Hellfire Citadel Raid Guide: Entrance, Rewards, Bosses

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong active mitigation (e.g., DKs, Paladins) for Slam stacks from Berserkers.
• DPS:
  • High AoE (e.g., Mages, Warlocks) for add waves.
  • High mobility (e.g., Hunters, Rogues) to ferry Felfire Munitions.
• Healers: Strong raid healing (e.g., Druids, Shamans) for Felfire Volley from Terrors.

Tips:

• Prioritize Adds:
  • Kill Gorebound Terrors (transformed Felcasters) immediately.
  • Swap tanks on Hulking Berserkers at 2–3 Slam stacks.
  • Munitions: Assign mobile players to carry Felfire Munitions; they last 90s, so clear adds first.
  • Siege Weapons: Focus Felfire Crushers (they insta-kill Cannons) > Artillery > Flamebelchers.
• Avoid Mechanics:
  • Spread for Howling Axe (Mar’tak).
  • Dodge Shockwave, Burn (Crusher), and Siege Nova (Demolisher).

Strategy:

• Phase 1 (Mar’tak):
  • Burst Mar’tak to 50% (she flees, removing her mechanics).
  • Kill her adds (Berserkers > Felcasters > Engineers).
• Phase 2 (Siege Waves):
  • Split raid to handle simultaneous Siege Weapons (Mythic).
  • Control Felcaster damage to avoid multiple Terrors.
• Mythic-Specific:
  • Stack for U’rogg burn, then split for Grute (tank swaps + dodge Cannonball).

Bloodlust/Drums:

Start to burn Mar’tak + early adds.

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Classes with strong mobility (e.g., Druid, Warrior) to handle Artillery runs.
• DPS:
  • Ranged: Hunters/ Mages for Unstable Orb spread and Firebomb cleanup.
  • Melee: Avoid Blitz; prioritize single-target damage.
• Healers: Strong AoE healers (e.g., Resto Druid, Holy Priest) for Pounding phases.

Tips:

• Ground Phase:
  • Tanks: Swap on Artillery; run 40+ yards away to minimize raid damage.
  • Ranged: Spread 8+ yards to avoid Unstable Orb splashes.
  • All: Watch Reaver’s left foot to dodge Barrage; avoid Blitz path.
• Air Phase:
  • Firebombs: Kill Volatile Firebombs ASAP (25-second fuse).
  • Artillery Targets: Run to edges (40+ yards from others).
  • Fuel Streaks: Avoid flames after Flash Fire.

Strategy:

• Positioning:
  • Tank Reaver center; ranged spread in a semicircle.
  • Designate edges for Artillery detonations.
• Cooldowns:
  • Use raid CDs (e.g., Devotion Aura) during Pounding.
  • Healers: Dispel Blitz victims.
• Mythic Adjustments:
  • Assign DPS to specific bomb types (prioritize Quick-Fuse > Reactive > Burning > Reinforced).
  • Tanks/immunities handle Reactive Firebombs (click-to-destroy).

Bloodlust/Drums:

Opening Ground Phase (maximize single-target damage before Air Phase).

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong mitigation for Swat/knockbacks (e.g., DK anti-magic, Paladin bubble).
• DPS:
  • High AoE (e.g., Fire Mage, Affliction Warlock) for Grasping Hands.
  • Mobile classes (e.g., Hunters) for Empowered Fel Outpouring.
• Healers: Strong raid CDs (e.g., Holy Priest, Resto Druid) for Pound + Hands overlaps.

Tips:

• Pool Order: Fiery (Explosive) → Foul (Grasping) → Shadow (Fel) to minimize Empowered Fel Outpouring overlaps.
• Explosive Runes:
  • Assign 2–3 players with damage-reduction CDs to trigger runes.
  • Mythic: Aim Empowered Runes toward the center to overlap/despawn.
• Grasping Hands:
  • Stack in small groups (4–5 players) pre-cast for efficient AoE.
  • Heroic/Mythic: Prioritize adds over boss.
• Fel Outpouring:
  • Stand near one pool to simplify dodging.
  • Empowered: Move through gaps early, then micro-dodge.

