Dungeon Playbook

Current poolMidnight · Season 2

Murder Row

A fel-soaked city crawl with mandatory informants, a cooperative bar event, sharp dispel checks, priority adds, and four bosses that reward planned movement.

Reviewed for Midnight Season 2 · Last checked Sep 2026

Bosses charted
4
Dangerous pulls
8
Priority casts
6

Dungeon Overview

The shape of the key before the detailed calls.

An objective-heavy fel dungeon built around dispels, add swaps, and arena management

Tank debuffs, curses, bleeds, poison, pulsing demon damage, and repeated priority adds make this a utility and target-selection dungeon.

Murder Row alternates between crowded street pulls, scripted objectives, and boss rooms where target priority matters more than raw cleave. Complete all four Snitches, finish the five-player bar shift cleanly, and preserve control for demons that punish missed swaps.

  • Fel damage
  • Mandatory objectives
  • Priority adds
  • Curse and Poison utility
  • Arena space

Dungeon Profile

Tank Pressure
High
Captains, guards, Shivan Punishers, golems, boss Envenom, and an unkillable Infernal create repeated mitigation checks.
Group Damage
Very High
Massive Felwyrms, Demonic Frenzy, Blade Dance, Defiled Slam, Killing Spree, and Searing Fel pressure the party.
Interrupt Demand
High
Seduction, image casts, Fel Rage, Felfire Burst, Chaos Bolt, and support channels need assignments.
Movement
High
Fel Nova, barrels, puddle kiting, gateway timing, and frontals constantly reposition the party.
Dispel / Utility Demand
Very High
Magic, Poison, Curse, Bleed, soothe, purge, and hard stops all have verified uses.
Route Complexity
High
Four Snitches, a five-player bar event, optional vendor tools, and multiple spatial boss rooms punish missed objectives.

Dungeon visual · Abstract flow

Dungeon Tactical Overview

A route-flow chart, not dungeon geometry. Read left-to-right on wide screens or top-to-bottom on mobile.

  1. StartKICK

    Snitch circuit

    4 Snitches + street utility

    Pulls 1–3

  2. Stage 2PRIORITY TARGET

    Kystia Manaheart

    Nibbles + Mirror Images

    Pulls 4

  3. Stage 3MOVE

    Clock-in event

    Five jobs + warehouse

    Pulls 5

  4. Stage 4DEFENSIVE

    Zaen Bladesorrow

    Barrels + freight swap

    Pulls 6

  5. Stage 5Bloodlust / Heroism

    Demon wing

    Controlled packs → Xathuux

    Pulls 7–8

  6. Stage 6Bloodlust / Heroism

    Lithiel Cinderfury

    Clear adds before Gateway

    Pulls 9–10

Before You Queue

  • Assign Seduction and Chaos Bolt kicks — Keep backup stops for Mirror Images and Imps. Review →
  • Check Magic, Poison, Curse, and Bleed utility — Spittle, Heartstop Poison, Curse of Doom, and several bleeds require different answers. Review →
  • Know the four Snitches and bar jobs — Objective mistakes cost more time than a conservative trash split.
  • Review Zaen barrel cover — Every player needs separate cover for Murder in a Row.
  • Plan Xathuux and Lithiel Bloodlust — Blackwake defaults to Xathuux and Lithiel; Zaen is a valid alternative.

The Things That Wipe the Key

The few failure points most likely to cost the timer.

  1. RouteTankHealerDPS

    Missed Snitch or failed bar coordination

    Complete all four opening interrogations and have all five players start their assigned bar task.

    Consequence: Backtracking or stalled role-play burns large chunks of timer.

  2. DPSTankHealerDPS

    Deep Corruption Captain lives

    Focus the Bribed Captain while controlling Seduction and Tank stacks.

    Consequence: Its aura amplifies the whole pack and turns Tank damage into a collapse.

  3. DPSTankHealerDPS

    Freight survives Killing Spree

    Swap immediately to Fel-Infused Freight and retain barrel cover.

    Consequence: Freight pulses plus Killing Spree overwhelms healing.

