New in ForeverLevel 26–31

Excavation Site: Wetlands Dungeon Guide

Excavation Site: Wetlands is the new WoW Forever dungeon on a hilltop in the Wetlands, tuned for levels 26–31 and open in the beta since October 1. Here is the entrance for both factions, every boss with tactics, all 14 quests and the full loot.

Level: 26–31
Bosses: 4
Full clear: 30–40min
Difficulty: 5/10

Wetlands · Eastern KingdomsEntrance 47.8, 56.3 Show on the map Run it with mmonster

The bosses

1SaltspineLevel 28
2ShadetoothLevel 29
3Highland HorrorLevel 28
4Final bossRelic GuardianLevel 31

Where it fitsDungeon Finder

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Earlier · 24–32The Stockade Next · 28–33City of Dalaran

Overview

Inside Excavation Site: Wetlands

Dwarves from the Explorer's League dug above Whelgar's Excavation Site and hit dormant Titan machinery. Now the hill is a mess of raptors, crocolisks, a Dragonmaw war camp and a Titan construct that wakes up when someone pokes the wrong panel. It plays like an outdoor dungeon built on real Wetlands terrain, with water, tall grass and open dig pits instead of corridors.

The run has four bosses. Saltspine the crocolisk waits in the marsh, Shadetooth leads the raptors of the thicket, the bog elemental Highland Horror lurks near the dig, and Relic Guardian closes the run at the Titan site. Shadetooth is the fight that wipes groups, Relic Guardian is the gear check.

It fits right after Shadowfang Keep and next to Blackfathom Deeps. Players coming from Blackfathom Deeps at 24 or 25 report landing at 26 to 27 after a clear with the quests, and up to 28 with every quest handed in. All boss gear is blue, so it is also worth a few runs for leather and mail users.

Level 26–31 is the range the dungeon is tuned for, not a minimum entry level. Blizzard announced this range for Forever.

Location

Where is Excavation Site: Wetlands? Entrance and how to get there

The portal is a bare instance portal on the hill southeast of Whelgar's Excavation Site, at about 47.8, 56.3 in the Wetlands. New roads lead up the slope. The way up starts at the meeting stone next to the spider cave at Thelgen Rock, at about 53.4, 65.3, so summon there and walk up together.

Tap a place for its /way coordinates.Open full map

1Fly to Menethil Harbor. Boats from Auberdine land there too, and you can also walk in from Loch Modan through Dun Algaz.
2Ride east on the main road out of Menethil until the road bends south toward Dun Algaz.
3Leave the road at Thelgen Rock and find the meeting stone by the spider cave.
4Follow the new path uphill to the portal at about 47.8, 56.3.

1Take the zeppelin from Orgrimmar to Undercity, then run south through Hillsbrad Foothills. Grab the Tarren Mill flight path on the way.
2Keep going into the Arathi Highlands and pick up the Hammerfall flight path. Zaruk at Hammerfall gives Dragonmaw Rumors, take it now.
3Cross Thandol Span into the Wetlands and follow the road south past Dun Modr. On PvP realms this road is busy with Alliance players.
4Turn off at Thelgen Rock, use the meeting stone and walk up the hill. The Deathstalker Agent for your quest hides in the hills above the Dragonmaw camp at about 51.4, 59.2.

Entrance portalMap coordinates, Wetlands47.8, 56.3
Meeting stoneMap coordinates, Wetlands53.4, 65.3
GraveyardMap coordinates, Wetlands49.5, 41.4

Copies the /way command for TomTom.

Meeting stone

The meeting stone stands at the foot of the path near Thelgen Rock, about 53.4, 65.3. The Group Finder lists the dungeon from level 26.

After a wipe

The nearest graveyard is far up the zone at about 49.5, 41.4, so a full wipe means a long ghost run back across the Wetlands. Play the risky pulls safe.

Map and route

The route through the dungeon

4 areas, one path. Tap a stop to see what waits there.

Area 1 of 4

Lost Marsh

You start in waist-deep water with crocolisks. Elder Crocolisks are elite and can leave Muculent Rot on you. Clear the crocs around Saltspine before you pull him, the water makes line of sight tricky and loose crocs join fast.

Boss here

Saltspine

Mobs here

Area 2 of 4

Stalker's Thicket

Narrow paths through tall grass. Stepping into the grass spawns Thicket Lurkers, so walk single file and fight on open ground. Shadetooth and his two Thicket Hunters wait at the end of the thicket, with a crocolisk cove off to the left.

