Titan Rune Dungeon Guide (Heroic+, Heroic++, and Heroic+++)

Luxrah Luxrah • Published July 7, 2023

Titan Rune Dungeons are a new level of difficulty for 5-man Heroic dungeons in Wrath of the Lich King Classic. This optional difficulty offers Epic items that previously were only accessible through raids, at the cost of increased difficulty in the dungeon. This difficulty shares a lockout with Heroic, meaning that you can do each dungeon once per day.

How to Access Titan Rune Difficulty

Titan Rune difficulty is activated inside the Heroic mode of a dungeon. You can enter a dungeon with the difficulty set to Heroic or you can queue for it through the Dungeon Finder tool. To queue through the Dungeon Finder, you’ll need to meet the following average item level requirements:

  • Defense Protocol Alpha: 187 or higher
  • Defense Protocol Beta: 200 or higher
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: 200 or higher

ahnkahet defense
A Mysterious Device being activated

To activate the Titan Rune difficulty, you will need to interact with the Mysterious Device found at the start of the dungeon. Selecting an “Activate Defense Protocol” option will spawn a little Defense Protocol orb. This orb can be channeled into, similar to a summoning stone. All five members of the group must channel into the Defense Protocol orb to activate it. The Mysterious Device will have a beam of light on it to indicate that you have correctly changed the difficulty.

defense protocol alpha
An activated Defense Protocol orb

Titan Rune Difficulty Levels

There are three difficulty levels:

  • Defense Protocol Alpha (Heroic+)
  • Defense Protocol Beta (Heroic++)
  • Defense Protocol Gamma (Heroic+++).

Alpha dungeons are more difficult than regular Heroic ones, Beta dungeons are more difficult than Alpha ones, and Gamma are the most difficult of all. The payoff for each tier of difficulty is better loot and currency.

Just like with regular Heroic dungeons, one dungeon will be designated each day as the Daily Dungeon, and the final boss will drop a Bounty Satchel, awarding 3 Emblem of Frost. You do not need the daily dungeon quest for this to drop, so even if everyone forgot to pick it up, you should be set.

Each enemy will have a buff on these difficulties, giving them increased damage and health alongside a semi-unique modifier themed around the dungeon. For the most part these modifiers increase the damage of all enemies in the dungeon by around 17/40/70% and their health by about 50/120/215%.

A unique exception to this is Halls of Stone & Halls of Lightning. Enemies in these dungeons have 5/40/70% increased damage and 118/580/880% increased health. Trial of the Champion does not have an Alpha difficulty, only Beta and Gamma. The Forge of Souls, Pit of Saron, and Halls of Reflection have no Titan Rune difficulties, but give Gamma-level rewards (Defiler’s Scourgestones) on their base Heroic difficulties.

Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs

Enemies in Defense Protocol Gamma dungeons will have more than three times as much health as in standard Heroic difficulty. To counter this, a Wow Alliance CrestSilver Covenant Warden or Sunreaver Warden will appear and offer each member of the party their choice of four buffs. Here are the options:

  • Shatter Armor: Your melee attacks have a chance to shatter the armor of your target, increasing all damage the target takes by 20% for 10 sec.
  • Rallying Cry of the Tournament Champion: Your spell and ranged damaging critical strikes have a chance to grant Rallying Cry of the Tournament Champion to your party, increasing haste by 20% for 10 sec.
  • Confessor’s Wrath: Your direct healing spellcasts grant Confessor’s Wrath, increasing your spell damage by 20%, stacking up to 5 times. Lasts until 5 seconds after your next harmful spellcast.
  • Shield of Thorns: Enemies take 1000 to 1400 damage each time you dodge, parry, or block their attacks.

Players will also be given a Wow Alliance CrestSignet of the Silver Covenant or Signet of the Sunreaver, an item that will summon the Warden at any time so they can change their buffs.

Rewards

Each boss in a Titan Rune dungeon will drop an extra item as well as loot from the next difficulty level down.

