Onyxia is a legendary 40-player raid encounter featuring the Broodmother of all black dragons.
The fight consists of 3 distinct phases, each requiring different strategies and positioning.
Understanding the mechanics and executing proper positioning is key to victory.
Boss Name
Onyxia, Broodmother
Raid Size
40 Players
Boss HP
665,000
Immunities
Fire, Taunt
⚠️ Important Facts
▸
Onyxia cannot be taunted - Your tank must gain and maintain threat
▸
Onyxia is immune to fire damage - Use physical or other magic damage
▸Threat resets on phase transitions - Tank must rebuild threat
▸
Hitting whelp eggs spawns adds - Avoid this at all costs
🔴 Phase 1: Ground Combat (100% - 65% HP)
100% - 65% HP
Phase 1 is the most straightforward of all phases. Onyxia remains on the ground and uses her breath and tail attacks.
Proper positioning is critical to minimize raid damage.
Phase 1 - Positioning Layout
🔥 Flame Breath
Frontal Cone
Devastating fire attack in a frontal cone. Stay on the sides of the dragon to avoid.
💡 Tank positions dragon with head toward back wall. Melee stand on sides.
🦵 Tail Sweep
AoE Knockback
Sweeping tail attack that hits everything behind the dragon. Knockback can spawn whelps!
⚠️ Position carefully to avoid tail. DO NOT get hit or you'll spawn adds.
💨 Wing Buffet
AoE Knockback
General knockback that affects everyone. Tank needs to stay close to wall.
💡 Tank positions back against the back wall to minimize knockback distance.
📋 Phase 1 Positioning Checklist
✓ Tank pulls Onyxia and faces her toward back wall immediately
✓ Melee DPS stack on left OR right side (away from tail)
✓ Ranged DPS positioned at maximum distance behind the dragon
✓ Healers spread out to avoid getting hit together
✓ Everyone stays out of melee range initially to let tank build threat
⏱️ Phase 1 Duration
At 65% HP (~3-4 minutes), Onyxia will fly up and Phase 2 begins.
Don't let DPS get carried away - maintain threat control and don't stand in mechanics.
🟡 Phase 2: Flight & Add Control (65% - 40% HP)
65% - 40% HP
This is the most chaotic phase. Onyxia takes flight and spawns waves of whelps.
Ranged DPS should burn Onyxia down quickly while melee handles the adds.
Phase 2 - Flight & Add Spawning
🔥 Deep Breath
Line Attack
Onyxia flies in a line and blasts fire. Move perpendicular to her path!
💡 Have hunters use Track Dragonkin to call out her position and direction.
👶 Whelp Adds
Spawn Mechanic
Multiple waves of whelps spawn during this phase. They must be killed quickly.
⚠️ Have dedicated melee groups on each side. Ranged helps if needed.
💨 Spread Out
Positioning Mechanic
Avoid stacking to minimize splash damage from fire attacks.
💡 Spread in a line, not clustered together. Max spread = less damage.
📋 Phase 2 Positioning Checklist
✓ Left side melee: Focus adds on left egg area
✓ Right side melee: Focus adds on right egg area
✓ Ranged DPS: Spread out and burn boss, help with adds if needed
✓ Healers: Stay with their respective groups, spread for splash damage
✓ Everyone: Watch for Deep Breath and move perpendicular immediately
✓ Save DPS cooldowns: Use them HERE to speed up the phase
💡 Phase 2 Strategy
This phase has the highest potential for wipes. Coordinate add kills and keep raid spread out.
Ranged should burn Onyxia as hard as possible - faster phase completion = fewer adds to deal with.
At 40% HP, she lands and Phase 3 begins.
🔵 Phase 3: Enraged Ground (40% - 0% HP)
40% - 0% HP (Enraged)
Similar to Phase 1 but harder. Onyxia is enraged and deals increased damage.
New mechanics include periodic fear and continued whelp spawns. This is the final push - survive and burn!
Phase 3 - Enraged Combat
😨 Fear
Crowd Control
Onyxia fears the entire raid, causing them to run uncontrollably.
⚠️ Priests/Shamans must dispel/prevent fear on the tank IMMEDIATELY!
🔥 Floor Eruption
AoE Damage
Cracks erupt with fire after each fear, hitting anyone on them.
💡 Don't stand on cracks. Fear protection is critical for tank safety.
👶 Whelp Adds
Continuous Spawn
Whelps continue to spawn during Phase 3, even without egg triggers.
💡 Ranged should swap to adds while melee stays on boss.
⚡ Enraged
Buff
Onyxia deals massively increased damage and attacks faster.
⚠️ Healers need to work overtime. Have healing cooldowns ready!
