Onyxia's Lair

Onyxia's Lair is a level 80 raid dungeon located in the Wyrmbog, Dustwallow Marsh. It is home to Onyxia, the brood mother of the black dragonflight.

Onyxia's Lair was originally a level 60, 40-player raid dungeon, one of two that were available upon release of World of Warcraft (the other being Molten Core). It was re-tuned as a level 80 raid dungeon in patch 3.2.2 in honor of World of Warcraft's 5-year anniversary. Like all other Wrath of the Lich King raid dungeons, it has both 10-man and 25-man modes.

Lore
Onyxia is the daughter of the mighty Black Aspect, Deathwing, and sister of the scheming Nefarian, Lord of Blackrock Spire. Whereas her father favors brute force, and her brother creates twisted abominations to carry out his will, Onyxia prefers subtle manipulation, and delights in meddling in the political affairs of mortals, using her charm and power to influence such delicate matters between the different races to her own ends. Some believe that Onyxia has even assumed an alias once used by her father - the title of the royal House Prestor. Most recently, she very nearly succeeded in destroying the political structure of Stormwind in the guise of Katrana Prestor, before being unmasked by Marshal Windsor and fleeing to her lair: a fiery cave below the Dragonmurk, a dismal swamp located within Dustwallow Marsh. There she is guarded by her kin, the remaining members of the insidious black dragonflight.

King Varian Wrynn and a group of Alliance heroes were able to assault her lair and slay Onyxia. Onyxia was decapitated and her head was brought back to Stormwind City to be hung from the gates. After her death, Broll Bearmantle summoned roots from the ground to seal the lair's entrance and to kill her unhatched progeny.

Days later, Garona and Maraad reopened the lair.

Dungeon denizens

 * Black dragons (one, Onyxia)
 * Black dragonspawn
 * Black dragon whelps

Loot
The level 80 version of Onyxia drops headpieces with similar names and models as the Tier 2 ones the original level 60 version had. (The actual Tier 2 headpieces now drop off Nefarian in Blackwing Lair). She also drops a new version of Quel'Serrar since the questline for the original version has been removed from the game. All of these items have been upgraded to reflect Onyxia's new status as a Tier 9-level boss. There is also an extremely fast mount named Brood of Onyxia that drops off her. Item levels range between 232 (10-player mode) and 245 (25-player mode).

Quests

 * A Most Puzzling Circumstance

Achievements

 * Onyxia's Lair (10 player)
 * More Dots! (10 player)
 * Many Whelps! Handle It! (10 player)
 * She Deep Breaths More (10 player)
 * Onyxia's Lair (25 player)
 * More Dots! (25 player)
 * Many Whelps! Handle It! (25 player)
 * She Deep Breaths More (25 player)

Trivia

 * Onyxia's Lair is the smallest raid in the entire game.
 * The dragon featured on the loading screen is actually not Onyxia at all, but a picture of Alexstrasza from the RPG book Shadows and Light.