The Deadmines in WoW Forever: route, bosses, loot and quests

The Deadmines is the first big dungeon for many Alliance characters and a common Paladin milestone. It is short, packed with enemies and generous with gear. The level range is 17 to 26 and a clear takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

How to get there

The entrance is a hidden cave in Moonbrook, in Westfall, learned through the Defias Brotherhood quest chain. Night Elves take the boat from Auberdine to Stormwind first. Horde players take the Zeppelin from Durotar to Grom'gol and swim north to Westfall, which avoids high-level monsters in Stranglethorn Vale.

Quests that send you in

• The Defias Brotherhood (14), Gryan Stoutmantle, Sentinel Hill.
• Red Silk Bandanas (14), Scout Riell, Sentinel Hill. Needs the Defias Brotherhood chain.
• Destruction in Deadmines (14), Alba Fairmoon, Sentinel Hill, starts with Testing the Wells.
• Collecting Memories (14) and Oh Brother... (15), Wilder Thistlenettle, Dwarven District, Stormwind.
• Underground Assault (16), Shoni the Shilent, Dwarven District.
• The Unsent Letter (16), from Edwin VanCleef inside the dungeon, which starts the Stockade chain.
• Paladins: The Test of Righteousness (20), Jordan Stillwell, Ironforge. Horde Paladins: A Moon-Kissed Blade (20), Lumina Windsinger, Silverpine Forest.

Trash notes

The danger is density: compact pulls with many casters. Interrupt Defias Evokers (Flamestrike) or step out of it. Defias Overseers buff attack speed, Taskmasters lower armor from range, and Goblin Woodcarvers stun for 3 seconds with Axe Toss. Take the casters first.

The bosses, in order

1. Rhahk'zor

A 3-second stun. Pull him without his two Defias Watchman adds if you can, or Polymorph one. Drops: Rhahk'Zor's Hammer (two-hand mace), Rockslicer, Ogre Loincloth. Method lists the hammer among the best early Paladin weapons.

Miner Johnson (rare, optional)

Casts Pierce Armor on the tank. Kill him before his Defias Miners. Drops Miner's Cape and Gold-plated Buckler.

2. Sneed and Sneed's Shredder

Terrify means you should clear the room first. Kill the Shredder first, then Sneed, who disarms the highest-threat player. Drops Buzzer Blade, Buzz Saw and Dull Sawblade.

3. Gilnid

Molten Metal damages and slows by 50%. A Paladin's Blessing of Freedom removes the slow. Drops Smelting Pants, Lavishly Jeweled Ring and Goblin Hammer.

4. Mr. Smite

Smite Stomp stuns twice, and he swaps weapons between phases. Kill the two Blackguard adds first, because stuns while they are alive are deadly. Drops Smite's Reaver, Thief's Blade, Smite's Mighty Hammer and First Mate Band.

5. Cookie

Acid Splash (a nature DoT) and a self-heal. Do not pull him with extra trash. Some groups kill him after VanCleef, so follow your group's route. Drops Cookie's Tenderizer, Cookie's Stirring Rod and Lookie's Spyglass.

6. Captain Greenskin

Cleave and Poisoned Harpoon on the tank. Kill his companion first, then him, then the remaining adds. Drops Emberstone Staff, Impaling Harpoon and Blackened Defias Belt.

7. Edwin VanCleef

Little besides Thrash. Two Blackguards at the start, and two more at 50% unless he is stunned as he crosses below 50%. Kill the first pair fast. Drops Cape of the Brotherhood, Corsair's Overshirt, Blackened Defias Armor and Cruel Barb, plus the quest item Head of VanCleef.

Is it worth running?

Yes. Between the quest chain, the Paladin class quest and the weapon drops, it is a good use of an evening at level 17 to 25. Bring a healer, interrupt the casters and kill adds before bosses, and you can clear it in half an hour.

Based on the Method dungeon guide updated 21 October 2026. The guide does not state group size or a recommended level, and Cookie's position in the route is inconsistent between guides. Last checked 7 November 2026.