While World of Warcraft: Shadowlands players are directed towards a dungeon as part of each zone's leveling storyline, there are 4 more that open up once a character reaches Level 60. And though the difficulty is ramped up compared to earlier dungeons, there's plenty of better loot players can earn ahead of the Castle Nathria raid release in Revendreth.

One of these max level instances is the Theater of Pain, located in Maldraxxus. As the military defense force within the Shadowlands, only the greatest warriors can step up after fighting against the strongest pit contenders. Now players must clash against various gladiatorial opponents to prove their worth for glory and as defenders of Maldraxxus.

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Affront of Challengers

This is a council-style fight against 3 bosses: Dessia the Decapitator, Paceran the Virulent, and Sathel the Accursed. Each boss has their own separate health bar so groups should follow the kill order of Dessia, Paceran, and Sathel. Tanks should prepare mitigation for Slam and Mortal Strike casts especially since the latter reduces healing for several seconds. At low health, Dessia enrages fixating a random player while gaining a hefty absorb shield, so use defensive cooldowns and kite while the party kills Dessia. Alternatively, removing the enrage with Druids or Hunters will instantly get rid of the shield and fixate.

Interrupt Paceran's Plague Bolt whenever possible to save the healer's mana. Stay towards the outer edge of the platform to drop Noxious Spores zones away from the party. At low health, Paceran makes everyone drop zones every few seconds so keep moving and have DPS classes burst him down quickly.

Interrupt or heal through Sathel's Necromantic Bolt. Anyone affected by Searing Death needs to stay away from the group to avoid splashing AoE damage. Dispel Spectral Transference to prevent him from healing the other bosses. At low health, Sathel gains an absorb shield and can't be interrupted for 30 seconds so burst through the shield or wait it out if the healer class can handle it.

world of warcraft theater of pain first boss adds

Gorechop

Tanks should have mitigation up before the boss uses Hateful Strike. Dodge the Meat Hooks that sweep through the room to avoid a DoT and being stunned. Gorechop occasionally pulls everyone to him with Tenderizing Smash so save movement abilities to get out of the AoE circle and watch for any hooks that overlap. Finally, kite the Oozing Leftovers adds that spawn to the side of the rooms so the Coagulating Ooze zones they drop don't interfere with dodging Gorechop or hook.

Xav the Unfallen

The boss occasionally throws down Oppressive Banners that must be killed immediately or they inflict an increasing slow on the party. Tanks will be hit by Brutal Combo so prepare defensives and heals after the cast ends. Might of Maldraxxus throws out several attacks which must be dodged including a frontal line, half-circle cleave, and AoE around him. At full energy, 2 players are banished to duel much like Call of Duty's Gulag. The winner gets a short damage buff while the loser receives a damage debuff but if neither player wins both are cursed with the debuff. Coordinate which player will win to maximize DPS on Xav and any banners upon returning.

Kul'tharok

Always tank the boss in melee range or he will cast Spectral Reach. Anyone marked with Spectral Parasite must stand away from the party. Avoid walking over the Grasping Hands that occasionally spawn. Kul'tharok uses Draw Soul on several World of Warcraft players who become pacified unless they reclaim their soul. The soul always walks toward the boss initially after spawning so position behind a Grasping Hands trap to slow it down.

Mordretha, the Endless Emperor

Mordretha uses Reaping Scythe on the tank so have mitigation ready for each cast. Dodge the Dark Devastation beam that rotates around the boss. Use movement abilities to stay away from the Grasping Rift to avoid a stun and DoT. Keep out of other players' Manifest Death circles and get ready to group up then AoE down the Deathwalker adds that spawn on Mythic.

At half health, Mordretha uses Echos of Carnage which summons 2 waves of ghosts for the rest of the encounter. Stay out of the arena center while ogre ghosts spawn and dodge the charging ghosts that appear on the outer edges. Prioritize avoiding the ghosts, but have healer class cooldowns ready in case multiple rifts, beams, or AoE circles also overlap.

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is available now on PC.

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Source: Wowhead