to the assigned kiting tank before being dispelled. Merge oozes carefully, then move away from them. The boss group avoids Slime Spray together. When the Big Ooze explodes, leave your current position and return only after the projectiles land.
Raid priorities
- Players with Mutated Infection move to the assigned kiting tank before being dispelled.
- Merge oozes carefully, then move away from them.
- The boss group avoids Slime Spray together.
- When the Big Ooze explodes, leave your current position and return only after the projectiles land.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Rotface in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign the kiting tank, infection handoff route and coordinated explosion movement.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Mutated Infection
Removing the infection creates a Small Ooze.
Ooze merging
Two Small Oozes merge into a Big Ooze.
Big Ooze explosion
The Big Ooze builds stacks and eventually explodes.
Slime Spray
Avoid the frontal spray.
Flooded sectors
Parts of the room flood with slime.
Phase plan and tactic
Move before dispelling
Players with Mutated Infection move to the assigned kiting tank before being dispelled.
Players with Mutated Infection move to the assigned kiting tank before being dispelled.
Merge oozes
Merge oozes carefully, then move away from them.
Merge oozes carefully, then move away from them.
Avoid Spray
The boss group avoids Slime Spray together.
The boss group avoids Slime Spray together.
Dodge the explosion
When the Big Ooze explodes, leave your current position and return only after the projectiles land.
When the Big Ooze explodes, leave your current position and return only after the projectiles land.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 7 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Professor Putricide
Plagueworks · Abomination, two add types and a phase 3 tank cycle.
10/25-playerLevel 80Plagueworks
TL;DR: Assign an Abomination driver to consume slime and slow adds. Group on Volatile Ooze targets to share the impact; kite Gas Clouds instead. Kill remaining adds before the normal-mode Tear Gas transition, which incapacitates the raid. Heroic replaces Tear Gas with two simultaneous adds; in 25-player heroic, follow the Ooze and Gas Variable assignments. In phase 3, use the planned tank rotation to keep Mutated Plague stacks under control.
Raid priorities
- Assign an Abomination driver to consume slime and slow adds.
- Group on Volatile Ooze targets to share the impact; kite Gas Clouds instead.
- Kill remaining adds before the normal-mode Tear Gas transition, which incapacitates the raid. Heroic replaces Tear Gas with two simultaneous adds; in 25-player heroic, follow the Ooze and Gas Variable assignments.
- In phase 3, use the planned tank rotation to keep Mutated Plague stacks under control.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Professor Putricide in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign the Abomination driver, add responses, transition timing and final tank rotation.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Mutated Abomination
The controlled Abomination eats slime and slows adds.
Volatile Ooze
The Ooze fixates a target. Share its impact damage with the assigned group.
Gas Cloud
The Cloud pursues its Bloat target.
Malleable Goo and Choking Gas
Avoid both hazards.
Mutated Plague
Plague stacks on tanks during phase 3.
Phase plan and tactic
Abomination control
Assign an Abomination driver to consume slime and slow adds.
Assign an Abomination driver to consume slime and slow adds.
Handle the two add types
Group on Volatile Ooze targets to share the impact; kite Gas Clouds instead.
Group on Volatile Ooze targets to share the impact; kite Gas Clouds instead.
Prepare the transition
Kill remaining adds before the normal-mode Tear Gas transition, which incapacitates the raid. Heroic replaces Tear Gas with two simultaneous adds; in 25-player heroic, follow the Ooze and Gas Variable assignments.
Kill remaining adds before the normal-mode Tear Gas transition, which incapacitates the raid. Heroic replaces Tear Gas with two simultaneous adds; in 25-player heroic, follow the Ooze and Gas Variable assignments.
Phase 3: tank rotation
In phase 3, use the planned tank rotation to keep Mutated Plague stacks under control.
In phase 3, use the planned tank rotation to keep Mutated Plague stacks under control.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 8 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Blood Prince Council
Crimson Hall · Kinetic Bombs, the empowered prince and orb control.
