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(sentence case in section headings. the section is actually a mix of history and present-tense discussion, but if we're going historical, 'History' will do)
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{{main|Molten Core loot}}
 
{{main|Molten Core loot}}
 
Upon successful completion of the encounters, all bosses drop [[tier 1]] set items - excluding Ragnaros, who drops [[tier 2]] leg items. In addition, trash mobs may drop [[Fiery Core]]s, [[Lava Core]]s, and [[Core Leather]], which can be used to craft armor and weapons available with [[Thorium Brotherhood]] reputation.
 
Upon successful completion of the encounters, all bosses drop [[tier 1]] set items - excluding Ragnaros, who drops [[tier 2]] leg items. In addition, trash mobs may drop [[Fiery Core]]s, [[Lava Core]]s, and [[Core Leather]], which can be used to craft armor and weapons available with [[Thorium Brotherhood]] reputation.
  +
  +
====Battle pets====
  +
The item drops themselves are [[bind on pickup]], but the learned pets can be crated and traded.
  +
  +
*[[Golemagg the Incinerator]] drops the [[Core of Hardened Ash]]
  +
*[[Magmadar]] drops the [[Blazing Rune]]
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*[[Sulfuron Harbinger]] drops the [[Mark of Flame]]
   
 
==Achievements==
 
==Achievements==
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*[[Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker (achievement)]]
 
*[[Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker (achievement)]]
   
== History ==
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== Raid history ==
 
[[File:ragnaros2.jpg|thumb|Ragnaros and Executus, with player character shown for scale.]]
 
[[File:ragnaros2.jpg|thumb|Ragnaros and Executus, with player character shown for scale.]]
   
 
On release, Molten Core and Onyxia's Lair were the only 40-player instances in the game, thus Ragnaros was the first "game end boss." With the advent of [[Blackwing Lair]], [[Ahn'Qiraj]], the original level-60 version of [[Naxxramas (original)|Naxxramas]], and the raising of the level cap with the game's expansions, defeating Ragnaros has long since ceased to be the pinnacle of raiding success. However, prior to the ''[[Burning Crusade]]'', slaying him was still considered a very important step in raid progression before engaging in more challenging content. It was the first raid encounter which required a concerted effort in acquiring massive amounts of a particular statistic (in this case, fire resistance). Moreover, the encounter was the first one to demand the extensive use of consumables, at least in the learning process and in the first few kills. As such, it was once a very important stage in the evolution of a raiding guild.
 
On release, Molten Core and Onyxia's Lair were the only 40-player instances in the game, thus Ragnaros was the first "game end boss." With the advent of [[Blackwing Lair]], [[Ahn'Qiraj]], the original level-60 version of [[Naxxramas (original)|Naxxramas]], and the raising of the level cap with the game's expansions, defeating Ragnaros has long since ceased to be the pinnacle of raiding success. However, prior to the ''[[Burning Crusade]]'', slaying him was still considered a very important step in raid progression before engaging in more challenging content. It was the first raid encounter which required a concerted effort in acquiring massive amounts of a particular statistic (in this case, fire resistance). Moreover, the encounter was the first one to demand the extensive use of consumables, at least in the learning process and in the first few kills. As such, it was once a very important stage in the evolution of a raiding guild.
   
Molten Core is now typically only run for the [[Molten Core (achievement)]] achievement, or by players seeking to craft [[Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros]] or [[Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker]]. Additionally, three [[battle pet]]s were added in [[Patch 5.1]] as part of the [[Raiding with Leashes]] achievement: [[Magmadar]] drops the [[Blazing Rune]], [[Sulfuron Harbinger]] drops the [[Mark of Flame]], and [[Golemagg the Incinerator]] drops the [[Core of Hardened Ash]]. The item drops themselves are [[bind on pickup]], but the learned pets can be crated and traded.
+
Molten Core is now typically only run for the [[Molten Core (achievement)]] achievement, or by players seeking to craft [[Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros]] or [[Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker]]. Additionally, three [[battle pet]]s were added in [[Patch 5.1]] as part of the [[Raiding with Leashes]] achievement, giving players another reason to run the instance.
   
 
Players were able to start soloing Molten Core in ''Wrath of the Lich King'', and more easily in ''Cataclysm'' and ''Mists of Pandaria''. Now that pre-current-expansion raids do not require a raid group to enter, soloing the raid for [[transmogrification]] purposes or other loot is easier than ever.
 
