Stratholme is the burned city in the north of the Eastern Plaguelands, where Arthas purged the population and the Scourge and the Scarlet Crusade now fight over the ruins. It is two dungeons in one: the Live side with the Scarlet Bastion and Balnazzar, and the Undead side with the ziggurats and Baron Rivendare, who drops the famous Deathcharger's Reins. It is one of the most farmed level 60 dungeons in WoW Forever, and it is tuned for levels 58 to 60.
Stratholme is not open on the WoW Forever beta yet, so this guide covers the original version of both sides: how to get there, every quest, all bosses and the loot. The Forever database already shows changes, such as a new Smokey's Lighter trinket effect, a reworked Mask of the Unforgiven and the original quest name The Great Fras Siabi. We describe everything known so far and will add the rest after the November 4 launch.
Stratholme lies in the far north of the Eastern Plaguelands. Both factions fly to Light's Hope Chapel and ride northwest to the city gates. The main gate leads to the Live side. The service entrance on the other side of the city leads straight to the Undead side.
The Undead side is also reachable through the Live side, past Magistrate Barthilas. He drops the Key to the City, which opens the service entrance on later runs.
Stratholme has quests for the Argent Dawn, for the Paladin legendary chains and for the dungeon set upgrades. The quests to prioritize are Aurius' Reckoning, which pays one of the best trinket choices, Houses of the Holy and The Active Agent for Argent Dawn reputation, and Dead Man's Plea, the timed Baron run.
Most Stratholme quests start at Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands and are open to both factions. Where the Forever data still hides a reward, the table shows the Classic one:
| Quest | Level | Quest Giver | Objective | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses of the Holy | Requires 55 | Leonid Barthalomew the Revered at Light's Hope Chapel | Collect Stratholme Holy Water from the wooden crates across the city | Potions, Argent Dawn reputation and Crown of the Penitent or Band of the Penitent |
| The Active Agent | 60, requires 55 | Betina Bigglezink at Light's Hope, after The Flesh Does Not Lie | Take the Scourge Data from a container in one of the three ziggurats on the Undead side | Classic: Seal of the Dawn or Rune of the Dawn |
| The Restless Souls | 60, requires 55 | Caretaker Alen at Light's Hope | Use Egan's Blaster on 15 Spectral Citizens inside to free their souls | Classic: Testament of Hope |
| Aurius' Reckoning | 60, requires 55 | Aurius, who waits near the Undead side entrance | Take the Medallion of Faith from the strongbox guarded by Malor the Zealous and give it to Aurius, who then joins the fight against Baron Rivendare | Classic: Will of the Martyr or Blood of the Martyr |
| The Great Fras Siabi | 60, requires 55 | Smokey LaRue at Light's Hope | Bring a box of Grimm's Premium Tobacco from the smoke shop of Fras Siabi on the Live side | Smokey's Lighter |
| Dead Man's Plea | 60, requires 58 | Anthion Harmon at the city gates | Kill Baron Rivendare within 45 minutes of entering the Undead side to save Ysida Harmon | Ysida's Satchel |
| Of Love and Family | Not listed | Chain toward Highlord Taelan Fordring | Bring the painting from the room of Archivist Galford | Next step of the chain |
Dead Man's Plea is also a step of the dungeon set 2 upgrade chain. The Great Fras Siabi has its original name back in the Forever data instead of the later "The Great Ezra Grimm".
The Undead side also has one Horde-only quest:
| Quest | Level | Quest Giver | Objective | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramstein | 60, requires 56 | Nathanos Blightcaller in the Eastern Plaguelands | Bring the Head of Ramstein the Gorger | Classic: Royal Seal of Alexis or Elemental Circle |
The Forever database already lists both sides with their loot and quests. Most quest rewards are still hidden, but several changes are visible.
| Item | Classic | WoW Forever |
|---|---|---|
| Smokey's Lighter | Trinket with a fire effect | Trinket that deals 210 Fire damage in a cone in front of you, double against plants |
| Mask of the Unforgiven | Leather helm with hit and crit | Same 2% hit and 1% crit, now with 6 Defense and more Stamina |
| Foresight Girdle | 5 health per 5 seconds | 15 health per 5 seconds |
| Shroud of the Nathrezim | Cloak with spell crit | Cloak with Spell Power and critical strike rating |
| Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape | Tank cloak | Now with 50 bonus armor |
The first dungeon set pieces that drop here, like the Kilt of Elements, Devout Skirt, Wildheart Kilt and Magister's Leggings, gained Spell Power or Healing. The quest rewards Crown of the Penitent and Band of the Penitent became rare.
