Blackrock Depths

Blackrock Depths is the deepest part of Blackrock Mountain, ruled by the Dark Iron dwarves who were led by Emperor Dagran Thaurissan. Several minions of the Firelord Ragnaros also make their home in these lava-lined depths.

The depths have many sections, including a prison, Shadowforge City, a vast capital of the Dark Iron dwarves, and the Grim Guzzler tavern. Much of the depths was built by Franclorn Forgewright.

Overview
Blackrock Depths is currently the largest 5-man instance in the game, and is likely to remain so, making it a true wonder of the World of Warcraft. The average time to complete the entire instance is 4–6 hours due to its complexity: a large amount of mobs and bosses, several scripts, and many quests. The enemy level range is 48-56, and the minimum level requirement to enter is level 42. Although the minimum requirement is level 42, it generally is not a good idea to enter BRD before around level 53, since a player's pull circle will likely be too wide for the mobs within the instance. The Anvilrage Military are not to be underestimated either, particularly the Officers (who have Divine Shield) and the Medics who can heal their troops.

BRD is not visited as often these days as it used to be, since most players choose to level to 58 as fast as possible, and then go to Outland. The rewards for Outland's initial quests also render any of BRD's gear obsolete, so the drops here are only of interest to twinks. Farming for Fiery Weapon enchanting recipe may still be useful, since it is commonly used with low level twinks. In Wrath of the Lich King, Blackrock Depths attracted more interest, mainly because of the instance clearing achievement. Also, the schematic for Field Repair Bot 74A is wanted, since the famous 4th generation repair bot Jeeves requires 2 of them.

The instance is almost entirely soloable (for Rogues or Hunters, at least, and probably most melee classes) by about tier 5 (level 70), although it is not economically efficient to do so. While there is money to be made here (especially for miners), the sheer size of the instance and the comparatively low level of the mobs mean that there are better instances for farming (notably Scholomance). By level 80, the instance is easily soloable. BRD (and the rest of the Blackrock Mountain complex) is well worth at least one visit. These instances represented the original game's endgame content, and were made with a high level of quality.

History

 * Once the capital city of the Dark Iron dwarves, this volcanic labyrinth now serves as the seat of power for Ragnaros the Firelord. Ragnaros has uncovered the secret to creating life from stone and plans to build an army of unstoppable golems to aid him in conquering the whole of Blackrock Mountain. Obsessed with defeating Nefarian and his draconic minions, Ragnaros will go to any extreme to achieve final victory.

The volcanic Blackrock Depths are immense tunnels beneath Blackrock Mountain, the home of the Dark Iron dwarves, and the site of the black forge they use to smelt their namesake ore. The Dark Iron dwarves have claimed the depths under the banner of their emperor, Dagran Thaurissan. Thaurissan is the latest in a line of dwarven sorcerer-thanes to serve in the shadow of the demigod Ragnaros, foolishly summoned to Azeroth by Thaurissan's ancestors hundreds of years ago. Though the dwarves dominate Blackrock Depths, they worship and labor for Ragnaros's mighty fire elementals, who guide the already ill-tempered and maligned Dark Irons towards increasingly dangerous and apocalyptic acts.

Dungeon Journal
''The smoldering Blackrock Depths are home to the Dark Iron dwarves and their emperor, Dagran Thaurissan. Like his predecessors, he serves under the iron rule of Ragnaros the Firelord, a merciless being summoned into the world centuries ago. The presence of chaotic elementals has attracted Twilight's Hammer cultists to the mountain domain. Along with Ragnaros' servants, they have pushed the dwarves toward increasingly destructive ends that could soon spell doom for all of Azeroth.''

Dagran Thaurissan was killed here, when Magni Bronzebeard sent an Alliance team to assassinate him and retrieve his daughter, Moira, who had been captured. She, however, initially refused to leave.

Bolvar Fordragon informed King Magni that Reginald Windsor was captured by Dark Iron dwarves in the depths. Lo'Gosh and his allies rode to Blackrock Depths and rescued Windsor.

During the Elemental Unrest, the cavern was entered by the Alliance and Horde to kill Grand Ambassador Flamelash.

Moira later did return to Ironforge, and after the formation of the Council of Three Hammers, the Dark Iron clan joined the Alliance.

However, as Moira's grip on the Dark Irons was tenuous, more of her people were falling away from her rule with each day, joining the Twilight's Hammer whose emissaries continued to operate in the Depths. Adventurers sent from Stormwind and Orgrimmar were tasked with thwarting the Twilight's Hammer and Dark Iron alliance.

During the Fourth War, several parts of the depths were invaded by the Venture Company, and a group known as Shadowy Figures also appeared in the Ring of the Law.

Location
Blackrock Depths is located inside the lowest part of Blackrock Mountain. To reach it, you will need to cross the chain to the central island, then follow the path downward to a ledge just above the lava. Follow the ledge into and through the Grinding Quarry to find the instance portal.

