Horridon

Horridon
Race	Direhorn (Beast)
Level	?? Boss
Reaction	Alliance Horde
Location	Royal Amphitheater, Throne of Thunder
Status	Killable
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Horridon is the second boss encounter in the Throne of Thunder. It is a giant direhorn empowered by the Zandalari Beast Ward as an instrument of war, similar to Oondasta. The battle consists of battling the various troll tribes of Azeroth as much as the boss.

Background

Adventure Guide

The Zandalari brought powerful creatures with them to the Isle of Thunder to use as engines of war. Led by the War-God Jalak, the dinomancers of the Zandalari Beast Ward use ancient tribal magics to strengthen the great beasts and command obedience. The horns of Horridon, the fabled mount of Jalak himself, can tear through the stone walls of a keep as a blade cuts silk.

Encounter Design

Trolls love dinosaurs, so it’s only fitting that the most advanced and powerful troll tribe should have the largest and most powerful dinosaurs. The overall structure of this encounter recalls past fights like Lady Deathwhisper or M’uru, where players must keep up with waves of lesser (but still threatening) minions while managing the boss, before turning their attention directly to him in the later stages of the fight.

Spells and abilities

•  Triple Puncture  — A brutal tri-horned strike that inflicts 537,500 (LFR: 322,500 /: 645,000) Physical damage and increases the damage taken from Triple Puncture by 10% for 1.5 min. This effect stacks.

•  Double Swipe  — Horridon swings his massive head and tail to and fro, inflicting 215,000 (LFR: 107,500 /: 322,500) Physical damage to players in a 35-yard cone in front of and behind himself. This effect happens twice.

•  Charge   — Horridon charges at a random player, performing a Double Swipe once he reaches their location.

•  Dire Call   —  Horridon emits a powerful roar, inflicting 270,000 Physical damage and increasing the melee attack speed of all allies by 50%. The power of the Dire Call also summons forth a Direhorn Spirit. 2 sec cast
  • Direhorn Spirit   —  Horridon's Dire Call awakens a Direhorn Spirit.
  • • 10H: 421,592,000
    • 25H: 421,592,000
    •  Dire Fixation  —  The Direhorn Spirit will fixate on a player. Only the fixated player can see or interact with the Direhorn Spirit.
    •  Weak Link  —  The Direhorn Spirit's link to Pandaria is weak. Any attack made against a Direhorn Spirit will knock it back.

The Farraki

War-God Jalak will first call upon the aid of the Farraki tribe.

• Sul'lithuz Stonegazer —  Once called to action, Sul'lithuz Stonegazers pour from the Farraki tribal door until it is destroyed.
  •  Stone Gaze —  The Stonegazer gazes at the target, stunning them for 2 sec.

• Farraki Skirmisher —  Once called to action, Farraki Skirmishers pour from the Farraki tribal door until it is destroyed.

• Farraki Wastewalker —  A total of three Farraki Wastewalkers will jump down from the arena stands once the Farraki are called to action.
  •  Blazing Sunlight  — The Wastewalker calls upon the scorching sunlight of Tanaris to inflict 50,000 (: 75,000) Fire damage instantly and 10,000 {: 15,000) Fire damage every 1 sec for 30 sec. 2 sec cast
  •  Sand Trap  — Summons a Sand Trap, which inflicts 107,500 (: 215,000) Nature damage to nearby enemies every 0.5 sec and grows in size over time.

The Gurubashi

War-God Jalak will call upon the Gurubashi tribe to enter the arena second.

• Gurubashi Bloodlord —  Once called to action, Gurubashi Bloodlords pour from the Gurubashi tribal door until it is destroyed.
  •  Rending Charge —  The Bloodlord charges at an opponent and strikes them, causing them to bleed for 45,000 (LFR: 30,000 /: 60,000) Physical damage every 1 sec for 6 sec.