Each side is its own instance. Ghosts, abominations and Scarlet soldiers fill the streets, and the Undead side packs often include Thuzadin Necromancers that summon skeletons, so kill the casters first.
Skul is a rare caster ghost: interrupt him. Hearthsinger Forresten sleeps a random player, and The Unforgiven calls in ghost adds and slows with a shadow spell. Timmy the Cruel is a tank and spank in the market square. Fras Siabi carries the tobacco for Smokey LaRue. The Stratholme Courier drops keys for the mailboxes, and opening all of them calls Postmaster Malown, who fears and curses. The Unforgiven drops Mask of the Unforgiven, and Timmy drops The Cruel Hand of Timmy.
Malor the Zealous uses Lay on Hands and guards the Medallion of Faith. Cannon Master Willey calls ranged adds: use the cannonballs and cannons in his room to kill them. Archivist Galford has a burning damage over time effect and area damage, so healers work hard. He drops Archivist Cape and Ash Covered Boots.
Grand Crusader Dathrohan turns into Balnazzar at half health. As the dread lord he mind controls players, fears the group and casts Mind Blast and Shadow Shock. Keep fear protection ready and crowd control mind controlled players. He drops Band of Mending, Demonshear and Fire Striders.
Magistrate Barthilas knocks the tank back with Mighty Blow, so tank him against a wall. He drops Peacemaker, Death Grips and the Key to the City. Stonespine is a rare gargoyle with a bleed and drops Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape.
Three ziggurats each hold a boss. Baroness Anastari possesses a player, and bringing that player to half health breaks the effect. Nerub'enkan spawns small adds that should be cleaved down. Maleki the Pallid traps the tank in an Ice Tomb for 6 seconds, so damage dealers slow down until the tank is free. Killing all three opens the slaughterhouse.
Ramstein the Gorger waits in the slaughterhouse after the abomination waves. He is a tank and spank fight with threat drops. He drops Band of Flesh and Animated Chain Necklace. After him, waves of Black Guards come out before Baron Rivendare.
Baron Rivendare reduces healing on the tank, damages everyone close with his aura and cleaves, and raises skeletons. He drops Deathcharger's Reins, a rare mount, and items like Thuzadin Mantle and Tunic of the Crescent Moon.
Stratholme drops many pre-raid best-in-slot items. These are the ones worth farming:
| Role | Best Items |
|---|---|
| Tank | Stoneskin Gargoyle Cape, Mask of the Unforgiven, Band of Flesh |
| Melee damage | Demonshear, The Cruel Hand of Timmy, Death Grips, Band of the Penitent |
| Caster damage | Shroud of the Nathrezim, Kilt of Elements, Magister's Leggings |
| Healer | Band of Mending, Crown of the Penitent, Devout Skirt, Foresight Girdle |
These small things save the most time and the most wipes in Stratholme:
For the full list of dungeons on the way to level 60, see our WoW Forever dungeons overview.
If you would rather skip the group search, our WoW Forever Dungeons Tour clears both sides of Stratholme and the other Forever dungeons in one order with an organized team, with quests, loot and experience included.
These are the questions players ask most often about Stratholme.
Stratholme is tuned for levels 58 to 60 and is meant for level 60 groups.
Not yet. This guide covers the original version of both sides and the changes already in the Forever database. We will update it after the November 4 launch.
A run of the Undead side for Dead Man's Plea: kill Baron Rivendare within 45 minutes of entering to save Ysida Harmon.
From Baron Rivendare at the end of the Undead side. It is a very rare drop.
So far, item effects and names: Smokey's Lighter now deals cone fire damage, the Mask of the Unforgiven gained Defense, and The Great Fras Siabi is back under its original name. Most quest rewards are still hidden.
These guides help you plan the dungeons around Stratholme:
