Skyreach: Bronze

CHALLENGE MODE TIPS

Some of the following neat tricks require specific classes, but can shave time off to let you snag that Gold you may be gunning for!

Obviously these tips can also be used on Normal, Heroic, or Mythic difficulties, although they are not as necessary.

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Beginning of the Instance

There are a couple of strategies to skip the first trash packs before the boss without having to incur the 10 minute potion cooldown from an invisibility potion! The beginning trash for many groups is some of the hardest in the instance, and skipping it can really save some time for easier trash packs later on to meet mob count.

METHOD #1 - Requires: Pet Class + [class=11]

This method was tested by myself using a [class=3] and a [class=11], although I believe an Unholy [class=6] or [class=9] should work instead of a [class=3] (although with the latter, you would likely use Method #2). Essentially, you need to be able to control where your pet and position it manually - if your class can do that, you should be able to use this trick.

The [class=11] must have the Minor Glyph: [item=40900] active.

1. 
   
2. Once everyone is in the Challenge Mode instance, the [class=3]/[class=9] should position their pet on the platform of the first boss, [npc=75964], such that it can be reached by a [class=11] using [spell=102401] (See a map here with rough location markers for the [class=11] and Pet). Note that the pet must be positioned BEFORE starting the Challenge mode.
   
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   • The pet, when running into position, will run THROUGH the wall at the starting point of the dungeon, up the stairs and to the edge of the platform. If during this, it runs through or near mobs (which are actually invisible but still aggroable!) it will take damage and die, after which the owner of the pet will be killed by invisible mobs (the [class=3] or [class=9]). Aggro wiping abilities such as Feign Death can prevent such a death after the pet dies.
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   • If the above happens and the pet dies, have the [class=3] move to a different position before sending the pet up to the platform. The path that the pet takes varies depending on the starting point, and only a slight change in starting position can change the pathing drastically.
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3. 
   
4. Test the pet's position by having the [class=11] use [spell=102401] to ensure that there is a clear path. The pet may need to be repositioned (usually closer to the edge of the platform) to ensure the [spell=102401] can reach that spot without the [class=11] falling off immediately afterwards. Note that when testing this, the [class=11] will be instantly ported back to the start because the challenge mode hasn't been started.
   
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   • The [class=11] must be non-shapeshifted when using [spell=102401] to leap to an ally's (i.e. the pet's) position.
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   • Placing a raid marker on the position where the [class=11] should stand and where the pet should be positioned will help in future attempts.
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6. Start the challenge mode, ensuring that [spell=102401] will be off cooldown once the 5-second countdown finishes.
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8. As soon as the challenge mode starts, the [spell=102401] should [spell=102401] to the pet, and then switch to Travel Form and jump back down on the opposite side of the wall (where a few jars are situated).
   
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   • Running halfway down the stairs and jumping over the railing to where the jars are can also be done, which runs a lower risk of falling off the edge.
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9. 
   
10. With the [class=11] up against the wall in Travel Form (usually jumping up onto the jars helps with this) each party member should mount (allowing them to jump over the wall), and dismount, allowing the next person to do the same until all group members are over the wall.
11. 
    

VIDEO: Click here for a video of this trick, courtesy of Jace DK.

TL;DR: A [class=11] can [spell=102401] to a pet on the first boss' platform, jump down and have party members mount (in glyphed stag form) over the wall.

METHOD #2 - Requires: [class=9]

This is a method I have seen in videos, but have not tested myself. It should still work in the current patch (6.2.3).

1. 
   
2. The [class=9] should use [spell=48018] and [spell=48020] to teleport to the top of the wall, and from there using Ritual of Summoning to summon all party members to the top of the wall. One designated person should not accept their summon until they have started the challenge mode.
3. 
   
4. Jump off the wall once the challenge mode has started, and continue to the first boss.
   
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   • It's important not to jump off too early, or you will be ported back the beginning (on the wrong side of the wall!)
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VIDEO: Click here for a video of this trick being used, courtesy of Asmongold.