• Gurubashi Venom Priest —  A total of three Gurubashi Venom Priests will jump down from the arena stands once the Gurubashi are called to action.
  •  Venom Bolt Volley  — The Gurubashi Venom Priest unleashes a spray of vile toxins that inflicts 32,250 (LFR: 21,500 /: 48,375) Nature damage to all enemies instantly, and 16,125 (LFR: 10,750 /: 24,187) Nature damage every 3 sec for 60 sec. This effect stacks. 2 sec cast
  •  Venomous Effusion —  The Gurubashi Venom Priest can summon a Venomous Effusion.
    •  Venom Bolt Volley  — The Venomous Effusion unleashes a spray of vile toxins that inflicts 32,250 (LFR: 21,500 /: 48,375) Nature damage to all enemies instantly, and 16,125 {LFR: 10,750 /: 24,187} Nature damage every 3 sec for 60 sec. This effect stacks. 2 sec cast
    •  Living Poison  — When a Venomous Effusion is created, a pool of Living Poison forms beneath it. Living Poison inflicts 107,500 (: 215,000) Nature damage to enemies within 4 yards every 0.5 sec and wanders around.

The Drakkari

War-God Jalak will call upon the Drakkari tribe to enter the arena third.

• Risen Drakkari Warrior —  Once called to action, Risen Drakkari Warriors pour from the Drakkari tribal door until it is destroyed.
  •  Uncontrolled Abomination —  The foul necromantic magics that animated the last remnants of the Drakkari tribe left them bereft of intelligence and purpose, causing the Risen Drakkari to attack random targets, appling a stacking disease effect when doing so.
  •  Deadly Plague  — Risen Drakkari spread a Deadly Plague when they strike players, inflicting 15,000 (LFR: 10,000 /: 22,500) Shadow damage every 3 sec for 5 min.

• Risen Drakkari Champion —  Once called to action, Risen Drakkari Champions pour from the Drakkari tribal door until it is destroyed.
  •  Uncontrolled Abomination —  The foul necromantic magics that animated the last remnants of the Drakkari tribe left them bereft of intelligence and purpose, causing the Risen Drakkari to attack random targets, applying a stacking disease effect when doing so.
  •  Deadly Plague  — Risen Drakkari spread a Deadly Plague when they strike players, inflicting 15,000 (LFR: 10,000 /: 22,500} Shadow damage every 3 sec for 5 min.

• Drakkari Frozen Warlord —  A total of three Drakkari Frozen Warlords will jump down from the arena stands once the Drakkari are called to action.
  •  Mortal Strike  — A powerful blow inflicts 300% (LFR: 200% /: 400%) weapon damage and leaves the player wounded, reducing the effectiveness of any healing received by 50% for 8 sec.
  •  Frozen Orb  — Summons an orb of frozen power that shoots a bolt of frost at a nearby enemy target every 0.5 sec, inflicting 200,000 Frost damage and slowing movement speed by 20% for 2 sec.

The Amani

War-God Jalak will call upon the Amani tribe to enter the arena last.

• Amani'shi Protector —  Once called to action, Amani'shi Protectors pour from the Amani tribal door until it is destroyed.

• Amani'shi Flame Caster —  Once called to action, Amani'shi Flame Casters pour from the Amani tribal door until it is destroyed.
  •  Fireball  — Hurls a ball of fire at a random player, inflicting 80,625 (LFR: 53,750 /: 161,250) Fire damage. 2 sec cast

• Amani Warbear —  A total of three Amani Warbears will jump down from the arena stands once the Amani are called to action.
  •  Swipe —  The warbear swipes with its claws, inflicting 96,750 (LFR: 53,750 /: 141,125) Physical damage to players in a 5-yard cone.

• Amani'shi Beast Shaman —  Amani'shi Beast Shaman ride atop the powerful Amani Warbears and can be attacked once the Warbear has fallen.
  •  Chain Lightning  — The Beast Shaman calls upon the spirits of the storms to inflict 96,750 (LFR: 43,000 /: 145,125) Nature damage to a player. Chain Lightning can jump to another player within 5 yards, affecting 3 total targets and increasing damage by 50% per jump. 2 sec cast
  •  Hex of Confusion  — Hexes a player for 30 sec, giving them a 50% chance to injure themselves for 64,250 (LFR: 32,350 /: 129,000) Physical damage when casting a spell or using an ability.
  •  Lightning Nova Totem  — Places a Lightning Nova totem that emits a pulse of lightning every 3 sec, inflicting 500,000 Nature damage to enemies within 8 yards.