Dungeon Finder tips
If you encounter BRD when you enter it through the Dungeon Finder, you can be dropped into 2 parts: The Lower City and the Upper City. There is no sure way of knowing which you have entered but killing the end-bosses of the parts. Clues to the part you are on can be found inside the Dungeon Finder—if Blackrock Depths - Upper City shows a lock in the Specific Dungeons part, then you are definitely in the Blackrock Depths - Detention Block. Additionally, if there are no players less than level 54, then you are definitely on Blackrock Depths - Upper City.

Lower City
To complete the Lower City, go straight forward from the entrance portal into the cellblocks and take to the right and kill High Interrogator Gerstahn. She is the Boss who drops the Satchel. This part is normally chosen while still at the lower level range for the dungeon.

Upper City
To complete the Upper City, players must kill Emperor Dagran Thaurissan—this may be an ideal time to use the Abandoned Mole Machine near the portal entrance, to shorten the length of time clearing the dungeon.

Note: Players will not receive a Satchel for killing the "wrong" boss—it will be one or the other depending on which one the dungeon finder selected.

Dungeon denizens
The depths are inhabited by Dark Iron dwarves, their demonic bloodhound pets, their golem creations, and their fire elemental allies. There is also a contingent of Twilight's Hammer ambassadors inside the city and the detention block area. The dwarves in the Depths consist primarily of warrior and priest types with a handful of paladins. Outside Shadowforge City, the dwarves are all elite. Inside the city, one can find groups of two to three elite dwarves and Twilight cultists surrounded by a cadre of non-elite citizens. Some other humanoid races appear in the city and in the Ring of Law event.

The demonic bloodhounds in the Depths are renowned for their ability to sniff out stealthed rogues and druids. They will sometimes appear as a separate pack of three, and sometimes included in a group patrolling alongside a dwarf. All of the dogs are non-elite, but their damage capability in large numbers is not to be underestimated. The golems and fire elementals in the Depths generally fit the stereotypes of their types. The golems are strong and well-armored melee attackers, though some exceptional specimens have the ability to release single-target or area-of-effect fire spells. The fire elementals dish out large amounts of fire damage with melee attacks and ranged fire spells.

Related achievements

 * Blackrock Depths (achievement)
 * Blackrock Depths Guild Run
 * Direbrewfest

Dark Iron
Blackrock Depths is one of the two where Dark Iron Ore can be mined reliably, the other location being Molten Core. Blackrock Depths is also the location of the Black Forge and the Black Anvil. The Black Forge, located at the far back of the dungeon near a portal to Molten Core, is the only place where dark iron ore can be smelted into bars. The Black Anvil can be found in the center of the dungeon, where Lord Incendius patrols. It is required for most crafting recipes that use dark iron bars. As such, a run in BRD is essential to most blacksmithing or engineering work which uses that rare metal. Since these recipes are principally armor with heavy fire resistance values, they are not frequently crafted anymore except for novelty.

Blacksmithing
Scattered around Blackrock Depths are Blacksmithing Plans which appear as scrolls that can be clicked on with a gear icon. Only a high level Blacksmith should click on these plans, if anyone without high level blacksmithing attempts to use them the plans will be destroyed. Opening the scroll will teach you one of the following BoP plans:
 * Plans: Dark Iron Mail
 * Plans: Dark Iron Shoulders

Places to find different plans:
 * Beside Golem Lord Argelmach in a room inside the Manufactory
 * In the Manufactory on a bench on the right, near the bridge to the Grim Guzzler
 * In the room before The Seven, beside the stairs
 * Near General Angerforge on a table
 * On a wall shelf in the northwest corner of the East Garrison's upper level

Engineering
Several engineering schematics are available only in the Depths.
 * Schematic: Field Repair Bot 74A: appears as a scroll on the ground near Golem Lord Argelmach.
 * Schematic: World Enlarger: drops from the Weapon Technicians in the Manufactory.
 * Schematic: Gnomish Alarm-o-Bot: drops from the Weapon Technicians in the Manufactory.
 * Schematic: Dark Iron Rifle: drops from the Doomforge Craftsmen in the Manufactory.
 * Schematic: Goblin Jumper Cables XL: drops from Plugger Spazzring.

Tailoring
Overmaster Pyron, who patrols in the Masonary in front of the instance, drops.

Brewfest
Celebrated by both the Horde and the Alliance, the Brewfest is a time to enjoy the fermented fruits of the harvest. Players can venture to Blackrock Depths and defeat to get epic loot. The Keg-Shaped Treasure Chest is gained when defeating him the first time every day, which can contain an epic mount. The mount is not a guaranteed drop, but the mounts are not faction-specific. Players from either side stand a chance at looting the Great Brewfest Kodo or the Swift Brewfest Ram.

In the RPG
Blackrock Deeps is a dungeon located under the Blackrock Spire fortress. One of the more talented masons of the Dark Iron clan, Franclorn Forgewright, created this dungeon after Ragnaros was summoned. Rumor has it that Ragnaros dwells here with the remaining Dark Iron dwarves who do his bidding. No one can get inside, though any who try and manage to survive babble about armies made of moving stone. One wonders what Ragnaros plans to do with this army once he retakes the fortress from the draconic forces that control the upper levels.