Midnight · Midnight Season 2 · The Venomous Abyss
The Venomous Abyss raid guide
Tactics for all 8 encounters, progression checklists and documented Retail hotfix history.
English10–30 players8 bossesNerf history
How to use this guide
Read the raid’s change history and each boss summary first. Boss cards separate core tactics, role responsibilities and documented tuning changes.
The target version is Retail Midnight on August 19, 2026. The Season 2 raid is in launch week, so check the game's Adventure Journal before the pull.
The Venomous Abyss in Midnight raid progression
Midnight Season 2’s eight-boss raid opened on August 18, 2026. This launch-week guide is based on the Adventure Journal and published 12.1 mechanics. Undocumented percentages and later nerfs are not filled in with guesses.
For raid lead: Choose a difficulty level, check the live Adventure Journal and assign each boss's special responsibilities before the pull.
Quick links
The Venomous Abyss: nerf and change history
The timeline separates the release schedule, bug fixes, flex scaling, and intentional difficulty changes. Undocumented pre/post numbers are not filled with guesswork.
| Date | Documented change | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| August 18, 2026 | Normal, Heroic, Mythic and the first wing of the Raid Finder opened. | Story Mode and Raid Finder wings 2–4 open from August 25th to September 8th. |
| As of August 19, 2026 | The raid only has one day of live history and no confirmed official numerical nerf has been released. | All boss cards are marked as launch-week-baseline. |
| Follow-up | Blizzard hotfixes and live Adventure Journal will be reviewed after tuning changes. | A bug fix and a deliberate difficulty change are separated. |
In retail raids, the latest Blizzard hotfix and the game's Adventure Journal are the primary source of truth for the numbers.
The Venomous Abyss - bosses in order of progression
Encounter 1 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
Nek’zali the Soulcoiler
Keep deaths and Raised Amani away from the well, break the tethers and prepare for the Uncoiling burn.
Retail MidnightLevel 90Soulcoil Well
TL;DR: Keep deaths and Raised Amani away from the well, break Tethers and prepare for the Uncoiling burn. Tank and kill adds away from the central well. Focus all damage on Echoes of Jawae during the intermission. Save final cooldowns for Uncoiling and avoid the well even during forced movement.
Raid priorities
- Tank and kill adds away from the central well.
- Focus all damage on Echoes of Jawae during the intermission.
- Save final cooldowns for Uncoiling and stay clear of the well even during forced movement.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Nek’zali the Soulcoiler.
- Assign add positions, Echo targets and safe movement around the well.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Soulcoil Well
Each spirit or dead player that reaches Soulcoil Well strengthens the boss.
Echoes of Jawae
At 50% health, Echoes of Jawae maintain the Tethers of Awakening protection.
Uncoiling
Uncoiling begins an increasingly dangerous final phase.
Possession Barrage and Essence Rend
Possession Barrage and Essence Rend require spacing and controlled dispels.
Phase plan and tactic
Keep adds away
Tank and kill adds away from the central well.
Tank and kill adds away from the central well.
Break intermission protection
Focus all damage on Echoes of Jawae during the intermission.
Focus all damage on Echoes of Jawae during the intermission.
Prepare for Uncoiling
Save final cooldowns for Uncoiling and stay clear of the well even during forced movement.
Save final cooldowns for Uncoiling and stay clear of the well even during forced movement.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Encounter 2 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
Entombed Sentinels
Split the raid in two, keep Sentinels more than 40 yards apart and coordinate the intermission.
Retail MidnightLevel 90The Vile Crypt
TL;DR: Split the raid into two groups, keep the Sentinels more than 40 yards apart and coordinate the intermission. Give both groups a tank, healers and balanced damage. Maintain the separation and call dangerous energy thresholds. Balance both bosses' health before the shared final burn.
Raid priorities
- Give each group a tank, healers and balanced damage.
- Keep the bosses more than 40 yards apart and call dangerous energy thresholds.
- Balance their health before the synchronized finish.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Entombed Sentinels.
- Mark separated boss positions and assign balanced groups and energy calls.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Keep the sentinels apart
The Blood and Breath Sentinels gain 99% protection when too close to each other.
Split groups
Each group faces different abilities on its sentinel's side.
