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Each new Phase for WoW Season of Discovery brings a ton of new content for players to experience in a revamped WoW Classic. In Phase Two, Gnomeregan was transformed into a 10-man Raid for Max-level players, complete with new bosses, new mechanics to memorize, and new strategies to learn compared to the original Dungeon.
WoW Season of Discovery: Gnomeregan Reset Time
The Gnomeregan raid reset schedule in WoW SoD Phase Two was initially different than Phase One's BFD, but now operates on the same reset schedule.
Like Blackfathom Deeps in Phase one, Gnomeregan serves as the primary endgame destination for WoW SoD players in Phase Two. This guide to the SoD Gnomeregan Raid goes over how to beat all six bosses, what you can do to prepare for the Raid, and other tips to get through the annihilated industrial interior of a place that was once home to the Gnomes.
Gnomeregan Location, Route, & Preparation
How To Get To Gnomeregan
As an Alliance player, you have it easy. Gnomeregan is found in the northwestern part of the Dwarf and Gnome starting zone, Dun Morogh. Ironforge serves as a very convenient nearby Capitol, where you can set your Hearthstone and easily get to the Gnomeregan location in a matter of minutes come Raid day.
As a Horde player, it's a bit more convoluted, but ultimately you will end up closer to the instance than Alliance players.
- Head to Orgrimmar and look for Sovik, an Engineering supplies trader in the Valley of Honor.
- Pick up the "Chief Engineer Scooty" quest, and head to Booty Bay in the far south of Stranglethorn Bay. Either take the Zeppelin to Grom'gol Outpost and walk south, or take the boat directly there from Ratchet.
- Talk to Scooty just outside the inn on the southern end of Booty Bay, who is standing next to what appears to be a teleporter. Indeed, it is – pick up "Gnomer-gooooone!" and wait for Scooty to finish.
- Complete the quest to get the Goblin Transponder, an item that lets you teleport directly to Gnomeregan while standing on the teleporter near Scooty.
After entering Gnomeregan, follow the tunnel until you reach an elevator going down (try not to miss it). Continue to follow the tunnels, then turn left when you come to a wider room. It's around this point underground that Horde players will teleport to. Continue heading down this path, through the archways, and you should arrive at the instance entrance.
Gnomeregan Raid Layout: Map & Route
The Raid has a similar layout as the original Gnomeregan map, but with a few important distinctions. Players must still defeat Grubbis before continuing on with the Raid, as the Clean Room won't open until he's downed. After downing him and heading to the Clean Room on the top floor of the first room, though, the rest of Gnomeregan is relatively linear.
WoW Season of Discovery: All Gnomeregan Quests
Gnomeregan is a max-level Raid in the Season of Discovery, but that doesn't mean WoW SoD players can't still pick up a plethora of quests.
One important thing to note is that the penultimate and final bosses of Gnomeregan both spawn in the same room – and Thermaplugg spawns almost immediately after the Mechanical Menagerie is beaten. Plan to pick up loot from the bosses at the beginning of the Thermaplugg fight, don't worry about looting it sooner or you'll pull the boss. Get as far away from the middle of the boss room as you can before the Menagerie goes down to avoid pulling him.
Best Gnomeregan Consumables & Other Preparation Tips
Because Gnomeregan is a much more demanding Raid than BFD was, and depending on how strong your party is, you need to prepare ahead of time with the proper world buffs and consumables.
The Gnomeregan World Buff can be picked up in Ironforge and Orgrimmar whenever someone turns in the quest to defeat Mekgineer Thermaplugg, which happens pretty often. Hang around these cities for a few minutes, and as soon as the World Buff pops, head to a Reagent vendor and store it until Raid time with a Chronoboom Displacer.
The best SoD Consumables for Gnomeregan differ by class and role, and include a mix of Well Rested-inducing Food and potions to imbibe during crucial parts of the various boss fights. In general, every class and role can benefit from carrying Free Action Potions, Greater Healing Potions, and Fire and Nature Protection Potions, especially for the final boss.
