Skip to content
Highmaul in the Adventure Guide

Raid - Warlords of Draenor

Highmaul

7 encounters, 98 boss abilities and 149 drops, with the Adventure Guide’s own ability and strategy notes for each fight. Every drop links to its item page; tradeable drops carry a live Auction House price.

Highmaul is the seat of power for the Gorian Empire, the ogre civilization that ruled Draenor for generations, until the arrival of the draenei. A massive city that belies the ogre reputation for brutish stupidity, Highmaul is full of bustling markets, wealthy nobles, and the roar of the Coliseum crowd echoing through the streets of the slums. Visible from everywhere within the city's walls, Imperator Mar'gok's citadel casts a long shadow, a reminder of his watchful eye and iron grip.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Quick Facts

TypeRaid
ExpansionWarlords of Draenor
Encounters7
Boss abilities98
Drops149
Item level1 to 44
Tradeable drops4
DifficultiesLooking For Raid, Normal, Heroic, Mythic

Difficulties and Lockouts

Highmaul has 4 difficulties in the game data: Normal, Heroic, Mythic and Looking For Raid save you to a weekly lockout.

DifficultyPlayersLevel rangeLockout
Normal3040Weekly
Heroic3040Weekly
Mythic2040Weekly
Looking For Raid3040Weekly

Raid Finder splits Highmaul into 3 wings:

  1. Walled City
  2. Arcane Sanctum
  3. Imperator's Rise

Loot Table Value

Drops 149Item level 1 to 44Slots covered 17Bind on Pickup 145Tradeable 4

4 of Highmaul’s 149 drops are tradeable, and 4 of those are on the Auction House right now. The richest is Gauntlets of the Heavy Hand at 4,769g (median across 49 realms).

Tradeable dropMedian priceCheapest listingListed on
Gauntlets of the Heavy Hand4,769 gold100 gold49 realms
Grips of Vicious Mauling3,308 gold150 gold57 realms
Throat-Ripper Gauntlets3,038 gold36 gold50 realms
Meatmonger's Gory Grips2,475 gold200 gold53 realms

Median is the middle price across every connected realm that currently lists the item, from our own Auction House scan, updated 1h ago.

Advertisement

Where It Is

The entrance to Highmaul is in Nagrand at 32.8, 38.4.

Nagrand map with the Highmaul entrance markedAbandoned CargoAdventurer's MaceAdventurer's PackAdventurer's PouchAdventurer's SackAdventurer's StaffA Pile of DirtAppropriated Warsong SuppliesBag of HerbsBone-Carved DaggerBounty of the ElementsBrilliant DreampetalBurning Blade CacheElemental OfferingElemental ShacklesFragment of Oshu'gunFreshwater ClamFungus-Covered ChestGambler's PurseGenedar DebrisGoblin PackGolden Kaliri EggGoldtoe's PlunderGrizzlemaw's BonepileHidden StashHighmaul SledgeImportant Exploration SuppliesLost PendantMountain Climber's PackOgre BeadsPale ElixirPokkar's Thirteenth AxePolished Saberon SkullSaberon StashSmuggler's CacheSpirit CofferSpirit's GiftSteamwheedle SuppliesTelaar Defender ShieldTreasure of Kull'kroshVoid-Infused CrystalWarsong CacheWarsong HelmWarsong LockboxWarsong SpearWarsong SpoilsWarsong SuppliesWatertight BagEntrance 32.8, 38.4

Nagrand, from the game’s own world map art. The framed marker is the Adventure Guide entrance; gold diamonds are the zone’s landmarks.

3D Model

First-party render from the game files. Model © Blizzard Entertainment.

Instance Map

The Adventure Guide places 7 bosses of Highmaul on 4 maps. Numbers follow the encounter order; each links to that fight below.

Highmaul

Highmaul map with 1 boss location1Kargath Bladefist
  1. 1 Kargath Bladefist 54.8, 57.7

Highmaul

Highmaul map with 3 boss locations2The Butcher3Tectus4Brackenspore
  1. 2 The Butcher 57.9, 55.1
  2. 3 Tectus 37.0, 74.8
  3. 4 Brackenspore 50.9, 16.4

Highmaul

Highmaul map with 2 boss locations5Twin Ogron6Ko'ragh
  1. 5 Twin Ogron 55.1, 36.4
  2. 6 Ko'ragh 37.8, 65.5

Highmaul

Highmaul map with 1 boss location7Imperator Mar'gok
  1. 7 Imperator Mar'gok 45.3, 75.2

Encounters

LFRLooking For RaidNNormalHHeroicMMythic

The Butcher

Born in the fetid Underbelly of Highmaul, this ogre may have once had a proper name, but it is long forgotten. Abused and beaten from his earliest days, the hardship only strengthened his body even as it broke his mind. Now there is not an ogre in Highmaul who will not give him a wide berth as he hacks away at slaughtered carcasses to pass his days.

Abilities & Strategy

Overview

The Butcher attacks relentlessly, hacking at his foes with his dual implements of destruction. His main abilities seek to target large clumps of enemies, and positioning is key to handling and overcoming his attacks.