TL;DR: A [class=9] can teleport on top of the starting wall and summon party members up there, to jump over when the challenge mode starts.

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[npc=75964]

If using the above method to skip the beginning trash, you'll want to pull the trash pack of four mobs (consisting of 4 [npc=75976] and 1 [npc=75975]) with you into the boss, and cleave them down as you engage him.

A couple of boss abilities can be reflected back on to the boss, putting a DoT on him, which does massive amounts of damage! This will significantly shorten the encounter.

Abilities that work include:

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• [class=7] - [spell=8177] with [item=41538]
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• [class=3] - [spell=19263] with [item=45735]
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• [class=1] - [spell=23920]/[spell=114028]
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The first ability that can be reflected is the small spinning [spell=153759] that the boss spawns. To do so, simply use the appropriate ability ([spell=8177], [spell=19263], [spell=23920] or [spell=114028]) and run through the Windwall. This will put a DoT on the boss for full minute ([spell=153759]) that does 100,000 damage per second on challenge mode difficulty.

When the boss enters the [spell=156793] phase, the larger walls of the swirling wind can also be reflected onto the boss with any of the above abilities. This DoT ([spell=153139]) does 100,000 damage per second for 12 seconds on challenge mode difficulty.

Both of these DoTs can be active on the boss at the same time, and attempts should be made to apply both for maximum damage.

Notes:

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• For both [spell=8177] and [spell=23920]/[spell=114028], the reflective ability prevents only a single tick of damage to the player using it; as such one should move quickly through the wind effect after activating the ability
  
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  • A [class=3], on the other hand, can pop [spell=19263] and stand in the wind effect for as long as it is active, and can prevent multiple ticks of damage.
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  • The WeakAura listed at the bottom can be helpful to indicate whether a reflective ability is active - especially important as other party members may trigger (and consume) [spell=8177] OR [spell=114028].
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  • A [class=3] can apply both [spell=153759] and [spell=153139] to the boss with both charges of [spell=19263]. A [class=7] can do the same if [spell=108285] is talented.
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VIDEO: Click here for a video of this strategy, courtesy of DarkMech TV.

TL;DR: Reflect [spell=153759] and [spell=153139] onto the boss with appropriate class abilities.

[npc=76141]

Tips

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• Switch specs from to maximize single target damage for this boss (the hardest of the instance). This may include a completely different class specialization, or simply different talents/glyphs.
  
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  • Remember that you cannot change glyphs/talents during a challenge mode, but can switch between specs with certain talents/glyphs already selected.
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• Rotate personal cooldowns when soaking [spell=157304], especially when [spell=154135] is imminent (it has a 2.5 second cast, allowing you to anticipate it).
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• It is advisable to use Bloodlust/Heroism/Time Warp for this boss, especially if you are able to the shorten the first boss encounter with the aforementioned tips.
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[npc=76379]

Tips

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• It's advisable to jump off the platform and suicide after defeating [npc=76379] (assuming you used Bloodlust/Heroism/Time Warp on [npc=76141], and still have [spell=57724]/[spell=57723]/[spell=80354]). This will allow you to use it again on [npc=76266].
  
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  • Only after killing [npc=76379] does a checkpoint activate - from this point on, releasing after dying will put you at [npc=76141]'s encounter area, allowing you to run back more easily.
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[npc=76266]

Tips

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• Any hard CC effective against mechanical units can be used on [npc=76292] (e.g. [spell=1499]), allowing it to be completely ignored while CC'ed.
  
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  • Note that multiple [npc=76292]s will spawn during the encounter, and these will need to be managed. Refreshing the CC may be required on the original construct.
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• When a [npc=76267] spawns, there is a short delay after it picks a target (the target is announced by boss mods like DBM) before it picks said player up. The player in question can move closer to the center of the platform in this time, allowing more time to DPS the zealot before it reaches the edge.
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• An advanced trick to use is to ranged stun the [npc=76267] before it has picked up its target, thus preventing it from ever picking anyone up! The add can then be ignored, allowing more boss DPS.
  