- Best Melee DPS Gnomeregan Consumables: Spider Sausage (Buff Food) Elixir of Agility OR Strength, Sharpening Stone (unless Wild Strikes is active),Dragonbreath Chili (Stacks with Food),
- Best Ranged DPS Gnomeregan Consumables: Sagefish Delight (for Mana users), Lesser Arcane Elixir, Greater Mana Potions, and Lesser Wizard Oil
- Best Tanks Gnomeregan Consumables: Spider Sausage (Buff Food) Elixir of Strength, Elixir of Defense, Lesser Stoneshield Potion, Sharpening Stone (Weapon buff)
- Best Healers Gnomeregan Consumables: Sagefish Delight (for Mana), Lesser Arcane Elixir, Greater Mana Potions
How To Beat Grubbis
Grubbis Boss Strategy
To a certain extent, the first three bosses of SoD Gnomeregan Raid are "free". As long as your Raid group is relatively well coordinated and understand the one or two Mechanics that come into play, you'll clear half of the Raid. And Grubbis is first for the slaughter.
After beginning the short RP sequence, a few waves of Troggs will spawn. For the first three waves, focus on just killing the enemies as fast as possible. Then, for the last three waves, green clouds will spawn and begin to follow a random player. Drag this green cloud into the wave of Troggs to instantly kill them all in a wide radius.
However, during the boss fight, it's imperative that this poison cloud does not touch Grubbis. He gets a buff if he makes contact with it, so instead kite it around the room until the boss is dead.
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Grubbis Healer Tips
- Try to avoid using high-Mana abilities during the initial Trogg waves, as you won't have a chance to leave combat and regenerate Mana until Grubbis is downed
- When Grubbis is about to cast Trogg Rage, focus on healing the main Tank
- Use AoE healing abilities before Grubbis casts Grubbis Mad! to keep the Raid topped up
- If a Poison Cloud is following you during the Boss fight, avoid making it contact Grubbis, as it will give him a buff
- When Grubbis casts the Radiation? ability, move away from his rear side, as it will deal damage and knock you back in a backwards cone
Grubbis Tank Tips
- Assign one Tank to each target (Grubbis or Chomper) for the entire fight
- Kick Chomper's Petrify cast if DPS misses it
- If a Poison Cloud is following you during the Boss fight, avoid making it contact Grubbis, as it will give him a buff
- When Grubbis casts the Radiation? ability, move away from his rear side, as it will deal damage and knock you back in a backwards cone
Grubbis DPS Tips
- Pay attention to Chomper, Grubbis' pet, which will cast Petrify and freeze their target solid about every 20 seconds. This must be interrupted.
- Don't kill Chomper as Grubbis will just re-summon it. Focus DPS on Grubbis but stay close to Chomper to kick it.
- If a Poison Cloud is following you during the Boss fight, avoid making it contact Grubbis, as it will give him a buff
- When Grubbis casts the Radiation? ability, move away from his rear side, as it will deal damage and knock you back in a backwards cone
How To Beat Viscous Fallout
Viscous Fallout Strategy
The Viscous Fallout Gnomeregan boss has two major mechanics. It will spawn pools of Sludge regularly through the fight, forcing Tanks to kite it and DPS to avoid making contact with the area. It will also summon three Irradiated Goo a few times in the fight. These mobs slowly make their way to nearby Bracers and transform into a Desiccated Fallout, which can destroy casters' Mana and cause a wipe.
DPS must immediately swap to the Goo and kill them before they transform. Abilities like Kidney Shot and Hammer of Justice will slow it down and can help to prevent their transformation.
WoW Season of Discovery: DPS Warrior BiS Gear
Improving gear is still one of the most important things Warriors can do to improve their damage output in WoW SoD – some things never change.
Viscous Fallout Healer Tips
- Focus on healing each Tank, but keep an eye out for when Viscous Fallout casts Sludge and keep a Raid-wide heal at the ready in case people get stuck
- If an Irradiated Goo makes it to a Bracer and turns into a Desiccated Fallout – and its Radiation Burn ability isn't interrupted – be prepared to burn your mana potions and use cooldowns to keep the Raid alive
Viscous Fallout Tank Tips
- Once you have established Threat, drag the Viscous Fallout as far from the bracers as possible, as this will give a much-needed buffer for dealing with Irradiated Goo
- Constantly pay attention to pools of Sludge that spawn, and move the boss away from them to keep melee DPS from taking too much damage
- Help DPS deal with Irradiated Goo, but be prepared to Rebuke, Pummel, or Kick the Desiccated Fallout's Radiation Burn ability in case it's missed
Viscous Fallout DPS Tips
- Make sure to avoid standing in sludge pools to help out Healers – your Tank should be moving the boss around to prevent this
- When Viscous Fallout summons three Irradiated Goo, immediately swap off of the boss and stop them from getting to the bracers.