10/25-playerLevel 80Crimson Hall
TL;DR: Assign a watcher to every Kinetic Bomb. Switch damage to the prince empowered by Invocation of Blood. Spread for Valanar’s empowerment and place players along the Flame Orb’s travel path to reduce it. The Keleseth tank gathers Dark Nuclei before his empowerment.
Raid priorities
- Assign a watcher to every Kinetic Bomb.
- Switch damage to the prince empowered by Invocation of Blood.
- Spread for Valanar’s empowerment and place players along the Flame Orb’s travel path to reduce it.
- The Keleseth tank gathers Dark Nuclei before his empowerment.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Blood Prince Council in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign bomb watchers, prince tanks, spread positions and Flame Orb interception.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Invocation of Blood
Only the currently empowered prince takes effective damage.
Kinetic Bomb
Keep the bomb airborne with ranged hits.
Empowered Shock Vortex
Spread well apart.
Empowered Flame Orb
The orb loses power as it passes players on the way to its target.
Taldaram and Keleseth
Their tanking requirements differ; Keleseth’s tank needs Dark Nuclei for protection.
Phase plan and tactic
Keep bombs airborne
Assign a watcher to every Kinetic Bomb.
Assign a watcher to every Kinetic Bomb.
Attack the active prince
Switch damage to the prince empowered by Invocation of Blood.
Switch damage to the prince empowered by Invocation of Blood.
Handle empowered abilities
Spread for Valanar’s empowerment and place players along the Flame Orb’s travel path to reduce it.
Spread for Valanar’s empowerment and place players along the Flame Orb’s travel path to reduce it.
Prepare Keleseth’s tank
The Keleseth tank gathers Dark Nuclei before his empowerment.
The Keleseth tank gathers Dark Nuclei before his empowerment.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 9 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Blood-Queen Lana’thel
Crimson Hall · Vampire bite rotation and air-phase spreading.
10/25-playerLevel 80Crimson Hall
TL;DR: Plan the entire bite order before pulling. Pact of the Darkfallen targets meet in the middle immediately. Drop Swarming Shadows in a controlled line along the wall. Spread for the air phase and use planned fear protection and raid cooldowns.
Raid priorities
- Plan the entire bite order before pulling.
- Pact of the Darkfallen targets meet in the middle immediately.
- Drop Swarming Shadows in a controlled line along the wall.
- Spread for the air phase and use planned fear protection and raid cooldowns.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Blood-Queen Lana’thel in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign bite targets, a Pact meeting point and safe Shadow trails.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Essence of the Blood Queen
The damage buff eventually requires its holder to bite a new player.
Bite timing
Failing to complete the required bite results in mind control.
Pact of the Darkfallen
Affected players must come together to clear the link.
Swarming Shadows
Leave the trail at the room’s edge.
Air phase
Spread to reduce shared splash damage.
Phase plan and tactic
Plan bites
Plan the entire bite order before pulling.
Plan the entire bite order before pulling.
Clear Pact
Pact of the Darkfallen targets meet in the middle immediately.
Pact of the Darkfallen targets meet in the middle immediately.
Place Shadows
Drop Swarming Shadows in a controlled line along the wall.
Drop Swarming Shadows in a controlled line along the wall.
Air phase
Spread for the air phase and use planned fear protection and raid cooldowns.
Spread for the air phase and use planned fear protection and raid cooldowns.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 10 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Valithria Dreamwalker
Frostwing Halls · Heal boss, portals and add priority.
10/25-playerLevel 80Frostwing Halls
TL;DR: Assign portal healers to collect clouds without letting their stacks expire. Prioritize Blazing Skeletons, then Suppressors and dangerous casters. Tank Abominations away from the raid and kill their Rot Worms with area damage. Use Bloodlust and healing cooldowns when the healers have high buff stacks.
Raid priorities
- Assign portal healers to collect clouds without letting their stacks expire.
- Prioritize Blazing Skeletons, then Suppressors and dangerous casters.
