Wrath of the Lich King · Tier 7 · Naxxramas
Naxxramas raid guide
Tactics for all 15 encounters, progression checklists and a documented change history from original Wrath to Wrath Classic.
English10/25-player15 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.
Naxxramas in chronological Wrath progression
The necropolis moved to Northrend for Tier 7, with four wings you can tackle in any order followed by Frostwyrm Lair. This guide covers the level-80 10- and 25-player encounters, not the level-60 Classic mechanics.
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
Naxxramas: 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 3.0.2 · November 13, 2008 | Naxxramas was rebuilt in Dragonblight as a level-80 introductory raid for 10 or 25 players. | Several level 60 mechanics were simplified or rescaled. |
| Patch 3.3.0 | After defeating all four wing bosses, the raid could teleport directly to Sapphiron’s area. | The farm route was shortened; the combat numbers of the bosses were not changed. |
| Wrath Classic 3.4.0 | Enemy health and damage increased by 30 percent in both raid sizes. | The Classic release was intentionally stronger than the original 2008 version. |
| Wrath Classic Phase 2 | Tier 7 raids went into a catch-up phase with the dawn of Ulduar. | The guide differentiates this Classic progression from the original Wrath. |
Each boss’s nerf section refers to this raid-wide timeline and highlights only changes relevant to that encounter.
Naxxramas - bosses in order of progression
Encounter 1 / 15 · Naxxramas
Anub’Rekhan
Arachnid Quarter · Kiting Locust Swarm along the edge, Impale and Crypt Guards.
10/25-playerLevel 80Arachnid Quarter
TL;DR: Tank Anub’Rekhan at the perimeter with the raid toward the middle. Kite each Locust Swarm along the marked perimeter route. Kill Crypt Guards and scarabs before returning to boss damage.
Raid priorities
- Tank Anub’Rekhan at the perimeter with the raid toward the middle.
- Kite each Locust Swarm along the marked perimeter route.
- Kill Crypt Guards and scarabs before returning to boss damage.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Anub’Rekhan in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Mark the perimeter kiting route and safe raid positions.
- 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
Locust Swarm
The tank kites along the wall while the raid stays outside the swarm.
Impale
Impale hits players along the line to its ranged target.
Crypt Guards and scarabs
The off-tank picks up these adds.
Phase plan and tactic
Positioning
Tank Anub’Rekhan at the perimeter with the raid toward the middle.
Tank Anub’Rekhan at the perimeter with the raid toward the middle.
Kite the swarm
Kite each Locust Swarm along the marked perimeter route.
Kite each Locust Swarm along the marked perimeter route.
Clear adds
Kill Crypt Guards and scarabs before returning to boss damage.
Kill Crypt Guards and scarabs before returning to boss damage.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Grand Widow Faerlina
Arachnid Quarter · Enrage is removed with the Worshiper mechanic.
10/25-playerLevel 80Arachnid Quarter
TL;DR: Keep the adds separate from Faerlina. Prepare the next Worshipper before enrage. Remove enrage using the Worshipper mechanic for your raid size, and move out of Rain of Fire.
Raid priorities
- Keep the adds separate from Faerlina.
- Prepare the next Worshipper before enrage.
- Remove enrage using the Worshipper mechanic for your raid size, and move out of Rain of Fire.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Grand Widow Faerlina in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign Worshipper control for your raid size, poison removal and safe movement from fire.
- 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
Enrage
Faerlina’s damage against the tank becomes dangerous.
Poison Bolt Volley
Remove poisons and heal raid damage.
Rain of Fire
Move out of the affected area.
Worshippers
The method for removing enrage differs between 10- and 25-player encounters.
Phase plan and tactic
Separate adds
Keep the adds separate from Faerlina.
Keep the adds separate from Faerlina.
Prepare a Worshipper
Prepare the next Worshipper before enrage.
Prepare the next Worshipper before enrage.
Remove enrage
Remove enrage using the Worshipper mechanic for your raid size, and move out of Rain of Fire.
Remove enrage using the Worshipper mechanic for your raid size, and move out of Rain of Fire.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Maexxna
Arachnid Quarter · Web Wraps, Spiderlings and full raid Web Spray.
10/25-playerLevel 80Arachnid Quarter
TL;DR: Assign players to break Web Wrap cocoons. Kill Spiderlings and apply healing-over-time effects to the tank before Web Spray. Start the final damage push just after surviving a Web Spray.
Raid priorities
- Assign players to break Web Wrap cocoons.
