WoW Forever Raids Guide: Barrow Deeps, Hyjal & Onyxia

WoW: Forever Raids Guide: Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia's Attunement

Reaching level 60 in World of Warcraft: Forever will be an important milestone, but it is not the end of character progression. The first raid release introduces three different challenges, from a compact group exploring an ancient prison to a full 40 player raid confronting one of Warcraft's most recognizable dragons. Each encounter demands a different approach to gearing, preparation, and group organization.

The first three raids are scheduled to unlock on December 9, 2026. Barrow Deeps and Hyjal Summit bring new endgame adventures to Mount Hyjal and the surrounding regions, while Onyxia's Lair returns as a familiar challenge with a confirmed entry requirement. Players planning to raid on release should use the time before launch to finish leveling, improve their equipment, organize their groups, and complete the necessary attunement quests.

WoW: Forever Raid Overview

All three raids are designed for level 60 characters, but they differ considerably in group size and encounter structure. Understanding those differences early will help you decide which content to prioritize and what your guild needs to prepare.

The fixed raid sizes are an important part of planning. A group that can comfortably assemble ten players for Barrow Deeps will still need to coordinate a larger roster for Hyjal Summit, while Onyxia requires a full 40 player raid. Guild leaders should begin discussing attendance, roles, and substitutes before the raids become available, rather than waiting until raid night to find missing players.

The currently announced plan is for these raids to reset weekly. If that schedule remains unchanged, players should expect to organize their endgame activities around a regular weekly lockout.

Barrow Deeps: Explore the Prison Beneath Azeroth

Barrow Deeps is a new level 60 raid hidden beneath Kalimdor. Its story revolves around an ancient prison associated with Illidan Stormrage, who was held there for 10,000 years. The newly opened passages raise questions about the fate of those left behind and the danger the prison's wardens are struggling to contain.

Unlike the other two raids in the initial lineup, Barrow Deeps is designed for ten players. This smaller format makes it a natural objective for compact guilds and established dungeon groups that want to begin raiding without organizing a 40 player roster. Smaller does not necessarily mean easier, however. The group still needs a workable composition, reliable damage, enough healing, and players who understand their responsibilities.

Another useful feature is the network of entrances connecting the area with Mount Hyjal, Winterspring, and Blackmaw Hold. These multiple access points make the surrounding world relevant to raid preparation and travel planning. Players should familiarize themselves with the routes before their first scheduled run, especially if they expect to assemble the group at a specific time.

Barrow Deeps contains eight bosses. Until more encounter details and loot information are available, the best preparation is to reach level 60, strengthen your equipment, and make sure everyone in the group understands their role. Follow updates as release approaches instead of assuming that conventional Classic raid strategies will apply to every new encounter.

Hyjal Summit: A Larger Raid With Multiple Paths

Hyjal Summit takes players to the peak of Mount Hyjal, near Nordrassil, the World Tree. The raid contains thirteen bosses and begins with a confrontation against an ancient guardian. From there, players can choose between multiple paths across the mountain, exploring areas above and below ground as they work toward the final encounters.

This structure makes Hyjal Summit particularly interesting for groups that enjoy exploring and adapting their route instead of simply progressing through a single linear corridor. The ability to approach different areas of the mountain creates additional planning considerations, including how the raid divides its responsibilities and how players coordinate their next objectives.

The twenty player limit places Hyjal Summit between the smaller Barrow Deeps group and the much larger Onyxia raid. Guilds should treat that requirement as a roster planning exercise. A reliable team needs enough players to cover its essential roles while accounting for absences, different class requirements, and the possibility that some members will need additional equipment before contributing effectively.

With thirteen bosses to face, consistent performance throughout the run will matter. Get comfortable with your class, understand your defensive and offensive responsibilities, and avoid treating a level 60 character as automatically raid ready. Gear, consumables, communication, and a coordinated team will all contribute to a more successful first clear.