- Use Kidney Shot, Frost Trap, and other CC abilities to achieve this much more easily.
- If an Irradiated Goo turns into a Desiccated Fallout, its Radiation Burn ability must be kicked or the entire Raid will start taking damage
How To Beat Crowd Pummeler 9-60
Crowd Pummeler 9-60 Boss Strategy
The Crowd Pummeler is the third boss of Gnomeregan, and requires the Raid to pay attention to the boss' orientation. Every so often, the Crowd Pummeler will launch players forward in a straight line from the direction its feet are facing. Watch for the Gnomeregan Smash ability, and get out of the way to avoid being thrown off the edge.
It will also cast The Claw on a random player – if you can, Feign Death or Vanish to nullify this attack. Otherwise, its target will take a chunk of damage, whichmust be healed quickly. Small Gears will spawn throughout the fight and go around the boss arena, knocking players back and dealing a small amount of damage. Avoid touching these, and you'll make it through to the next boss with few issues.
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Crowd Pummeler 9-60 Healer Tips
- Watch the Crowd Pummeler's feet, and avoid standing in a line in front of the boss when it casts Gnomeregan Smash. There is a thick plate of armor on top of the front side, also indicated by a bolt on the side of its feet.
- Avoid getting hit by the cog wheels that start to spawn as the boss loses HP. These knock back slightly and cause a little bit of damage, but it can be deadly if you're close to the edge.
- When the Crowd-Pummeler 9-60 targets a player for the The Claw! ability, make it a priority to heal them, and apply defensives, as fast as possible.
Crowd Pummeler 9-60 Tank Tips
- Watch the Crowd Pummeler's feet, and avoid standing in a line in front of the boss when it casts Gnomeregan Smash. There is a thick plate of armor on top of the front side, also indicated by a bolt on the side of its feet.
- Avoid getting hit by the cog wheels that start to spawn as the boss loses HP. These knock back slightly and cause a little bit of damage, but it can be deadly if you're close to the edge.
Crowd Pummeler 9-60 DPS Tips
- Ranged DPS should spread out so as to minimize the amount of movement, and maximize DPS uptime, needed when Gnomeregan Smash! is cast.
- Watch the Crowd Pummeler's feet, and avoid standing in a line in front of the boss when it casts Gnomeregan Smash. there is a thick plate of armor on top of the front side, also indicated by a bolt on the side of its feet.
- This attack knocks back players off the edge unless they can use an ability like Shadowstep. Though it technically only affects you if you are directly in front of its feet (to the edge of the arena), melee players may also get knocked back if they are too close.
- Avoid getting hit by the cog wheels that start to spawn as the boss loses HP. These knock back slightly and cause a little bit of damage, but it can be deadly if you're close to the edge.
How To Beat Electrocutioner 6000
Electrocutioner 6000 Boss Strategy
The Electrocutioner 6000 is the first boss in Gnomeregan that requires a relatively complex strategy. The boss will target the furthest enemy away with Static Arc, a chain lightning ability that deals immense damage. Ranged DPS and Healers must split into two groups of three – pulling in a melee DPS if necessary. One group will stand slightly closer to the boss, and one at max casting range. When the group further away takes damage, they must swap places with the closer group. Then, when that group gets targeted with Static Arc, repeat the process again.
Melee DPS and Tanks have to deal with Static Field, an AoE centered on a random Raid member. If you get this, move away from other players until it falls off. It can target Ranged players too, in which case you must carefully watch your positioning to remain in formation while staying away from other party members.
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Electrocutioner 6000 Healer Tips
- The Raid's two Healers will almost certainly be placed into one of the two groups that will move back and forth to bait Static Arc, preferably in two separate groups.