- Kill Spiderlings and apply healing-over-time effects to the tank before Web Spray.
- Start the final damage push just after surviving a Web Spray.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Maexxna in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign cocoon targets, Spiderling control and tank protection for Web Spray.
- 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
Web Wrap
Web Wrap traps players against the wall.
Spiderlings
Kill the Spiderling wave quickly with area damage.
Web Spray
Web Spray stuns the entire raid.
Frenzy
Frenzy starts at 30 percent health.
Phase plan and tactic
Free trapped players
Assign players to break Web Wrap cocoons.
Assign players to break Web Wrap cocoons.
Prepare for Web Spray
Kill Spiderlings and apply healing-over-time effects to the tank before Web Spray.
Kill Spiderlings and apply healing-over-time effects to the tank before Web Spray.
Final damage push
Start the final damage push just after surviving a Web Spray.
Start the final damage push just after surviving a Web Spray.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Noth the Plaguebringer
Plague Quarter · Curse dispels, threat after Blink and balcony add waves.
10/25-playerLevel 80Plague Quarter
TL;DR: Assign curse removal to cover every group. After Blink, pause damage until the tank regains control. Gather and kill the balcony-phase adds before Noth returns.
Raid priorities
- Assign curse removal to cover every group.
- After Blink, pause damage until the tank regains control.
- Gather and kill the balcony-phase adds before Noth returns.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Noth the Plaguebringer in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign curse removal and positions for tank recovery and balcony-phase adds.
- 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
Curse of the Plaguebringer
The curse explodes if it is not removed.
Blink and Cripple
Be ready to recover tank positioning and handle Cripple after Blink.
Balcony phase
Handle the Warrior, Champion and Guardian waves.
Phase plan and tactic
Remove curses
Assign curse removal to cover every group.
Assign curse removal to cover every group.
Recover after Blink
After Blink, pause damage until the tank regains control.
After Blink, pause damage until the tank regains control.
Clear add waves
Gather and kill the balcony-phase adds before Noth returns.
Gather and kill the balcony-phase adds before Noth returns.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Heigan the Unclean
Plague Quarter · Heigan dance, disease and spell disruption.
10/25-playerLevel 80Plague Quarter
TL;DR: Mark the four floor sections and review the safe movement pattern. During the slow dance, move the boss along the floor while casters use the platform. During the fast dance, everyone prioritizes safe movement over damage.
Raid priorities
- Mark the four floor sections and review the safe movement pattern.
- During the slow dance, move the boss along the floor while casters use the platform.
- During the fast dance, everyone prioritizes safe movement over damage.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Heigan the Unclean in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Mark the four floor sections and practice the route before pulling.
- 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
Eruption
Eruptions follow a repeating pattern through four floor sections.
Spell Disruption
The aura slows nearby players’ spellcasting.
Decrepit Fever
Remove this disease.
Fast dance
Everyone moves onto the floor and follows the safe sections.
Phase plan and tactic
Learn the floor pattern
Mark the four floor sections and review the safe movement pattern.
Mark the four floor sections and review the safe movement pattern.
Slow dance
During the slow dance, move the boss along the floor while casters use the platform.
During the slow dance, move the boss along the floor while casters use the platform.
Fast dance
During the fast dance, everyone prioritizes safe movement over damage.
During the fast dance, everyone prioritizes safe movement over damage.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Loatheb
Plague Quarter · A 17-second healing lockout, a 3-second healing window and spores.
10/25-playerLevel 80Plague Quarter
TL;DR: Assign spore groups and healing-window responsibilities. Begin large heals before Necrotic Aura expires so they land during the short healing window. Use personal defensives for Inevitable Doom and finish before its pressure becomes overwhelming.
Raid priorities
- Assign spore groups and healing-window responsibilities.
- Begin large heals before Necrotic Aura expires so they land during the short healing window.
- Use personal defensives for Inevitable Doom and finish before its pressure becomes overwhelming.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Loatheb in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign spore groups, healing-window timing and defensive cooldowns for Doom.
- 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 Aura
Necrotic Aura prevents healing for 17 seconds.
Healing window
Time casts to land during the three-second healing window.
Spore buffs
Spores grant a critical-strike buff to a limited group of players.
Inevitable Doom
Doom creates increasing pressure as the fight continues.
Phase plan and tactic
Assign spores and healing
Assign spore groups and healing-window responsibilities.
Assign spore groups and healing-window responsibilities.
Time healing casts
Begin large heals before Necrotic Aura expires so they land during the short healing window.