Damage Dealers
  • Players in melee range must form clumps of varying sizes throughout the fight to manage the Butcher's Cleave and allow Gushing Wounds to fade.
  • Players at range must clump in order to survive the Butcher's Bounding Cleave sequence.
Healers
  • Groups that are struck by Cleave suffer periodic damage from Gushing Wounds, which can stack.
  • All players in the raid suffer Physical damage when the Butcher begins his Bounding Cleave sequence.
Tanks
  • Heavy Handed causes the Butcher to attack the player closest to his current target with a copy of all of his melee attacks. These attacks can be mitigated and avoided as usual. If another player is not close enough, the second attack will trigger on the primary target.
  • The Tenderizer will always hit. It cannot be dodged or parried, but it can be blocked.
  • The Cleaver will only apply its damage over time effect if the attack successfully lands on its target.

Heavy Handed

All of the Butcher's standard auto attacks trigger a second attack on the next closest target within 5 yards. If no target is found, the primary target is struck again.

Bounding Cleave

When the Butcher reaches 100 Energy he begins the Bounding Cleave sequence by knocking all players back, then charging to a clump at range and cleaving targets within that clump.

Frenzy

After the Butcher reaches 30% health remaining, he Frenzies. While Frenzied the Butcher deals 10% more damage and attacks 30% faster.

Night-Twisted Cadaver

In Mythic Difficulty, Night-Twisted Cadavers will spawn and walk towards The Butcher in a final, vain attempt to slay him. When the Cadaver reaches The Butcher or when they walk near a player, they will Explode, leaving a pool of Pale Vitriol behind for the duration of the encounter.

Loot

21 drops · item level 44 · 10 slots (Back, Feet, Finger, Hands, Head, One-Hand +4 more) · 2 tradeable

Kargath Bladefist

Kargath Bladefist, Warlord of the Shattered Hand, honed his brutal skills as a slave in the ogres' gladiatorial games. He slaughtered countless opponents for the promise of freedom, but after winning, was locked away with the other retired "champions." Fueled by rage, Kargath tore off his own hand to escape and led a revolt that soaked Draenor in ogre blood. Now, he returns to the arena to teach you the true meaning of savagery.

Abilities & Strategy

Overview

Kargath's Berserker Rush cannot be stopped until he either kills his target, or finds something else to take his anger out on. As the fight progresses, Iron Bombers and Drunken Bileslingers rain destruction from the arena stands. Players can dispatch these creatures after being tossed into the crowd by Kargath's Chain Hurl. In Mythic difficulty, the raid must perform well to gain favor that is tracked by Roar of the Crowd. If the raid gains enough favor from Roar of the Crowd, the raid is granted increased damage dealing.

Damage Dealers
  • Iron Bombers and Drunken Bileslingers will continue to harass the raid from the stands until they are killed.
Healers
  • Kargath inflicts massive damage to the tank with his Impale ability.
  • Iron Bombers inflict raidwide damage until they are killed.
Tanks
  • Kargath's Impale leaves Open Wounds on his target that increases the damage of consecutive Impales.

Roar of the Crowd

Favor gained by performing well is tracked by Roar of the Crowd. As the raid's favor increases, they gain Crowd Favorite buffs that increase the raid's damage done.

Kargath Bladefist

Impale
Blade Dance
Berserker Rush

In Mythic difficulty, the raid gains favor for Roar of the Crowd the longer Kargath stays in Berserker Rush. However, if Kargath's fixate target dies, the raid loses a big chunk of favor.

Chain Hurl

In Looking for Raid difficulty, Kargath automatically tosses the tank with the highest amount of Open Wounds stacks, one random healer, and three random DPS into the crowd.

Monster's Brawl

Kargath uses Chain Hurl to toss raid members into the arena stands. Once in the stands, the raid members can attack the audience until either the Highmaul Sweeper knocks them out of the stands, or their corpse is thrown back into the arena.

Drunken Bileslinger

Drunken Bileslingers appear in the stands and throw Mauling Brew into the arena.

Iron Bomber

Iron Bombers appear in the stands and hurl Iron Bombs into the raid.

Iron Grunt

A seemingly endless throng of rowdy orcs. In Mythic difficulty, killing Iron Grunts grants favor for Roar of the Crowd.

Fire Pillar

A pillar of screaming skulls that belch a continuous stream of flames.

Ravenous Bloodmaw

Ravenous Bloodmaws prowl hungrily within their pits, waiting to maul anyone unfortunate enough to fall in. In Mythic Difficulty, the Ravenous Bloodmaws are released from their pits. Setting these beasts on fire will gain favor for Roar of the Crowd.

Loot

21 drops · item level 1 to 44 · 12 slots (Back, Chest, Feet, Finger, Hands, Head +6 more) · 2 tradeable

Twin Ogron

Guarding the entrance to the Gorthenon atop Highmaul, Pol and Phemos are the personal guard of Imperator Mar'gok. Peerless in strength and determination, what these ogron brothers lack in intelligence, they make up for with sheer size and brute force.