100-energy intermission
The intermission at 100 energy changes both sentinels' abilities.
Health balance
A large health difference makes a synchronized finish harder.
Phase plan and tactic
Split the raid
Give each group a tank, healers and balanced damage.
Give each group a tank, healers and balanced damage.
Maintain separation
Keep the bosses more than 40 yards apart and call dangerous energy thresholds.
Keep the bosses more than 40 yards apart and call dangerous energy thresholds.
Synchronize the finish
Balance their health before the synchronized finish.
Balance their health before the synchronized finish.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Encounter 3 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
The Lost Explorers
Defeat the three possessed tortollans before the fish run out or Final Ascension completes.
Retail MidnightLevel 90Crypt of the Soulcoilers
TL;DR: Kill the three possessed tortollans before the fish run out or Final Ascension finishes. Mark the tortollans and the order in which fish will be used. Balance cleave damage while prioritizing the next dangerous cast. Feed the fish before Ascension completes and defeat all targets before exhausting the resource.
Raid priorities
- Mark the three tortollans and agree on the fish-use order.
- Balance cleave damage while prioritizing the next dangerous cast.
- Feed fish before Final Ascension completes and defeat all three enemies before the resource runs out.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for The Lost Explorers.
- Mark each tortollan and assign fish users, cast priorities and the final damage push.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Final Ascension
Mor'zahi channels Final Ascension.
Disgusting Fish
Feeding Disgusting Fish to the correct tortollan interrupts progress.
One feeding per tortollan
Each tortollan can only be fed once.
Three-target control
Cleave damage and control across three targets determine the timing.
Phase plan and tactic
Assign fish
Mark the three tortollans and agree on the fish-use order.
Mark the three tortollans and agree on the fish-use order.
Control casts
Balance cleave damage while prioritizing the next dangerous cast.
Balance cleave damage while prioritizing the next dangerous cast.
Finish before resources run out
Feed fish before Final Ascension completes and defeat all three enemies before the resource runs out.
Feed fish before Final Ascension completes and defeat all three enemies before the resource runs out.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Encounter 4 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
Vashnik the Malignant
Direct Imbibe to two selected fountains and kill living venom adds before they reach the center.
Retail MidnightLevel 90Chamber of Virulence
TL;DR: Direct Imbibe toward two chosen fountains and kill living venoms before they reach the center. Always position the boss between two preselected fountains. Focus and control living venoms on their way to the center. Rotate fountain combinations and use healing cooldowns for Imbibe's raid damage.
Raid priorities
- Keep the boss between the two preselected fountains.
- Focus and control living venom adds before they reach the center.
- Rotate fountain combinations and use healing cooldowns for Imbibe’s raid damage.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Vashnik the Malignant.
- Choose fountain combinations, add-control positions and Imbibe healing cooldowns.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Infusions
Blood, Shadow and Flame fountains grant different Infusion stacks.
Imbibe
Imbibe uses the two nearest fountains and creates living venom adds.
Malignant Cavity
An add that reaches the central Malignant Cavity triggers Malignant Burst.
Repeated Infusions
Repeating the same Infusion increases the damage of its abilities.
Phase plan and tactic
Choose fountains
Keep the boss between the two preselected fountains.
Keep the boss between the two preselected fountains.
Stop living venoms
Focus and control living venom adds before they reach the center.
Focus and control living venom adds before they reach the center.
Rotate Infusions
Rotate fountain combinations and use healing cooldowns for Imbibe’s raid damage.
Rotate fountain combinations and use healing cooldowns for Imbibe’s raid damage.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Encounter 5 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
Sszorak
Manage knockbacks, avoid cysts and save damage cooldowns for Dig In.
Retail MidnightLevel 90Serpent Warren
TL;DR: Manage pushbacks, avoid cysts and save damage cooldowns for Dig In. Before each pushback, keep your back toward safe ground. Leave cysts at the edges and preserve the central lane. Save Bloodlust and damage cooldowns for Dig In at roughly the two-minute mark.
Raid priorities
- Keep your back toward safe ground before each pushback.
- Leave cysts at the edges and preserve the central lane.
- Save Bloodlust and damage cooldowns for Dig In at roughly the two-minute mark.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Sszorak.