For Defense Protocol Alpha, normal bosses will drop an item level 200 Epic, and the final bosses will drop an item level 213 Epic alongside a Tier 7 token and an Emblem of Conquest. This is in addition to normal Heroic loot.

In Defense Protocol Beta, all bosses will drop an item level 219 or 225 Epic while final bosses will drop a random Tier 8 token and 1 Sidereal Essence. This is in addition to items that drop in Defense Protocol Alpha. Ordinary Heroic loot does not drop in Defense Protocol Beta.

With Defense Protocol Gamma, bosses will drop the same loot as you’ll find in Defense Protocol Beta as well as 1 Defiler’s Scourgestone.

These drops are not fully random, with each Defense Protocol boss having their own drop tables with specific pieces of gear, though some of these drops are shared. We have included drop tables under each dungeon in this guide.

Sidereal Essences

Sidereal Essences can be used to purchase Ulduar 10 Hardmode items from the Animated Constellation in your faction’s sanctuary in Dalaran.

ItemCostOriginal Source
Crusader Orb3 Sidereal EssenceEmblem of Triumph Vendors
Gilded Steel Legplates25 Sidereal EssenceFlame Leviathan
Handguards of Potent Cures19 Sidereal EssenceFlame Leviathan
Mantle of Fiery Vengeance19 Sidereal EssenceFlame Leviathan
Shimmering Seal15 Sidereal EssenceFlame Leviathan
Twirling Blades15 Sidereal EssenceFlame Leviathan
Aesir’s Edge38 Sidereal EssenceXT-002 Deconstructor
Breastplate of the Stoneshaper25 Sidereal EssenceXT-002 Deconstructor
Fluxing Energy Coils15 Sidereal EssenceXT-002 Deconstructor
Magnetized Projectile Emitter38 Sidereal EssenceXT-002 Deconstructor
Seal of Ulduar15 Sidereal EssenceXT-002 Deconstructor
Belt of the Crystal Tree19 Sidereal EssenceThe Assembly of Iron
Loop of the Agile15 Sidereal EssenceThe Assembly of Iron
Perilous Bite25 Sidereal EssenceThe Assembly of Iron
The Masticator25 Sidereal EssenceThe Assembly of Iron
Watchful Eye of Fate15 Sidereal EssenceThe Assembly of Iron
Bitter Cold Armguards15 Sidereal EssenceHodir
Ice Layered Barrier25 Sidereal EssenceHodir
Icecore Staff38 Sidereal EssenceHodir
Shiver25 Sidereal EssenceHodir
The Boreal Guard25 Sidereal EssenceHodir
Combatant’s Bootblade25 Sidereal EssenceThorim
Gauntlets of the Thunder God19 Sidereal EssenceThorim
Mjolnir Runestone19 Sidereal EssenceThorim
Pendant of the Shallow Grave15 Sidereal EssenceThorim
Sif’s Remembrance19 Sidereal EssenceThorim
Fire Orchid Signet15 Sidereal EssenceFreya
Gloves of Whispering Winds19 Sidereal EssenceFreya
Petrified Ivy Sprig15 Sidereal EssenceFreya
Seed of Budding Carnage15 Sidereal EssenceFreya
Serilas, Blood Blade of Invar One-Arm25 Sidereal EssenceFreya
Fused Alloy Legplates25 Sidereal EssenceMimiron
Fusion Blade38 Sidereal EssenceMimiron
Greaves of the Iron Army19 Sidereal EssenceMimiron
Mimiron’s Flight Goggles25 Sidereal EssenceMimiron
Tempered Mercury Greaves19 Sidereal EssenceMimiron
Aesuga, Hand of the Ardent Champion38 Sidereal EssenceGeneral Vezax
Drape of the Faceless General15 Sidereal EssenceGeneral Vezax
Leggings of Profound Darkness25 Sidereal EssenceGeneral Vezax
Tortured Earth38 Sidereal EssenceGeneral Vezax
Void Sabre25 Sidereal EssenceGeneral Vezax
Amice of Inconceivable Horror19 Sidereal EssenceYogg-Saron
Caress of Insanity25 Sidereal EssenceYogg-Saron
Hammer of Crushing Whispers38 Sidereal EssenceYogg-Saron
Signet of Soft Lament15 Sidereal EssenceYogg-Saron
Soul-Devouring Cinch19 Sidereal EssenceYogg-Saron
Band of Lights19 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Breastplate of the Timeless32 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Dark Matter24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Drape of the Messenger19 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Gloves of the Endless Dark24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Meteorite Crystal24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Nebula Band19 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Observer’s Mantle24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Pendant of the Somber Witness19 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Pulsar Gloves24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Shoulderplates of the Celestial Watch24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Starfall Girdle24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Starlight Treads24 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Strength of the Heavens19 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer
Zodiac Leggings32 Sidereal EssenceAlgalon the Observer