Strategy:

• Tanks:
  • Swap after Swat/Explosive Burst/Foul Crush.
  • Position boss near next desired pool.
• DPS:
  • Burst AoE Grasping/Dragging Hands.
  • Save CDs for Hands + legendary ring explosion.
• Healers:
  • CDs for Pound + Hands overlaps.
  • Pre-heal Explosive Rune triggers.

Bloodlust/Drums:

On pull to maximize DPS before Enrage.

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong survivability for Dia’s Nightmare Visage and Gurtogg’s Acidic Wound.
• DPS:
  • Cleave/AoE for Jubei’thos’s Mirror Images during Windwalk.
  • Enrage dispels (e.g., Soothe) for Gurtogg’s Fury.
• Healers: Strong dispels (e.g., Cleanse) for Dia’s Mark of the Necromancer.

Tips:

• Tanking:
  • Keep Dia far from others to avoid Void Haze (makes bosses immune).
  • Gurtogg’s tank should kite during Fel Rage to drop Acidic Wound stacks.
• DPS:
  • Focus Gurtogg first; cleave Jubei’thos but avoid over-DoTting Dia.
  • Kill Mirror Images quickly during Windwalk.
• Healers:
  • Dispels: Prioritize red Mark of the Necromancer or debuffs on tanks.
  • Raid CDs: Use during “ultimate” abilities (Wailing Horror, Demolishing Leap).

Strategy:

• Phase 1 (100–30%):
  • Gurtogg: Fel Rage target should kite him 25–30 yards away.
  • Jubei’thos: Dodge Fel Blade (watch green arrow).
  • Dia: Players with Mark of the Necromancer run out before Reap.
• Phase 2 (<30%):
  • Burn Gurtogg fast to minimize Tainted Blood stacks.
  • Dia’s Mark spreads to half the raid; dispel aggressively.

Bloodlust/Drums:

During Gurtogg’s Final Hour (30%) to kill him before Tainted Blood stacks overwhelm.

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Classes with strong active mitigation (e.g., Warrior, Paladin) to handle Shred Armor.
• DPS:
  • Ranged: Prioritize killing Blood Globules and Bloodthirsters (e.g., Hunters, Mages).
  • Melee: Focus on Hulking Terrors and interrupts ( Rogues, DKs).
• Healers: Strong AoE healers (e.g., Resto Druid, Holy Priest) for Death Throes.

Tips:

• Add Priority:
  • Kill Bloodthirsters before they reach fel pools.
  • Interrupt Hulking Terrors’ Rending Howl.
• Heart Seeker:
  • Targeted players should run far from Kilrogg to delay globule movement.
  • Avoid standing in the arrow path (Heroic+).
• Vision of Death:
  • Assign 2 teams (2 DPS + 1 healer) to enter runes.
  • Maximize stacks of Undying Resolve/Salvation by killing demons in the vision.
• Fel Corruption:
  • Tanks swap after each Hulking Terror to manage stacks.
  • Healers with Undying Salvation can reduce corruption.

Strategy:

• Phase 1 (100–40%):
  • Focus adds > boss. Use Undying Resolve buffs on Kilrogg.
  • Stack for Death Throes (use raid CDs).
• Phase 2 (<40%):
  • Heart Seeker targets 2 players (Heroic+). Position carefully.
  • Burn boss; ignore adds if possible.

Bloodlust/Drums:

Opening pull (to maximize early DPS on boss/adds).

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong survivability for Gorebound Spirits (e.g., DKs for self-healing).
• Healers: High throughput (e.g., Holy Priests, Resto Druids) for raid-wide damage.
• DPS:
  • Ranged: Prioritized for killing Corrupted Soul fragments (Mythic) and kiting constructs.
  • Melee: Help burst Gorebound Spirits/Constructs.