📋 Phase 3 Positioning Checklist
✓ Tank positions Onyxia at back wall again (similar to Phase 1)
✓ Melee stays on dragon sides, away from fear path
✓ Ranged positioned to swap to whelps easily
✓ Healers: Have Priest/Shaman ready for fear removal on tank
✓ DPS: This is the final push - go all out! All cooldowns unleashed!
✓ Avoid standing on visible floor cracks to prevent fire damage
🎯 Phase 3 Strategy
This is the final test of your raid's focus and discipline. Damage output is critical, but mechanics must be respected.
The tank MUST be protected from fear at all costs - a feared tank in the middle of the raid often leads to wipes.
Keep everyone alive, manage adds efficiently, and burn the boss. Victory is within reach!
✨ All Abilities & Mechanics
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of all of Onyxia's abilities across all phases.
🔥 Flame Breath
Phase 1 & 3
Devastating frontal cone attack that deals massive fire damage.
Hits roughly in front of the dragon's face in a wide arc.
🛡️ Mitigation: Position on the dragon's sides, not in front.
Tank facings with back to wall minimizes this threat.
🦵 Tail Sweep
Phase 1 & 3
Wide sweeping tail attack that hits everything behind the dragon.
Includes knockback that can throw players into whelp eggs, spawning adds.
⚠️ AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Position melee on dragon's sides.
Getting hit by tail often causes a wipe due to add spawning.
💨 Wing Buffet
Phase 1 & 3
General knockback ability that affects everyone in the room.
Pushes players back and reduces tank aggro by 25%.
💡 Tank should stand with back against wall to minimize knockback.
Use aggro meter to watch for sudden threat drops.
🔥 Deep Breath
Phase 2
Onyxia flies in a straight line and blasts fire across the room.
Massive damage to anyone in the path.
🔥 Move perpendicular (sideways) to her flight path immediately!
Have Hunters track her for callouts.
👶 Whelp Spawn
All Phases
Multiple waves of young dragons spawn. In Phase 2, they spawn from eggs.
In Phase 3, they spawn periodically even without egg triggers.
⚔️ Phase 2: Melee focuses adds. Phase 3: Ranged swaps to adds.
Kill them quickly to reduce raid damage.
😨 Fear
Phase 3
Onyxia periodically fears the entire raid, causing everyone to run uncontrollably.
This is immediately followed by floor eruptions.
🆘 CRITICAL: Priest/Shaman must dispel fear on tank instantly!
Feared tank in middle = almost guaranteed wipe.
🔥 Floor Eruption
Phase 3
Cracks in the floor erupt with fire immediately after fear effects.
Deals fire damage to anyone standing on the cracks.
💨 Don't stand on visible cracks. Fear control prevents this mechanic
from being lethal (no fear = no running onto cracks).
⚡ Enrage
Phase 3
Onyxia becomes enraged at 40% HP, dealing massively increased damage
and attacking much faster than previous phases.
💪 Healers need to ramp up healing. Tank needs defensive cooldowns.
This is why Phase 3 is the most dangerous.
🧲 Threat Reset
Phase Transitions
Threat list completely resets when Onyxia transitions phases.
Tank must quickly rebuild threat or risk adds/boss going to DPS.
⏸️ DPS MUST stop attacking briefly when phases transition!
Wait for tank to regain threat before resuming DPS.
🚫 Taunt Immunity
Always Active
Onyxia cannot be taunted by any class ability.
The tank must maintain threat through raw threat generation.
⚠️ This is why threat control is so critical throughout the fight.
No taunt = DPS must be disciplined or they'll pull aggro.
🔥 Fire Immunity
Always Active
Onyxia is completely immune to fire damage.
All fire spells and abilities do zero damage.
🎯 Use physical damage, frost, shadow, arcane, or nature instead.
Adjust your build if you rely heavily on fire.
📍 Complete Positioning Guide
🎯 General Positioning Principles
Tank
Position Onyxia with her head toward the back wall and her tail toward the entrance.
Stay close to the wall to minimize Wing Buffet knockback. Never move her around.
Melee DPS (Phase 1 & 3)
Stack on one side of the dragon, away from the tail. Position on the dragon's side,
not at the rear. This avoids Tail Sweep and Flame Breath.
Melee DPS (Phase 2)
Split into left and right groups to handle whelp adds. Each group should stay
near their respective egg area and focus on killing adds quickly.
Ranged DPS (All Phases)
Maintain maximum range from the dragon. In Phase 2, spread out to avoid splash damage.
In Phase 3, position to easily swap to adds while maintaining range from boss.
Healers (All Phases)
Stay spread out to avoid getting hit together by AoE attacks. Some healers should stay
near melee groups, others near ranged groups. Never cluster up.
⚠️ NEVER Do This!