Players were able to start soloing Molten Core in ''Wrath of the Lich King'', and more easily in ''Cataclysm'' and ''Mists of Pandaria''. Now that pre-current-expansion raids do not require a raid group to enter, soloing the raid for [[transmogrification]] purposes or other loot is easier than ever.

Revision as of 04:32, 11 August 2014

This article is about the raid instance. For the 2008 April Fools joke, see World of Warcraft: The Molten Core. For the warlock ability, see Molten Core (warlock talent).
Molten Core
MC
Molten Core loading screen
Molten Core loading graphic
Location Inside Blackrock Depths, Blackrock Mountain
Race(s)

IconSmall CoreHound Corehounds
IconSmall Lava Lava elementals
IconSmall Fire Fire elementals
IconSmall Flamewaker Flamewakers

IconSmall MoltenGiant Giants
End boss Ragnaros
Instance info
Type Raid
Advised level 60
Player limit 40
Key Attunement to the Core
Lockout timer 1 week
Associated faction Hydraxian Waterlords
Blackrock Mountain

The Molten Core is a level 60 raid dungeon located within Blackrock Mountain, home to Ragnaros the Firelord. It was one of two forty (40) player raid dungeons available upon release of World of Warcraft, the other being Onyxia's Lair. Considered the pinnacle of raiding achievement at the time, the Molten Core enticed adventurers to enter the instance in the search of realm glory.

Just before the re-opening of the Dark Portal, Ragnaros - the land's fiery overlord - was cast down from his dark throne and returned to the firelands. Ragnaros now wages war on the world tree Nordrassil.

History

Warofthethreehammers

War of the Three Hammers.

The Molten Core was created during the War of the Three Hammers more than 300 years ago. Near the end of the war, Thaurissan, the leader of the Dark Iron Dwarves, sought to summon a powerful fire elemental to defeat the combined forces of the Bronzebeard and Wildhammer clans. He was more successful than he could have imagined, as he released Ragnaros the Firelord from millennia of captivity under the Redridge Mountains.

Ragnaros destroyed the city of Thaurissan and created the volcano of Blackrock Mountain. He dwells there to this day with his elemental servants and the enslaved remnants of the Dark Iron dwarf clan. The burning lake where Ragnaros lies sleeping acts as a rift connecting to the plane of fire, allowing the malicious elementals to pass through.

From the World Dungeons page on the official World of Warcraft Community Site:

The Molten Core lies at the very bottom of Blackrock Depths. It is the heart of Blackrock Mountain and the exact spot where, long ago in a desperate bid to turn the tide of the dwarven civil war, Emperor Thaurissan summoned the elemental Firelord, Ragnaros, into the world. Though the firelord is incapable of straying far from the blazing Core, it is believed that his elemental minions command the Dark Iron dwarves, who are in the midst of creating armies out of living stone. The burning lake where Ragnaros lies sleeping acts as a rift connecting to the plane of fire, allowing the malicious elementals to pass through. Chief among Ragnaros' agents is Majordomo Executus - for this cunning elemental is the only one capable of calling the Firelord from his slumber.

Geography

MoltenCore

The Molten Core in the TCG.

The Molten Core consists of rock and lava, with the lava forming rivers, small lakes and "lavafalls". Other features are small volcano-like smoke vents, molten cracks in the walls and roof, occasional dark iron deposits, and the runes of warding. Most locations do not have specific names, causing the majority of the Molten Core to be called simply "The Molten Core".

There are three possible ways to enter Molten Core:

Named subregions

VZ-Molten Core

Instance map

Encounters

Mcbosses

Molten Core bosses

Bosses Monsters

Loot

Main article: Molten Core loot

Upon successful completion of the encounters, all bosses drop tier 1 set items - excluding Ragnaros, who drops tier 2 leg items. In addition, trash mobs may drop Fiery Cores, Lava Cores, and Inv ammo firetar [Core Leather], which can be used to craft armor and weapons available with Thorium Brotherhood reputation.

Battle pets

The item drops themselves are bind on pickup, but the learned pets can be crated and traded.

Achievements

Raid history

Ragnaros2

Ragnaros and Executus, with player character shown for scale.