Begin large heals before Necrotic Aura expires so they land during the short healing window.
Manage Doom
Use personal defensives for Inevitable Doom and finish before its pressure becomes overwhelming.
Use personal defensives for Inevitable Doom and finish before its pressure becomes overwhelming.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Instructor Razuvious
Military Quarter · Understudy tanking and Disrupting Shout.
10/25-playerLevel 80Military Quarter
TL;DR: Assign two players to control Deathknight Understudies. Coordinate Taunt and Bone Barrier so Razuvious is always covered. Keep released Understudies controlled and heal Disrupting Shout damage.
Raid priorities
- Assign two players to control Deathknight Understudies.
- Coordinate Taunt and Bone Barrier so Razuvious is always covered.
- Keep released Understudies controlled and heal Disrupting Shout damage.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Instructor Razuvious in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign Understudy controllers and handovers using the control method for your raid size.
- 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
Unbalancing Strike
This strike makes tanking Razuvious dangerous.
Understudy abilities
Controlled Understudies use Taunt and Bone Barrier.
Control method
The 10-player encounter uses control orbs; the 25-player encounter uses priest Mind Control.
Disrupting Shout
The shout damages the entire raid.
Phase plan and tactic
Assign controllers
Assign two players to control Deathknight Understudies.
Assign two players to control Deathknight Understudies.
Coordinate tanking
Coordinate Taunt and Bone Barrier so Razuvious is always covered.
Coordinate Taunt and Bone Barrier so Razuvious is always covered.
Control released adds
Keep released Understudies controlled and heal Disrupting Shout damage.
Keep released Understudies controlled and heal Disrupting Shout damage.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Gothik the Harvester
Military Quarter · Living/dead division, add waves and Harvest Soul.
10/25-playerLevel 80Military Quarter
TL;DR: Split tanks, healers and damage evenly between the living and dead sides. Control the living side’s kill rate so the dead side can keep up. After the gate opens, regroup and finish Gothik quickly.
Raid priorities
- Split tanks, healers and damage evenly between the living and dead sides.
- Control the living side’s kill rate so the dead side can keep up.
- After the gate opens, regroup and finish Gothik quickly.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Gothik the Harvester in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign balanced living-side and dead-side groups and a clear kill-rate 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
Living and spectral adds
Adds killed on the living side reappear as spectral versions on the other side.
Kill rate
Killing adds too quickly overloads the dead side.
Harvest Soul
Harvest Soul stacks during the boss phase.
Phase plan and tactic
Split the raid
Split tanks, healers and damage evenly between the living and dead sides.
Split tanks, healers and damage evenly between the living and dead sides.
Control the waves
Control the living side’s kill rate so the dead side can keep up.
Control the living side’s kill rate so the dead side can keep up.
Regroup for Gothik
After the gate opens, regroup and finish Gothik quickly.
After the gate opens, regroup and finish Gothik quickly.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
The Four Horsemen
Military Quarter · Four corners and mark exchanges.
10/25-playerLevel 80Military Quarter
TL;DR: Tank Rivendare and Korth’azz in the front corners and assign players to hold the two casters at the back. Rotate corners at the agreed number of Marks. Kill the front pair, then move groups to the back in a controlled manner.
Raid priorities
- Tank Rivendare and Korth’azz in the front corners and assign players to hold the two casters at the back.
- Rotate corners at the agreed number of Marks.
- Kill the front pair, then move groups to the back in a controlled manner.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for The Four Horsemen in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign all four corners, Mark rotation timing and safe routes between groups.
- 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
Marks
Each Horseman applies a distinct stacking Mark.
Meteor
Share Meteor damage with the assigned group in Korth’azz’s corner.
Void Zones
Move out of Lady Blaumeux’s Void Zones.
Holy Wrath
Spread out near Zeliek to avoid chained Holy Wrath damage.
Phase plan and tactic
Assign four corners
Tank Rivendare and Korth’azz in the front corners and assign players to hold the two casters at the back.
Tank Rivendare and Korth’azz in the front corners and assign players to hold the two casters at the back.
Rotate Marks
Rotate corners at the agreed number of Marks.
Rotate corners at the agreed number of Marks.
Finish the rear pair
Kill the front pair, then move groups to the back in a controlled manner.
Kill the front pair, then move groups to the back in a controlled manner.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Patchwerk
Construct Quarter · Hateful Strike tanks and pure DPS check.
10/25-playerLevel 80Construct Quarter
TL;DR: Keep the main tank first on threat. Keep Hateful Strike tanks healthy and melee DPS below the tanks on threat. Plan cooldowns for the opening and the final Frenzy.