Boss here

Shadetooth

Mobs here

Area 3 of 4

Lost Dig Site

A Dragonmaw camp with burning fires sits inside the dig, guarded by Warders, Saboteurs and Thaumaturgists. Horde players need them for Open the Maw. The bog elemental Highland Horror is fought in this part of the hill, his exact spot changes between reports.

Boss here

Highland Horror

Mobs here

BetaSpot from beta reports, it can still change

Area 4 of 4

Site of the Guardian

The Titan site at the top. Relic Guardian stands still until someone clicks the Archival Panel to its right. Clear everything around first, rest to full and then start the fight.

Boss here

Relic Guardian

Encounters

Boss roster

Main bosses4

1Boss 1 of 4

Saltspine

BossBeastLevel 28

2 abilities3 loot items

Saltspine is a big crocolisk in the Lost Marsh and the warm-up boss of the run. The fight is simple once the crocs around him are dead.

AbilitiesBeta

Tendon Rip · Reduces an enemy's movement speed by 71% for 8 sec.
Dust Storm · Kicks up dust, inflicting Physical damage to enemies within 10 yds and reducing hit chance with attacks by 25%.

Tactics

Clear every crocolisk near him first, adds from the water are the only real danger.
Tendon Rip slows the tank hard for 8 seconds, so tank him where he stands and do not drag him around.
Dust Storm hits everyone within 10 yards and lowers their hit chance for a few seconds. Ranged and healers stay outside 10 yards.

Tank

Pull him to dry ground if you can and stand still while Tendon Rip is up.

Healer

Stay out of Dust Storm range and top up the melee after each one.

Damage

Melee will miss more during Dust Storm. Keep attacking, it only lasts a few seconds.

Watch out for: Loose crocolisks from the water joining the fight.

Notable loot

2Boss 2 of 4

Shadetooth

BossBeastLevel 29

3 abilities4 loot items

Shadetooth leads the raptors of Stalker's Thicket and brings two elite Thicket Hunters. This is the fight that wipes groups, mostly because of fears and the grass around him.

AbilitiesBeta

Rend · Inflicts Physical damage to an enemy every 3 sec. for 15 sec.
Terrifying Roar · Causes nearby enemies to flee in fear for 5 sec.
Enrage · Increases the Physical damage dealt by the caster and speeds its attacks by 30% for 5 sec.

Tactics

CC both Thicket Hunters for the whole fight, or CC one and kill the other first. Their Infected Wound makes targets take more damage for five minutes, so remove it fast.
Terrifying Roar fears everyone nearby for 5 seconds. Players who run into the tall grass spawn more raptors, which is how most wipes start.
Fight him in the crocolisk cove on the left after you clear it, or on open ground at the beach, so fears land away from the grass. Do not drag him too far back or he resets.
He enrages at 30 percent health and attacks much faster for a few seconds. Save a defensive cooldown or a big heal for that moment.

Tank

Face him away from the grass, keep your back to open ground and use a cooldown when he enrages.

Healer

Rend ticks on the tank for 15 seconds after each cast. Watch for the fear, then heal anyone who got hit by spawned raptors.

Damage

Keep the CC up on the Hunters and switch to new raptors from the grass right away.

Watch out for: Fears into the tall grass and the extra raptors they spawn.

Adds

Thicket Hunter ×2 · Infected Wound: Increases the Physical damage taken by an enemy for 5 min.

Notable loot

3Boss 3 of 4

Highland Horror

BossElementalLevel 28

Highland Horror is a bog elemental near the Dragonmaw camp on the dig. He drops the Horrible Rootcore that Alliance players need for Horrors in the Highland.

Quest item

Horrible Rootcore

Tactics follow once the fight is tested in the beta.

4Boss 4 of 4Final boss

Relic Guardian

BossElementalLevel 31

1 ability4 loot items

Relic Guardian is a Titan construct and the final boss. It hits harder and has more health than anything else in the dungeon, so this is a real gear check.

AbilitiesBeta

Thunderclap · Inflicts Nature damage to nearby enemies, increasing the time between their attacks by 33% and slowing their movement by 40% for 10 sec.

Tactics

The fight starts when someone clicks the Archival Panel to its right. Rest to full and agree who clicks.
Thunderclap hits everyone within 10 yards with Nature damage and slows attacks and movement for 10 seconds. Ranged and healers stand outside that range.
It knocks the tank back and stuns the tank for 5 seconds. DPS ease off right after a knockback so the boss does not turn on them.
Stuns and slows work on it, and the structures around it help to kite it while the tank is stunned.

Tank

Use the structures as a wall so knockbacks do not throw you far, and taunt back right after.

Healer

The tank takes big hits during the stun. Pre-cast your heals and keep your mana for the last third.

Damage

Watch your threat after every knockback and stay out of Thunderclap range if you are ranged.

Watch out for: Threat on DPS after a knockback and the tank stun.

Notable loot

Trash

Dangerous trash and diseases

Most wipes here start before a boss. These are the packs and effects to respect.

Tall grass spawns raptors
Thicket Lurkers pop out of the tall grass when you walk through it, and a Thicket Matriarch screeches for more Lurkers once she gets low. Stay on the path, kill the rest of the pack first, then burst the Matriarch from full to dead with cooldowns so she has no time to call help.
- Thicket LurkerElite
- Thicket MatriarchElite
Crocolisk disease
Elder Crocolisks can apply Muculent Rot, a 30 minute disease that cuts Spirit and Stamina. Several stacks make the tank fragile for the rest of the run, so cure it after each pack.
Highland spiders
Highland Lurkers apply Highland Venom, a disease that slows you and lowers the damage you deal. Cure it before the next boss.
- Highland LurkerElite
- Highland Venom
The Dragonmaw camp
Elite orcs: Warders, Saboteurs and Thaumaturgists. Mark a kill order, CC a Thaumaturgist if you can and pull the packs away from the fires. Walking into a fire gives you a debuff.

Quests

Excavation Site: Wetlands quests

The dungeon has 14 quests, nine for the Alliance and five for the Horde. Most give 3150 experience each at level 31, and you can take them from level 24. Blizzard cut the extra experience of dungeon quests by half on October 1, so these numbers can still move in the beta.

Known issue: Titan Relic follow-ups (fixed). From October 2 the first relic turn-in to Prospector Whelgar or in Thunder Bluff took the relic away, so Prehistoric Prism and Earthen Echo could not be finished. Since the October 8 build you get the relic back for the follow-up, so one relic carries the whole chain.

Alliance9

Pick up before you go

1Menethil Harbor: Caitlin Grassman (Lost in the Thicket Things) and James Halloran (Highland Hides).
2Lakeshire in Redridge: Dorin Songblade (Songblade Search). Grab it before you travel, the run back is long.
3Wetlands at about 56.2, 40.6: Rethiel the Greenwarden (Horrors in the Highland).
4Inside the dungeon: Ardin Grassman, Daewyn Songblade's body and the Titan Relic start the rest.

Seeking Caitlin
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
LlanaAshenvale · 35.0, 48.4
Turn in
Caitlin GrassmanWetlands · 11.6, 58.4
A breadcrumb from Llana, the reagent vendor in Astranaar. You can skip it and talk to Caitlin directly.
630 XP
Lost in the Thicket Things
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Caitlin GrassmanWetlands · 11.6, 58.4
Turn in
Ardin Grassmaninside the dungeon
Caitlin Grassman in Menethil Harbor asks you to look for Ardin inside the dig.
2,500 XP
Follow-up: Lost in the Thicket Things
Heartwoven
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Ardin Grassmaninside the dungeon
Turn in
Caitlin GrassmanWetlands · 11.6, 58.4
Ardin Grassman inside the dungeon sends you back to Caitlin. Rewards a potion pack and the Satchel of Potions trinket.
Choose one
- Greater Healing Potion
- Mana Potion
You get: Swiftness Potion, Satchel of Potions
3,150 XP
Songblade Search
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Dorin SongbladeRedridge Mountains · 25.6, 46.6
Turn in
Daewyn Songbladeinside the dungeon
Dorin Songblade, the armorer in Lakeshire, asks about his brother Daewyn.
3,150 XP
Fallen in the Fen
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Daewyn Songbladeinside the dungeon
Turn in
Dorin SongbladeRedridge Mountains · 25.6, 46.6
Starts from Daewyn Songblade's body inside the dungeon. Bring the news back to Dorin in Lakeshire.
Choose one
- Daewyn's Girdle
- Songblade Stabilizer
3,150 XP
Highland Hides
Level 28, from 24
Quest giver
James HalloranWetlands · 8.4, 55.8
Turn in
James HalloranWetlands · 8.4, 55.8
James Halloran, the tanner in Menethil Harbor, wants 4 Thicket Raptor Hides from the raptors in the thicket.
1,150 XP
Horrors in the Highland
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Rethiel the GreenwardenWetlands · 56.2, 40.6
Turn in
Rethiel the GreenwardenWetlands · 56.2, 40.6
Rethiel the Greenwarden at about 56.2, 40.6 in the Wetlands wants the Horrible Rootcore from Highland Horror.
Choose one
3,150 XP
Lost Relic Carry
Level 31, from 24
Starts from
Titan Relic
Turn in
Prospector WhelgarWetlands · 38.8, 52.2
Starts from the Titan Relic that Relic Guardian drops. Everyone in the group can loot one. Bring it to Prospector Whelgar.
630 XP
Follow-up: Lost Relic Carry
Prehistoric Prism
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Prospector WhelgarWetlands · 38.8, 52.2
Turn in
High Explorer MagellasIronforge
Follow-up from Prospector Whelgar. Take the relic to High Explorer Magellas in the Hall of Explorers in Ironforge.
Choose one
3,150 XP

Horde5

Pick up before you go

1Orgrimmar: Borstan the meat vendor (Changing Tastes) before you take the zeppelin.
2Hammerfall in Arathi: Zaruk (Dragonmaw Rumors) on the way.
3Outside the entrance: the Deathstalker Agent at about 51.4, 59.2 (Open the Maw).
4Inside the dungeon: the Titan Relic from Relic Guardian starts Elder Knowledge.

Changing Tastes
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
BorstanOrgrimmar · 57.4, 53.4
Turn in
BorstanOrgrimmar · 57.4, 53.4
Borstan, the meat vendor in Orgrimmar, wants 4 Thicket Raptor Meat. Rewards include a cooking recipe.
Choose one
- Satchel of Potions
- Serrated Raptor Claw
You get: Recipe: Twice-Spiced Raptor Slice, Twice-Spiced Raptor Slice
3,150 XP
Dragonmaw Rumors
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
ZarukArathi Highlands · 74.4, 35.4
Turn in
Deathstalker AgentWetlands · 51.4, 59.2
Zaruk at Hammerfall sends you to the Deathstalker Agent in the hills above the Dragonmaw camp.
250 XP
Follow-up: Dragonmaw Rumors
Open the Maw
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Deathstalker AgentWetlands · 51.4, 59.2
Turn in
Deathstalker AgentWetlands · 51.4, 59.2
Kill 2 Dragonmaw Saboteurs and 4 Dragonmaw Warders inside and bring back the Dragonmaw Dispatch from a Thaumaturgist.
Choose one
- Knife-Polishing Rag
- Dirt-Heavy Bracers
You get: Bloody Map
3,150 XP
Elder Knowledge
Level 31, from 24
Starts from
Titan Relic
Turn in
Bashana RunetotemThunder Bluff · 70.4, 33.0
Starts from the Titan Relic that Relic Guardian drops. Take it to the Elder Rise in Thunder Bluff.
630 XP
Follow-up: Elder Knowledge
Earthen Echo
Level 31, from 24
Quest giver
Bashana RunetotemThunder Bluff · 70.4, 33.0
Turn in
Muln EarthfuryMulgore
Follow-up from Bashana Runetotem. Bring the relic to Muln Earthfury in Mulgore.
Choose one
3,150 XP

Loot

Loot table

Every boss drop and every quest reward of the dungeon. Hover an item for its stats.

All boss drops are blue. Leather and mail users get the most from the bosses, casters get more from the quest rewards. Since October 8 seven of the quest rewards are green instead of blue. Shadetooth and Relic Guardian also drop campsite blueprints, the Greenhouse and the Rock Garden. If you want both blueprints and the blues for your armor type, plan for more than one clear. A WoW Forever dungeon boost gives you those runs with a group that is already organized.

Item	Slot	Source	Req.
Supple Bellyskin Leggings	Legs · Leather	Saltspine	26
Glinteye Slippers	Feet · Cloth	Saltspine	26
Saltscale Girdle	Waist · Mail	Saltspine	26
Raptorclaw Greaves	Feet · Mail	Shadetooth	26
Garb of Florid Feathers	Chest · Leather	Shadetooth	26
Raptor's Gaze	Held In Off-hand	Shadetooth	26
Blueprint: Greenhouse	Blueprint	Shadetooth	–
Ring of Power Regulation	Finger	Relic Guardian	28
Golemsight Long Gun	Ranged	Relic Guardian	28
Reliquary Mantle	Shoulder · Mail	Relic Guardian	28
Blueprint: Rock Garden	Blueprint	Relic Guardian	–
Satchel of Potions	Trinket	Heartwoven	24
Daewyn's Girdle	Waist · Cloth	Fallen in the Fen	24
Songblade Stabilizer	Waist · Mail	Fallen in the Fen	24
Ironwood Destroyer	Two-Hand	Horrors in the Highland	24
Curl of Life	Finger	Horrors in the Highland	24
Hornbeam Heft	One-Hand	Horrors in the Highland	24
Explorer's League Dustcover	Back	Prehistoric Prism	24
Healer's Staff	Two-Hand	Prehistoric Prism	24
Heavehammer	Two-Hand	Prehistoric Prism	24
Serrated Raptor Claw	One-Hand	Changing Tastes	24
Knife-Polishing Rag	Wrist · Cloth	Open the Maw	24
Dirt-Heavy Bracers	Wrist · Leather	Open the Maw	24
Furs of the Earthen Ring	Back	Earthen Echo	24

Beta drop chances come from a handful of kills and are left out until the sample is bigger.

Nothing to skin. Raptors and crocolisks inside cannot be skinned in the current beta build, so do not bring skinning for leather.

Which class? Our tier lists

Best class for dungeonsDamage specs, tanks and healers for dungeons, ranked with the reason.

Best tank and healerEvery tank and healer spec for dungeons and raids.

Collect

Achievements from Excavation Site: Wetlands

Achievement1

Novice SpelunkerEarned in Excavation Site: Wetlands, Needs Relic Guardian

Before you go

Bring a disease cureA Priest, Paladin or Shaman makes this dungeon much easier. Crocolisks and spiders apply long diseases that weaken the tank and the damage dealers.
Bring crowd controlShadetooth's two Thicket Hunters need CC. Freezing Trap, Hibernate, Polymorph and Fear all help. A Shaman's Tremor Totem takes the edge off his fear.
Pick up the quests firstMost quests start in Menethil Harbor, Lakeshire, Orgrimmar and Hammerfall. Collect them on the way so one run clears most of your quest log.
Repair before you goThe graveyard is far from the portal and wipes cost time. Come repaired, with food, water and a few potions.

Walk in single file through Stalker's Thicket and never cut corners through the tall grass.
Ranged and healers stay out of 10 yards on Saltspine and Relic Guardian. Both punish anyone close.
Every group member can loot a Titan Relic from Relic Guardian, so everyone gets the quest.

Tough · 5/10

FAQ

Questions players ask

Where is the Excavation Site: Wetlands entrance?

The portal is on a hill in the southern Wetlands, southeast of Whelgar's Excavation Site, at about 47.8, 56.3. The path up and the meeting stone start next to the spider cave at Thelgen Rock, around 53.4, 65.3.

How do Horde players get to Excavation Site?

Take the zeppelin to Undercity, run through Hillsbrad Foothills and the Arathi Highlands and cross Thandol Span into the Wetlands. Pick up the Tarren Mill and Hammerfall flight paths on the way.

Is Excavation Site: Wetlands the same as Whelgar's Excavation Site?

No. Whelgar's Excavation Site is the old outdoor dig in the Wetlands. The dungeon is a new instance on the hill above it, and Prospector Whelgar's camp is where some of its quests end.

What level is Excavation Site: Wetlands?

It is tuned for levels 26–31. The Group Finder lists it from level 26, the quests can be taken from 24 and the final boss is level 31.

How many bosses are in Excavation Site: Wetlands?

Four: Saltspine, Shadetooth, Highland Horror and Relic Guardian. Relic Guardian is the final boss and the kill that counts for the Novice Spelunker achievement.

What quests are there for Excavation Site?

There are 14 quests, nine for the Alliance and five for the Horde. They start in Menethil Harbor, Lakeshire, the Wetlands, Orgrimmar and Hammerfall, and the Titan Relic from the last boss starts one chain per faction.

What loot drops in Excavation Site: Wetlands?

Saltspine, Shadetooth and Relic Guardian drop blue gear: leather, mail and cloth armor, an off-hand, a gun and a ring. Shadetooth and Relic Guardian also drop campsite blueprints, and the quests add weapons, cloaks and a trinket.

How do you beat Shadetooth?

CC his two Thicket Hunters, fight him on open ground away from the tall grass and save a cooldown for his enrage at 30 percent. Most wipes come from fears into the grass, which spawns more raptors.

How do you start the Relic Guardian fight?

Click the Archival Panel next to it. The construct stays inactive until then, so rest to full first.

Why can't I finish Prehistoric Prism or Earthen Echo?

That was a beta bug from October 2 to October 8: the first relic turn-in kept the Titan Relic, and both follow-ups need it. Since the October 8 build you get the relic back, so both quests can be finished.