Defiler’s Scourgestones

Defiler’s Scourgestones can be used to purchase from the 25-man Normal versions of Ulduar and Trial of the Crusader. These items can be purchased from an NPC in your faction’s sanctuary in Dalaran: Korralin Hoperender for Alliance, or Kolara Dreamsmasher for Horde. We’ve separated Alliance and Horde items in the tabs below.

ItemCostOriginal Source
Sidereal Essence1 Defiler’s ScourgestoneDefense Protocol Beta
Primordial Saronite12 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEmblem of Frost Vendors
Trophy of the Crusade20 Defiler’s ScourgestoneTrial of the Crusader Bosses
Pendant of Fiery Havoc60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFlame Leviathan
Charm of Meticulous Timing60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneXT-002 Deconstructor
Drape of Mortal Downfall60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneThe Assembly of Iron
Sapphire Amulet of Renewal60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneThe Assembly of Iron
Drape of Icy Intent60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneHodir
Frigid Strength of Hodir60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneHodir
Fate’s Clutch60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneThorim
Bronze Pendant of the Vanir60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFreya
Drape of the Sullen Goddess60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFreya
Conductive Seal60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneMimiron
Titanskin Cloak60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneMimiron
Flare of the Heavens60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneGeneral Vezax
Pendulum of Infinity60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneGeneral Vezax
Seal of the Betrayed King60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneYogg-Saron
Show of Faith60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneYogg-Saron
Comet’s Trail60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAlgalon the Observer
Band of the Violent Temperment30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Belt of the Ice Burrower38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Blade of Tarasque60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Boneshatter Armplates30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Boots of the Courageous38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Boots of the Unrelenting Storm38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Cord of the Tenebrous Mist38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Crystal Plated Vanguard50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Drape of the Untamed Predator30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Shawl of the Refreshing Winds30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Steel Bladebreaker50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Bloodbath Belt38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Bracers of Cloudy Omen30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Bracers of the Autumn Willow30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Charge of the Demon Lord30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Dawnbreaker Greaves38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Lionhead Slasher50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Pride of the Eredar30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Ring of the Darkmender30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Solace of the Defeated38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Symbol of Transgression30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Talonstrike76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Bastion of Purity30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Boots of the Mourning Widow38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Boots of Tremoring Earth38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Bracers of the Untold Massacre30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Cloak of Displacement30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Cord of Biting Cold38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Girdle of Bloodied Scars38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Justicebringer76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Ring of Callous Aggression30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Satrina’s Impeding Scarab38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Treads of the Icewalker38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Vambraces of the Broken Bond30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
The Arbiter’s Muse30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Belt of the Merciless Killer38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Bracers of the Shieldmaiden30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Death’s Verdict38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Lupine Longstaff76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Sabatons of Ruthless Judgment38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
The Executioner’s Malice30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Twin Spike50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Bindings of Dark Essence30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Chalice of Searing Light30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Cord of Pale Thorns38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Wail of the Val’kyr30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Archon Glaive76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Armbands of the Ashen Saint30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Band of Deplorable Violence30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Belt of Deathly Dominion38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Belt of the Forgotten Martyr38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Bracers of Dark Determination38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Footpads of the Icy Floe38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Greaves of the 7th Legion38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Maiden’s Favor30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Misery’s End60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Reign of the Unliving38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Signet of the Traitor King30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Stormpike Cleaver50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Strength of the Nerub30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
ItemCostOriginal Source
Sidereal Essence1 Defiler’s ScourgestoneDefense Protocol Beta
