Pet Battle Challenge: Stratholme

The Stratholme pet dungeon may be the easiest of the four pet dungeons so far. If you have a decent pet collection – specifically critters – you should be able to beat it without much trouble.

Because four of the 11 fights have random backline pets, it's hard to do a turn-by-turn guide, so here's my quick shopping list of relatively common pets you can use:

vs Belchling -- Emerald Proto-Whelp (+ backline pets, see below)
vs Sludge Belcher -- three rabbits / hares
vs Wandering Phantasm -- one rabbit (+ backline pets, see below)
vs Crypt Fiend -- Bandicoon (+ backline pets, see below)
vs Liz the Tormentor -- S/S Zandalari Kneebiter + any whelpling (with Tail Sweep)
vs Plagued Critters -- one or two snails
vs Risen Guard -- one rabbit (+ backline pets, see below)
vs Nefarious Terry -- two rabbits / hares
vs Tommy the Cruel -- Unborn Valkyr + rabbit
vs Huncher -- one rabbit / hare
vs Blackmane -- Ikky + Zandalari pet

For backline pets: scout fights in advance using other pets, then slot in the following counters:

vs Gargy, Rotting Scavenger, Zasz the Tiny (undead) – use rabbits / hares
vs Lost Soul, Tormented Spirit (magic) – use Nexus Whelping (or other dragonkin)
vs Plague Whelp (dragonkin) – Rotten Little Helper or Kun-Lai Runt

= = = = =

In slightly more detail:

STAGE 1: DID THAT JUST COME OUT OF ITS MOUTH?

vs BELCHING (magic) + 2 backline pets

An Emerald Proto-Whelp spamming Breath will have no problem with the opening Belchling. The backline pets should die easily with the proper counters (see above).

STAGE 2: IT JUST WANTS TO PLAY!

vs SLUDGE BELCHER (undead / elite)

Three rabbits using Dodge + Stampede + Flurry will chop this boss down without much trouble. Save these rabbits, who'll probably finish around 2/3 health, for later fights.

STAGE 3: SCARY GHOSTS AND CREEPY FIENDS

vs WANDERING PHANTASM (undead) + 2 backline pets

If you're lucky and get three undead pets here, one rabbit can solo this. Otherwise, see above for backline pets.

vs CRYPT FIEND (undead) + 2 backline pets

The Crypt Fiend has 370 speed, so I use a Bandicoon with Powerball to increase his speed and down the Crypt Fiend (followed by appropriate counters for the backline pets).

STAGE 4: TORMENTED SPIRITS

vs LIZ THE TORMENTOR (magic / elite)

This boss has a lot of gimmicky abilities, but you can bypass all of them with an S/S Zandalari Kneebiter using Black Claw / Hunting Party, followed by any whelpling spamming Tail Sweep. You probably won't need a third pet, but you should slot one in there anyway to be safe.

Some whelpling suggestions: Albino Chimeraling, Bronze Whelpling, Untamed Hatchling, Wild Golden Hatchling. (There are plenty of others, just type "Tail Sweep" in your pet window search to find them.)

STAGE 5: AIN'T AFRAID OF NO GHOSTS

No battle here. Don't accidentally teleport out of the dungeon by talking to the NPC!

STAGE 6: AMBUSH!

vs PLAGUED CRITTERS -- one gauntlet of 8 pets (3 undead + 5 critter)

This is the one “gimmick” fight in Stratholme: a survival wave against a series of eight rats and cockroaches, some undead, some critter.

Thankfully, it's possible for one snail with Absorb / Shell Shield / Dive to solo the entire fight and end at full health. Keep Shell Shield up all the time, keep Dive available for when undead pets enter their rebirth phase, and spam Absorb the rest of the time. I tested with a Rapana Whelk and Rusty Snail and never had a problem.

STAGE 7: NO SHORTAGE OF DEAD THINGS

vs RISEN GUARD (undead) + 2 backline pets

Any rabbit using Dodge + Stampede + Flurry will solo the Risen Guard without issue, then slot in appropriate pets for the backline enemies.

STAGE 8: TINY IN SIZE, BRIMMING WITH EVIL

vs NEFARIOUS TERRY (undead / elite)

Again, two rabbits with Dodge / Stampede / Flurry should be enough here. You might want to slot in some rabbits from previous fights with partial health as backup.