  4. DispelTankHealerDPS

    Curse of Doom mishandled

    Dispel it or deliberately stack to split the expiration.

    Consequence: An isolated expiration can kill the target and summon a Doomguard.

  5. PositioningTankHealerDPS

    Xathuux arena is filled badly

    Kite Demonic Rage along the edge and kill Legion Axes.

    Consequence: No space remains for later Crush and Rage cycles.

  6. MovementTankHealerDPS

    Adds touch Malefic Wave

    Finish Vilefiends and Imps before using the safe gateway.

    Consequence: Empowered adds overwhelm the final encounter.

Boss Playbook

The fight in 20 seconds, what matters, and the most common wipe.

  1. Boss 1

    Kystia Manaheart

    Damage Nibbles to 20% to break Kystia’s protection, then use the Destabilized window while controlling Mirror Images.

    The Fight in 20 Seconds

    Damage Nibbles to 20% to break Kystia’s protection, then use the Destabilized window while controlling Mirror Images. Spread Corroding Spittle, leave Fel Nova, and keep Nibbles’ Fel Spray away from the party.

    What Actually Matters

    • Nibbles and Felshield

      Kystia takes heavily reduced damage until Nibbles reaches 20% and triggers Destabilized; cleave efficiently but make Nibbles the priority.

    • Mirror Images

      Interrupt or hard-stop the five images quickly before their casts stack party damage.

    • Corroding Spittle

      Dispel the Magic debuff promptly, especially before Mirror Images.

    • Fel Nova and Fel Spray

      Leave Fel Nova and keep Nibbles’ rotating frontal away from allies.

    • Chaos Barrage

      Tank-targeted damage jumps to allies and is most dangerous during image pressure.

    Dungeon visual · Illustrated positioning

    Kystia Felshield and Image Control

    Illustrated Nibbles focus, Destabilized burst timing, Mirror Image stops, Spittle spread, and Fel Spray positioning.

    Kystia Manaheart fight diagram showing Nibbles priority damage, Felshield timing, Mirror Image stops, Corroding Spittle spread, Fel Nova avoidance, and Fel Spray facing.

    Tank

    • Stack Kystia and Nibbles for cleave and face Fel Spray away.
    • Mitigate Chaos Barrage while images are active.

    Healer

    • Dispel Corroding Spittle and cooldown Destabilized/Mirror Images overlap.
    • Top the group before the damage-amplified burn.

    DPS

    • Focus Nibbles first, stop images, then burst Kystia during Destabilized.
    • Do not stand in Fel Nova or Fel Spray.

    Defensive Timing

    • Use personals during Mirror Images with Spittle active.
    • Group defensives during Destabilized if incoming damage overlaps.

    Bloodlust / Heroism: Good first use when the group wants to shorten repeated image sets; alternatively save for Zaen’s freight phase.

    Common Wipe: Players hit Kystia through Felshield while Mirror Images free-cast and Spittle remains undispelled.

  2. Boss 2

    Zaen Bladesorrow

    Use barrels from Same-Day Delivery as cover for Murder in a Row, cleave Fel-Infused Freight immediately when Fire Bomb marks it, and survive Killing Spree.

    The Fight in 20 Seconds

    Use barrels from Same-Day Delivery as cover for Murder in a Row, cleave Fel-Infused Freight immediately when Fire Bomb marks it, and survive Killing Spree. Tanks mitigate Envenom and request Poison removal where available.

    What Actually Matters

    • Same-Day Delivery

      Barrels create both obstacles and required cover; keep paths readable.

    • Fire Bomb and Freight

      The marked freight pulses group damage until destroyed, so swap immediately.

    • Murder in a Row

      Each player uses separate barrel cover to avoid the heavy bleed.

    • Killing Spree

      A sustained party-damage channel that becomes lethal with living freight.

    • Envenom

      Tank hit plus Poison debuff; mitigate and remove if the group has Poison utility.

    Dungeon visual · Illustrated positioning

    Zaen Barrel Cover and Freight Swap

    Illustrated barrel cover, Fel-Infused Freight swaps, Murder in a Row assignments, Killing Spree recovery, and Envenom mitigation.

    Zaen Bladesorrow fight diagram showing barrel cover assignments, Fire Bomb freight swaps, Murder in a Row lanes, Killing Spree recovery, and Envenom mitigation.

    Tank

    • Keep Zaen positioned with access to cover and mitigate Envenom.
    • Do not trap the group behind badly placed barrels.

    Healer

    • Cooldown Killing Spree and track Poison coverage for Envenom.
    • Demand a freight swap before healing pressure compounds.

    DPS

    • Kill Fel-Infused Freight immediately and preserve one barrel per player.
    • Use defensives during Killing Spree.

    Defensive Timing

    • Personal during Killing Spree if freight remains.
    • Tank defensive for Envenom.

    Bloodlust / Heroism: A strong use if freight control is inconsistent; otherwise hold for Xathuux or Lithiel.

    Common Wipe: Freight remains alive into Killing Spree or players share/lose barrel cover for Murder in a Row.

  3. Boss 3

    Xathuux the Annihilator

    Tank Xathuux at the edge facing outward, move Axe Toss beside the boss for fast Legion Axe swaps, spread Infernal Crush, and kite Demonic Rage puddles around the perimeter without consuming the whole arena..

    The Fight in 20 Seconds

    Tank Xathuux at the edge facing outward, move Axe Toss beside the boss for fast Legion Axe swaps, spread Infernal Crush, and kite Demonic Rage puddles around the perimeter without consuming the whole arena.

    What Actually Matters

    • Legion Strike

      Frontal through the Tank; point it outside.

    • Axe Toss

      Drop the Legion Axe in cleave range and kill it before its increasing party damage escalates.

    • Infernal Crush

      Loosely spread to avoid cleaving one another.

    • Demonic Rage

      Large group hit plus damage amplification and puddle creation; kite tightly along the edge.

    • Arena space

      Poor puddle placement turns later cycles into an unwinnable movement check.

    Dungeon visual · Illustrated positioning

    Xathuux Arena Space

    Illustrated facing, Legion Axe swaps, Infernal Crush spread, Demonic Rage movement, and perimeter puddle control.

    Xathuux the Annihilator fight diagram showing outward Legion Strike facing, Legion Axe swaps, Infernal Crush spread, Demonic Rage puddle kiting, and perimeter movement.
    1. 1. Point Legion Strike outside the arena.
    2. 2. Place Axe Toss in cleave range for a fast swap.
    3. 3. Spread Infernal Crush without blocking the perimeter lane.
    4. 4. Kite Demonic Rage tightly along the edge.

    Tank

    • Face outward and kite Demonic Rage along the edge.
    • Keep the boss near Axe spawns without crossing the group.

    Healer

    • Cooldown Infernal Crush into Demonic Rage and track Axe pulse damage.
    • Call when space forces extra movement.

    DPS

    • Swap to Legion Axe and use burst during the boss damage amp.
    • Spread Infernal Crush without abandoning safe lanes.

    Defensive Timing

    • Personal for Infernal Crush/Demonic Rage overlap.
    • Tank defensive while relocating through puddles.

    Bloodlust / Heroism: Strong default use to exploit the damage-amplification window and reduce arena-space pressure.

    Common Wipe: A Legion Axe survives while Demonic Rage fills the room, stacking unavoidable damage with no safe path.

  4. Boss 4

    Lithiel Cinderfury

    Kick Chaos Bolt, cleave Vilefiends and Imps, keep the unkillable Infernal away from the boss, and use Demonic Gateway only after Malefic Wave creates a safe route.

    The Fight in 20 Seconds

    Kick Chaos Bolt, cleave Vilefiends and Imps, keep the unkillable Infernal away from the boss, and use Demonic Gateway only after Malefic Wave creates a safe route. Kill adds before the wave empowers them.

    What Actually Matters

    • Chaos Bolt

      Maintain a kick rotation on the random-target cast.

    • Infernal

      It fixates the Tank and cannot be killed; separate it from Lithiel and keep gateways clear.