Primordial Saronite12 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEmblem of Frost Vendors
Trophy of the Crusade20 Defiler’s ScourgestoneTrial of the Crusader Bosses
Pendant of Fiery Havoc60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFlame Leviathan
Charm of Meticulous Timing60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneXT-002 Deconstructor
Drape of Mortal Downfall60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneThe Assembly of Iron
Sapphire Amulet of Renewal60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneThe Assembly of Iron
Drape of Icy Intent60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneHodir
Frigid Strength of Hodir60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneHodir
Fate’s Clutch60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneThorim
Bronze Pendant of the Vanir60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFreya
Drape of the Sullen Goddess60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFreya
Conductive Seal60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneMimiron
Titanskin Cloak60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneMimiron
Flare of the Heavens60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneGeneral Vezax
Pendulum of Infinity60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneGeneral Vezax
Seal of the Betrayed King60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneYogg-Saron
Show of Faith60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneYogg-Saron
Comet’s Trail60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAlgalon the Observer
Barb of Tarasque60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Belt of the Tenebrous Mist38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Binding of the Ice Burrower38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Boneshatter Vambraces30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Boots of the Harsh Winter38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Cloak of the Untamed Predator30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Drape of the Refreshing Winds30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Forlorn Barrier50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Ring of the Violent Temperament30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Sabatons of the Courageous38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Stygian Bladebreaker50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneIcehowl
Bindings of the Autumn Willow30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Bloodbath Girdle38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Blood Fury50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Charge of the Eredar30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Circle of the Darkmender30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Dawnbreaker Sabatons38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Death’s Head Crossbow76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Pride of the Demon Lord30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Solace of the Fallen38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Talisman of Heedless Sins30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Wristwraps of Cloudy Omen30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneLord Jaraxxus
Band of Callous Aggression30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Bastion of Resolve50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Belt of Biting Cold38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Belt of Bloodied Scars38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Bracers of the Broken Bond30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Bracers of the Silent Massacre30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Shroud of Displacement30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Dual-Blade Butcher76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Icewalker Treads38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Juggernaut’s Vitality38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Sabatons of Tremoring Earth38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Sandals of the Mourning Widow38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFaction Champions
Armguards of the Shieldmaiden30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Belt of the Pitiless Killer38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Death’s Choice38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Gouge of the Frigid Heart50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Greaves of Ruthless Judgment38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Legionnaire’s Gorget30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
The Executioner’s Vice30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Twin’s Pact76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneFjola Lightbane
Belt of Pale Thorns38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Cry of the Val’kyr30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Dark Essence Bindings30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Mystifying Charm30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneEydis Darkbane
Armbands of Dark Determination30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Band of the Traitor King30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Bindings of the Ashen Saint30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Boots of the Icy Floe38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Girdle of the Forgotten Martyr38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Greaves of the Saronite Citadel38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Hellion Glaive76 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Hellscream Slicer50 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Lurid Manifestation30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Maiden’s Adoration30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Might of the Nerub30 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Reign of the Dead38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Suffering’s End60 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak
Waistguard of Deathly Dominion38 Defiler’s ScourgestoneAnub’arak

Achievements

There are achievements for completing individual Titan Rune dungeons on each difficulty level, as well as meta achievements for each Defense Protocol. Completing the Defense Protocol Gamma: Terminated meta achievement rewards Arfus, a non-combat dog pet.

wotlk classic defense protocol gamma achievement arfus pet
The Arfus pet

Below are all of the achievements that are available for each difficulty.