Raid priorities
- Keep the main tank first on threat.
- Keep Hateful Strike tanks healthy and melee DPS below the tanks on threat.
- Plan cooldowns for the opening and the final Frenzy.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Patchwerk in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign main-tank and Hateful Strike healing and cooldowns for the final Frenzy.
- 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
Hateful Strike
Eligible nearby targets with high health take these heavy strikes. Keep the assigned tanks ready.
Main tank
The main tank takes normal melee attacks.
Frenzy
Damage pressure rises during the final five percent of Patchwerk’s health.
Berserk
Berserk sets the encounter’s time limit.
Phase plan and tactic
Establish tank threat
Keep the main tank first on threat.
Keep the main tank first on threat.
Support Hateful tanks
Keep Hateful Strike tanks healthy and melee DPS below the tanks on threat.
Keep Hateful Strike tanks healthy and melee DPS below the tanks on threat.
Plan cooldowns
Plan cooldowns for the opening and the final Frenzy.
Plan cooldowns for the opening and the final Frenzy.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Grobbulus
Construct Quarter · Kiting around poison clouds, Mutating Injection and Fallout Slime.
10/25-playerLevel 80Construct Quarter
TL;DR: Kite Grobbulus slowly around the perimeter. Move Mutating Injection to a safe drop point behind the group; dispel only once the player is correctly placed. Keep the raid out of the frontal cone and kill Fallout Slimes.
Raid priorities
- Kite Grobbulus slowly around the perimeter.
- Move Mutating Injection to a safe drop point behind the group; dispel only once the player is correctly placed.
- Keep the raid out of the frontal cone and kill Fallout Slimes.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Grobbulus in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Mark the kiting direction, used cloud-drop area and clean route ahead.
- 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
Poison Cloud
Clouds remain on the floor and progressively fill the room.
Mutating Injection
Drop the resulting cloud along the outer edge.
Slime Spray
Slime Spray spawns an add for each player it hits.
Phase plan and tactic
Perimeter movement
Kite Grobbulus slowly around the perimeter.
Kite Grobbulus slowly around the perimeter.
Drop Injection safely
Move Mutating Injection to a safe drop point behind the group; dispel only once the player is correctly placed.
Move Mutating Injection to a safe drop point behind the group; dispel only once the player is correctly placed.
Control slimes
Keep the raid out of the frontal cone and kill Fallout Slimes.
Keep the raid out of the frontal cone and kill Fallout Slimes.
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 Naxxramas 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 / 15 · Naxxramas
Gluth
Construct Quarter · Kiting Zombie Chow, Decimate and tank swaps.
10/25-playerLevel 80Construct Quarter
TL;DR: Assign zombie kiters and slows at the back of the room. Swap tanks to manage Mortal Wound stacks. After Decimate, kill zombies with area damage before they reach Gluth.
Raid priorities
- Assign zombie kiters and slows at the back of the room.
- Swap tanks to manage Mortal Wound stacks.
- After Decimate, kill zombies with area damage before they reach Gluth.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Gluth in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign kiters, slows, tank swaps, enrage removal and the Decimate damage 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
Mortal Wound
Swap tanks to manage the healing-reduction stacks.
Zombie Chow
Gluth heals if zombies reach him and are eaten.
Decimate
Players and zombies drop to around five percent health.
Enrage
Remove Gluth’s enrage.
Phase plan and tactic
Kite zombies
Assign zombie kiters and slows at the back of the room.
Assign zombie kiters and slows at the back of the room.
Swap tanks
Swap tanks to manage Mortal Wound stacks.
Swap tanks to manage Mortal Wound stacks.
Kill zombies after Decimate
After Decimate, kill zombies with area damage before they reach Gluth.
After Decimate, kill zombies with area damage before they reach Gluth.
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 Naxxramas 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 13 / 15 · Naxxramas
Thaddius
Construct Quarter · Stalagg/Feugen synchronization and polarity.
10/25-playerLevel 80Construct Quarter
TL;DR: Balance Stalagg’s and Feugen’s health and kill them almost simultaneously. Jump to Thaddius’s platform together. Follow the agreed route to your charge’s marked side and stack with matching charges.
Raid priorities
- Balance Stalagg’s and Feugen’s health and kill them almost simultaneously.
- Jump to Thaddius’s platform together.
- Follow the agreed route to your charge’s marked side and stack with matching charges.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Thaddius in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign balanced add groups and mark charge positions and crossing routes.