The Zandalari

War-God Jalak and his faithful Zandalari Dinomancers will come to the aid of Horridon during the battle.

• Zandalari Dinomancer —  Zandalari Dinomancers will jump down into the arena periodically.
  •  Dino-Mending  — The dinomancer channels a beam of healing energy at Horridon, healing 1% of Horridon's maximum health every 3 sec. 30 sec channel.
  •  Dino Form —  At 50% health, the dinomancer transforms into a powerful Devilsaur, increasing Physical damage dealt by 50% but preventing the dinomancer from casting Dino-Mending.
  • Orb of Control  — When the Zandalari Dinomancer transforms, it drops its Orb of Control. A player can interact with the orb to temporarily dominate Horridon's mind, forcing the beast to charge into a tribal door. Destroying a tribal door prevents additional members of that tribe from entering the arena.
    •  Headache —  Charging into a tribal door gives Horridon a terrible headache, stunning him for 10 sec.
    •  Cracked Shell —  Horridon's shell cracks after ramming into a door, increasing damage taken by 50%. This effect stacks up to 4 times.

War-God Jalak

After all four tribes have been called, or when Horridon has been damaged below 30% health, War-God Jalak himself will enter the arena.

•  Bestial Cry  — War-God Jalak unleashes a savage cry, inflicting 150,000 (LFR: 100,000 /: 200,000) Physical damage to all players and increasing damage dealt by War-God Jalak by 25%. This effect stacks.

•  Rampage  — War-God Jalak's death causes Horridon to go on a rampage, increasing damage dealt by 100% and attack speed by 100%.

Strategy

The battle with Horridon is mostly of an Add fight. Horridon's health is too high to hope to kill normally and beat the enrage timer. Thus, Horridon must be forced into the walls of the arena, which will give him a stacking damage debuff which will allow the raid to gradually bring his health down.

The raid must battle the four troll tribes who enter the arena after the previous one has been defeated. First the Farraki sand trolls enter, then the Gurubashi jungle trolls, followed by the Drakkari frost/undead trolls, and finally the Amani forest trolls. After battling a given tribe for a minute, a Zandalari Dinomancer will enter the arena and attempt to heal Horridon, which should be interrupted. At half health, the dinomancer will shapeshift into a devilsaur, dropping an Orb of Control. Any player can take up the orb, immediately forcing Horridon into the gate spawning the trolls, stopping the adds from that tribe from spawning and giving Horridon the Cracked Shell debuff, plus stunning him for 10 seconds. After dps'ing Horridon a bit more, the raid should move to the next door and be ready.

Horridon

Horridon will periodically cast Double Swipe, using his horns and his tail to sweep anyone directly in front or behind him. Melee dps should use general "Dragon" rules and stay to his side. He will also charge random raid members and follow up with another Double Swipe. Because of this, ranged should be ready to move quickly when Horridon charges them. The tanks should be fine switching after every destroyed door to keep the Triple Puncture stacks low, but some may want to switch sooner depending on gear level.

The Tribes

The Farraki are generally considered the easiest of the four tribes. Skirmishers are easily dps'ed down. The basilisks should be interrupted/stunned whenever they attempt to cast their stone gaze. Frarraki Wastewalkers are the most dangerous as they shoot Blazing Sunlight, a magic DOT, at several members of the raid at a time and should be given priority behind the Dinomancer.

The Amani Bloodlords, similar to their namesake, charge and cut random raid members, applying a bleed. The Venom Priests have priority for their Venom Bolt Volleys stack and can create serious raid damage if left uninterrupted. Living Poison pools should be stayed away from.

The Drakkari are challenging as their forces include both powerful warlords and undead Death knights. The Drakkari Frozen Warlords hit hard with Mortal Strike and create Frozen Orbs similar to Frost Mages which should be avoided. Risen Drakkari place a stacking Deadly Plague on whomever they attack, which should be dispelled. The Frozen Warlords.

The Amani bring a large threat in the form of their Zandalari Warbears/Beast Shamans. The bears have powerful melee attacks and the shamans wield powerful elemental spells including Chain Lightning and Lightning Totems. The Amani Flamecaster's fire spells and the Beast Shaman's Chain Lightning spells can be reflected at their casters.