- If you are targeted with Static Field, walk away from other players far enough to prevent pulling them in and causing more damage.
- Take care to hold your position as best as possible and stick with your group as they move back and forth, just further away
Electrocutioner 6000 Tank Tips
- Pull the Electrocutioner 6000 to a wall and Tank the boss with your back to the wall. This is to prevent Threat and Damage uptime loss from being knocked back by Discombobulation Protocol.
- If you are targeted with Static Field, it's typically up to melee DPS to move away from you. However, if they don't move away, pull the boss and remind them to stay back.
Electrocutioner 6000 DPS Tips
- Ranged DPS will almost certainly be placed into one of the two groups that will move back and forth to bait Static Arc.
- Melee DPS will have an easier time with this boss and plenty of DPS uptime if they can get back to fighting after being knocked back by Discombobulation Protocol
- If you are targeted with Static Field, walk away from other players far enough to prevent pulling them in and causing more damage. If the Tank is targeted, move to the opposite side of the boss and you should still be able to hit it.
- Ranged DPS should take care to hold their position as best as possible and stick with their group as they move back and forth, just further away
- Melee DPS targeted with Static Field should walk to their max melee range without overlapping the two groups moving back and forth. If you are still pulling in and damaging other players, take the L and walk further away until the debuff falls off.
How To Beat The Mechanical Menagerie
Mechanical Menagerie Boss Strategy
The Mechanical Menagerie is a awesome boss fight that requires serious coordination from the entire Raid. The bosses must die within about 10 seconds of each other, so DPS have to communicate and make sure all bosses go down at the same time. Tanks must focus on their movement around the room while also managing buffs that the bosses can trigger for each other. Healers have a lot to do, too, thanks to the sheer damage output that the Chicken can do, and thanks to the potential for bad placement to cause the Sheep to destroy the Raid in a few globals.
It's a messy fight, and a lot of the success here is up to Tanks' ability to Kite and manage Threat, and DPS' ability to focus down the right enemies at the right time. Be prepared to try this fight several times before the strategy "clicks".
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The SoD Dismantle enchanting recipe is one of the most useful for taking on Gnomeregan, but its uses don't extend far beyond the new WoW Phase 2 Raid.
Once the bosses are downed, get out of there . Mekjineer Thermaplugg spawns almost instantly upon the last boss going down, but he won't aggro if you're off the central platform area.
Mechanical Menagerie Healer Tips
- Healers should stand in the middle of the room, so they don't have to move as the bosses are kited around the perimeter.
- The Tank who is taking on both the Squirrel and Chicken will take a lot more damage than the off-tank, who should be on the Dragon. Be sure to focus your healing efforts on the Main Tank, except when the Chicken gets pulled away.
- If melee DPS aren't Interrupting the Squirrel's ability Widget Volley, use AoE and group heals to top the Raid's HP back up. It doesn't typically do that much damage, but it can be rough as it adds up over time.
Mechanical Menagerie Tank Tips
- This fight requires two Tanks (three with some approaches) – one for the Drake (to control the direction of its Sprocketfire Breath AoE), and one for both the Squirrel and Chicken
- The Sheep does not need to be Tanked as it randomly follows a player, who must Kite it away from other bosses to prevent them from being buffed and party members silenced
- Move the bosses around the room in a circular motion, to prevent them from being shielded by Widget Fortress
- Just before the Chicken reaches 75%, 50%, and 25% HP, it's a good idea to have the off-tank pull it into the center of the room (and the main Tank pull their Dragon away) so that its Attack Speed buff isn't within range of any of its allies. After it casts the ability for the third and final time, instruct the rest of the Raid to focus down the other three
Mechanical Menagerie DPS Tips
- It is crucial that each boss dies within 10 seconds of each other. When one goes down to 0, it will be resurrected with a pool of HP after about 10 seconds if another boss is alive
- Caster and Ranged DPS should stand in the middle of the room, so they don't have to move as the bosses are kited around the perimeter.