On release, Molten Core and Onyxia's Lair were the only 40-player instances in the game, thus Ragnaros was the first "game end boss." With the advent of Blackwing Lair, Ahn'Qiraj, the original level-60 version of Naxxramas, and the raising of the level cap with the game's expansions, defeating Ragnaros has long since ceased to be the pinnacle of raiding success. However, prior to the Burning Crusade, slaying him was still considered a very important step in raid progression before engaging in more challenging content. It was the first raid encounter which required a concerted effort in acquiring massive amounts of a particular statistic (in this case, fire resistance). Moreover, the encounter was the first one to demand the extensive use of consumables, at least in the learning process and in the first few kills. As such, it was once a very important stage in the evolution of a raiding guild.

Molten Core is now typically only run for the Achievement boss ragnaros [Molten Core] achievement, or by players seeking to craft Inv hammer unique sulfuras [Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros] or Inv sword 39 [Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker]. Additionally, three battle pets were added in Patch 5.1 as part of the Achievement boss ragnaros [Raiding with Leashes] achievement, giving players another reason to run the instance.

Players were able to start soloing Molten Core in Wrath of the Lich King, and more easily in Cataclysm and Mists of Pandaria. Now that pre-current-expansion raids do not require a raid group to enter, soloing the raid for transmogrification purposes or other loot is easier than ever.

Prerequisites

Soloattune-bridge

Some of Ragnaros' minor minions waiting to welcome you into the Molten Core.

While technically there are no prerequisites to enter Molten Core through its entrance at the bottom of Blackrock Depths, every Core raider will want to complete the Attunement to the Core quest to enable the shortcut at the bottom of Blackrock Mountain. This quest is given at level 55 by Lothos Riftwaker who is located just outside The Quarry, on the way to Blackrock Depths. Once attuned you can access Molten Core by talking to Lothos again. When dead (as ghost) you also have the possibility to jump into the lava near Lothos. This can also be done by living players if they have a way to slow fall, or by jumping first onto the small ledge in the pillar on the right as you enter the main chamber of Blackrock Mountain, healing, then jumping down, back toward the wall of the lava pit, to cover the remaining distance to the platform below.

Before Ragnaros can be summoned, the raid must defeat Majordomo Executus. Majordomo Executus will only appear if the raid douses the seven runes that are located near certain bosses in the Molten Core.

Each of the bosses in Molten Core has a very specific loot table, which includes the Tier 1 armor pieces as well as a number of other epic-quality items.

As stated, the Molten Core includes several mechanics which forces players to fight the bosses in a specific order. These mechanics are:

  • Inv misc book 11 [Tome of Tranquilizing Shot] - this tome (now obsolete) was once necessary for defeating Magmadar. As such, Lucifron (who dropped the tome) had to be killed before Magmadar. Part of the reason was also that Lucifron is located before Magmadar.
  • The runes of warding - most bosses in Molten Core guard runes which must be deactivated in order to summon Majordomo Executus. This means that these bosses must be defeated before Executus becomes available.
  • It's possible to fight Baron Geddon without getting too close to Shazzrah, but it's tricky to fight Shazzrah without getting too close to Baron Geddon.
  • While it's possible to jump down to Golemagg the Incinerator's location from the ridge behind him, the fiery cracks on it and the fall damage will often kill players before they get to defeat him. When walking around, players often defeat Sulfuron Harbinger on the way.
  • Ragnaros is summoned by Majordomo Executus, who will only agree to do so when he is defeated. As such, Majordomo Executus must be defeated before Ragnaros.
  • The trash mobs in Molten Core provide Fiery Cores, Lava Cores, and Core Leather, which can be used with recipes earned at high levels of Thorium Brotherhood reputation to craft epic armor and weapons. It is generally the case that a raid progressing through Molten Core will use these Cores to craft Fire Resistance armor, which will allow the melee DPS of the raid to survive the final encounters with Majordomo Executus and Ragnaros.
  • These factors, in addition to the layout of Molten Core, usually causes players to kill the bosses in this order: Lucifron → Magmadar → Gehennas → Garr → Baron Geddon → Shazzrah → Sulfuron Harbinger → Golemagg the Incinerator → Majordomo Executus → Ragnaros.

Powerful players (level 70-80+) can fight the eight first bosses in any way they prefer. It's also possible to skip Lucifron.