Tips:

• Phase 1 (Shadow of Death):
  • DPS: Focus adds > boss. Dot Shadowy Constructs in stomach.
  • Healers: Spread for Surging Shadows; dispel Corrupted Blood (trash).
  • Tanks: Swap Gorebound Spirits at 10 Fel Flames stacks.
• Phase 2 (Feast of Souls):
  • Stack for healing, soak Unstable Souls with defensives.
  • Use Bloodlust + DPS cooldowns here.
• Stomach Exit: Run to the center before Digest expires (40s timer).

Strategy:

• Add Priority: Gorebound Spirit > Essence > Construct > Gorefiend.
  • Positioning:
  • Spread 5+ yards to avoid Surging Shadows splash.
  • Touch of Doom targets run to edges to drop Doom Wells.
• Heroic/Mythic Adjustments:
  • Shared Fate: 3-4 players must stack to break chains.
  • Mythic: Kill Corrupted Soul fragments to free stomach players.

Bloodlust/Drums:

First Feast of Souls phase (~2 minutes in).

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Classes with strong mobility (e.g., Druid, Monk) to handle Fel Chakram kiting.
• Healers: Priests (mass dispel utility) and Resto Druids (HoTs for Phantasmal Wounds).
• DPS: Ranged with cleave (e.g., Mage, Warlock) for add phases; melee with interrupts (e.g., Rogue, Warrior) for Fel Conduit.

Tips:

• Eye of Anzu:
  • Use the macro to pass it efficiently:
    /target [@mouseover]
    /click ExtraActionButton1
    /targetlasttarget
  • Priority for passing: Tanks > Healers > Melee > Ranged.
• Fel Chakram: Stand at assigned markers (tank/melee/ranged) to minimize raid damage.
• Add Phases: Kill Corrupted Talonpriest first (dispels Fel Bomb), then Shadowfel Warden (interrupt Fel Conduit).

Strategy:

• Grounded Phase:
  • Stack loosely to avoid Fel Incineration beams.
  • Use Eye to dispel Phantasmal Winds (prevents knockbacks).
• Adds Phase:
  • 70%: Focus Talonpriest → Outcasts.
  • 45%: Interrupt Warden’s Fel Conduit while killing Talonpriest.
  • 20%: Tank holding Eye avoids Phantasmal Corruption from Fel Raven.

Bloodlust/Drums:

During the final adds phase (20%) to burn down high-priority adds quickly.

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks:
  • 2–3 tanks (3 recommended for Mythic to manage Shattered Defenses).
  • One tank pilots the Construct in Phase 2 (preferably a DK/ Warrior for mobility).
• DPS:
  • Ranged: Hunters/ Mages for kiting Haunting Souls and bursting Dominators.
  • Melee: Rogues/ DKs for interrupts (Exert Dominance).
• Healers: Strong AoE healers ( Holy Priest, Resto Druid) for Reverberating Blow/Apocalypse.

Tips:

• Phase 1:
  • Stack for Reverberating Blow to split Shattered Defenses evenly.
  • Tanks with high stacks use cooldowns.
  • Kite Felblaze Charge away from the raid.
• Phase 2:
  • Construct Pilot: Drop Fel Prisons near portals to trap Haunting Souls.
  • Interrupts: Assign 3+ players to rotate Exert Dominance interrupts.
  • Add Priority: Dominators > Shadowcallers > Haunting Souls.

Strategy:

• Phase 1:
  • Tanks swap after 2–3 Reverberating Blow stacks.
  • Dodge Fel Prisons; explode Volatile Fel Orbs away from the group.
• Phase 2:
  • Construct Pilot: Use Felblaze Charge to slow adds; spam Reverberating Blow on Socrethar.
  • Raid: Stack mid, kite Haunting Souls over Felblaze Residue.
  • Burn Dominators ASAP to remove Fel Barrier.