- Focus down the Chicken more than the Squirrel or Dragon, until it gets to below 25%. This prevents it from being able to cast its Attack Speed buff, as it procs every 25% HP lost
- When the Chicken lays an egg, quickly damage it (AoE is best) to destroy it
- After the Chicken is low enough, melee DPS should swap to the Squirrel and Dragon about equally, while Ranged DPS should focus on the Sheep
- Do NOT damage the Sheep (or ANY of the bosses if they end up being targeted) when it activates Frayed Wiring, as it will deal an enormous amount of reflected damage back on attackers for a few seconds
- If you use Mana, interact with a Red Button around the room about every 30 seconds to get trade your HP for a boost to Mana
How To Beat Mekgineer Thermaplugg (STX-96/FR)
STX-96 Boss Strategy – All Thermaplugg Phases
Sicco Thermaplugg is a boss fight with a lot of things going on. For one, Thermaplugg has no fewer than four phases, and recovers all of his HP as he transitions after being brought down to 50%. For another, there are Bombs that will spawn from the six pillars around the room constantly, which deal a lot of damage and leave a damaging pool that players must avoid.
Coordinate to have each vent, and each button, covered by a Ranged DPS or Healer. Raid members on buttons should still focus the boss, but press their button ASAP if bombs start to spawn from their vent to negate the mechanic entirely. However, arguably the easiest way to mitigate the Bomb mechanic is to have a caster with instant spells (like a Metamorphosis Warlock) completely dedicated to destroying Bombs that spawn. You should still plan to have the two Pillars closest to the entrance to the boss arena covered, but in this case, the caster can both press some buttons, but instantly destroy any Bombs that spawn.
If you can deal with the Bombs, you can beat Thermaplugg. Though each Phase has different mechanics that must be dealt with in specific ways (explained in each of the Gnomeregan Role tips below), it's mostly a DPS check if the Raid understands mechanics.
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Mekgineer Thermaplugg Healer Tips
- Phase One (Fire): Have one Healer focus the main Tank and one on the off Tank and rest of the Raid, swapping when the Tanks swap Threat. Watch for damage dealt to DPS if Furnace Surge isn't properly kited.
- Phase Two (Ice): Dispel the Freezing debuff on targets approaching Max stacks. Top up the Raid after the Coolant Discharge AoE goes off.
- Phase Three (Poison): Nothing too special in the Poison phase, take it "easy" and wait to use emergency heals and Defensives until Phase Four. Reill your Mana with potions and other regeneration cooldowns (like Dispersion) during this phase.
- Phase Four (All): Pay attention to Furnace Surge and Coolant Discharge's AoE damage, dispel the Frozen debuff if it gets too high, and don't be afraid to use your strongest cooldowns if things get rough – you're at the finish line, after all!
Mekgineer Thermaplugg Tank Tips
- Phase One (Fire): Plan to swap Threat with the Offtank about every three to four stacks of Sprocketfire, which is applied by the AoE Furnace Surge and Sprocketfire Punch. Kite Thermaplugg away from the rest of the raid in a straight line to prevent DPS from being hit by Furnace Surge.
- Phase Two (Ice): Swap Threat with your Offtank before the Freezing debuff procs (at 10 Stacks).
- Phase Three (Poison): Swap Threat with your Offtank after two or three stacks fo the Radiation Sickness debuff, and help DPS interrupt Toxic Ventilation if necessary
- Phase Four (All): As the boss rotates through each damage type and ability list, apply the strategies listed above. Depending on your DPS, the boss shouldn't go through each form more than once.
Mekgineer Thermaplugg DPS Tips
- Phase One (Fire): When the boss casts Furnace Surge and begins to charge forward to the Tank, stand behind it to avoid taking damage and Sprocketfire stacks.
- Phase Two (Ice): If able, Dispel the Frozen debuff from yourself to maintain Healing uptime and to avoid a Raid wipe from Coolant Discharge proccing on Frozen Solid.
- Phase Three (Poison): DPS have one important job during this phase – Toxic Ventilation must be Interrupted or it will almost certainly cause a wipe. The ability does not have a cast bar, you must instead watch for a massive cloud of poison gas that spawns. Though he has a gaseous effect around himself during this phase, the Toxic Ventilation creates a much more obtrusive, enormous green cloud – your signal to Interrupt ASAP.
- Phase Four (All): Avoid taking damage from Furnace Surge AoE, Dispel the Frozen debuff, and interrupt Toxic Ventilation.