- Mark safe knockback directions, cyst locations and the Dig In damage window.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Raging Crosswinds
Raging Crosswinds changes the direction of forced movement.
Venomous Surge
Venomous Surge leaves Viscous Cysts that knock players back on contact.
Apex Predator
Apex Predator is a dangerous sequence of attacks.
Howling Maelstrom
Howling Maelstrom brings the wind to full strength.
Dig In
During Dig In, the boss takes 25% more damage for approximately 25 seconds.
Phase plan and tactic
Prepare for pushbacks
Keep your back toward safe ground before each pushback.
Keep your back toward safe ground before each pushback.
Preserve space
Leave cysts at the edges and preserve the central lane.
Leave cysts at the edges and preserve the central lane.
Use Dig In
Save Bloodlust and damage cooldowns for Dig In at roughly the two-minute mark.
Save Bloodlust and damage cooldowns for Dig In at roughly the two-minute mark.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Encounter 6 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
The Twin Fangs
Manage Eternal Venom stacks and remove them by soaking Ravenous Feast.
Retail MidnightLevel 90Pit of Fangs
TL;DR: Manage Eternal Venom stacks and remove them by soaking Ravenous Feast. Track each player's stacks and assign Feast soak rotations. Kill spawns, collect dangerous globules in a controlled manner and keep the bosses in cleave range. The tank soaks Stone Breaker while the raid prepares for the 100-energy storms.
Raid priorities
- Track personal Venom stacks and assign Feast soak rotations.
- Kill spawned adds, collect dangerous globules carefully and keep the bosses in cleave range.
- The tank soaks Stone Breaker while the raid prepares for the 100-energy storms.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for The Twin Fangs.
- Assign Feast rotations, Stone Breaker coverage and add-control responsibilities.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Two targets
Vexhul and Ithraz form a continuous two-target fight.
Eternal Venom
Eternal Venom deals stacking damage and kills at its threshold.
Ravenous Feast
Ravenous Feast consumes up to three venom stacks from the player soaking it.
Caustic Deluge
Caustic Deluge creates globules and Venomous Emergence adds.
Stone Breaker
Stone Breaker is a tank soak. Missing it damages the platform.
Phase plan and tactic
Manage Venom
Track personal Venom stacks and assign Feast soak rotations.
Track personal Venom stacks and assign Feast soak rotations.
Control adds and globules
Kill spawned adds, collect dangerous globules carefully and keep the bosses in cleave range.
Kill spawned adds, collect dangerous globules carefully and keep the bosses in cleave range.
Cover major abilities
The tank soaks Stone Breaker while the raid prepares for the 100-energy storms.
The tank soaks Stone Breaker while the raid prepares for the 100-energy storms.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Encounter 7 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
The Coiled Altar
Face Zul’jan and Malacrass, then coordinate the soul-linked finale.
Retail MidnightLevel 90The Coiled Altar
TL;DR: Defeat Zul'jan, transition to Malacrass and finish the soul-linked pair together. Keep Zul'jan facing away from the raid and handle Axegrinder movement. Switch interrupt and dispel priorities to Malacrass. Balance the pair's health in the soul-link phase and save cooldowns for a synchronized finish.
Raid priorities
- Keep Zul’jan facing away from the raid and handle Axegrinder movement.
- Switch interrupt and dispel priorities to Malacrass.
- Balance both enemies’ health in the soul-link phase and save cooldowns for a synchronized finish.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for The Coiled Altar.
- Assign tank directions, Axegrinder movement, ritual interrupts and final health balancing.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Phase one
Phase one focuses on Zul'jan's Axegrinder and venom weapon attacks.
Phase two
Phase two introduces Hex Lord Malacrass and ritual mechanics.
Intermission
The intermission prepares the soul-link finale.
Synchronized finish
In the final phase, Zul'jan and Malacrass must be defeated together in a controlled finish.
Phase plan and tactic
Zul’jan
Keep Zul’jan facing away from the raid and handle Axegrinder movement.
Keep Zul’jan facing away from the raid and handle Axegrinder movement.
Malacrass
Switch interrupt and dispel priorities to Malacrass.
Switch interrupt and dispel priorities to Malacrass.
Soul-link finale
Balance both enemies’ health in the soul-link phase and save cooldowns for a synchronized finish.