Bloodlust/Drums:

Phase 1 to burn the Construct quickly (ideal for weaker groups).

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: High-mobility classes (e.g., Druid, Monk) to dodge Shadow Realm mechanics.
• Healers: Strong single-target healers ( Paladin, Disc Priest) for Befouled and tank survival.
• DPS: Ranged preferred for Seed of Destruction positioning; melee must manage Befouled carefully.

Tips:

• Rumbling Fissures: Soak all but one (farthest from boss) to control Fel Crystal spawns.
• Latent Energy: Avoid Wake of Destruction waves if debuffed; intercept them if not.
• Shadow Realm: Tanks must dodge Wake/Ring of Destruction; failure triggers Unleashed Energy (raid damage).
• Seed of Destruction: Spread out; stand still after debuff expires to avoid self-inflicted waves.

Strategy:

• Phase 1 (Armed):
  • Tanks swap on Soul Cleave; banished tank dodges Shadow Realm mechanics.
  • Assign groups to soak Rumbling Fissures (markers help).
  • Position boss away from Fel Crystals to ease Wake of Destruction interception.
• Phase 2 (Disarmed):
  • Tanks stack tightly to split Heavy Handed damage.
  • Use raid/tank CDs for Fel Explosion and Seed of Destruction.
• Enrage:
  • Lust/Bloodlust here. Prioritize killing boss before Latent Energy overwhelms raid.

Bloodlust/Drums:

During Enrage Phase (30% HP) for maximum burst.

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong active mitigation (e.g., Paladin, DK) to handle heavy hits.
• DPS:
  • High burst for adds (Wild Pyromaniacs/Voidfiends).
  • Classes with stuns/interrupts ( Rogues, Mages) for Pyromaniacs.
  • Ranged for spreading during Void Glare.
• Healers: Strong raid cooldowns ( Disc Priest, Holy Pala) for Black Hole/burst phases.

Tips:

• Debuff Management:
  • Feltouched (Fire) and Voidtouched (Shadow) last 15s. Avoid taking the opposite damage type.
  • Use Shadowfel Annihilation strategically to clear fire/void patches.
• Add Priority: Wild Pyromaniacs > Unstable Voidfiends > Boss adds (Akkelion/Omnus) > Boss.
• Movement:
  • Spread for Void Surge/stack for Fel Surge.
  • Dodge Volatile Voidstep (purple swirls).

Strategy:

• Phase 1 (Fel):
  • Tank boss near Fel Portal. Stack raid behind.
  • Interrupt/stun Pyromaniacs. Kill Vanguard Akkelion to push phase.
• Phase 2 (Void):
  • Tank boss near Void Portal. Spread loosely.
  • Assign players to collapse Black Holes (use immunities).
• Phase 3 (Hybrid):
  • Tank swaps: One tank takes Fel Strike, the other Void Strike.
  • Clear middle area with controlled Shadowfel Annihilations.
• Phase 4 (Final):
  • Lust at 20%. Focus boss; ignore remaining adds.
  • Minimize Shadowfel Annihilations (overlaps with Overwhelming Chaos).

Bloodlust/Drums:

Final phase (<20%) to burn boss before Overwhelming Chaos stacks overwhelm.

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong active mitigation (e.g., DKs, Paladins) for Seal of Decay swaps.
• Healers: Priests (dispels), Druids (HoTs for Aura of Contempt), Paladins (burst healing for Touch of Harm).
• DPS:
  • Phase 1: Ranged favored (minimize movement for Aura of Oppression).
  • Phase 2/3: Strong cleave/AoE for adds (Harbinger/Sovereign).
  • Interrupts: Critical for Harbinger’s Mending (assign Mages, Rogues, etc.).