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  • Some abilities that potentially work for this include:
    
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    • [class=6]: [spell=108194]
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    • [class=1]: [spell=107570]
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    • [class=2]: [spell=105593]
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  • Below is a macro that can be used when a [npc=76267] spawns to stun it (substitute any appropriate ability for [spell=108194]):
    
#showtooltip Asphyxiate
/target Solar Zealot
/cast Asphyxiate
/targetlasttarget

    
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• The boss ability [spell=154396] can be copied and used via [spell=77606], or reflected with [spell=23920]/[spell=114028] (and potentially other similar abilities).
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General Tips

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• When passing through the wind gauntlet after [npc=76379], a [class=11] with Travel Form (and [item=40900]) can carry someone through who may have a difficult time.
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• An advanced trick to skip much of the wind gauntlet altogether is to go up the stairs at the beginning, and then jump off and use a Goblin Glider Kit or Goblin Glider Engineering tinker to turn left around the barrier onto the bird head jutting from the bottom of the platform. You can then climb onto the platform and move up the final stairs.
  
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  • Here is a video, courtesy of DarkMech TV, that demonstrates this.
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• Whenever planning to skip trash with Draenic Invisibility Potion/Invisibility Potion keep in mind that [npc=76149] mobs can detect invisibility, and cannot be skipped this way!
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Below I've listed a WeakAura string that can be used to notify you when [spell=8177] is active. It can be modified for use with other spells.

To use it, you need to install the WeakAuras 2 addon, then do the following:

1. 
   
2. Type /wa in chat to open the WeakAura interface
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4. Click New, then select Import
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6. Copy the text in the following code box and paste it into the WeakAura import field, then click Done
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8. Click the "Import" button on the confirmation in the middle of the screen to add the aura
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dadDdaGEKk1UubMjfuZLcz2qCBQStiTxYUHA)cj)KcyyQq)gvdLcYGfsnCboisvoMk5Civ1cPKwksfwmfQLtvpePIEkyzQipxKPIYKPutx6Icbxw56i2isLSzbTDKYhPe9zK8DHqpwLA0QGgVq0jvrDyrDAvDEH6Vu03OannkH1LycEbNXD(W89m68nhNmccgcIjAUe)mT0Zjy7htX4DobjbNo46GJhCzqbob2cSftabx)trnVyckVZXIdMqTqvq9pf18IjOXbtqQ5ssciPzwENdn7MSkGKM5JPnFAYybJ2WvaJ35euENdn7Mal9Cc2(XurfnJ35eqWJ2WvqMuUasAMe8xzvq5DowCWeQfciPzwENJfhmzvvWH7PoScL(hfGWZ2IjW(dd)BcsJftGJG0xmvvb(89etGJG0xmvvbnJmCftGJG0xmvvbH57(CSycCeK(IPQkWZrMycCeK(IPQQkiKJl809e6Lbf4h1ZXS4Gj4V5ybp(R5n3fGSoBHEjitkxgl4TfyPNtW2pMsq22(7ZXzeZ6FkQ5tIj0lXeu)trnVycACWeKAUKKacE0gUcYKYfqsZS8ohA2nzvWOnCfW4DobjIXJ2W1q(f(rkamuemSHfqWFfeGKJNxq5Do0SBcOR3VOIociZnCZirfnJ35eqsZKG)kRckVZXIdMqVeKigpAdxGeg(rkWKoPhWmbg9OdMasAML35yXbtwfqsZ8X0Mpnzvvabx)trnVyQQQcI4B3dfk9pkisdegMwf6jlokatCm)trnFsONeeBGWW0QqVoDuG9NcqYXNV5ybNXD(W89m68nhNmccgcIjAUe)mT0Zjy7htX4Dovb0e6LfNUuLa


To modify the aura to work for a buff like [spell=19263] or [spell=23920], do the following:

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2. Select the "Trigger" tab
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4. Change the "Type" to Aura
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6. In the "Aura Name or ID" box, type the name of the buff (e.g. [spell=124817]) and click "Okay"
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8. Make sure the "Unit" dropdown shows "Player, and the "Aura Type" is "Buff"
9.