Stratholme: Main Gate in WoW Forever: Quests, Bosses and Loot
Stratholme Main Gate is the way into the living side of the ruined city, the Live or Scarlet side of a level 58–60 Classic dungeon in the far north of the Eastern Plaguelands in WoW Forever. Here is how the Main Gate differs from the Service Entrance, the way in with Forever coordinates, every Stratholme quest with the side it needs, the twelve bosses and rares of the Live side and the Forever loot.
Quests at a glance
Stratholme Main Gate has 19 quests in the WoW Forever beta data: 18 for the Alliance and 19 for the Horde, 18 of them shared. Before you go, pick up Houses of the Holy (Leonid Barthalomew the Revered, Eastern Plaguelands), The Great Fras Siabi (Smokey LaRue, Eastern Plaguelands), Dead Man's Plea (Anthion Harmon, Eastern Plaguelands) and Corruption (Seril Scourgebane, Winterspring).
All 19 quests- Level
- 58–60
- Bosses
- 12
- Full clear
- 55–80min
- Difficulty
- 7/10
Eastern Plaguelands · Eastern KingdomsEntrance 26.5, 10.4Show on the mapRun it with mmonster
The bosses
1Stratholme CourierLevel 57
3The UnforgivenLevel 57
4Postmaster MalownLevel 60
5Timmy the CruelLevel 58
6Malor the ZealousLevel 60
7Crimson HammersmithLevel 60
8Cannon Master WilleyLevel 60
9Archivist GalfordLevel 60
10Final bossBalnazzarLevel 62
11Rare spawnSkulLevel 58
12Rare spawnHearthsinger ForrestenLevel 57
Quests
Stratholme Main Gate quests in WoW Forever
Every dungeon quest by level and faction
Overview
Inside Stratholme: Main Gate
Stratholme was the second city of Lordaeron until Arthas purged it. Now the Scourge holds the streets and the Scarlet Crusade has dug in behind the walls of its bastion. From the Main Gate you walk across King's Square, through Market Row and Festival Lane to Crusaders' Square, then into the Scarlet Bastion with the Hall of Lights, the Hoard and the Crimson Throne, where Grand Crusader Dathrohan waits and turns out to be the dreadlord Balnazzar.
The city has two gates into one instance. The Main Gate leads to the Live side, called Stratholme: Live by the Master Spelunker achievement: undead streets first, then the Scarlet Crusade, Postmaster Malown, Cannon Master Willey and Balnazzar at the end. The Service Entrance at the Eastwall Gate leads to the Undead side, Stratholme: Dead: three ziggurats, Ramstein the Gorger and Baron Rivendare with the Baron run and the Deathcharger. The Forever Group Finder lists both sides as separate entries at 58–60, and in Classic the Main Gate closes behind you once you are in.
The city in the Forever client is the Classic one, with the same nineteen encounters and the same quests. What changed so far is the loot, a few quest rewards and the map of the Eastern Plaguelands. The tactics below are how the fights work in Classic until the first Forever runs.
Level 58–60 is the range the dungeon is tuned for, not a minimum entry level. This is the Forever level range at launch. A patch can still tune it.
Beta status
Stratholme: Main Gate in the WoW Forever beta
Not part of the betaConfirmedChecked November 6, 2026
Stratholme was not part of the WoW Forever beta. The beta ran through October 23 and stopped at level 30, and Stratholme was not on the list of dungeons players could enter. It has been open since the launch on November 4. This page combines the Forever game data with the Classic fights, and we check it against the first Forever runs in the first days after the launch.
Forever vs Classic
What changed in Stratholme: Main Gate for WoW Forever
What is different from the Classic version you may know. Everything else works as it did in Classic.
Classic coordinates are wrong hereBeta data
Forever redrew the Eastern Plaguelands map. It covers about 23% more ground and sits in a different place, so every /way number from a Classic guide or addon points to the wrong spot. The Main Gate is at about 26.5, 10.4 and the Service Entrance at about 41.9, 15.8 on the Forever map.
Dungeon Set 1 was reworkedBeta data
The eight-piece Dungeon Set 1 now gives its bonuses at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 pieces instead of 2, 4, 6 and 8, and most pieces trade their Spirit for other stats. Six bosses of the Live side drop a set piece each, the loot table below shows which.
90 Classic boss items are missingBeta data
Most boss blues of Stratholme that are not part of a set have no Forever entry yet, 90 items across both sides of the city. Postmaster Malown, Skul, Malor the Zealous and the Stratholme Courier show no boss loot in Forever at all for now. Whether these items come back or were cut is open, so the loot table only lists what Forever has.
Changed quest rewardsBeta data
The Active Agent, Aurius' Reckoning, The Restless Souls and Ramstein no longer offer their Classic items, and Dead Man's Plea lost its Argent Dawn reputation. What they give in Forever is unknown. The two rewards of Houses of the Holy got better, the Crown of the Penitent and the Band of the Penitent are rare now with more stats, and Smokey's Lighter from The Great Fras Siabi has a new effect.
Fras Siabi is now Ezra GrimmBeta data
The smoke shop owner you fight for The Great Fras Siabi is called Ezra Grimm in the Forever client, the name Blizzard has used since patch 9.1.0. The quest still carries the old name. It is the same fight for the same Premium Siabi Tobacco.
New numbers on boss spellsBeta data
Timmy the Cruel's Ravenous Claw and the Crimson Hammersmith's Bone Smelt show new numbers in their Forever tooltips, far above what a level 60 boss did in Classic. Plan with the Classic fights until a run shows how hard they really hit.
Less bonus XP from dungeon questsConfirmed
Since October 1 dungeon quests give only half of their bonus experience on top of a normal quest. The Stratholme quests still pay well for the time, but less than in Classic.
Location
Where is Stratholme: Main Gate? Entrance and how to get there
Stratholme is the walled city at the northern edge of the Eastern Plaguelands. Two gates lead into it: the Main Gate at about 26.5, 10.4 for the Live side and the Service Entrance at the Eastwall Gate at about 41.9, 15.8 for the Undead side. In Classic the Main Gate needs no key, but the Scarlet Bastion door inside does.
Now you can move the map.
No spawn points on the map for this one.
- 1Fly to Light's Hope Chapel on the eastern side of the Eastern Plaguelands, the flight master is at about 71.7, 49.6. Ironforge, Aerie Peak and Chillwind Camp fly there.
- 2Ride north-west across the zone toward Plaguewood and the city walls on the northern edge.
- 3The Main Gate portal is in the big city gate at about 26.5, 10.4. For the Undead side follow the wall east to the Eastwall Gate at about 41.9, 15.8.
- 1Fly to Light's Hope Chapel. The Horde flight master stands at about 70.4, 47.6, with flights to Undercity and Revantusk Village.
- 2Ride north-west across the zone toward Plaguewood and the city walls on the northern edge.
- 3The Main Gate portal is in the big city gate at about 26.5, 10.4. For the Undead side follow the wall east to the Eastwall Gate at about 41.9, 15.8.
- Entrance portalMap coordinates, Eastern Plaguelands
26.5, 10.4
Copies the /way command for TomTom.
Group Finder
The Forever Group Finder lists the Main Gate and the Service Gate as two entries, both at levels 58–60. No meeting stone for Stratholme shows up in the Forever data, so gather at Light's Hope Chapel or at the gate and let a warlock summon the rest.
After a wipe
In Classic a death in Stratholme sends you to the spirit healer by Blackwood Lake, at about 40.9, 36.4 on the Forever map, a long ride north to the gates. Nobody reported in the beta which spirit healer Forever uses. The streets of the Live side are long, so play the big pulls safe.
Quest details
Every quest with its reward and follow-up
This is the quest list of the whole city, so you can plan both sides at once. Each note says which side a quest needs. Most givers stand at Light's Hope Chapel, so collect everything there before the ride north. Aurius waits inside the Service Entrance, and the Dungeon Set 2 quests start with Bodley in Blackrock Mountain.
Alliance18
Pick up before you go
- 1Light's Hope Chapel: Betina Bigglezink (The Flesh Does Not Lie), Leonid Barthalomew the Revered (Houses of the Holy), Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff (The Archivist) and Smokey LaRue (The Great Fras Siabi).
- 2Terrordale west of the city: Egan (The Restless Souls), after Caretaker Alen at Light's Hope Chapel.
- 3Caer Darrow: Artist Renfray for the painting chain that ends with Of Love and Family.
- 4Inside the Service Entrance: Aurius (The Medallion of Faith).
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
- Turn in
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
Both sides. Betina Bigglezink at Light's Hope Chapel wants 20 Plagued Flesh Samples, which any undead in the city can drop.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Flesh Does Not Lie
The Active Agent- Quest giver
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
- Turn in
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
Service Entrance. Betina's follow-up: search the ziggurats for new Scourge Data.
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Smokey LaRueEastern Plaguelands · 70.7, 48.4
- Turn in
- Smokey LaRueEastern Plaguelands · 70.7, 48.4
Main Gate. Smokey LaRue at Light's Hope Chapel wants the Premium Siabi Tobacco. Open the box in the shop off King's Square and beat Ezra Grimm, who comes for it.
You get: Smokey's Lighter
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
- Turn in
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
Both sides. Leonid Barthalomew the Revered at Light's Hope Chapel wants 5 Stratholme Holy Water from the supply crates around the city.
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
- Turn in
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
Main Gate. Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff at Light's Hope Chapel wants Archivist Galford dead and the Scarlet Archive burned.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Archivist
The Truth Comes Crashing Down- Starts from
- Turn in
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
Main Gate. Starts from the Head of Balnazzar. Take it to Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Truth Comes Crashing Down
Above and Beyond- Quest giver
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
- Turn in
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
Service Entrance. Zverenhoff's last step: the head of Baron Rivendare.
- Level 60, from 55
Both sides. Aurius stands in Alonsus Chapel behind the Service Entrance. The medallion is in Malor's Strongbox in the Scarlet Bastion on the Live side.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Medallion of Faith
Aurius' ReckoningService Entrance. With the medallion Aurius joins your fight against Baron Rivendare. Talk to him after the kill.
- Level 60, from 55
Main Gate. Egan in Terrordale west of the city gives you Egan's Blaster. Use it on Ghostly and Spectral Citizens and free 15 Restless Souls. Caretaker Alen at Light's Hope Chapel sends you to him.
- Level 60, from 52
- Quest giver
- Artist RenfrayWestern Plaguelands · 65.4, 75.4
- Turn in
- Tirion FordringEastern Plaguelands · 5.0, 35.3
Main Gate. The end of Artist Renfray's painting chain from Caer Darrow: take the painting from behind the twin moons painting in the Scarlet Bastion to Tirion Fordring in his house west of Corin's Crossing.
- Level 60, from 57
- Quest giver
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
- Turn in
- Menethil's Giftinside the dungeon
Service Entrance. A step of the Ras Frostwhisper chain from Scholomance: place the Keepsake of Remembrance on Menethil's Gift outside the Slaughter House.
- Level 60, from 57
Follow-up: Menethil's Gift
Menethil's Gift- Quest giver
- Menethil's Giftinside the dungeon
- Turn in
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
Service Entrance. Take the Soulbound Keepsake from Menethil's Gift back to Leonid Barthalomew the Revered.
- Level 60, from 58
- Quest giver
- Anthion HarmonEastern Plaguelands · 26.1, 11.3
- Turn in
- Ysida Harmoninside the dungeon
Service Entrance, part of the Dungeon Set 2 chain. Anthion Harmon, a ghost outside the Main Gate, asks you to save his wife Ysida from Baron Rivendare before the timer runs out.
You get: Ysida's Satchel
- Level 60, from 58
Follow-up: Dead Man's Plea
Proof of Life- Quest giver
- Ysida Harmoninside the dungeon
- Turn in
- Anthion HarmonEastern Plaguelands · 26.1, 11.3
Service Entrance. Ysida's follow-up: bring her locket to Anthion Harmon outside the Main Gate.
- Level 60, from 50
- Quest giver
- Seril ScourgebaneWinterspring · 61.2, 37.2
- Turn in
- Seril ScourgebaneWinterspring · 61.2, 37.2
Service Entrance, for blacksmiths. Seril Scourgebane in Winterspring wants the Insignia of the Black Guard from the Black Guard Swordsmith. Its Classic reward is not in Forever yet.
- Level 60, from 58
Main Gate, Dungeon Set 2 chain. Bodley in Blackrock Mountain sends you to summon Jarien and Sothos with the Brazier of Beckoning in the Crimson Throne room.
- Level 60, from 58
Main Gate, Dungeon Set 2 chain. Summon Jarien and Sothos again, this time with the Brazier of Invocation.
Horde19
Pick up before you go
- 1Light's Hope Chapel: Betina Bigglezink (The Flesh Does Not Lie), Leonid Barthalomew the Revered (Houses of the Holy), Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff (The Archivist) and Smokey LaRue (The Great Fras Siabi).
- 2Marris Stead in the south-west of the zone: Nathanos Blightcaller (Ramstein).
- 3Terrordale west of the city: Egan (The Restless Souls), after Caretaker Alen at Light's Hope Chapel.
- 4Inside the Service Entrance: Aurius (The Medallion of Faith).
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
- Turn in
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
Both sides. Betina Bigglezink at Light's Hope Chapel wants 20 Plagued Flesh Samples, which any undead in the city can drop.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Flesh Does Not Lie
The Active Agent- Quest giver
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
- Turn in
- Betina BigglezinkEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 49.7
Service Entrance. Betina's follow-up: search the ziggurats for new Scourge Data.
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Smokey LaRueEastern Plaguelands · 70.7, 48.4
- Turn in
- Smokey LaRueEastern Plaguelands · 70.7, 48.4
Main Gate. Smokey LaRue at Light's Hope Chapel wants the Premium Siabi Tobacco. Open the box in the shop off King's Square and beat Ezra Grimm, who comes for it.
You get: Smokey's Lighter
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
- Turn in
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
Both sides. Leonid Barthalomew the Revered at Light's Hope Chapel wants 5 Stratholme Holy Water from the supply crates around the city.
- Level 60, from 55
- Quest giver
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
- Turn in
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
Main Gate. Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff at Light's Hope Chapel wants Archivist Galford dead and the Scarlet Archive burned.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Archivist
The Truth Comes Crashing Down- Starts from
- Turn in
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
Main Gate. Starts from the Head of Balnazzar. Take it to Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Truth Comes Crashing Down
Above and Beyond- Quest giver
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
- Turn in
- Duke Nicholas ZverenhoffEastern Plaguelands · 71.6, 50.1
Service Entrance. Zverenhoff's last step: the head of Baron Rivendare.
- Level 60, from 55
Both sides. Aurius stands in Alonsus Chapel behind the Service Entrance. The medallion is in Malor's Strongbox in the Scarlet Bastion on the Live side.
- Level 60, from 55
Follow-up: The Medallion of Faith
Aurius' ReckoningService Entrance. With the medallion Aurius joins your fight against Baron Rivendare. Talk to him after the kill.
- Level 60, from 55
Main Gate. Egan in Terrordale west of the city gives you Egan's Blaster. Use it on Ghostly and Spectral Citizens and free 15 Restless Souls. Caretaker Alen at Light's Hope Chapel sends you to him.
- Level 60, from 52
- Quest giver
- Artist RenfrayWestern Plaguelands · 65.4, 75.4
- Turn in
- Tirion FordringEastern Plaguelands · 5.0, 35.3
Main Gate. The end of Artist Renfray's painting chain from Caer Darrow: take the painting from behind the twin moons painting in the Scarlet Bastion to Tirion Fordring in his house west of Corin's Crossing.
- Level 60, from 57
- Quest giver
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
- Turn in
- Menethil's Giftinside the dungeon
Service Entrance. A step of the Ras Frostwhisper chain from Scholomance: place the Keepsake of Remembrance on Menethil's Gift outside the Slaughter House.
- Level 60, from 57
Follow-up: Menethil's Gift
Menethil's Gift- Quest giver
- Menethil's Giftinside the dungeon
- Turn in
- Leonid Barthalomew the ReveredEastern Plaguelands · 71.8, 48.3
Service Entrance. Take the Soulbound Keepsake from Menethil's Gift back to Leonid Barthalomew the Revered.
- Level 60, from 56
- Quest giver
- Nathanos BlightcallerEastern Plaguelands · 22.1, 63.6
- Turn in
- Nathanos BlightcallerEastern Plaguelands · 22.1, 63.6
Service Entrance, Horde only. Nathanos Blightcaller at Marris Stead wants the head of Ramstein the Gorger.
- Level 60, from 58
- Quest giver
- Anthion HarmonEastern Plaguelands · 26.1, 11.3
- Turn in
- Ysida Harmoninside the dungeon
Service Entrance, part of the Dungeon Set 2 chain. Anthion Harmon, a ghost outside the Main Gate, asks you to save his wife Ysida from Baron Rivendare before the timer runs out.
You get: Ysida's Satchel
- Level 60, from 58
Follow-up: Dead Man's Plea
Proof of Life- Quest giver
- Ysida Harmoninside the dungeon
- Turn in
- Anthion HarmonEastern Plaguelands · 26.1, 11.3
Service Entrance. Ysida's follow-up: bring her locket to Anthion Harmon outside the Main Gate.
- Level 60, from 50
- Quest giver
- Seril ScourgebaneWinterspring · 61.2, 37.2
- Turn in
- Seril ScourgebaneWinterspring · 61.2, 37.2
Service Entrance, for blacksmiths. Seril Scourgebane in Winterspring wants the Insignia of the Black Guard from the Black Guard Swordsmith. Its Classic reward is not in Forever yet.
- Level 60, from 58
Main Gate, Dungeon Set 2 chain. Bodley in Blackrock Mountain sends you to summon Jarien and Sothos with the Brazier of Beckoning in the Crimson Throne room.
- Level 60, from 58
Main Gate, Dungeon Set 2 chain. Summon Jarien and Sothos again, this time with the Brazier of Invocation.
Map and route
The route through the dungeon
7 areas, one path. Tap a stop to see what waits there.
Area 1 of 7
King's Square
You arrive behind the Main Gate on King's Square, with skeletons, cadavers and ghostly citizens all over it. The Stratholme Courier walks here with the postbox keys. Fras Siabi's smoke shop sits in an alcove off the street, and opening the Premium Siabi Tobacco box inside brings Ezra Grimm for The Great Fras Siabi. Skul may stand nearby.
Area 2 of 7
Market Row
Market Row, home of The Unforgiven. In Classic a gate on the way springs the rat trap, a swarm of Plagued Rats that needs AoE, and walking under the archway past it calls The Unforgiven with its phantoms. The Market Row Postbox stands here.
Area 3 of 7
Festival Lane
The street toward Elders' Square and the Undead side, lined with Plague Ghouls and cadavers. Hearthsinger Forresten may play here, and the Festival Lane Postbox is one of the six boxes Malown answers to.
Area 4 of 7
Crusaders' Square
The courtyard in front of the Scarlet Bastion door, with Crimson Guardsmen, Conjurors and the Crusaders' Square Postbox. Clear it and Timmy the Cruel shows up. In Classic the Bastion door needs The Scarlet Key from the Scarlet Monastery or a rogue with Lockpicking.
Area 5 of 7
The Scarlet Bastion
The Crusade's stronghold, through the Hall of Lights. Malor the Zealous guards his strongbox with the Medallion of Faith early on. Deeper in, Archivist Galford stands by the Scarlet Archive, and the painting Of Love and Family hides behind the twin moons painting next to it. Battle mages, priests and gallants fill every room.
Area 6 of 7
The Hoard
A side hall with Crimson Defenders and Priests, the two Scarlet Cannons and Cannon Master Willey. The Blacksmithing Plans here call the Crimson Hammersmith.
Area 7 of 7
The Crimson Throne
The throne room at the end of the Live side. Grand Crusader Dathrohan waits here and becomes Balnazzar halfway through the fight. The brazier for Jarien and Sothos from the Dungeon Set 2 chain stands in this room too.
Boss here
Mobs here
Encounters
Boss roster
Main bosses10
The Stratholme Courier is a ghost on King's Square who carries the keys to the city's postboxes.
Tactics
- In Classic he is not hostile at first, so clear the street packs around him and fight him on his own.
- Pummel interrupts a cast and locks it out for 5 seconds, and Snap Kick stuns the tank for 2 seconds.
- Loot his keys. They open the postboxes that bring Postmaster Malown.
Tank
Pull him away from the street packs.
Damage
Casters hold their long casts while he is in melee range.
Watch out for: A street pack joining the pull.
Ezra Grimm
BossLevel 61Ezra Grimm only shows up for Smokey LaRue's quest The Great Fras Siabi.
Tactics
- In Classic he appears when you open the tobacco box in his smoke shop off King's Square.
- Smoke Bomb stuns everyone near him for 4 seconds, so spread out a little.
- Flame Breath burns everyone in a cone in front of him. Keep him turned away from the group.
- He drops Grimm's Premium Tobacco for the quest and no loot of his own.
Abilities2
- Smoke Bomb · Casts a smoke bomb, stunning nearby enemies for 4 sec.
- Flame Breath · Inflicts Fire damage to enemies in a cone in front of the caster.
Tank
Turn him away so Flame Breath only hits you.
Healer
Stand outside the Smoke Bomb range.
Damage
Melee stand behind him, out of the breath.
Watch out for: A street pack walking in while you fight in the shop.
Quest item
The Unforgiven is a wraith in Market Row who rises with a ring of Vengeful Phantoms.
Tactics
- In Classic The Unforgiven spawns with four Vengeful Phantoms when you walk under the archway past the rat trap. The spawn is scripted, so rest up before you step in.
- Kill the phantoms first, then the boss.
- Frost Nova roots everyone close for up to 8 seconds. Ranged and the healer stay out of melee range.
Abilities2
- Frost Nova · Inflicts Frost damage to nearby enemies, immobilizing them for up to 8 sec.
- Chilled
Tank
Gather the phantoms before they reach the healer.
Healer
Stand back from Frost Nova.
Damage
AoE the phantoms while they are stacked on the tank.
Watch out for: Walking under the archway with half mana.
Notable loot3
Postmaster Malown only comes when you open three of the city's six postboxes with the Courier's keys.
Tactics
- In Classic each opened postbox releases three elite Undead Postmen, and the third box brings Malown himself.
- Clear the street around a postbox before you open it, the Postmen pull everything nearby.
- In Classic he uses Backhand, Fear, Curse of Weakness and Curse of Tongues. Remove the curses, Curse of Tongues slows every cast.
Abilities1
- Curse of Weakness · Reduces the Physical damage dealt by nearby enemies for 2 min. Only one curse per warlock can be active on any one target.
Tank
Pick up the Postmen from each box before they spread.
Healer
Decurse the casters first.
Damage
Kill each wave of Postmen before the next box is opened.
Watch out for: Opening the third box with Postmen still alive.
Timmy the Cruel is a ghoul who shows up in Crusaders' Square once the courtyard in front of the Scarlet Bastion is clear.
Tactics
- In Classic he appears in the courtyard when the last guard there dies, so do not rest at the back with low health.
- Ravenous Claw drains health from the tank and heals him.
- He enrages late in the fight. Save the tank's cooldowns for the end.
Abilities2
- Ravenous Claw · Drains health from an enemy, transferring it to the caster.
- Enrage
Tank
Keep a defensive cooldown for his enrage.
Healer
Big heals on the tank after every Ravenous Claw.
Damage
Burn him so the enrage phase stays short.
Watch out for: The enrage with the tank's cooldowns already gone.
Notable loot3
Malor the Zealous guards Malor's Strongbox in the Scarlet Bastion, which holds the Medallion of Faith for Aurius.
Tactics
- In Classic he is optional. You only need him for The Medallion of Faith.
- Interrupt Holy Light. At low health he can use Lay on Hands and heal himself to full.
- Ground Smash stuns everyone near him for 3 seconds, and Head Crack lowers the tank's Stamina.
Abilities4
- Ground Smash · Inflicts Physical damage to nearby enemies, stunning them for 3 sec.
- Holy Light · Calls upon Holy magic to heal an ally.
- Head Crack · Reduces an enemy's Stamina for 20 sec.
- Lay on Hands · Heals an ally for an amount equal to the caster's maximum health. Drains all of the caster's remaining mana when used.
Tank
Keep him turned away from the melee.
Healer
Top the tank up before Ground Smash.
Damage
Keep a kick ready for every Holy Light.
Watch out for: Lay on Hands at low health after a missed interrupt.
The Crimson Hammersmith comes when someone clicks the Blacksmithing Plans in the Hoard.
Tactics
- In Classic he matters to blacksmiths, he carries the Bottom Half of Advanced Armorsmithing: Volume II.
- Bone Smelt burns the tank with Fire and halves its armor for 20 seconds. Heal through it and keep him on the tank.
Abilities1
- Bone Smelt · Inflicts Fire damage to an enemy and reduces its armor by 50% for 20 sec.
Tank
Use a cooldown while Bone Smelt halves your armor.
Healer
Watch the tank after each Bone Smelt.
Watch out for: A second pull joining while the tank's armor is halved.
Cannon Master Willey holds the Hoard with two Scarlet Cannons and a steady stream of Crimson Riflemen.
Tactics
- In Classic he keeps calling Crimson Riflemen who stand back and shoot.
- Pick one player, a ranged damage dealer or the healer, to load the cannons from the ammo piles and fire them at the riflemen. Without the cannons, AoE the riflemen down.
- Knock Away throws the tank back, so tank him with your back to a wall.
Abilities4
- Summon Crimson Rifleman
- Knock Away · Inflicts normal damage to an enemy and knocks it back.
- Pummel · Pummels an enemy for (100% of Spell Power) damage and interrupts the spell being cast for 5 sec.
- Shoot · Shoots at an enemy, inflicting Physical damage.
Tank
Back to the wall for Knock Away.
Healer
Watch the cloth wearers, the riflemen shoot at anyone.
Damage
Switch to the riflemen whenever they pile up.
Watch out for: Riflemen piling up while nobody fires the cannons.
Notable loot2
Archivist Galford guards the Scarlet Archive in the Scarlet Bastion, the target of The Archivist.
Tactics
- Burning Winds stuns a player and burns them for 8 seconds. Heal through it.
- Fire Nova hits everyone close to him, so ranged and the healer stand back.
- Interrupt Pyroblast. After the kill, burn the archive for The Archivist.
Abilities3
- Burning Winds · Stuns an enemy and inflicts Fire damage over 8 sec.
- Fire Nova · Inflicts Fire damage to nearby enemies.
- Pyroblast · Inflicts Fire damage to an enemy, then additional damage every 3 sec. for 12 sec.
Tank
Hold him away from the ranged.
Healer
Keep the stunned player up through Burning Winds.
Damage
Kick every Pyroblast.
Watch out for: Burning Winds on the healer with nobody able to heal them.
Notable loot2
Grand Crusader Dathrohan rules the Scarlet Crusade from the Crimson Throne. Halfway through the fight he drops the act and becomes the dreadlord Balnazzar, the last boss of the Live side.
Tactics
- In Classic Dathrohan fights like a paladin with Crusader Strike, Holy Strike and Crusader's Hammer, which stuns everyone near him.
- At half health he turns into Balnazzar. Ranged and the healer stand far away from Psychic Scream.
- Domination takes over a player, and priests and paladins cannot dispel it. Crowd control that player, a mage's sheep works.
- Sleep can be dispelled, and Shadow Shock hits everyone close to him.
Abilities8
- Crusader Strike · Inflicts damage to an enemy and increases the Holy damage it takes per Crusader Strike. Can be applied up to 5 times. Lasts 30 sec.
- Holy Strike · Consecrates the caster's weapon, inflicting additional damage on its next attack. All damage inflicted is based on Holy magic.
- Crusader's Hammer · Stuns nearby enemies, rendering them unable to move or attack for 4 sec.
- Mind Blast · Inflicts Shadow damage to an enemy, but causes a high amount of threat.
- Shadow Shock · Instantly lashes nearby enemies with dark magic, inflicting Shadow damage.
- Psychic Scream · Lets out a psychic scream, causing up to 5 nearby enemies to flee for 6 sec.
- Sleep · Puts an enemy to sleep for up to 20 sec. Any damage caused will awaken the target. Only one target can be asleep at a time.
- Domination · Takes control of a humanoid enemy up to level 25 for 15 sec.
Tank
Face him away and keep him in the middle of the room.
Healer
Stay at range for Psychic Scream and dispel Sleep.
Damage
Keep a sheep or another CC ready for Domination.
Watch out for: A dominated player turning on the healer.
Notable loot4
Rare spawns2
Skul is a rare skeletal mage who may stand near the Stratholme Courier and Ezra Grimm's shop or in Festival Lane.
Tactics
- In Classic he casts Frostbolt, Frost Shock and Arcane Bolt and has no mechanic worth planning for.
- Clear the street pack around him first.
Abilities5
- Frostbolt · Inflicts Frost damage to an enemy and reduces its movement speed for 4 sec.
- Frost Shock · Inflicts Frost damage to an enemy and reduces its movement speed for 8 sec.
- Arcane Bolt · Hurls a magical bolt at an enemy, inflicting Arcane damage.
- Frost Armor · Encases the caster in a layer of frost that lasts 30 min. The thick ice increases armor slows melee attackers' movement to 25%, and increases the time between their attacks by 30%.
- Chilled
Damage
Interrupt Frostbolt when he targets a caster.
Watch out for: A street pack joining the pull.
Hearthsinger Forresten is a rare ghostly bard who may show up in Festival Lane.
Tactics
- Enchanting Lullaby puts a player to sleep for up to 10 seconds and breaks on damage. Watch for it on the healer.
- He also uses Multi-Shot and Demoralizing Shout.
Abilities4
- Enchanting Lullaby · Lulls an enemy to sleep for up to 10 sec. Any damage caused will awaken the target. Only one target can be asleep at a time.
- Multi-Shot · Fires a volley of missiles at an enemy and its nearby allies, striking up to 3 targets for normal damage
- Shoot · Shoots at an enemy, inflicting Physical damage.
- Demoralizing Shout · Reduces the melee attack power of nearby enemies for 30 sec.
Healer
Keep the group a little spread, Multi-Shot hits players who stand together.
Watch out for: Lullaby on the healer during a bad pull.
Notable loot1
Trash
Dangerous trash and diseases
Most wipes here start before a boss. These are the packs and effects to respect.
Skeletons and cadavers
The streets are packed with Skeletal Guardians and Berserkers next to elite Mangled and Ravaged Cadavers. Guardians are casters with Frostbolt, Shadow Bolt, Arcane Explosion and Cone of Cold, so stop them first. Cadavers spread Cadaver Worms, a disease, and in Classic Broken Cadavers climb out of the Ravaged ones when they die.
Spectral and Ghostly Citizens
Haunting Phantoms curses a player with ghosts for 5 minutes, Veil of Shadow cuts the healing on its target by 75% for 15 seconds and Debilitating Touch drains Strength and Stamina. Decurse, keep the healer out of melee range and burn them down. They are also the targets of Egan's Blaster for The Restless Souls.
Eyes of Naxxramas
In Classic these eyes float invisible over the streets and call Rockwing Gargoyles the moment they spot you. Kill the eye as soon as it shows up, then pick up the gargoyles.
Crimson Battle Mages, Sorcerers and Conjurors
Battle Mages open with Blast Wave, Sorcerers Polymorph a player, cast Fire Blast and throw a Net-o-Matic, Conjurors root the melee with Frost Nova. Sheep or Sap one, interrupt the rest and kill the casters before the melee.
Crimson Priests, Initiates and Defenders
Priests and Initiates heal each other with Heal, Flash Heal and Renew and put up Power Word: Shield. Defenders pop Divine Shield, cast Holy Light and stun with Hammer of Justice. Interrupt the heals or every Bastion pull drags on.
Crimson Gallants, Guardsmen and Monks
Gallants stack Crusader Strike on the tank under a Retribution Aura that hits back at every melee swing. Guardsmen Disarm and Shield Charge, Monks Kick casters. Tank them together and let the casters do the work while the aura is up.
Loot
Loot table
Every boss drop and every quest reward of the dungeon. Hover an item for its stats.
Casters look at Magister's Boots, Devout Gloves and the Shroud of the Nathrezim, plate wearers at the Vambraces of the Sadist, the Wailing Nightbane Pauldrons and the Lightforge pieces, leather wearers at the Mask of the Unforgiven. Balnazzar also carries the Truefaith Vestments pattern for tailors and the Flask of Distilled Wisdom recipe for alchemists, and Willey the Heartseeker plans for weaponsmiths. Houses of the Holy lets you pick the Crown or the Band of the Penitent.
| Item | Slot | Source | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Head · Leather | The Unforgiven | 52 |
 | Shoulder · Mail | The Unforgiven | 52 |
 | Hands · Leather | The Unforgiven | 54 |
 | Wrist · Mail | Timmy the Cruel | 54 |
 | Feet · Mail | Timmy the Cruel | 54 |
 | Hands · Mail | Timmy the Cruel | 54 |
 | Blueprint | Cannon Master Willey | – |
 | Shoulder · Leather | Cannon Master Willey | 55 |
 | Waist · Mail | Archivist Galford | 56 |
 | Hands · Cloth | Archivist Galford | 54 |
 | Blueprint | Balnazzar | – |
| Blueprint | Balnazzar | – |
 | Feet · Mail | Balnazzar | 54 |
 | Shoulder · Cloth | Balnazzar | 58 |
 | Feet · Cloth | Hearthsinger Forresten | 54 |
 | Trinket | The Great Fras Siabi | 55 |
 | Head · Cloth | Houses of the Holy | 55 |
 | Finger | Houses of the Holy | 55 |
Beta drop chances come from a handful of kills and are left out until the sample is bigger.
Collect
Achievements and Sets from Stratholme: Main Gate
Sets5
Sets5
Before you go
Before you go
- Collect the quests at Light's Hope ChapelFour quest givers stand at the chapel, the flight point both factions use. Pick everything up before the ride north, Stratholme has no givers at its gates besides a ghost.
- Bring CC for undead and humansThe streets are undead, the Bastion is the Scarlet Crusade. Shackle Undead and Turn Undead work outside, Polymorph and Sap inside.
- Bring The Scarlet Key or a rogueIn Classic the Scarlet Bastion door opens with The Scarlet Key from the Scarlet Monastery or a rogue's Lockpicking. Without either, the Live side ends at Crusaders' Square.
- Cure curses and diseasesCitizens curse and cut healing, cadavers spread disease. A mage, druid, priest or paladin who removes them saves the healer a lot of mana.
- Watch the street for a floating eye and kill it before it calls the gargoyles.
- Clear around each postbox before you open it for Postmaster Malown.
- Keep a sheep or another CC ready for Balnazzar's Domination.
FAQ
Questions players ask
What level is Stratholme Main Gate in WoW Forever, and from what level can you enter?
Plan for 58–60. The bosses are level 57 to 62 and the trash 55–60, and the Forever Group Finder lists the Main Gate at 58–60. The client files of the beta let you in from level 37, where Classic wanted 45. Nobody could check it in play, because the beta stopped at level 30.
Where is the Stratholme Main Gate entrance?
At the northern edge of the Eastern Plaguelands, at about 26.5, 10.4 on the Forever map. Classic coordinates do not fit, Forever redrew the zone. Fly to Light's Hope Chapel and ride north-west.
What is the difference between Stratholme Main Gate and Service Entrance?
Both lead into the same city. The Main Gate is the Live side with the Scarlet Crusade, Postmaster Malown and Balnazzar at the end. The Service Entrance at the Eastwall Gate is the Undead side with the ziggurats, Ramstein and Baron Rivendare, who drops the Dungeon Set 1 legs.
Is Stratholme Live or Undead harder?
There is no Forever answer, because the dungeon was not in the beta. In Classic videos a Live speedrun takes about 20 minutes and a full Undead clear about 46, careful tank guides need 40 minutes to over an hour on either side. Undead ends with Baron Rivendare's Unholy Aura and a timed run for Dead Man's Plea, Live with Balnazzar's mind control.
How do you get out of Stratholme Main Gate?
In Classic the Main Gate closes behind you. Walk through the city to the Service Entrance and out there, or use your hearthstone or a mage portal.
What quests are there for Stratholme, and which side does each need?
Main Gate: The Great Fras Siabi, The Archivist, The Truth Comes Crashing Down, The Restless Souls, Of Love and Family and the two amulet pieces of the Dungeon Set 2 chain. Service Entrance: The Active Agent, Above and Beyond, Aurius' Reckoning, Menethil's Gift, Ramstein, Dead Man's Plea, Proof of Life and Corruption. Both sides: The Flesh Does Not Lie, Houses of the Holy and The Medallion of Faith.
How do you summon Postmaster Malown?
Kill the Stratholme Courier on King's Square and take his keys. Each postbox you open releases three Undead Postmen, and the third box brings Malown.
Are Skul and Hearthsinger Forresten rare encounters?
Yes, both are rare spawns that are not up on every run. Skul stands around King's Square or Festival Lane, Hearthsinger Forresten in Festival Lane.
How long does a full Main Gate clear take?
In Classic videos a speedrun of the Live side takes about 20 minutes and careful tank guides 40 minutes to an hour. There is no Forever time, because the dungeon was not in the beta.
How many quests does Stratholme Main Gate have?
Stratholme Main Gate has 19 quests in the WoW Forever beta data: 18 for the Alliance and 19 for the Horde, 18 of them shared. Most start in Eastern Plaguelands, Blackrock Mountain and Western Plaguelands.
Can I solo Stratholme Main Gate?
Not at the level it is made for. Stratholme Main Gate is tuned for levels 58–60, its bosses go up to level 62 and its trash has 6 elite groups. Our estimate: with the level cap at 60 there is no outleveling it. Plan for a group. We have not tested a solo run in Forever.
Sources
Sources
- Blizzard: WoW Forever beta development notes, October 1Confirmed
- Wowhead · Forever beta databaseBeta data
- Warcraft Wiki · Classic referenceClassic
- Run time and difficulty are editorial estimates by mmonster.
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