    • Fingers of Gul’dan

      Spread circles but overlap them tightly so Wild Imps group for stops and cleave.

    • Demonic Gateway

      Wait for Malefic Wave, then cross only when the destination is safe.

    • Malefic Empowerment

      Any add touched by the wave becomes empowered; finish adds before crossing.

    Dungeon visual · Illustrated mechanic sequence

    Lithiel: Adds Before Gateway

    The failure is usually order, not damage: finish controlled adds before using the wave-created route.

    Lithiel Cinderfury fight diagram showing Chaos Bolt kicks, Infernal separation, grouped Wild Imps, Vilefiend control, Malefic Wave timing, and safe Demonic Gateway use.
    1. 1

      Maintain kicks

      Keep the Chaos Bolt assignment active.

    2. 2

      Group Imps

      Overlap Fingers circles tightly enough for control and cleave.

    3. 3

      Finish adds

      Kill Vilefiends and Imps before Malefic Wave.

    4. 4

      Wave creates route

      Wait for Malefic Wave to establish the safe crossing.

    5. 5

      Use Gateway

      Cross only when the destination is clear.

    TankKeep the unkillable Infernal away from the boss and gateway path.

    HealerCover imp casts and movement through the wave.

    DPSKick, stop, and clear adds before the wave empowers them.

    Tank

    • Kite the Infernal away and keep both gateway ends usable.
    • Pick up Vilefiends without dragging the Infernal through the party.

    Healer

    • Cover constant Searing Fel pressure and imp casts.
    • Prepare movement healing around gateway transitions.

    DPS

    • Kick Chaos Bolt, stop Imps, and finish all adds before Malefic Wave.
    • Do not take the gateway early.

    Defensive Timing

    • Personal during Malefic Wave/add overlap.
    • Use group defensives if Imps free-cast.

    Bloodlust / Heroism: Strong final use to reduce repeated add-and-wave cycles.

    Common Wipe: Adds survive into Malefic Wave, gain empowerment, and free-cast while the Tank loses control of the Infernal.

Dangerous Trash

Only the enemies that meaningfully change the pull.

Dungeon visual · Priority pack

Priority Pull: Captain and Sayaad

The early control pull has two separate jobs: focus the aura source and cover the control channel.

  1. 1Critical

    Bribed Captain

    Deep Corruption

    PRIORITY TARGETDEFENSIVE

    Focus it and use mitigation; it is immune to common CC.

  2. 2Critical

    Seductive Sayaad

    Seduction

    KICKSTOP

    Assign the cast and use hard CC as backup.

Dungeon visual · Priority pack

Priority Pull: Felwyrm Objective

The objective threat concentrates Magic dispel, defensive timing, movement, and a death-burst exit on one enemy.

  1. 1Critical

    Massive Felwyrm

    Over-Infused

    DISPELDEFENSIVEMOVEPRIORITY TARGET

    Dispel Corroding Spittle and leave the death explosion.

Dungeon visual · Priority pack

Priority Pull: Demon Wing

The controlled demon wing combines a timed damage phase with a cast that also has an enrage-removal answer.

  1. 1High

    Shivan Punisher

    Demonic Frenzy

    DEFENSIVEPRIORITY TARGET

    Save burst and group defensives for 50%.

  2. 2High

    Wrathguard Flayer

    Fel Rage

    KICKPURGE

    Kick Fel Rage or remove the enrage; defensive Flay targets.

  • Bribed Captain

    Critical

    Deep Corruption

    PRIORITY TARGETDEFENSIVE

    Buffs nearby creatures while Shield Bash and Glaive Toss pressure the Tank.

    Kick:
    Not kick-interruptible
    Handle:
    Focus it and use mitigation; it is immune to common CC.

  • Seductive Sayaad

    Critical

    Seduction

    KICKSTOP

    A random player is controlled by a kickable or stoppable channel.

    Kick:
    Interruptible
    Handle:
    Assign the cast and use hard CC as backup.

  • Massive Felwyrm

    Critical

    Over-Infused

    DISPELDEFENSIVEMOVEPRIORITY TARGET

    Constant party damage, a dangerous death burst, Magic Spittle, and spawned wyrms.