Phase 2

After Horridon has been hit with 4 stacks of Cracked Shell, the DPS should clean up any remaining adds and go to town on Horridon until War-God Jalak enters the Arena, after which the raid should switch to him. If Jalak is not killed fast enough, his Bestial Cry buff will eventually allow him to kill the tanks. Now is the time to use Bloodlust and any other cooldowns available. Once Jalak is dead, Horridon will gain a minor increase in damage and should be finished off quickly.

Related Achievements

•  [Last Stand of the Zandalari]
•  [Heroic: Horridon]
•  [Cretaceous Collector]
•  [Throne of Thunder Guild Run]

Quotes

Intro

War-God Jalak yells: Welcome, weaklings, to the rebirth of the Zandalari Empire!

War-God Jalak yells: The tribes have assembled - ye face not one force, but the combined might of all of the troll empire! The hand of Zul will span all the continents of Azeroth once again! An ye lesser races will know pain!

War-God Jalak yells: Now, witness the true might of the Beast Ward. D'akala di'chuka HORRIDON! Kalimaste!

Calling the Troll Empires

• War-God Jalak yells: Farraki tribe, flay their flesh wit the fury of the sands!
• War-God Jalak yells: Gurubashi tribe, send their bloated corpses down the river with ya jungle poisons.
• War-God Jalak yells: Drakkari tribe, show them the might of the frozen North!
• War-God Jalak yells: Amani tribe, avenge ye fallen warlords, in the name of Zul'jin!

Enters the Arena

War-God Jalak yells: Hahaha! Now it be my turn! Ye gonna see what it means to be a War-God!

Kills a Player

War-God Jalak yells: Ya skull gonna make a fine ornament for my tusks.

Death

War-God Jalak yells: Da'kala koraste...Horridon...destroy them...

Notes and trivia

• When you see a hurricane coming, you get out of the way. Horridon would fight the hurricane and win.
• Horridon's hide is harder than some plate armor.
• Horridon is tameable by hunters of any specialization as of patch 8.2.0. As he counts as a direhorn, the  [Ancient Tome of Dinomancy] is required to tame him.

Videos

LFR

• The basics of LFR, Horridon

10-man Normal

• Echelon - Ele Shaman POV

10-man Heroic

• Defenders of Valor - Mistweaver Monk PoV

25-man Heroic

• Heroic Horridon 25 - Mage, Vent, Boss Voice, Game Sounds

Guides

• TheDDGuides → How to "TANK" Horridon
• TheDDGuides → How to "DPS" Horridon
• TheDDGuides → How to "HEAL" Horridon
• TheDDGuides → Heroic Horridon Strategy Guide
• Aliena's Raid Guides - 10-man Horridon

PTR

• "Horridon" PTR Dungeon Journal Preview
• Horridon PTR Preview by Icy Veins

Patch changes

• Patch 8.2.0 (2019-06-25): "Horridon is now tamable by Hunters of any specialization."
  
• Hotfix (2014-03-25): Reduced the health and damage of Gurubashi, Amani, Drakkari, and Farraki adds during the Horridon encounter by 20% on Raid Finder difficulty.
  
• Hotfix (2013-06-25): Reduced the health of Gurubashi, Amani, Drakkari, and Farraki combatants by 10%, and reduced the damage of their abilities like Sand Trap and Frozen Orb by 20% for the Horridon encounter on 10-player Normal difficulty.
  
• Hotfix (2013-06-24): Hex of Confusion can no longer cause players to critically hit themselves.
  
• Hotfix (2013-04-10):
  • Reduced the health of Farraki Wastewalkers, Gurubashi Venom priests, Drakkari Frozen Warlords, and Amani Warbears in the Horridon encounter by 15% in 10-player Normal difficulty.
  • Drakkari Frozen Warlord now deals less damage with Mortal Strike in 10-player Normal difficulty.
  • Risen Drakkari Champions and Warriors now deals less damage with Deadly Plague in 10-player Normal difficulty.
    
• Hotfix (2013-03-12): Reduced the health of adds in the Horridon encounter by 15% for 10-player normal mode and 10% for 25-player normal mode.
  
• Patch 5.2.0 (2013-03-05): Added.
  

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB

Guides

Icy Veins Horridon strategy guide