STAGE 9: CONTROLLED CHAOS

No pet battle here, just control the Belcher and clear out the yard. Use “2” to gather enemies, “1” to attack, and occasionally use “3” on cooldown to heal yourself.

STAGE 10: INTO THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE

vs TOMMY THE CRUEL (undead / elite)

A riff on the classic Stratholme boss Timmy the Cruel, Tommy has an absurd 406 speed. An Unborn Valkyr with Curse of Doom + Haunt, followed by any rabbit with Stampede, kills him quickly enough.

vs HUNCHER (undead / elite)

One rabbit can solo him with Dodge / Stampede / Flurry. (You can also re-use the Unborn Valkyr from the previous fight with Curse of Doom + Haunt.)

FINAL STAGE: THE SHADOWS RETURN

vs BLACKMANE (hybrid beast/undead boss)

After a minute of roleplay, you face this relatively easy final boss. Blackmane starts out as a beast, but after “dying”, it respawns as undead, so you need to defeat it twice.

An Ikky with Black Claw + Flock will kill his beast form, then any Zandalari pet with Black Claw + Hunting Party will finish off his undead form without much struggle.

OTHER FIGHTS

There are two other new pet battles located in Stratholme, although there are still questions about how and when they spawn, and are not part of the regular dungeon. The first is a world quest called "Angry Residents" given by Fras Siabi, who occasionally appears near stage 7, and rewards a bonus Cleansed Remains token for completion. The second is for Postmaster Malown, with an achievement that rewards a new pet, Burnout.

As always, there are plenty of other strategies that can be used for these fights, these are just a few to help anyone who might be stuck. Enjoy!

As per usual, I mostly followed Sluggzo's Strategy here. as well as the wowhead guide, but as most of that is just suggesting "Rabbits" "Critters" and "Scratch/Flurry Pets" I figures I'd do my best to give you specifics I use, to give an idea of the types of pets that I used to clear the dungeon (I do mention Scratch/Flurry pets, but in those cases, it's literally a case of just search Scratch/Flurry in the pet journal and just grab whatever rare quality one you have lol).

I also post two strategies from the Wowhead guide, and will credit the guide for them, as they are the best strategies I've seen and no use trying to break something that isn't broken. T

This is **NOT** the post to use if you are looking for the "least number of pets to level." I have a very large amount of pets, and not afraid to use a diverse amount. I'm simply posting what I use, to give more ideas for people.

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STAGE 1 VS [npc=150914]: [npc=68850] 1/2/2 For Backline, I use two Frog Pets with Tongue Lash and Swarm of Flies.They can handle any Undead that Pop Up, and Emerald Proto-Whelp can Handle any Magic or Dragon.

STAGE 2 VS [npc=150922]: [npc=138741] 2/X/X , [npc=86447] X/1/1 and any pet with more Health than Cap'n Crackers/Substitute. Any flying pet with a Critter Move can be substituted for Cap'n Crackers, Some good substitutes are [npc=143730] or [npc=143176] ([petability=2101]), Any Chicken with [petability=642], or the plethora of flying wasps/butterflies with [petability=119] or [petability=706]. Start with the critter move, Ikky is swapped in, Black Claw, Flock, then your flying pet is swapped back in, use your critter move, and the boss is killed. Your third pet will take a little damage from cleave. The flying pet aspect just ensures your pet will move first.

STAGE 3 PART 1 VS [npc=150911]: [npc=143043] 1/2/1. For my backline, I use [npc=97206] (1/2/2) and [npc=22943] (1/2/1). Open with Sandstorm, then go to town with Scratch. Almost always my Shore Butterfly solos this fight. It is a VERY underestimated pet. I use a P/P breed one, if curious.

STAGE 3 PART 2 VS [npc=150914]: Use a S/S Rabbit, such as [npc=33975] with Scratch/Flurry, Dodge, and Burrow. Dodge on turn one to avoid Curse of Doom and Haunt. Then proceed to use them on cooldown. Otherwise, continue as usual. For backline pets, I use the same as in part 1. If my Dream Whelp is hurt, I swap it out for [npc=7545] with the same moveset, and if Wolpertinger is hurt, I simply swap it for a Rabbit.