Defense Protocol Alpha: Terminated is the meta achievement for the following:

  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Halls of Stone
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Halls of Lightning
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: The Oculus
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Utgarde Keep
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Azjol-Nerub
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Utgarde Pinnacle
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Drak’Tharon Keep
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: Gundrak
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: The Culling of Stratholme
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: The Nexus
  • Defense Protocol Alpha: The Violet Hold

Defense Protocol Beta: Terminated is the meta achievement for the following:

  • Defense Protocol Beta: Halls of Stone
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Halls of Lightning
  • Defense Protocol Beta: The Oculus
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Utgarde Keep
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Azjol-Nerub
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Utgarde Pinnacle
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Drak’Tharon Keep
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Gundrak
  • Defense Protocol Beta: The Culling of Stratholme
  • Defense Protocol Beta: The Nexus
  • Defense Protocol Beta: The Violet Hold
  • Defense Protocol Beta: Trial of the Champion

Defense Protocol Gamma: Terminated is the meta achievement for the following:

  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Halls of Stone
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Halls of Lightning
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: The Oculus
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Utgarde Keep
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Azjol-Nerub
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Ahn’kahet: The Old Kingdom
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Utgarde Pinnacle
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Drak’Tharon Keep
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Gundrak
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: The Culling of Stratholme
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: The Nexus
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: The Violet Hold
  • Defense Protocol Gamma: Trial of the Champion

Halls of Stone, Halls of Lightning

halls of stone defense

Alpha Empowered: Titan Rune
Damage increased by 5%.
Health increased by 118%.
Pulsing Saronite-Corrupted Titan Energy that increases enemy damage done by 1% and damage taken by 2% per stack for 12 sec.

This Rune is notable in that it only barely impacts the damage enemies deal, while almost tripling their health. This is because Halls of Stone and Halls of Lightning were already very damage-heavy dungeons that could easily kill a freshly leveled tank in a matter of seconds.

The affix also contributes to the lower damage boost, giving players a stacking debuff that increases their damage dealt and their damage taken.

Beta Empowered: Titan Rune
Damage increased by 40%.
Health increased by 580%.
Pulsing Purified Titan energy that increases player damage done by 1% per stack for 12 sec. Perhaps enough energy will grant assistance from the Keepers themselves.

This Rune increases enemy health by an incredible amount, but it also provides a stacking damage buff for players to accumulate as a countermeasure. Unlike the Alpha version, the stacking buff does not increase damage taken, only damage done. It also provides additional buffs when it reaches 100 stacks. The buffs are:

  • Fortitude of Frost, increasing damage done by 10% and reducing damage taken by 20% as well as allowing you to cheat death one time.
  • Fury of the Storm, increasing damage done by 10% and total health by 20% as well as allowing instant kills on Immortal Crusher Tentacles who are below 5% health.
  • Resilience of Nature, increasing damage done by 10% and healing received by 20% as well as granting 15% mana every 5 seconds. This buff also grants 20 Sanity every 5 seconds if no spells or abilities are used in that time.
  • Speed of Invention, increasing damage done by 10% and movement speed by 20% as well as allowing you to deal additional damage to Saronite-based enemies.

Immortal Crusher Tentacles will appear throughout the dungeon, and will reduce all damage dealt by players by 99% until they are hit by a melee attack. They will also slowly drain players’ Sanity. Players who reach 0 Sanity will be mind controlled. There are two ways to counter this: either kill the tentacle or stand still for 5 seconds and allow the Resilience of Nature buff to restore your Sanity.

Gamma Empowered: Titan Rune
Damage increased by 70%.
Health increased by 880%.
Pulsing Purified Titan energy that increases player damage done by 1% per stack for 12 sec. Perhaps enough energy will grant assistance from the Keepers themselves.

