Wailing Caverns quests comprise seven main quest lines: five available to both factions, plus Leaders of the Fang and Serpentbloom for Horde characters. Collect the starting quests in Ratchet, Thunder Bluff and the hidden cave above the entrance; The Glowing Shard starts from Mutanus the Devourer's loot, with In Nightmares following it.
Wailing Caverns quests in WoW Forever
All seven Wailing Caverns quest lines in one place. Pick your faction to see the quests you can take, what to prepare and the way in; open a quest for where it starts, what to do and its rewards.
Wailing Caverns quests for
Before you go
- Ratchet: Raptor Horns from Mebok Mizzyrixfive Intact Raptor Horns from Sunscale Scythclaws; it unlocks Smart Drinks
- Ratchet: Trouble at the Docks from Crane Operator Bigglefuzz
- The hidden cave above the entrance: Deviate Hides from Nalpak and Deviate Eradication from Ebru
- The Crossroads: Tonga Runetotem’s chain to Leaders of the Fangfive stages before the dungeon, the last two in Thunder Bluff
- Thunder Bluff: Serpentbloom from Apothecary Zamah
- Pick up your own quests rather than depending on sharingThe Glowing Shard cannot be shared: each character loots its own
lvl13Deviate Hides
NalpakBoth factionsBefore the portal
- Giver
- Nalpak
- Start
- The hidden cave above the entrance, The Barrens, 46.4, 33.7
- Do
- Bring 20 Deviate Hides, looted from beasts inside the dungeon and in the outer caves. Round-robin loot can spread the drops across the group, so gathering all 20 may take more than one clear.
- Reward
- Deviate Hide Pack (a 10-slot bag)Slick Deviate Leggings3,100 XP and 18 silver; the two items are awarded together or offered as a choice
lvl15Deviate Eradication
EbruBoth factions
- Giver
- Ebru
- Start
- Beside Nalpak in the hidden cave, 46.4, 33.7
- Do
- Kill seven of each: Deviate Ravager, Deviate Viper, Deviate Shambler and Deviate Dreadfang. They are inside the instance, and a full clear normally provides the required kills.
- Reward
- Pattern: Deviate Scale BeltSizzle StickDagmire Gauntlets4,000 XP and 25 silver
lvl13Smart Drinks
Mebok MizzyrixBoth factionsBefore the portal
- Giver
- Mebok Mizzyrix
- Start
- Ratchet, 62.4, 37.6; finish his Raptor Horns first: five Intact Raptor Horns from Sunscale Scythclaws in The Barrens
- Do
- Bring six Wailing Essences from ectoplasm enemies: Devouring Ectoplasm in both the outer cave and the instance, and Evolving Ectoplasm and Nightmare Ectoplasm inside.
- Reward
- 2,650 XP and 10 silver, no equipment reward
lvl14Trouble at the Docks
Crane Operator BigglefuzzBoth factionsBefore the portal
- Giver
- Crane Operator Bigglefuzz
- Start
- Ratchet docks, 63.0, 37.6
- Do
- Bring back the 99-Year-Old Port carried by Mad Magglish, a stealthed enemy in the outer caves before the instance portal. Follow the right-hand passages after entering the cave to search for him; he moves around and has a slow respawn.
- Reward
- 2,650 XP and 10 silver, no item reward
lvl10–15Leaders of the Fang
Nara Wildmane, Elder RiseHorde
- Giver
- Nara Wildmane, Elder Rise
- Start
- Elder Rise, Thunder Bluff, 75.6, 31.2; its minimum level is listed as 10, 14 or 15. The six-stage chain begins with Tonga Runetotem at the Crossroads, 52.3, 31.9
- Do
- Complete the six stages in order. Killing the bosses alone does not finish the collection objective: loot all four gems before leaving.
- The Forgotten Pools: investigate the water northwest of the Crossroads by swimming into the middle, then return to Tonga.
- The Stagnant Oasis: use the dried seeds at the bubbling fissures underwater.
- Altered Beings: loot eight Altered Snapjaw Shells from Oasis Snapjaws at Lushwater Oasis and Stagnant Oasis.
- Hamuul Runetotem: take Tonga’s referral to Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem on Elder Rise in Thunder Bluff, 78.6, 28.6.
- Nara Wildmane: accept Hamuul’s referral and speak to Nara nearby.
- Leaders of the Fang: enter the dungeon and loot the Gem of Anacondra, Gem of Cobrahn, Gem of Pythas and Gem of Serpentis from their respective bosses.
- Reward
- Crescent StaffWingbladeHammerbone4,300 XP
lvl14Serpentbloom
Apothecary ZamahHordeBefore the portal
- Giver
- Apothecary Zamah
- Start
- Pools of Vision beneath Spirit Rise, Thunder Bluff, 23.0, 21.0
- Do
- Collect 10 Serpentbloom plants. They grow along the dungeon walls and in the outer approach caves, with limited plants available during a shared run. You can stay after the Naralex event to gather regrowing plants in the cleared caves.