STAGE 4 VS [npc=150925]: [npc=141941] 1/2/2 and [npc=118060] 2/X/X. The last pet can be any dragon with Tail Sweep as a failsafe. This strategy comes from the Wowhead Guide. The Infinite Hatchling can be swapped for any P/P pet with Tail Sweep, this is just the only one assured to be P/P. Use Scorched Earth, then Shadowflame, then Murder the Innocent, then Shadowflame. Baa'l will Die. Bring in your Dragon, and Tail Sweep Twice.

STAGE 6 VS [npc=155145]: EDIT: I have changed my strategy for this after learning there a trick to making this significantly shorter. It turns out if you kill the 2 backline pets before the main pet, you skip the remaining 5-6 pets.

As such, you want pets that knows [petability=419] and [petability=1062], as well as a single target attack. The most common one is [npc=94867] (1/1/2), who can solo this if you're lucky). The goal is to Tidal Wave twice, then Rain Dance, then use Rain Dance on Cooldown and Tidal Wave otherwise. If all goes according to plan, the backline pets should die before the main pet (as the main pet should heal itself). Other viable pets are [npc=127858] and [npc=143360]. (You can use a pet with a heal rather than Rain Dance, but it'll be less reliable as then you have to rely less on crits to kill the backline before the main)

STAGE 7 VS [npc=155267]: [npc=148991] 1/1/1. Use Flurry to kill it. On its undead turn, use Crouch. Scritches usually kills the entire team by itself, but as backup, I have [npc=98506] 2/2/1 and [npc=7546] 2/1/2.

STAGE 8 VS [npc=150929]: [npc=154706] X/2/2 and any other 2 pets. Simply use Black Claw, then Swarm. It will kill Nefarious Terry by itself.

STAGE 10 PART 1 VS [npc=150918]: [npc=61459] 2/1/2 and use Chew, Stampede, then Comeback if you haven't died yet. If for some reason you die, bring in a pet with Scratch if he's still alive.

STAGE 10 PART 2 VS [npc=150917]: Honestly, there's not much to say about this boss. He's rather unimpressive. You can use the above strategy if you want with a different pet with Chew/Stampede (after he swaps a pet out) or you can just bring 3 pets with scratch and wear him down. I just bring 3 scratchers and they kill him. He's by far the easiest boss in this dungeon. Personally, I find [npc=122612] 2/1/2 rather useful on this fight as it has 2 strong critter attacks (Comeback and Sniff Out). Though you can swap out its last attack for Stampede if you desire.

FINAL STAGE VS [npc=150858]: Okay, why are we fighting a FULL SIZE HORSE with Battle Pets? >_> Anyway, this is also taken from the Wowhead Guide because honestly, it's too good not to use this strategy. Not claiming it as my own, as I said.

You want [npc=73011] 2/2/1. Your backup pets simply need to be fast pets with Flurry or Scratch. Personally I use [npc=149361] and [npc=59358]. I've never had to use the rabbit though, the spider always finishes the job with Flurry. Start with Extra Plating, then use Make It Rain, then Inflation. Then use Make it Rain again, then Inflation. Then Lil'Bling should die and Blackmane should resurrect. Bring in your pet with a critter move, and use your critter move on the now +100% damage taken Blackmane, and kill it. Voila.

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I do not have any strategies for Malowne or Fras Siabi. I simply used the strategy found on the Wowhead Guide for Malown, and I used the strategy at Xu-Fu for Fras Siabi. Fras is an extremely difficult pet battle, and due to the way he spawns, he's pretty much impossible to test strategies on which makes finding reliable strategies even more difficult. (And I don't have the time or patience to go through the trouble of getting him to spawn to do my usual strategy testing)

For those unaware, when you reach Stage 7, there is a rare chance that Fras Siabi will spawn and a world quest will trigger. You will know because he will do a zone shout. Completing this battle will reward one of the special currencies used to buy the pets from the dungeon. If he doesn't spawn, you are able to leave the dungeon and re-do the first 6 stages if you wish, allowing you to force him to spawn each week, if you want to take the time. But he is a very difficult fight.

For me, the only strategy that worked for me was the Zandalari/Vale Marmot/Sneaky Marmot Strategy, which went 4/4 for me without fail.

How do you get there, is there a quest leading you to it? I just found it in the achievements. Puzzled.