This version of the Rune is the same as Defense Protocol Beta, except that enemy damage and health are both increased even further. You will also have access to the Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs listed in that section above.

Halls of Stone Loot

Halls of Lightning Loot

Gundrak, Drak’tharon Keep

draktharon keep defense

Alpha Empowered: Blood Rune
Damage increased by 17%.
Health increased by 50%.
100% Lifesteal when standing in Blood of the Loa.

Enemies will drop a pool of blood at their feet, and while standing in this blood they will have 100% Lifesteal on damage. This does not apply to players and necessitates that the group constantly kite enemies out of the blood.

This can be incredibly difficult to see underneath Death & Decay but Tank & Unholy Death Knights will most likely need to use this spell. If you do have a Death Knight, make sure you are almost always kiting.

Beta Empowered: Blood Rune
Damage increased by 40%.
Health increased by 180%.
100% Lifesteal when standing in Blood of the Loa.

Some of the mechanics here are similar to those in Defense Protocol Alpha, but enemy health and damage are further increased. You’ll also find a Mysterious Cauldron at the start of the dungeon. Interacting with it will give the buff Witch Doctor’s Brew, which deals 5% of the player’s health in nature damage every 5 seconds, but also poisons the Blood of the Loa pools. This not only removes the healing effect, but causes enemies to take damage by standing in them instead.

The best way to handle this is to have the tank interact with the Mysterious Cauldron. That way the puddles will be instantly poisoned, and the tank should be taking constant heals anyway to counteract the DoT. The buff only lasts for five minutes, but another Mysterious Cauldron can be found after every boss, making it easy to refresh the buff.

Gamma Empowered: Blood Rune
Damage increased by 70%.
Health increased by 305%.
100% Lifesteal when standing in Blood of the Loa.

This version of the Rune is the same as Defense Protocol Beta, except that enemy damage and health are both increased even further. You will also have access to the Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs listed in that section above.

Gundrak Loot

Drak’Tharon Keep Loot

The Oculus, The Nexus, Violet Hold

violet hold defense

Alpha Empowered: Arcane Rune
Damage increased by 17%.
Health increased by 50%.
Attacks have a chance to summon Mirror Images of the caster.

Each time an enemy attacks they have a chance to summon two Mirror Images of themselves. These Mirror Images cast Arcane Missiles at a random target, dealing around 1000 damage per hit each second. Mirror Images will die to most sources of direct damage, but are immune to damage-over-time effects and most debuffs.

By themselves these images are mostly irrelevant, but on larger packs such as those found at the start of The Oculus, you can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of Mirror Images, easily taking a pack of 4-5 enemies into double digits. If your team is awake and alert they should be able to quickly deal with images, but if they are left to freely cast you can easily be overwhelmed.

Worth noting is that these do only seem to be summoned by melee attacks, meaning that caster enemies will rarely ever summon Mirror Images, and bosses such as Mage-Lord Urom and Ley-Guardian Eregos are likely to never use this ability in a run.

Beta Empowered: Arcane Rune
Damage increased by 40%.
Health increased by 120%.
Attacks have a chance to summon Mirror Images of the caster.

The mechanics here are similar to Defense Protocol Alpha, but enemy health and damage are further increased. There will also be three Mirror Images instead of two, and only one will cast Arcane Missiles. The other two will be a melee and a healer. The melee will fixate on and attack a random player. The healer will spam Holy Nova.

Furthermore, killing the Mirror Images will grant the party a stacking buff that increases melee, ranged, casting, and movement speed by 5% for 30 seconds. This buff can stack up to six times.

Gamma Empowered: Arcane Rune

Damage increased by 70%.
Health increased by 215%.
Attacks have a chance to summon Mirror Images of the caster.

This version of the Rune is the same as Defense Protocol Beta, except that enemy damage and health are both increased even further. You will also have access to the Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs listed in that section above.