- Tank Abominations away from the raid and kill their Rot Worms with area damage.
- Use Bloodlust and healing cooldowns when the healers have high buff stacks.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Valithria Dreamwalker in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign portal healers, external healers, add tanks and priority damage targets.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Heal Valithria
Complete the encounter by healing Valithria to full health.
Dream Portals
Portal healers collect clouds to build their healing buff.
Blazing Skeleton
Lay Waste makes this add a top priority.
Suppressors
Suppressors reduce the healing Valithria receives.
Abominations and Rot Worms
Dead Abominations spawn Rot Worms.
Phase plan and tactic
Build healer stacks
Assign portal healers to collect clouds without letting their stacks expire.
Assign portal healers to collect clouds without letting their stacks expire.
Prioritize dangerous adds
Prioritize Blazing Skeletons, then Suppressors and dangerous casters.
Prioritize Blazing Skeletons, then Suppressors and dangerous casters.
Control Abominations
Tank Abominations away from the raid and kill their Rot Worms with area damage.
Tank Abominations away from the raid and kill their Rot Worms with area damage.
Healing burst
Use Bloodlust and healing cooldowns when the healers have high buff stacks.
Use Bloodlust and healing cooldowns when the healers have high buff stacks.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 11 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
Sindragosa
Frostwing Halls · Unchained Magic, tombs and Mystic Buffet.
10/25-playerLevel 80Frostwing Halls
TL;DR: Keep the raid at Sindragosa’s sides and run away after Icy Grip. With Unchained Magic, stop casting at the agreed Instability limit. Place air-phase Ice Tombs on the markers and use them as cover from Frost Bombs. Free trapped players after the final bomb. In phase 3, alternate boss damage with breaking line of sight behind a tomb to reset Mystic Buffet.
Raid priorities
- Keep the raid at Sindragosa’s sides and run away after Icy Grip.
- With Unchained Magic, stop casting at the agreed Instability limit.
- Place air-phase Ice Tombs on the markers and use them as cover from Frost Bombs. Free trapped players after the final bomb.
- In phase 3, alternate boss damage with breaking line of sight behind a tomb to reset Mystic Buffet.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Sindragosa in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Mark tomb positions and assign air-phase cover, tomb damage and Buffet resets.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Frost Aura
Frost Aura deals continuous damage.
Unchained Magic
Casting while affected builds Instability.
Icy Grip and Blistering Cold
Icy Grip pulls players in before Blistering Cold. Run away promptly.
Ice Tombs and Frost Bombs
Air-phase tombs provide cover from Frost Bombs. Break them after the last bomb, not after a breath.
Mystic Buffet
In phase 3, use tombs to break line of sight and let Buffet stacks expire.
Phase plan and tactic
Position and escape Grip
Keep the raid at Sindragosa’s sides and run away after Icy Grip.
Keep the raid at Sindragosa’s sides and run away after Icy Grip.
Control Instability
With Unchained Magic, stop casting at the agreed Instability limit.
With Unchained Magic, stop casting at the agreed Instability limit.
Use air-phase tombs
Place air-phase Ice Tombs on the markers and use them as cover from Frost Bombs. Free trapped players after the final bomb.
Place air-phase Ice Tombs on the markers and use them as cover from Frost Bombs. Free trapped players after the final bomb.
Phase 3: reset Buffet
In phase 3, alternate boss damage with breaking line of sight behind a tomb to reset Mystic Buffet.
In phase 3, alternate boss damage with breaking line of sight behind a tomb to reset Mystic Buffet.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Encounter 12 / 12 · Icecrown Citadel
The Lich King
The Frozen Throne · Infest, Val’kyr, Defile and Frostmourne.
10/25-playerLevel 80The Frozen Throne
TL;DR: In phase 1, transfer Necrotic Plague to the adds with controlled dispels and kill each Shambling Horror before the next arrives. During transitions, move to the edge and focus Raging Spirits. In phase 2, spread for Defile but gather for Val’kyr, using stuns and slows to save carried players. In phase 3, avoid Vile Spirits and carry out your Frostmourne role. On heroic, the raid handles the Frostmourne phase together.