Onyxia's Lair: The Drakefire Amulet Is Required

Onyxia's Lair is the most demanding raid in the initial lineup in terms of group size. Located in Dustwallow Marsh, it is designed for forty level 60 players and centers on Onyxia, the Black Dragonflight's powerful broodmother and Nefarian's younger sister.

Her encounter unfolds across three phases, with powerful fire attacks that punish players who fail to react to changing conditions. Players need to remain attentive to positioning, follow raid instructions, and respond quickly when the encounter shifts. Fire resistance is worth considering as part of the preparation process, although players should not confuse resistance preparation with a substitute for learning mechanics.

The biggest preparation requirement currently confirmed for entering the lair is the Drakefire Amulet. Every player must have the amulet in their inventory to enter Onyxia's Lair. It does not need to be equipped, but completing the questline on another character should not be assumed to satisfy the requirement for the character you intend to raid with.

Because the questline involves several high level zones and dungeon visits, it is worth starting well before your guild schedules its first Onyxia attempt.

How to Complete the Onyxia Attunement

The Drakefire Amulet is obtained through a faction-specific questline. Alliance and Horde players follow different early quest chains, but both paths eventually require confronting powerful enemies and obtaining the Blood of the Black Dragon Champion from General Drakkisath in Upper Blackrock Spire.

Alliance Attunement

Alliance players begin in the Burning Steppes with Dragonkin Menace, offered by Helendis Riverhorn. This begins a series of quests called The True Masters, which investigates the Black Dragonflight's influence and eventually leads players to Marshal Maxwell at Morgan's Vigil.

The chain then sends players into Blackrock Depths to investigate Marshal Windsor and recover the information needed to advance his story. Several visits to the dungeon are involved, including finding A Crumpled Up Note, completing A Shred of Hope, and helping Windsor escape during Jail Break!

After this part of the storyline, players return to the Burning Steppes before continuing to Stormwind. The Great Masquerade and the subsequent Dragon's Eye quest move the chain toward its final stage. Players are then directed to Upper Blackrock Spire to defeat General Drakkisath and obtain the Blood of the Black Dragon Champion.

Completing the final steps awards the Drakefire Amulet. Since the chain includes multiple quest objectives and dungeon encounters, coordinating with guild members who are working on the same progression can save time and make the more demanding steps easier to organize.

Horde Attunement

Horde players begin in the Badlands, where Warlord Goretooth in Kargath offers Blood and Thunder. This leads into Warlord's Command, which takes players through Lower Blackrock Spire before sending them back to Orgrimmar to report to Eitrigg and consult Thrall.

The chain continues with For the Horde!, which requires players to return to Lower Blackrock Spire and claim Warchief Rend Blackhand's head. After the follow-up quests, players are directed to Rexxar, who can be found traveling through Desolace.

Rexxar's part of the storyline eventually sends players to Myranda the Hag in the Western Plaguelands. Through Oculus Illusions and Emberstrife, the questline requires players to obtain Black Dragonspawn Eyes and complete four quests known as The Test of Skulls. These objectives involve Scryer, Somnus, Chronalis, and Axtroz.

After completing the tests, players receive the Dull Drakefire Amulet and return to Rexxar. The final stage takes them to Upper Blackrock Spire to defeat General Drakkisath and obtain the Blood of the Black Dragon Champion. Returning to Rexxar completes the chain and awards the Drakefire Amulet.

Attunement Preparation Checklist

Before your first Onyxia raid, make sure you have completed the necessary steps:

• Finish your faction's attunement questline and obtain the Drakefire Amulet.

• Keep the amulet in your inventory before entering the raid.

• Arrange help for elite quest objectives and dungeon encounters that are difficult to complete alone.

• Coordinate Blackrock Depths, Lower Blackrock Spire, and Upper Blackrock Spire visits with other players when possible.

• Confirm that the character you intend to raid with has completed the required progression.

• Prepare your equipment, repairs, consumables, and travel plans before the scheduled run.