Balance both enemies’ health in the soul-link phase and save cooldowns for a synchronized finish.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Encounter 8 / 8 · The Venomous Abyss
Ula’tek
Keep venom waves away from eggs, share Spectral Coils damage and preserve safe ground for the final phase.
Retail MidnightLevel 90Tomb of Ula'tek
TL;DR: Prevent venom waves from hatching eggs, soak Spectral Coils and preserve safe ground for the final phase. Direct waves away from eggs and control any adds that do hatch. Gather the assigned groups for every Spectral Coils soak. Focus Wardens during the intermission and save add-control cooldowns. Plan the Demolish order so a final safe area remains for the last burn.
Raid priorities
- Direct venom waves away from eggs and control any adds that hatch.
- Gather the assigned groups for each Spectral Coils soak.
- Focus Wardens during the intermission and preserve add-control cooldowns.
- Plan Demolish placement so a safe area remains for the final damage push.
Before the pull
- Assign tanking, healing and damage responsibilities for Ula’tek.
- Mark wave directions, Coils groups, Warden targets and the Demolish sequence.
- Check the Adventure Journal for your difficulty and the latest hotfix notes; Retail tuning can change.
- Plan Bloodlust/Heroism, raid cooldowns and personal defensives.
Mechanics reference
Caustic Waves
Caustic Waves hatch Devourer's Spawn eggs on contact.
Putrid Membrane
Hatching vipers apply stacking Putrid Membrane to the entire raid.
Spectral Coils
Spectral Coils is a group soak whose damage is shared among the participants.
Doomscale Wardens
During the intermission, Doomscale Wardens empower nearby eggs.
Phase three
In phase three, Demolish destroys safe arena space while Call of the Serpent adds more add pressure.
Phase plan and tactic
Protect eggs
Direct venom waves away from eggs and control any adds that hatch.
Direct venom waves away from eggs and control any adds that hatch.
Share Coils
Gather the assigned groups for each Spectral Coils soak.
Gather the assigned groups for each Spectral Coils soak.
Control the intermission
Focus Wardens during the intermission and preserve add-control cooldowns.
Focus Wardens during the intermission and preserve add-control cooldowns.
Preserve final safe ground
Plan Demolish placement so a safe area remains for the final damage push.
Plan Demolish placement so a safe area remains for the final damage push.
Role notes
Tanks
- Keep the boss and dangerous adds facing away from the raid. Swap tanks according to the tank debuff or energy cycle.
- Announce taunts, movement and big defensives to healers in advance.
Healers
- Distribute dispels, target healing and raid cooldowns before the pull.
- Prepare for predictable raid damage during energy cycles, intermissions and add waves.
Melee DPS
- Avoid frontal attacks and keep movement routes clear, even when grouped for cleave damage.
- Switch to priority adds as soon as they are called. Damage uptime never takes priority over a required soak or dodge.
Ranged DPS
- Spread out in a controlled manner and handle orbs, adds and targets that spawn at range.
- Leave the permanent areas on the edge marked by the raid lead.
Raid utility
- Agree on interrupt, dispel, stun, slow, grip and immunity rotations.
- Use a combat resurrection when a missing player would otherwise leave a required role uncovered for the next mandatory mechanic.
Nerfs: what changed
- Read the boss-specific change along with the updated timeline of The Venomous Abyss raid.
- A separate verified numerical nerf is not claimed without a hotfix or patch source from Blizzard.
- Launch, bug fixing, flex scaling and actual tuning changes are kept separate.
Midnight Season 2Retail hotfixesSource scope
Sources and version scope
Boss counts, release dates and change histories are based on Blizzard announcements and hotfixes. Encounter mechanics are cross-checked against raid guides describing the live Adventure Journal.
- Blizzard · The Venomous Abyss raid overview
worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24294062 - Blizzard · Midnight Season 2 begins
worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24294061/the-shadows-deepen-midnight-season-2-begins-august-18 - Wowhead · The Venomous Abyss overview
www.wowhead.com/ptr/guide/midnight/raids/the-venomous-abyss-overview-location-rewards-bosses
Updated August 19, 2026. Changes after launch are not described as implemented until they are officially documented.