- 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
Simultaneous add kills
Both adds must die almost simultaneously.
Magnetic Pull
Magnetic Pull switches tanks between platforms.
Polarity Shift
Players receive positive or negative charges.
Opposite charges
Nearby players with opposite charges damage each other.
Phase plan and tactic
Synchronize kills
Balance Stalagg’s and Feugen’s health and kill them almost simultaneously.
Balance Stalagg’s and Feugen’s health and kill them almost simultaneously.
Jump together
Jump to Thaddius’s platform together.
Jump to Thaddius’s platform together.
Stack by charge
Follow the agreed route to your charge’s marked side and stack with matching charges.
Follow the agreed route to your charge’s marked side and stack with matching charges.
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 Naxxramas 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 14 / 15 · Naxxramas
Sapphiron
Frostwyrm Lair · Frost Aura, Blizzard and Icebolt shields.
10/25-playerLevel 80Frostwyrm Lair
TL;DR: Keep non-tanks out of Sapphiron’s front and rear attack cones. Avoid Blizzard and remove Life Drain curses. Spread for Icebolts, then shelter behind frozen players before Frost Breath.
Raid priorities
- Keep non-tanks out of Sapphiron’s front and rear attack cones.
- Avoid Blizzard and remove Life Drain curses.
- Spread for Icebolts, then shelter behind frozen players before Frost Breath.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Sapphiron in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign curse removal and safe spreading, then agree on the move-to-cover 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
Frost Aura
Frost Aura deals continuous raid damage.
Blizzard
Avoid the moving Blizzard during the ground phase.
Life Drain
This curse heals Sapphiron and must be removed.
Icebolt and Frost Breath
Icebolts create frozen-player cover. Use it to break line of sight before Frost Breath.
Phase plan and tactic
Safe positioning
Keep non-tanks out of Sapphiron’s front and rear attack cones.
Keep non-tanks out of Sapphiron’s front and rear attack cones.
Ground-phase hazards
Avoid Blizzard and remove Life Drain curses.
Avoid Blizzard and remove Life Drain curses.
Shelter from Frost Breath
Spread for Icebolts, then shelter behind frozen players before Frost Breath.
Spread for Icebolts, then shelter behind frozen players before Frost Breath.
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 Naxxramas 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 15 / 15 · Naxxramas
Kel’Thuzad
Frostwyrm Lair · Opening add waves, spacing, interrupts and Guardians.
10/25-playerLevel 80Frostwyrm Lair
TL;DR: Clear the opening waves with assigned ranged priorities and keep the center safe. Spread out and interrupt single-target Frostbolt. In the final phase, tank Guardians and crowd-control mind-controlled players in the 25-player version.
Raid priorities
- Clear the opening waves with assigned ranged priorities and keep the center safe.
- Spread out and interrupt single-target Frostbolt.
- In the final phase, tank Guardians and crowd-control mind-controlled players in the 25-player version.
Before the pull
- Review tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Kel’Thuzad in a 10- or 25-player group.
- Assign opening-wave targets, spread positions, interrupts and Guardian tanks.
- 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
Opening waves
Soldiers, Abominations and Soul Weavers arrive during phase 1.
Frost Blast
Affected players need immediate healing.
Shadow Fissure
Leave the fissure immediately; staying inside is lethal.
Chains of Kel’Thuzad
Mind control affects players in the 25-player encounter.
Guardians
Guardians join the fight near the end.
Phase plan and tactic
Clear opening adds
Clear the opening waves with assigned ranged priorities and keep the center safe.
Clear the opening waves with assigned ranged priorities and keep the center safe.
Boss positioning and interrupts
Spread out and interrupt single-target Frostbolt.
Spread out and interrupt single-target Frostbolt.
Control the finale
In the final phase, tank Guardians and crowd-control mind-controlled players in the 25-player version.
In the final phase, tank Guardians and crowd-control mind-controlled players in the 25-player version.
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 Naxxramas 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 — Wrath Classic: Naxxramas, Eye of Eternity and Obsidian Sanctum now live
worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23837381/wrath-classic-naxxramas-eye-of-eternity-and-obsidian-sanctum-now-live - Warcraft Wiki — Naxxramas
warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Naxxramas - Warcraft Wiki — Changes between Patch 1.11 and Patch 3.0 Naxxramas
warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Changes_between_Patch_1.11_Naxxramas_and_Patch_3.0_Naxxramas
Updated 19 August 2026. Legacy changes from later expansions are excluded.