- Reward
- Apothecary GlovesHeat Resistant MittsSafety Boots3,300 XP and 10 or 20 silver
lvl15The Glowing Shard → In Nightmares
The Glowing Shard, from Mutanus the DevourerBoth factionsNot shareable
- Start
- Loot the Glowing Shard from Mutanus the Devourer at the end of the Naralex event and use it to accept the quest. Each character must loot their own
- Do
- Then follow this route:
- Sputtervalve, Ratchet: find him beside the flight master and complete his conversation about the shard; he does not display a quest turn-in question mark.
- Falla Sagewind, above Wailing Caverns: return to the hill and find her hut, hand in The Glowing Shard and accept In Nightmares.
- Your faction contact: deliver the Nightmare Shard to Arch Druid Hamuul Runetotem on Elder Rise in Thunder Bluff for Horde, or Mathrengyl Bearwalker in Darnassus for Alliance.
- Reward
- Talbar Mantle (cloth shoulders)Quagmire Galoshes (leather boots)5,150 XP for The Glowing Shard; 2,000 XP and a choice of the two items for In Nightmares
Pickup order and the way in
- Take the Booty Bay boat to Ratchet, then travel west toward the oasis.
- An overland alternative starts east of Astranaar in Ashenvale: cross the river, take the next southbound road into The Barrens, then continue south and west.
- Before entering the main cave, go around its western rocks and climb the hill behind the skull-shaped entrance.
- Travel southwest from the Crossroads toward the oasis and its cave entrance.
- Players leaving their opening area as Undead can ride the airship out of Tirisfal Glades and land in Durotar, from which they can move on into The Barrens.
- Before entering the main cave, go around its western rocks and climb the hill behind the skull-shaped entrance.
Drop into the skull’s left eye or the opening leading into the hidden cave; Nalpak and Ebru are inside, at 46.4, 33.7. Then return to the main cave mouth: the outer caves contain enemies, so follow the northward tunnel, head east and descend into the mushroom cavern; the portal is at its southern end. Meeting stones do not summon, and a Warlock can use Ritual of Summoning to bring someone to the entrance.
Wailing Caverns loot by boss
Lord Cobrahn3 items
- Cobrahn’s GraspWaist, Mail · item level 24 · 111 Armor · +8 Strength · +3 AgilityClassic Era stats
- Leggings of the FangLegs, Leather · item level 23 · 79 Armor · +5 Strength · +4 Stamina · +9 AgilityClassic Era stats
- Robe of the MoccasinChest, Cloth · item level 22 · 36 Armor · +2 Strength · +2 Stamina · +6 SpiritClassic Era stats
Lady Anacondra4 items
- Belt of the FangWaist, Leather · item level 21 · 45 Armor · +3 Stamina · +2 AgilityClassic Era stats
- Serpent’s ShouldersShoulder, Leather · item level 23 · 59 ArmorClassic Era stats
- Snakeskin BagotherClassic Era stats
- Snake Eye KaleidoscopeNeckno stats in the client yet
Kresh3 items
- Kresh’s BackShield, Shield · item level 20 · 471 ArmorClassic Era stats
- Worn Turtle Shell ShieldShield, Shield · item level 20 · 382 ArmorClassic Era stats
- Cloak of Hermitic BlissBackno stats in the client yet
Lord Pythas3 items
- Stinging ViperOne-Hand, One-Handed Mace · item level 24Classic Era stats
- Armor of the FangChest, Leather · item level 23 · 82 Armor · +2 Strength · +7 SpiritClassic Era stats
- Slither CordWaist, Clothno stats in the client yet
Skum3 items
- Glowing Lizardscale CloakBack · item level 22 · 20 Armor · +6 Agility · +2 SpiritClassic Era stats
- Tail SpikeOne-Hand, Dagger · item level 22 · +2 Agility · +2 StrengthClassic Era stats
- Skum’s BucketOff Handno stats in the client yet
Lord Serpentis4 items
- VenomstrikeRanged, Bow · item level 24Classic Era stats
- Serpent GlovesHands, Cloth · item level 23 · 23 Armor · +4 Agility · +4 IntellectClassic Era stats
- Footpads of the FangFeet, Leather · item level 23 · 57 Armor · +4 Stamina · +4 AgilityClassic Era stats
- Savage TroddersFeet, Mail · item level 23 · 122 Armor · +6 StaminaClassic Era stats
Verdan the Everliving3 items
- Seedcloud BucklerShield, Shield · item level 25 · 566 Armor · +3 Spirit · +6 IntellectClassic Era stats
- Living RootTwo-Hand, Staff · item level 25 · +12 Spirit · +2 StaminaClassic Era stats
- Sporid CapeBack · item level 23 · 18 Armor · +3 Stamina · +2 SpiritClassic Era stats
Mutanus the Devourer4 items
- Slime-encrusted PadsShoulder, Cloth · item level 27 · 34 ArmorClassic Era stats
- Mutant Scale BreastplateChest, Mail · item level 28 · 211 Armor · +13 Strength · +5 StaminaClassic Era stats
- Deep Fathom RingFinger · item level 26 · +6 Spirit · +3 Stamina · +3 IntellectClassic Era stats
- Glowing Shardquest item
Deviate Faerie Dragon3 items
- FirebelcherRanged, Wand · item level 20Classic Era stats
- Feyscale CloakBack · item level 20 · 17 Armor · +3 Stamina · +2 SpiritClassic Era stats
- Pattern: Stormrider’s Leather Glovesrecipe
Trashnot a boss · 1 item
- Gloves of the FangHands, Leather · item level 19 · 47 Armor · +3 Agility · +2 StrengthClassic Era stats
Which boss drops what: the AtlasLoot Continued addon 12488, read against the WoW Forever client, build 1.60.1.70862. Where the client has no item level or stats for an item yet, the Classic Era ones are shown and marked.