The Nexus Loot

The Oculus Loot

The Violet Hold Loot

The Culling of Stratholme

culling of stratholme mysterious device

Alpha Empowered: Plague Rune
Damage increased by 17%.
Health increased by 50%.
Damaging attacks can infect victims with the Zombie Plague.

An off-shoot of the zombie plague we experienced in the Wrath of the Lich King pre-patch, this is a disease that will transform a player into a zombie after 1-minute. To avoid this happening the debuffed players will need regular Disease cleansing. Fortunately, the Pure Stratholme Holy Water found in crates and dropped by enemies throughout the dungeon now conveniently also provides a Disease cleanse. Unfortunately, the population of Stratholme didn’t consider that before they were purged.

This debuff will also fade upon leaving the dungeon, meaning you cannot bring a time-traveling zombie plague back into society.

Beta Empowered: Plague Rune
Damage increased by 40%.
Health increased by 120%.
Damaging attacks can infect victims with the Zombie Plague.

The mechanics here are largely the same as in Defense Protocol Alpha, but enemy health and damage are further increased. There are also Zombie Horrors scattered throughout the dungeon. These are additional mobs with particularly high health. To counter these additional enemies, Holy Hand Grenades have been added to the crates at the start of the dungeon. These can one-shot a Zombie Horror, but there are only five of them and they are a single-target effect. As an added bonus, using a Holy Hand Grenade buffs all nearby party members with Holy Imbuement, increasing damage and healing by 20% for 30 seconds. Choose the best times to use the Holy Hand Grenades for maximum effect to ensure that you complete the dungeon within the timer.

Gamma Empowered: Plague Rune
Damage increased by 70%.
Health increased by 215%.
Damaging attacks can infect victims with the Zombie Plague.

This version of the Rune is the same as Defense Protocol Beta, except that enemy damage and health are both increased even further. You will also have access to the Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs listed in that section above.

The Culling of Stratholme Loot

Utgarde Keep, Utgarde Pinnacle

utgarde pinnacle defense

Alpha Empowered: Frost Rune
Damage increased by 17%.
Health increased by 50%.
Melee attacks have a chance to Glaciate a random nearby target.

Each time an enemy hits in melee, they have a chance to apply Glaciate to a random player. This causes the player to leave a trail of frost that damages and snares anyone walking in it. Effectively this creates damaging terrain where the player moves. This can be easily mitigated by simply not walking single-file, instead spreading out horizontally as you run through.

Beta Empowered: Frost Rune
Damage increased by 40%.
Health increased by 120%.
Melee attacks have a chance to Glaciate and Fire Blast a random nearby target.

The mechanics here are mostly the same as in Defense Protocol Alpha, but enemy health and damage are further increased. Enemy melee attacks can also apply Fire Blast to a random player, which is a DoT that deals 10% of their maximum HP as fire damage every 10 seconds. To get rid of this debuff the player must run through an ice patch left by Glaciate. Successfully doing so grants a buff, Blistering Fury, that increases the player’s chance to critically hit by 50% for 30 seconds.

Gamma Empowered: Frost Rune
Damage increased by 70%.
Health increased by 215%.
Melee attacks have a chance to Glaciate and Fire Blast a random nearby target.

This version of the Rune is the same as Defense Protocol Beta, except that enemy damage and health are both increased even further. You will also have access to the Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs listed in that section above.

Utgarde Keep Loot

Utgarde Pinnacle Loot

Azjol-Nerub, Ahn’Kahet

azjol nerub defense

Alpha Empowered: Shadow Rune
Damage increased by 17%.
Health increased by 50%.
Attacks have a chance to Webwrap a victim.

Whenever an enemy attacks they have a chance to web a random player, mimicking the spell used by Krik’thir‘s Watchers in Azjol-Nerub. Webbed players are stunned for 10 seconds and the stun can be broken early by dealing enough damage to destroy the web.

Beta Empowered: Shadow Rune
Damage increased by 40%.
Health increased by 150%.
Attacks have a chance to Webwrap a victim.