Tips:

• Phase 1 (Oppression):
  • Annihilating Strike: Targeted players move to open areas to avoid hitting others.
  • Infernal Tempest: Minimize movement—let two Searing Blazes overlap before stepping out.
  • Push to 70% before 2-minute mark to avoid overlapping Infernal Tempest + Edict of Condemnation.
• Phase 2 (Contempt):
  • Font of Corruption targets stack in pre-assigned spots for efficient healing.
  • Kill Harbinger ASAP—interrupt Harbinger’s Mending (use stuns/dispels if needed).
• Phase 3 (Malice):
  • Bulwark of the Tyrant: Tanks/players drop Despoiled Ground in a controlled area; kite boss gradually.
  • Kill Sovereign immediately to remove Sovereign’s Ward (90% damage reduction on Velhari).

Strategy:

• Tanks: Swap at 2-3 stacks of Seal of Decay. Face Enforcer away from raid.
• DPS: Prioritize adds in P2/P3. Save CDs for Harbinger/Sovereign.
• Healers:
  • Touch of Harm: Heal through the absorb shield; only dispel if player will die.
  • Use raid CDs (e.g., Power Word: Barrier) for Edict of Condemnation.

Bloodlust/Drums:

Use in Phase 3 to burn Sovereign and Velhari.

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong active mitigation (e.g., Paladin, DK) for Glaive Combo.
• Healers: Strong AoE healing ( Druid, Holy Priest) for raid-wide damage.
• DPS:
  • Ranged: Prioritize Infernals/Imps ( Hunters, Mages).
  • Melee: Burst for Doom Lords/Imps ( Rogues, Warriors).

Tips:

• Phase 1: Kill Summoners in order: Red (Doom Lords) → Green (Infernals) → Purple (Imps).
• Mark of Doom: Run out, stand in Blood of Mannoroth to trigger safe explosion.
• Shadowforce (Phase 3+): Strafe to avoid being knocked off; use speed boosts after debuff ends.
• Gazing Shadows (Phase 4): Soak Empowered Mannoroth’s Gaze in pairs to minimize pool size.

Strategy:

• Tanks:
  • Face Mannoroth toward green Fel Spire (Phases 2–3) to avoid knockback.
  • Swap during Glaive Combo (1st tank takes Thrust + Blast, 2nd takes 2nd Thrust).
• DPS:
  • Priority: Adds > Boss. Interrupt Shadow Bolt Volley (Doom Lords).
  • Stack for Fel Imp-losion to group Imps.
• Healers:
  • Focus tanks during Glaive Combo.
  • Dispel Curse of the Legion near tanks to spawn Doom Lords safely.

Bloodlust/Drums:

After first Empowered Shadowforce (to maximize DPS uptime).

Preferred Classes:

• Tanks: Strong cooldowns for Death Brand/Shadow Blast (e.g., DKs, Paladins).
• Melee DPS: High burst for Overfiends/Infernals ( Warriors, Rogues).
• Ranged DPS: Mobile for Doomfire kiting ( Hunters, Mages).
• Healers: Raid-wide cooldowns for Unleashed Torment ( Druids, Holy Priests).

Tips:

• Doomfire: Kite spirits away; stack for Allure of Flames baiting.
• Shadowfel Burst: Spread before launch, stack to split damage.
• Shackled Torment: Break tethers one by one to avoid raid wipe.
• Twisting Nether: Assign 3+ players (incl. healer) to kill Shadowed Netherwalker.
• Infernals (Phase 3): Burst down, CC to prevent Eternal Flame healing.

Strategy:

• Priority Targets: Doomfire Spirits > Hellfire Deathcallers > Overfiends > Archimonde.
• Phase 1: Tank boss near edge; rotate Desecrate pillars for Light of the Naaru.
• Phase 2: Stack loosely for Wrought Chaos (Heroic); interrupt Overfiends.
• Phase 3: Spread >6yd for Demonic Feedback; focus Infernals during Bloodlust.

Bloodlust/Drums:

Final phase (sub-25%) during Infernal spawns.