Takes the dungeon clear off your hands.
Dungeons around it
Dungeon route and unlocking Mutanus
The dungeon has eight regular bosses and the rare Deviate Faerie Dragon. The four Fanglords unlock the Naralex escort, which leads to Mutanus the Devourer and the shard quest starter. Anacondra's position can make her an early or late encounter, while Kresh patrols the river.
- Entrance and river cavern: speak to the Disciple of Naralex for Mark of the Wild, then enter the large cavern north of his camp.
- Lady Anacondra and Lord Cobrahn: kill Anacondra when encountered; take the western Pit of Fangs route to Cobrahn, then return to the river by dropping from the cliff opposite him.
- Lord Pythas and Skum: cross east into the Crag of the Everliving, continue northeast to Pythas and find optional Skum in the chasm water to his south.
- Lord Serpentis and Verdan: follow the southern side westward, then go north to Serpentis; Verdan stands beyond him and opens a drop back to the river when defeated.
- Escort preparation: finish any missing Fanglord and clear the escort path, including the upper parts of the first cavern, before returning to the Disciple at the entrance.
- Naralex event: start the Disciple's dialogue, escort and protect him, then defeat the snake wave, the ooze wave and finally Mutanus.
The event fails if the Disciple dies or the party wipes; another attempt requires an instance reset and defeating the four Fanglords again. Drink between waves when possible, and keep ranged characters away from Mutanus's nearby area damage.
Fights that can interrupt your quest run
Interrupt Sleep or Druid's Slumber before Healing Touch on the druids and Fanglords; the sleep can disable your tank or healer. Control additional druids during Anacondra and Pythas, and kill Pythas's Shambler while someone remains ready to interrupt the boss.
Cobrahn's serpent form increases his melee threat, and Verdan's Grasping Vines catches characters within 10 yards with roots and a knockdown. Spread around Skum to reduce Chained Bolt jumps.
Loot worth taking during the quest clear
Venomstrike drops from Lord Serpentis for hunters, while Kresh's Back is a tank shield from Kresh. Verdan's Living Root supplies 45 healing power, and Skum's Bucket restores 835 mana over 24 seconds while sitting, with a 10-minute cooldown.
Snake Eye Kaleidoscope comes from Anacondra, Slither Cord from Pythas and Cloak of Hermitic Bliss from Kresh; the cloak trades slower land movement for faster swimming. Anacondra also drops Blueprint: Field Guide for skinning, while Serpentis drops Blueprint: Journeyman Campfire for cooking.
What players report
Four players on the official WoW: Forever forums reported that Serpentbloom availability and hide drops were too low to finish their gathering quests in one run. Three forum participants reported still lacking gathering items after three clears.
Three players on the official forums reported completing their gathering quests by farming outside the instance instead. Two forum participants preferred the exterior route because they found its enemy kills gave more experience than the dungeon.
When a new Wailing Caverns quest turns up, it is added here as a card, with a line under Page updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are all the Wailing Caverns quests?
Get Smart Drinks and Trouble at the Docks in Ratchet, Deviate Hides and Deviate Eradication above the dungeon entrance, and the Horde-only Leaders of the Fang and Serpentbloom in Thunder Bluff. The Glowing Shard starts from Mutanus's loot, followed by In Nightmares from Falla Sagewind.
Can Alliance get Wailing Caverns quests?
Yes: Alliance can complete the five shared quest lines and the shard follow-up, but cannot accept Leaders of the Fang or Serpentbloom.
Where do you turn in Wailing Caverns quests?
Return the ordinary quests to their starting NPCs in Ratchet, the hidden entrance cave or Thunder Bluff. For the shard chain, speak to Sputtervalve, deliver to Falla Sagewind, then finish In Nightmares with Hamuul in Thunder Bluff or Mathrengyl in Darnassus.
How much XP do the Wailing Caverns quests give?
Before enemy kills, the five shared quests give 17,550 XP and the seven quests available to Horde 25,150; In Nightmares adds another 2,000 for either faction. Quest experience is awarded in full to each eligible group member rather than divided among the party.
Can you finish the gathering quests outside the dungeon?
Yes. Hides, essences and Serpentbloom are obtainable outside the portal, and three players on the official forums reported completing their gathering quests by farming outside the instance instead.
