World of Warcraft Patch 6.0.2 guide
How to complete the new quest and Upper Blackrock Spire content.
Patch 6.0.2 has just been released for World of Warcraft, paving the way for the introduction of the Warlords of Draenor expansion that's due in a little under a month from now. The new patch not only makes some fairly drastic changes to WOW's stats, characters and skillsets, there's also a new quest line and dungeon to keep you busy for the next few weeks.
Here's a quick look at all of the new quest and dungeon content in the new patch, and what you need to know to work your way through it.
The new quests in 6.0.2
There's nothing particularly revolutionary about the new quest-line that's popped up in the Blasted Lands - kill a certain kind of enemy, then kill three tougher-than-usual creatures, then go back and pick up your rewards. When you first log into the game after applying the patch, you'll be given the starting quest that takes you over to the Dark Portal region.
Use the portal located on your map to actually reach the redesigned zone, then make sure you grab the new flight-master option as soon as you arrive. From here, simply pick up your quests as they pop up, equip the surprisingly powerful blue equipment you're rewarded with for completing them, and just work your way through the story. At the conclusion, you'll also receive a new toy to play with: the Iron Starlette.
Beating the Level 90 version of Upper Blackrock Spire
Assuming you have an average item level of 510 across your equipment, you can use the Dungeon Finder tool to queue specifically for the re-imagined version of Upper Blackrock Spire, temporarily tuned down to Level 90. If you're struggling to make the grade with your current gear, you can use any Lesser Charms of Good Fortune you still have to upgrade each item, now that Valor points have been removed altogether. You can also buy some tasty equipment from the Niuzau Temple quartermasters with gold if you're still struggling to reach the minimum gear threshold.
There's item level 550 equipment to be had for those capable of clearing the new content. While the layout of the dungeon will be very familiar to long-term players of World of Warcraft, there are some new bosses and mechanics to be aware of before diving in with a party of five. Here's the lowdown on what you need to watch out for.
Orebender Gor'ashan strategy
You'll encounter two rather annoying trash enemies on the way to the first boss. Black Iron Leadbelchers will activate Sentry Cannons, while Black Iron Grunts will summon Rallying Banners. When these banners appear, prioritise destroying them immediately - they'll summon additional packs of enemies if you don't deal with them swiftly. Your objective while killing these creatures is to extinguish five of the orange runes that glow in the cells dotted around the area.
Before you can start the fight with Orebender, you'll have to click on the objects spread all around the platform. Start fighting the boss, but make sure you jump down off the platform and interact with the Rune Conduits whenever Power Conduit is cast. You also need to be mindful of the Electric Pulse which travels around the room, and the spike damage which erupts from the floor. Otherwise, just concentrate on smacking the boss down as quickly as possible.
Kyrak guide
On the way to the fight against Kyrak, watch out for the healing Black Iron Alchemist, and the Black Iron Engineer who's capable of firing a beam that can leave allies stunned.
Kyrak is a simple fight if you tackle the creature in a very specific manner. First, take down his two smaller companions one by one, before the party focuses its attention on the boss. Every player must have a finger ready to interrupt Debilitating Fixation, as this can quickly wipe the party out. Apart from this core danger, stay out of the puddles of poison that are periodically dropped onto the floor.
Commander Tharbek tactics
As you make your way towards the final fight, watch out for the Black Iron Elite's shout which brings other monsters running, and make sure you interrupt the portal cast by the Summoners. Get out of the Siegebreaker's Smash area, and kill the Elite mobs before they can knock a member of your team into yet more enemies.
Tharbek's a pretty easy fight. Simply kill the initial waves of creatures, get out of the way of Incinerating Breath when Ironbarb Skyreaver lands, and proceed to tank and spank the boss. Get out of Imbued Iron Axe's whirling area-of-effect, and just burn the boss down as quickly as you can.