Resources

Anniversary edition

For WoW's 10-year anniversary, a special 40-player Raid Finder version of Molten Core will be available to max-level players[1], with the encounters tuned and updated numerically, but "99% of nostalgia preserved".[2] Elemental immunities/resistances will be one of the only things "nerfed" in the name of playability.[3] Additionally, Golemagg's aggro radius will be reduced.[4] According to one developer, watching Blizzard's internal testers do Core Hound packs was glorious.[5]

Defeating Ragnaros will award a special achievement and a Core Hound mount.[1]

Notes

  • Killing NPCs within Molten Core still rewards reputation with the now-removed members of the Hydraxian Waterlords.
  • Prior to patch 3.0.8 the Hydraxian Waterlords offered a quest chain, eventually rewarding Inv potion 76 [Aqual Quintessence], which was at one point required to douse the Runes of the Firelord in order to summon Majordomo Executus and consequently, Ragnaros. Presently, defeating bosses will automatically douse their respective runes.
  • There were very few quests that involved the Molten Core. The only significant quest chain was the Hydraxian Waterlords chain, which was started by a visit to Duke Hydraxis off the coast of Azshara. Completing this quest chain required killing one of each of the trash mobs in the Core, and then defeating the four Flamewaker bosses in Molten Core (Lucifron, Gehennas, Shazzrah, and Sulfuron Harbinger). In addition, all the trash mobs and bosses in Molten Core provided Hydraxian Waterlord reputation. The final reward options for this quest chain were Inv jewelry ring 10 [Tidal Loop] or Inv jewelry ring 28 [Ocean's Breeze], both rare rings with high Fire Resistance.
  • As of patch 4.3.0 Molten Core can be accessed without being in a raid group by speaking with Lothos Riftwaker.

Trivia

  • Molten Core was originally planned as a single room in Blackrock Depths containing the boss fight with Ragnaros, before being expanded into an entire separate instance.[6]
  • Molten Core was nearly cut from World of Warcraft. To ensure it would be in the game at release, developers finished working on the dungeon in a single week. Jeff Kaplan did all of the spawning and creature placement, while Scott Mercer designed all of the boss fights, Bob Fitch worked up loot for the dungeon, and Pat Nagle created the Hydraxis quest line. Alex Afrasiabi was responsible for the attunement quest which would be patched in later.[6]
  • The very first legendary item that dropped in World of Warcraft, the Inv jewelry amulet 04 [Talisman of Binding Shard], was immediately hotfixed out of the game.

See also

  • Molten Core TCG Set

Guides

Patch changes

  • Cataclysm Patch 4.3.0 (2011-11-29):
  • Cataclysm Patch 4.2.0 (2011-06-28):
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.7.0 (2005-09-13): Bind on Equip Bracers and Belts in Molten Core now drop more often.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.6.0 (2005-07-12):
    • The loot tables in Molten Core have been revised slightly.
    • Characters that die and release in the Molten Core will now receive a minimap corpse marker and arrow that will lead them to the window next to Lothos Riftwaker in Blackrock Mountain.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.5.0 (2005-06-07): Additional new raid items have been added to the treasure lists for bosses in Molten Core.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.4.0 (2005-04-19):
    • Molten Core boss creatures have all received some new items on their loot tables.
    • Most of the non-class set items that dropped from Molten Core have had their effective levels increased, resulting in higher DPS weapons, and/or better stats and effects.
    • The loot tables for some of the Molten Core bosses have been improved so they drop an additional epic item per kill.
    • Prior to this patch, Molten Core boss creatures could drop items from one of two different tiered sets for every character class. The loot tables have been changed so Molten Core bosses will now only drop items from the lower tier class sets. However, some of the items from those sets were not previously dropping in Molten Core. These missing class set items will now drop in Molten Core, allowing players to complete their lower tier class sets.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.3.0 (2005-03-07):
    • Players who have completed the Molten Core discovery quest can now port directly to the zone, bypassing Blackrock Depths.
    • Fixed an issue that was causing the first Firelord to stop moving.
    • Line of Sight checks removed from many creature abilities in Molten Core.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.2.0 (2004-12-18): If you die in Molten Core, you will now be able to retrieve your corpse at the Blackrock Depths instance line.
  • WoW Icon update Patch 1.1.0 (2004-11-07): Added.

References

External links