The most common planning mistake is leaving attunement until the last minute. Even an experienced level 60 player can lose valuable time if several dungeon runs or group quest objectives are still unfinished. Treat the amulet as a separate progression goal rather than something to worry about on raid night.

Getting Your Character Ready for the First Raid Release

Raid preparation begins long before entering the instance. A level 60 character still needs equipment suited to the content, sufficient resources for repeated attempts, and a clear understanding of what the group expects from each role.

Start by reviewing your current gear and identifying the weakest slots. Running appropriate dungeons, completing useful quests, and pursuing crafted items can provide upgrades before the first raid night. Not every character needs the same items, so prioritize upgrades that improve your actual role rather than chasing equipment simply because it has a higher item level.

Our WoW Forever gear guide explains how to approach equipment progression, while our WoW Forever leveling guide covers the journey to level 60. Players short on preparation time can also explore the WoW Forever pre raid gear service for help acquiring suitable gear before their group begins raiding.

Gold is another part of preparation that is easy to overlook. Repairs, consumables, profession materials, and other character expenses can add up once you start raiding regularly. Keeping a reserve means you can replace supplies and address equipment needs without interrupting your progression. Our WoW Forever gold guide covers practical ways to build and manage your currency while leveling and preparing for endgame.

Guild leaders should also establish a realistic schedule. The difference between ten, twenty, and forty player raids makes recruitment and attendance planning particularly important. Discuss expected roles, preferred raid days, substitutions, and whether the group plans to focus on one raid before moving to another.

Finally, follow new announcements as the December release approaches. Boss strategies, loot tables, encounter details, and additional access requirements may become clearer over time. Build your preparation around confirmed information and remain flexible where details are not yet established.

What Should You Prioritize Before December 9?

The most effective preparation order is straightforward. First, reach level 60 and complete the essential character progression needed for your chosen role. Next, improve your equipment and make sure you can afford the supplies required for repeated attempts. After that, organize a stable group and complete Onyxia's attunement if you intend to enter her lair.

For players with limited time, the key is to avoid treating every preparation task as equally urgent. Onyxia's Drakefire Amulet is an explicit entry requirement, so its questline deserves an early start. Gear upgrades should target genuine weaknesses, while guild recruitment should reflect the actual player count needed for the chosen raid. Barrow Deeps offers a ten player starting point, Hyjal Summit requires a twenty player team, and Onyxia needs forty players.

WoW: Forever's first raids will bring different kinds of endgame challenges to Azeroth without raising the level cap beyond 60. Preparing early will help players spend less time solving logistical problems and more time exploring the new encounters with their groups.

For further character preparation and endgame assistance, visit the WoW Forever services page at misti.services.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the first WoW: Forever raids release?

Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit, and Onyxia's Lair are scheduled to unlock on December 9, 2026. Players should watch for further announcements in case any release details change.

What are the required raid sizes in WoW: Forever?

Barrow Deeps is designed for ten players, Hyjal Summit for twenty players, and Onyxia's Lair for forty players. Groups should plan their rosters around these specific sizes.

Is the Drakefire Amulet required for Onyxia's Lair?

Yes. The announced entry requirement states that each player must carry a Drakefire Amulet in their inventory. It does not need to be equipped.

Do Alliance and Horde have different Onyxia attunement quests?

Yes. Alliance players begin with Dragonkin Menace in the Burning Steppes, while Horde players start with Blood and Thunder in the Badlands. Both faction paths eventually lead to General Drakkisath in Upper Blackrock Spire and the Drakefire Amulet.

How many bosses are in Barrow Deeps and Hyjal Summit?

Barrow Deeps contains eight bosses, while Hyjal Summit contains thirteen. Both are level 60 raids, but they use different group sizes and encounter structures.

What is the best way to prepare for the first raids?

Reach level 60, improve your role-appropriate equipment, prepare enough gold and consumables, coordinate a stable group, and complete Onyxia's attunement early if you plan to raid there. Check the latest announcements for additional encounter and preparation details as release approaches.