Raid priorities
- In phase 1, transfer Necrotic Plague to the adds with controlled dispels and kill each Shambling Horror before the next arrives.
- During transitions, move to the edge and focus Raging Spirits.
- In phase 2, spread for Defile but gather for Val’kyr, using stuns and slows to save carried players.
- In phase 3, avoid Vile Spirits and carry out your Frostmourne role.
- On heroic, the raid handles the Frostmourne phase together.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for The Lich King in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign plague dispels, Spirit tanks, Val’kyr control, Defile movement and Frostmourne roles.
- Assign interrupts, dispels, crowd control and target swaps before the pull.
- Save raid and personal cooldowns for the encounter’s most dangerous phase.
Mechanics reference
Necrotic Plague
Transfer the plague to Shambling Horrors.
Raging Spirits
Keep Spirits controlled during transitions.
Infest
Quickly heal affected players above the removal threshold.
Val’kyr
Val’kyr carry players toward the platform edge.
Defile
The ground effect grows whenever it damages a player.
Harvest Soul
Harvest Soul sends its target into Frostmourne; heroic uses the raid-wide version.
Phase plan and tactic
Phase 1: plague and Horrors
In phase 1, transfer Necrotic Plague to the adds with controlled dispels and kill each Shambling Horror before the next arrives.
In phase 1, transfer Necrotic Plague to the adds with controlled dispels and kill each Shambling Horror before the next arrives.
Transitions
During transitions, move to the edge and focus Raging Spirits.
During transitions, move to the edge and focus Raging Spirits.
Phase 2: Val’kyr and Defile
In phase 2, spread for Defile but gather for Val’kyr, using stuns and slows to save carried players.
In phase 2, spread for Defile but gather for Val’kyr, using stuns and slows to save carried players.
Phase 3: Spirits and Frostmourne
In phase 3, avoid Vile Spirits and carry out your Frostmourne role.
In phase 3, avoid Vile Spirits and carry out your Frostmourne role.
Heroic Frostmourne
On heroic, the raid handles the Frostmourne phase together.
On heroic, the raid handles the Frostmourne phase together.
Role notes
Tanks
- Face the boss and adds away from the raid; swap tanks when required by debuffs or phase changes.
- Tell healers in advance when you will use defensive cooldowns or make a dangerous tank swap.
Healers
- Assign tank healing, raid healing and dispels before the pull.
- Plan raid cooldowns for the largest predictable damage window and avoid unnecessary overlap.
Melee DPS
- Stay clear of frontal and rear attacks, and switch to adds as soon as they are called.
- Don't sacrifice movement or soak mechanics for damage uptime.
Ranged DPS
- Maintain the required spacing and prioritize distant adds, orbs or moving targets.
- Save abilities used while moving for mandatory transitions.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, purge, stun, slow and immunity rotations depending on the encounter.
- Use a combat resurrection only when the fallen player’s role is essential for the next mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- The boss-specific history is read in conjunction with the Icecrown Citadel raid timeline; original Wrath and Wrath Classic are kept separate.
- Numerical nerfs are only presented as confirmed when supported by patch or hotfix notes. Bug fixes are identified separately.
- Level squishes, Timewalking and changes to soloing from later expansions are outside the scope of these level 80 tactics.
Original WrathWrath ClassicSource scope
Sources and version scope
Boss counts, release structure and Classic availability have been checked against Blizzard’s publications. Mechanics and original patch changes are cross-checked against Warcraft Wiki encounter guides and patch histories.
- Blizzard — Icecrown Citadel is open
worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24013834 - Blizzard — Fall of the Lich King is live
worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/news/24013830 - Warcraft Wiki — Hellscream's Warsong
warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Hellscream%27s_Warsong - Warcraft Wiki — 2010 hotfix Archive
warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Hotfixes/2010_Archive
Updated 19 August 2026. Legacy changes from later expansions are excluded.