Dungeons in Cataclysm are 5-player challenges with great loot, fast leveling, and intense boss fights. You can start them at level 80 and keep running them at max level (85) for even better rewards.
WoW Cataclysm dungeons are faster and more action-packed than before. They come in two versions: normal (for leveling) and heroic (for endgame gear). Each one has unique mechanics, making fights more dynamic. From underwater battles in Throne of the Tides to fire-filled chaos in Blackrock Caverns, the dungeons feel fresh and exciting.
These dungeons are a key part of gearing up before raids. Heroics drop epic gear, while normal mode helps you level quickly. Knowing which dungeons to run at the right time makes your progress smoother.
Quick Summary:
- WoW Cataclysm Dungeons by level (table)
- How to make a good party in Cataclysm Classic Dungeons
- Blackrock Caverns (80-82)
- Throne of the Tides (80-83)
- The Stonecore (82-84)
- The Vortex Pinnacle (84-85)
- Halls of Origination (83-85)
- Grim Batol (85)
- Lost City of the Tol’vir (85)
- End Time (85)
- Well of Eternity (85)
- Hour of Twilight (85)
- Zul’Aman (85)
- Zul’Gurub (85)
This guide lists all Cataclysm dungeons by level and difficulty. Below, you’ll find a quick summary of each one, including the best loot to farm.
WoW Cataclysm Dungeons by level
| Dungeon Name | Level Range | Location |
| Blackrock Caverns | 80-82 | Blackrock Mountain, Eastern Kingdoms |
| Throne of the Tides | 80-83 | Abyssal Depths, Vashj’ir |
| The Stonecore | 82-84 | Deepholm |
| The Vortex Pinnacle | 84-85 | Uldum |
| Halls of Origination | 83-85 | Uldum |
| Grim Batol | 84-85 | Twilight Highlands |
| Lost City of the Tol’vir | 84-85 | Uldum |
| End Time | 85 | Caverns of Time, Tanaris |
| Well of Eternity | 85 | Caverns of Time, Tanaris |
| Hour of Twilight | 85 | Caverns of Time, Tanaris |
| Zul’Aman (Heroic) | 85 | Ghostlands, Eastern Kingdoms |
| Zul’Gurub (Heroic) | 85 | Northern Stranglethorn, Eastern Kingdoms |
Blackrock Caverns (80-82): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Blackrock Caverns |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | Blackrock Caverns is a dungeon in Cataclysm, located in Blackrock Mountain (eastern side, near Upper Blackrock Spires). It features 5 bosses with mechanics that require coordination, especially on Heroic difficulty. |
| Lore | The dungeon is a stronghold for the Twilight’s Hammer cult, who use it to corrupt Blackrock Mountain’s depths. Players battle through enslaved creatures and twisted experiments to stop Ascendant Lord Obsidius, a powerful servant of the Old Gods. |
| Bosses |
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| Valuable Loot | Normal Mode (ilvl 272):
Heroic Mode (ilvl 346):
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Throne of the Tides (80-83): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Throne of the Tides |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | Throne of the Tides is a dungeon in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, located in the Abyssal Depths of Vashj’ir. Players must swim through the Abyssal Breach to reach its entrance. The dungeon features four bosses with unique mechanics on both Normal and Heroic difficulties. |
| Lore | The dungeon is the stronghold of the naga, led by Lady Naz’jar, who serves the Old Gods. Neptulon, the Elemental Lord of Water, is imprisoned here, and players must battle through naga forces and mind-controlled creatures to stop Ozumat‘s corruption. |
| Bosses |
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| Valuable Loot | Normal Mode (Lvl 78):
Heroic Mode (Lvl 85):
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The Stonecore (82-84): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | The Stonecore |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | The Stonecore is a level 83-85 dungeon in Deepholm, part of Cataclysm. Players battle earth-themed enemies and bosses, ending with High Priestess Azil. Drops include gear, trinkets, and the rare Vitreous Stone Drake mount. |
| Lore | The Stonecore is a fortress for the Twilight’s Hammer cult, who seek to unleash Deathwing’s destructive power. The dungeon is carved into Deepholm’s central pillar, guarded by twisted earth elementals and fanatics. |
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| Valuable Loot |
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The Vortex Pinnacle (84-85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | The Vortex Pinnacle |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | A sky-bound dungeon in Uldum, floating on a platform. Players battle air elementals and servants of Al’Akir, the Windlord. |
| Lore | The Vortex Pinnacle is a fortress of the Tol’vir, corrupted by Al’Akir’s forces. The dungeon’s guardians, including Grand Vizier Ertan and Asaad, defend the sanctum from intruders. |
| Bosses |
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| Valuable Loot (Normal/Heroic) | Grand Vizier Ertan:
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Halls of Origination (83-85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Halls of Origination |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | A dungeon located in Uldum inside a massive pyramid. Players face ancient titan constructs and Egyptian-themed bosses across seven encounters. Available in Normal (Level 83) and Heroic (Level 85) modes. |
| Lore | Built by the titans to reboot Azeroth’s life systems, the Halls of Origination were corrupted by the Tol’vir guardians. Players must stop the rogue machine from wiping out all life. |
| Bosses List |
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| Valuable Loot |
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Grim Batol (85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Grim Batol |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | Grim Batol is a level 83-85 dungeon in Cataclysm, located in the Twilight Highlands. Players battle through corrupted dwarven ruins and twisted twilight forces to stop the evil within. |
| Lore | Once a dwarven stronghold, Grim Batol was corrupted by the Twilight’s Hammer cult and the evil dragon Sintharia. Now, it’s a battleground against dark forces trying to unleash destruction. |
