Pet Battle Challenge: Wailing Caverns

Guide updated for patch 10.2.2. My guide relied a lot on [npc=81431], but it was changed, so you cannot have [pet-ability=312] and [pet-ability=574] at the same time, which made trash cleaning a breeze. [npc=81431] is still pretty decent for cleaning trash, my new strategy only included him as a backup. I have improved some strategies as well, so, read below.

TL;DR for pets you might want to bring and follow my strategy:

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• [npc=88355] (2,1,2)
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• [npc=62888] (2,2,2) (S/S breed, but can possibly be used with any breed)
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• [npc=71163] (1,2,1) or anything with [pet-ability=652]
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• [npc=86447] (2,1,1)
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• [npc=55367] (1,1,2)
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• [npc=50468] (1,2,2) or [npc=43800] (1,2,2)
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• [npc=69778] (2,2,1)
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• [npc=48609] (1,1,1)
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• [npc=55356] (1,1,2)
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• 2x [npc=62854] (2,1,1)
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• [npc=64899] (1,2,2) (if you don't have a second [npc=62854])
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• [npc=63849] (1,1,1) or any other frog with a similar skill set
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• [npc=97206] (1,2,2) or [npc=68850] are very a solid choice for a 3rd pet for this dungeon
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• [npc=81431] (2,2,2) is a nice backup to have, but not needed any longer
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• Some additional mechanical-type pets, such as [npc=68841] and [npc=77221]
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• Some additional dragon-type pets. Not needed, but you can be unlucky with crits
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Hint: You can fast travel to this instance entrance by speaking with [npc=121602]. He's just inside the pet store in Dalaran.

This scenario have a lot of battles, some of them are easy but you cannot heal along the way, so be sure to have extra pets if you have bad luck with criticals.

The first 2 battles are easy. Bring a [npc=88355] (2,1,2). The other 2 pets should be disposable low level pets, because these trash will AoE and you don't really need another pet. The strategy is to use [pet-ability=312] on cooldown, then use [pet-ability=504] to kill enemy pets. Use [pet-ability=922] to heal up incoming damage whenever available. Do take advantage of your pet speed. If an enemy is with low HP, kill it instead of healing. You can always heal in the following round. Having [npc=97206] as a backup pet is advisable after the second fight.

For the 3rd battle, bring [npc=62888]. Use [pet-ability=463], followed up by [pet-ability=461] and [pet-ability=299] when everything else is on CD. Enemy will be blinded often, so you can most likely kill them all this way. If not, your 2nd and 3rd pets can easily finish it. As always, I recommend having [npc=97206] in the back row.

Next is Son of Skum. I have found that a working strategy is to use [pet-ability=652] from [npc=71163] (or any other available pet) followed by [npc=86447] with [pet-ability=919] and [pet-ability=581]. This will make the boss melt. [npc=86447] can pretty much kill everything else, but if not, bring your backup pets to finish the job.

Next you'll face Phyxia, bring a [npc=55367] (1,1,2). Use [pet-ability=647] and [pet-ability=334] on cooldown. Spam [pet-ability=777] afterwards. You should be able to clear the entire fight with [npc=55367], but if there is any left, use any other secondary pet.

Next is Dreadcoil. I used [npc=50468] (1,2,2), but [npc=43800] (1,2,2) is also an option. Bring another mechanical pet just in case, your first pet should clear almost everything. Use [pet-ability=279] (or [pet-ability=208]), [pet-ability=116] (or [pet-ability=384]) and then [pet-ability=387] (or [pet-ability=644]). Afterwards spam [pet-ability=116] (or [pet-ability=384]) until your first pet dies. Use the secondary mechanic to finish things off if the first one ever dies.

For Vilefang bring [npc=69778] (2,2,1) and [npc=48609] (1,1,1). Start with [pet-ability=901], [pet-ability=204] then bring [npc=48609], which will use [pet-ability=710] and then [pet-ability=278]. Vilefang should die, just spam [pet-ability=384] until clockwork die and them finish off with your third pet.

Next is Hiss. Bring [npc=55356] (1,1,2) and two other pets, can be a mechanical for backup. Start with [pet-ability=646] and spam [pet-ability=777] until either the tonk is about to die in the next attack or if the boss gets to 500 HP, then cast [pet-ability=209]. Finish off the smaller pets with your other pets, if needed.

Now you'll face 2x Growing Ectoplasm. For the first, bring [npc=62854] (2,1,1) and another dragon-type pet for backup. Spam [pet-ability=122] until the Ectoplasm is dead. After the Whelping dies, bring your backup dragon pet to finish off the other two trash pets. The 3rd dragon pet won't be used if the Whelping solos the Ectoplasm.

For the second Ectoplasm, the strategy is the same, but if you don't have another [npc=62854], you can use [npc=64899] (1,2,2). Use [pet-ability=334] and them spam [pet-ability=115]. Can't emphasis this enough, but having [npc=81431] in your back row is a guaranteed safe strategy for these fights as well.

Finally, the last boss, Budding Everliving Spore. I did kill him with different strategies, but the one I found most reliable is to bring a [npc=63849] (1,1,1) (or any similar frog with the same skill set) and other two beast pets as backup. I say beasts because the boss will spam [pet-ability=668] (which is weak against beasts). In case you need to use the other pets, their HP will be still good enough. You cannot spam [pet-ability=233] anymore, but that's fine. Just use it and use [pet-ability=118] and [pet-ability=123] in between cooldowns, healing whenever needed. If you're lucky enough with [pet-ability=233], your frog will solo the entire combat. But, in case it don't, use your backup pets to finish it off.

You have to turn in your quest to [npc=116785], but outside the dungeon. For some reason, you cannot turn-in while instanced. She's just outside.

Final considerations: After this became a repeateable quest, you receive a [item=143753], which is absolute garbage for your troubles. I do not recommend repeating this ever, unless you really like it, for some reason.

Apparently you have to complete the daily that you get after the initial completion of the dungeon to get this achievement. The first go through doesn't count.

I completed the "dungeon", finished the quest - but did not get the achievement. Is there anything else I need to do?