❌
Stand behind the dragon - Tail Sweep will hit you AND spawn adds
❌
Pull aggro - You will die and possibly cause a wipe
❌
Stand on visible floor cracks in Phase 3 - The eruption will kill you
❌
Trigger whelp eggs by hitting them - Spawns unwanted adds
❌
Cluster up - AoE attacks will hit the whole group at once
❌
Move the boss away from the wall - Knockbacks will send players flying
🛡️
Tank
Position Onyxia with head toward back wall, immediately after pull
Maintain maximum threat throughout - no taunt option!
Keep your back to the wall to minimize Wing Buffet knockback
In Phase 2, tank the whelps instead of the boss
Rebuild threat quickly after phase transitions before DPS resumes
Save defensive cooldowns for Phase 3 when Onyxia is enraged
Communicate with Priest/Shaman to protect from Phase 3 fear
Use threat meter constantly - watch for sudden aggro drops
💚
Healer
Anticipate damage spikes before they happen - look ahead!
Keep HoTs rolling on tank and raid members at all times
Spread out to avoid all getting hit by the same AoE
In Phase 3, have Priest/Shaman ready for instant fear removal on tank
Ramp up healing in Phase 3 - Onyxia deals massive damage when enraged
Use cooldowns strategically - don't waste them early
Communication is key - alert your group to mechanics
Consider bringing fire resistance potions to mitigate damage
⚡
Melee DPS
Position on the side of the dragon, away from tail and head
In Phase 1 & 3: Stay on dragon sides for consistent DPS
In Phase 2: Focus completely on killing adds, not the boss
Watch your threat - use threat meter to stay safe
When phase transitions, STOP DPS immediately to let tank rebuild threat
Save DPS cooldowns for Phase 2 if you're helping with adds
Never stand behind the dragon - Tail Sweep spawns adds!
Coordinate with other melee to focus fire on adds efficiently
🔥
Ranged DPS
Maintain maximum range from the dragon at all times
In Phase 1 & 3: Burn the boss while staying spread out
In Phase 2: Focus all DPS on Onyxia to speed up the phase
Use DPS cooldowns in Phase 2 to burst her down quickly
Spread out to avoid splash damage from fire attacks
Watch for Deep Breath and move perpendicular immediately
In Phase 3, help swap to adds while maintaining range from boss
Never use fire-based abilities - Onyxia is immune to fire
🏹
Hunters
Use Track Dragonkin to monitor Onyxia's position in Phase 2
Call out Deep Breath direction to help raid positioning
Focus fire on adds that are threatening healers or other squishies
In Phase 2, spread out to avoid splash damage
Use ranged attacks from maximum range - maintain distance
Don't use explosive trap if it might hit whelp eggs
Maintain threat meter awareness like other DPS
After kill, you can farm Mature Black Dragon Sinew for quests
👻
Priest/Shaman (Fear Management)
In Phase 3, you are CRITICAL for tank survival
Priest: Be ready to instantly Dispel fear on the tank
Shaman: Preemptively cast Tremor Totem to prevent fear on tank
Do NOT let the tank get feared - this causes wipes
Communicate when fear is about to happen (watch for phase 3 tell)
If tank gets feared and starts running, other classes help protect
This responsibility is more important than healing DPS - prioritize tank
Practice your reaction time before the raid
💎 Onyxia's Legendary Loot
📊 Loot Summary
Onyxia drops 2 epic items per kill. These include Tier 2 helms for all classes and several unique items.
She also drops BoE blue quality gear randomly.
👑 Tier 2 Headpieces (Class-Specific)
Item Name
Class
Stats
Slot
Bloodfang Hood
Rogue
Agility, Stamina, Armor
Head
Dragonstalker's Helm
Hunter
Agility, Stamina, Intellect
Head
Halo of Transcendence
Priest
Intellect, Spirit, Stamina
Head
Helmet of Ten Storms
Shaman
Intellect, Agility, Stamina
Head
Helm of Wrath
Warrior
Stamina, Strength, Defense
Head
Judgement Crown
Paladin
Stamina, Intellect, Spirit
Head
Nemesis Skullcap
Warlock
Intellect, Stamina, Spirit
Head
Netherwind Crown
Mage
Intellect, Stamina, Spirit
Head
Stormrage Cover
Druid
Intellect, Stamina, Spirit
Head
🗡️ Unique Items
Item Name
Type
Use
Deathbringer
Axe Weapon
Excellent DPS weapon for melee
Vis'kag the Bloodletter
Sword Weapon
High damage sword, very desirable
Ancient Cornerstone Grimoire
Off-hand
Caster off-hand with spellpower
Sapphiron Drape
Back/Cloak
Strong defensive cloak
Shard of the Scale
Trinket
Powerful trinket with proc effect
Eskhandar's Collar
Neck
Strong neck piece with good stats
Ring of Binding
Ring
Rare ring drop
Mature Black Dragon Sinew
Quest Item
Used for Hunter Rhok'delar quest chain
✅ Pre-Raid & Execution Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your raid is fully prepared before entering Onyxia's Lair.