| Bosses |
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| Valuable Loot |
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Lost City of the Tol’vir (85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Lost City of the Tol’vir |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | A level 83-85 dungeon in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, located in Uldum. Players battle Tol’vir guardians and corrupted forces to reclaim the ancient city. Features traps, adds, and multi-phase boss fights. |
| Lore | Once a thriving Tol’vir city, it fell under the control of Siamat, a powerful wind elemental. Players must defeat his minions and free the city from his grasp. |
| Bosses |
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| Valuable Loot | Normal Mode (Lvl 83):
Heroic Mode (Lvl 85):
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End Time (85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | End Time |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | End Time is the first dungeon in the Dragon Soul storyline, located in the Caverns of Time (Tanaris). Players battle echoes of past heroes corrupted by time, leading to a final fight against Murozond. The dungeon features randomized first two bosses. |
| Lore | Thrall seeks the Dragon Aspects’ help to uncover Deathwing’s plans. The dungeon explores a fractured timeline where echoes of Jaina, Baine, Sylvanas, and Tyrande relive tragic moments. Murozond, the corrupted Infinite Dragonflight leader, must be defeated to restore time. |
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| Valuable Loot |
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Well of Eternity (85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Well of Eternity |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | A timed dungeon in the Caverns of Time (Tanaris). Players help Thrall and the Dragon Aspects stop demons from corrupting the Well of Eternity. Requires completing End Time to enter. |
| Lore | Part of the Dragon Soul storyline. Players aid Illidan and Tyrande to defend the Well from Queen Azshara and Mannoroth‘s forces, uncovering Deathwing’s plans. |
| Bosses |
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| Valuable Loot |
Hour of Twilight (85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Hour of Twilight |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | Hour of Twilight is the final dungeon in the Dragon Soul storyline. Players help Thrall uncover Deathwing’s plans using the Dragon Soul. Requires completion of Well of Eternity to enter. Located in Caverns of Time, Tanaris. |
| Lore | Thrall seeks the Dragon Aspects’ aid to stop Deathwing, revealing the true purpose of the Dragon Soul. The dungeon ties into the climax of the Cataclysm expansion’s narrative. |
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| Valuable Loot |
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Zul’Aman (85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Zul’Aman |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | Zul’Aman is a 10-player dungeon in Cataclysm, located in the Ghostlands. It features timed runs, challenging bosses, and rare loot. The entrance has a summoning stone and NPCs for assistance. |
| Lore | Once the capital of the Amani trolls, Zul’Aman is now a stronghold for the vengeful warlord Daakara. Players must stop the trolls from resurrecting their ancient loa spirits. |
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| Valuable Loot |
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Zul’Gurub (85): Location, Bosses, Valuable Loot
| Dungeon: | Zul’Gurub |
| Entrance Location (Map): |  |
| Loading Screen: |  |
| Brief Overview | Zul’Gurub is a troll-themed dungeon in Northern Stranglethorn, filled with powerful bosses, ancient curses, and valuable loot. Originally a raid, it was revamped as a 5-player dungeon during Cataclysm. |
| Lore | Once the capital of the Gurubashi Empire, Zul’Gurub was corrupted by the blood god Hakkar. The trolls now serve his dark will, and players must battle their high priests to stop Hakkar’s influence. |
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Cataclysm Classic Dungeons: How to make a good party
To have a smooth dungeon run in Cataclysm Classic, building the right party is key. Every dungeon needs a solid group of five players: one tank, one healer, and three damage dealers (DPS). If you want quick and easy runs, try to group with players who know their roles well and are close to your level.
Here’s what a good party usually looks like:
Tank: Holds the enemy’s attention and soaks up damage. 
Protection Paladins, 
Blood Death Knights, 
Feral Druids, and 
Protection Warriors all work well.
Healer: Keeps the group alive during fights. 
Restoration Shamans, 
Holy Priests, 
Restoration Druids, and 
Holy Paladins are top picks.
DPS: Three players focused on killing enemies quickly. Any damage class works, but mixing melee and ranged helps with different boss mechanics.
Tips for building your team:
- Use the in-game Dungeon Finder to save time, but forming your own group with friends or guildmates gives you more control.
- Look for players with heirlooms or decent gear—it helps clear trash and bosses faster.
- Communicate before the run starts. A quick chat about roles, skips, or quest items can avoid confusion later.
A good party setup can turn a tough dungeon into an easy run. Stick together, play your role, and you’ll be clearing Cataclysm Classic dungeons like a pro.
Final Thoughts
Cataclysm dungeons give you some of the best ways to level up fast and gear up stronger. From level 80 all the way to 85, these dungeons pack good XP, solid loot, and fun fights that change up the usual questing grind.
Once you hit max level, heroics become your go-to for pre-raid gear. The dungeons stay exciting with fresh mechanics—no two feel the same. Whether it’s dodging lava in Blackrock Caverns or fighting through waves in Zul’Aman, there’s always a new challenge.
Build smart groups, learn the fights, and you’ll blast through them in no time. Now get out there and start running—better loot’s waiting!