    Kick:
    Not kick-interruptible
    Handle:
    Dispel Corroding Spittle and leave the death explosion.

  • Shivan Punisher

    High

    Demonic Frenzy

    DEFENSIVEPRIORITY TARGET

    At 50% it pulses heavy party damage while Punishing Might raises Tank pressure.

    Kick:
    Not kick-interruptible
    Handle:
    Save burst and group defensives for 50%.

  • Wrathguard Flayer

    High

    Fel Rage

    KICKPURGE

    Interrupt or soothe the buff before its damage escalates.

    Kick:
    Interruptible
    Handle:
    Kick Fel Rage or remove the enrage; defensive Flay targets.

  • Corrupted Warlock

    High

    Curse of Doom

    DISPELDEFENSIVEPRIORITY TARGET

    A lethal Curse that summons a Doomguard if it kills its target.

    Kick:
    Not kick-interruptible
    Handle:
    Curse-dispel or stack to split the expiration.

  • Felmaster Lucsei

    High

    Blade Dance

    DEFENSIVEMOVEPRIORITY TARGET

    Stacks party damage while Eye Beam threatens a frontal.

    Kick:
    Not kick-interruptible
    Handle:
    Cooldown Blade Dance and face Eye Beam away.

  • Defiled Golem

    High

    Defiled Slam

    DEFENSIVEMOVEPRIORITY TARGET

    Heavy channeled group damage plus player-targeted Fel Beam puddle lines.

    Kick:
    Not kick-interruptible
    Handle:
    Plan healing and spread beam lines.

Interrupt Priority

Kick when a kick works. Use the named stop when it does not.

Stuns, silences, knockbacks, displacement, and incapacitates are stops, not interchangeable labels for an interrupt. Review Interrupts, Stops, and Crowd Control →

Dungeon visual · Interrupt strip

Second-Screen Interrupt Strip

Priority, action type, spell, and source remain visible without opening details or relying on color alone.

Critical

  • KICKSeduction

    Seductive Sayaad

  • KICKChaos Bolt

    Lithiel Cinderfury

High priority

  • KICKFel Rage

    Wrathguard Flayer

  • KICKFelfire Burst

    Unleashed Imp / Wild Imp

Useful

  • KICKFel Missiles

    Felonious Mage

  • KICKHealth Funnel

    Fel Invoker

Critical

  • KICKCritical

    Seduction

    Seductive Sayaad

    Removes a player during an already dangerous pull.

    Response: Kick every cast.

    Alternative stop: Hard CC also ends the channel.

  • KICKCritical

    Chaos Bolt

    Lithiel Cinderfury

    Large random-target boss damage.

    Response: Maintain a rotation.

High Priority

  • KICKHigh

    Fel Rage

    Wrathguard Flayer

    Empowers the Flayer and compounds Tank pressure.

    Response: Kick or soothe the resulting enrage.

  • KICKHigh

    Felfire Burst

    Unleashed Imp / Wild Imp

    Repeated random-target casts stack quickly.

    Response: Rotate spare kicks and stops.

Useful

  • KICKUseful

    Fel Missiles

    Felonious Mage

    Avoidable channel damage.

    Response: Use spare kicks or stops.

  • KICKUseful

    Health Funnel

    Fel Invoker

    Extends dangerous demon pulls.

    Response: Kick or hard-stop the channel.

Tank Cheat Sheet

The Tank calls worth reviewing at the ready check.

  • Face Harrowers, Nibbles, Xathuux, Felmaster Lucsei, and Defiled Golems away.
  • Watch stacked Shield Bash and Heartstop Poison in the opening streets.
  • Keep Kystia and Nibbles together while controlling Fel Spray.
  • Use mitigation for Zaen Envenom and Poison removal if available.
  • Kite Xathuux Rage puddles tightly around the edge.
  • Separate Lithiel from the unkillable Infernal and keep gateways clear.
  • Do not chain through Massive Felwyrm or Shivan death/health thresholds.
  • Pause after the bar event buff rather than wasting it on setup.

Healer Cheat Sheet

The Healer calls worth reviewing at the ready check.

  • Magic-dispel Corroding Spittle and coordinate Heartstop Poison/Curse coverage by class.
  • Massive Felwyrm and Over-Infused are sustained throughput checks.
  • Cooldown Kystia’s Destabilized and image overlap.
  • Killing Spree becomes critical while Freight lives.
  • Prepare for Demonic Frenzy and Blade Dance before health drops.
  • Curse of Doom needs an explicit plan, not a late reaction.
  • Defiled Slam and Searing Fel require movement healing.
  • Call when dispels are unavailable before the Tank chains.

DPS Cheat Sheet

Mechanics, utility, and priority damage are useful DPS—not only meter output.

  • Captain, Massive Felwyrm, Freight, Shivan Punisher, Legion Axe, and Lithiel adds are priority targets.
  • Kick Seduction and Chaos Bolt; stop image and imp casts.
  • Use soothe/purge/dispels only when your class provides the correct effect.
  • Complete your bar role quickly for the Five Star Review buff.
  • Preserve separate barrel cover on Zaen.
  • Burst Xathuux Legion Axes and Rage windows.
  • Kill final-boss adds before Malefic Wave.
  • Utility and add control are worth more than street-pack padding.

Blackwake Route

The recommended sequence, why it works, and where the plan can flex.

Blackwake Learning Route — Left-to-Right Objectives

A no-skip teaching route that clears each Snitch area, completes the bar event immediately, isolates the worst demon pressure, and enters Xathuux and Lithiel with predictable cooldowns. Exact count is delegated to the linked live route.

Open external route ↗

Dungeon visual · Route timeline

Blackwake Route Timeline

A scan-first companion to the detailed pull cards. Pull order, boss transitions, control checks, and planned Bloodlust uses come from the existing route.

  1. Start · Pull 1

    First Snitch street pack

    KICK
  2. Pull 2

    Captain and Sayaad

    STOP
  3. Pull 3

    Massive Felwyrm objective

    DISPEL
  4. Pull 4Boss

    Kystia Manaheart

    PRIORITY TARGET
  5. Pull 5

    Clock-in event and warehouse

    MOVE
  6. Pull 6Boss

    Zaen Bladesorrow

    DEFENSIVE
  7. Pull 7

    Controlled demon wing

    KICK
  8. Pull 8Boss

    Xathuux

    Bloodlust / Heroism
  9. Pull 9

    Golem approach

    MOVE
  10. Pull 10Boss

    Lithiel Cinderfury

    Bloodlust / Heroism
  1. Pull 1

    First Snitch street pack

    Hooligans, Mage, Guard

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Assign Fel Missiles and Tank debuffs.

    Cooldowns: Use short stops.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  2. Pull 2

    Captain and Sayaad

    Bribed Captain, Seductive Sayaad

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Deep Corruption plus Seduction.

    Cooldowns: Use priority cooldowns.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  3. Pull 3

    Massive Felwyrm objective

    Massive Felwyrm and nearby street mobs

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Spittle, pulses, death burst.

    Cooldowns: Defensive plan.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  4. Pull 4

    Kystia Manaheart

    Kystia and Nibbles

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Images and Destabilized.

    Cooldowns: Boss cooldowns.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  5. Pull 5

    Clock-in event and warehouse

    Bar event, Workers, Taskmaster

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Finish jobs, then soothe worker enrage.

    Cooldowns: Use Five Star Review efficiently.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  6. Pull 6

    Zaen Bladesorrow

    Zaen

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Freight and Killing Spree.

    Cooldowns: Optional first Bloodlust.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  7. Pull 7

    Controlled demon wing

    Punisher, Flayer, Invoker

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Frenzy, Fel Rage, channels.

    Cooldowns: Split at natural boundaries.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  8. Pull 8Bloodlust / Heroism

    Xathuux

    Xathuux

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Legion Axe and arena space.

    Cooldowns: Blackwake Bloodlust.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  9. Pull 9

    Golem approach

    Defiled Golems and remaining demons

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Defiled Slam and Fel Beam.

    Cooldowns: Group defensives.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.
  10. Pull 10Bloodlust / Heroism

    Lithiel Cinderfury

    Lithiel and adds

    Purpose: Advance the route with one clearly assigned priority mechanic before chaining forward.

    Danger: Chaos Bolt, Infernal, Malefic Wave.

    Cooldowns: Second Bloodlust.

    Tank

    • Set the pack in safe space and stop moving forward if control is exhausted.

    Healer

    • Confirm recovery and dispel coverage before the next chain.

    DPS

    • Priority damage and assigned utility come before broad AoE.

Why This Route Works

  • Objectives first

    Every Snitch and bar role is completed while nearby.

  • Captain isolated

    Deep Corruption is not stacked with multiple control failures.

  • Demon thresholds separated

    Frenzy, Blade Dance, and Defiled Slam receive distinct cooldowns.

  • Boss Bloodlust is predictable

    Xathuux and Lithiel reduce arena/add cycles.

  • No fragile skip

    Extra count is repaired from the linked map after deviations.

Bloodlust / Heroism Plan

  1. Xathuux — Blackwake default

    Exploits the boss damage window and preserves arena space.

    Alternative: Use on Zaen if Freight/Killing Spree is the group wall.

    If timing is lost: If timing is lost, move the use to the next planned boss or dangerous mandatory pull rather than forcing the original script.

  2. Lithiel — Blackwake default

    Shortens repeated add-and-wave cycles.

    Alternative: Use when available after a wipe rather than holding for an exact timestamp.

    If timing is lost: If timing is lost, move the use to the next planned boss or dangerous mandatory pull rather than forcing the original script.

If It Goes Sideways

Recover the pull, adapt the route, and keep the run moving.

  • A Snitch was missed

    Finish the current pack and backtrack before starting Kystia.

  • Bar progress stalls

    Call each player’s role and stop all five from duplicating one task.

  • Freight survives

    Swap immediately, use personals, and stop damaging Zaen until pulses end.

  • Curse of Doom cannot be dispelled

    Stack healthy players to split it and commit defensives.

  • Xathuux space collapses

    Tighten the next edge rotation; do not cross old puddles for uptime.

  • Infernal blocks a gateway

    Tank moves it first; the group waits for the next safe wave rather than crossing through it.

Common Mistakes

Patterns that repeatedly turn manageable moments into lost time.

  • Skipping a Snitch

    The gate does not care how fast the trash died.

  • Ignoring the Captain

    Deep Corruption amplifies every nearby mob.

  • One player does every bar task

    The event is designed for simultaneous roles.

  • No freight swap

    Zaen’s add pulses through Killing Spree.

  • Curse expires alone

    Stack or dispel it.

  • Legion Axe is padded around

    Its rising AoE is the priority.

  • Gateway taken early

    Wait until Malefic Wave leaves a safe destination.

  • Adds touch the wave

    Finish them before crossing.

Before You Run This Key

Reveal each answer when you are ready. No grades, scores, or completion tracking.

  1. Which opening cast controls a player?

  2. What breaks Kystia’s protection?

  3. What must die during Fire Bomb?

  4. How is Curse of Doom handled?

  5. Where should Xathuux puddles go?

  6. Where does Blackwake Bloodlust?

Blackwake Notes

Crew-specific calls and hard lessons that supplement the tactical Playbook.

Complete objectives before chasing count. Blackwake prioritizes Captain, Freight, Legion Axe, and final-boss adds over meter padding.

Mythic+ Sessions

Dungeon workshops, role sessions, route workshops, and key nights with the crew.

No Mythic+ sessions are scheduled right now. The Learning Board can still rally a key crew.

Related Academy Content

Fundamentals stay in their own lessons so this page can remain tactical.

Trusted Resources

Curated references beyond the Blackwake Playbook.

Need the fundamentals first?

Role paths teach the deeper fundamentals. They are suggestions, never prerequisites.

Need a hand?

Ask the Crew

Working through Murder Row? Ask for a route review, role help, or a learning run.

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