The mechanics here are similar to Defense Protocol Alpha, but enemy health and damage are further increased. There is also a stacking buff that can be gained while trapped inside of a webwrap, Shadow Imbuement. This buff increases the damage or healing of your next ability by 150%. However, the webwrap will also straight-up kill you after 10 seconds, so it must still be dealt with in a timely manner.

Note that the Skittering Swarmers around the hole you jump through after Hadronox do cause webwraps, and if your party jumps through without dealing with them, someone will likely die due to being wrapped in an inaccessible location.

Gamma Empowered: Shadow Rune
Damage increased by 70%.
Health increased by 260%.
Attacks have a chance to Webwrap a victim.

This version of the Rune is the same as Defense Protocol Beta, except that enemy damage and health are both increased even further. You will also have access to the Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs listed in that section above.

Azjol-Nerub Loot

Ahn’Kahet: The Old Kingdom Loot

Trial of the Champion

trial of the champion mysterious device

Trial of the Champion does not have a Defense Protocol Alpha mode.

Beta Empowered: Gladiator Rune
Damage increased by 40%.
Health increased by 120%.
Spectators look to be more fired up than usual.

As always, enemy damage and health are increased. Tournament spectators will also throw things on the ground such as freezing traps, explosive traps, and banana peels, creating a minefield of obstacles for you to avoid. They’ll also sometimes throw beneficial items such as the berserking and healing buffs found in battlegrounds and a bouquet of roses which grants a stacking 2% buff to damage done as well as melee, ranged, and casting speed.

The spectator traps can be especially problematic when fighting Argent Confessor Paletress, who casts an AOE fear. For that reason, it’s a good idea to bring a shaman or have another method of breaking the fear.

Gamma Empowered: Gladiator Rune
Damage increased by 70%.
Health increased by 215%.
Spectators look to be more fired up than usual.

This version of the Rune is the same as Defense Protocol Beta, except that enemy damage and health are both increased even further. You will also have access to the Defense Protocol Gamma Buffs listed in that section above.

Trial of the Champion Loot

The Forge of Souls, Pit of Saron, Halls of Reflection

These dungeons do not have Titan Rune difficulty levels. In each of these dungeons, you will get 1 Defiler’s Scourgestone for each boss you kill on the standard Heroic difficulty. This is because these dungeons are already more challenging and drop higher level loot than the others.

For a walkthrough of each of these dungeons, click on our guides below.

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baade
baade
2 years ago

so every 10 man saph neck from quest drops except the melee one?

owlbama
owlbama
Reply to  baade
2 years ago

melee neck drops off sjonner in HoS

Jamielolx
Reply to  owlbama
2 years ago

Can confirm, saw it drop from Sjonner but never took a screenshot

Passion
Reply to  baade
2 years ago

Hey, the list is incomplete and actively being worked on as we confirm more drops. Everything listed there is what we can 100% confirm drops, but as far as we know, every item from Phase 1 10 man raids can drop from Heroic+.

Johnz
Johnz
2 years ago

I’m looking for Maexxna shield (with spell power) or any spell power shield….and i can’t find

arkbark
arkbark
Reply to  Johnz
2 years ago

2nd boss gundrak

Jamielolx
Reply to  arkbark
2 years ago

Not too sure about that, I’ve run Gun’Drak extensively and never saw it drop.

not saying you’re wrong but running it 20ish times it has not shown for me at least

Passion
Reply to  Johnz
2 years ago

Aegis of Damnation drops from the Colossus in Gundrak

Matt
Matt
1 year ago

I dont see Illustration of the dragon soul

Jamielolx
Reply to  Matt
1 year ago

That’s because Illustration of the dragon soul is originally a 25 man item, Titancode Alpha only drops T7 10 man, and Beta drops T8 10 man items.

tlj jones
tlj jones
1 year ago

Gamma – you must be 210 to enter