Abilities & Strategy

Overview

The Twin Ogron combat players while performing attacks at specific energy thresholds. At 33 energy, an Ogron uses his special weapon attack. At 66 energy, an Ogron performs a large shout. Finally, at 100 energy, an Ogron performs a large, raid-wide attack. As the distance between the Ogron increases, their haste increases and casting time additionally decreases, reducing the amount of time players have to react to various abilities.

Damage Dealers
Healers
  • Be ready to heal on the move when Quake and Blaze begins.
  • Watch for Interrupting Shout, as it will interrupt and lock you out of spellcasting for a short duration.
Tanks
  • Whirlwind has a large radius, and can be deadly when combined with Shield Bash.
  • Controlling the distance between the Twin Ogron is essential to managing the potency of their abilities.

Loot

20 drops · item level 44 · 13 slots (Back, Chest, Finger, Hands, Held In Off-hand, Legs +7 more) · all Bind on Pickup

Ko'ragh

Ko'ragh was the only ogre to survive direct exposure to a mysterious relic unearthed by the Highmaul excavations of Nagrand, and was left with a near-complete immunity to all magic. Rumors abound regarding his connection to the Imperator, with some wondering why Ko'ragh would remain subservient to a sorcerer despite his unique gifts.

Abilities & Strategy

Overview

Ko'ragh is protected by a Nullification Barrier that absorbs all magic damage taken. When the barrier is removed, he activates a rune that recharges it. While recharging, one player may also absorb some of the rune's energy and receive a Nullification Barrier. As the fight progresses, an increasing amount of Overflowing Energy orbs spill from the rune and float to the ground, exploding when they land. Players who have a Nullification Barrier can catch and absorb Overflowing Energy to mitigate the amount of raid wide damage and prevent a lethal amount of damage from occurring. In Mythic difficulty, two players may enter the rune per phase of Charging.

Damage Dealers
Healers
  • Focus intense healing on players absorbing Caustic Energy to allow them to survive the transformation.
  • Expel Magic: Fire inflicts heavy raid wide damage and requires dispels to mitigate some of the damage.
  • Expel Magic: Shadow absorbs all healing on the raid until it is removed.
Tanks
  • Tanks marked with Expel Magic: Arcane must run away from their allies and avoid the periodic explosions.
  • Volatile Anomalies will spawn periodically during the charging phase. If they are killed within a Suppression Field, they will not cast Destabilize.

Nullification Barrier

Breaker's Strength
Charging

When the Ko'ragh's Nullification Barrier is removed, he begins to recharge. After 20 sec, the barrier is restored.

Caustic Energy

One player may enter the rune with Ko'ragh, absorbing a portion of its energy. This effect pierces all immunities and damage reductions. When the rune powers down, the player receives their own Nullification Barrier, proportional to the amount of time spent inside the rune. The Nullification Barrier received by players can absorb up to Magic damage. In Mythic difficulty, two players may enter the rune per phase of Charging. In Raid Finder difficulty, five players may enter the rune per phase of Charging.

Volatile Anomalies

While the Rune of Nullification is active, 3 Volatile Anomalies spawn every 8 sec.

Overflowing Energy

In Mythic difficulty, the rate that Overflowing Energy forms is accelerated.

Loot

22 drops · item level 44 · 12 slots (Back, Chest, Feet, Finger, Head, Legs +6 more) · all Bind on Pickup

Tectus

An ancient embodiment of the chaotic forces that shaped the terrain of Draenor, Tectus has been twisted and enslaved by the maddened Pale Orcs - who themselves barely maintain control over this imposing force of nature.

Abilities & Strategy

Overview

Tectus cannot be killed by traditional means. He builds energy, channeling Tectonic Upheaval whenever he reaches 100. Depleting Tectus's health before the end of Upheaval shatters it into two Shards of Tectus; otherwise, Tectus heals and resumes gaining energy. Each Shard splits into four Motes of Tectus when shattered. Players must kill all eight Motes to defeat Tectus.

Damage Dealers
Healers
Tanks

Tectus, The Living Mountain

Tectus begins the battle fully formed, able to inflict full damage.

The Living Mountain
Accretion

of Tectus when he gains Accretion, they will also gain Accretion.

Earthen Pillar

On Mythic difficulty, Tectus also uses this ability at 50 Energy.

Crystalline Barrage
Fracture
Tectonic Upheaval
Hollowed Heart of the Mountain

Shard of Tectus

When shattered, the remnants of Tectus will form two Shards of Tectus. Shards of Tectus share Tectus' abilities, but individually deal less damage.

Shard of the Mountain
Accretion

of Tectus when he gains Accretion, they will also gain Accretion.

Crystalline Barrage
Fracture
Earthen Pillar

On Mythic difficulty, Tectus also uses this ability at 50 Energy.

Tectonic Upheaval
Hollowed Shard of the Mountain

Mote of Tectus

When shattered, the remnants of each Shard of Tectus will form four Motes of Tectus. Motes of Tectus do not need to be shattered. Players are victorious over Tectus after they have killed all of the Motes of Tectus.

Mote of the Mountain
Accretion
Crystalline Barrage
Fracture
Earthen Pillar

On Mythic difficulty, Tectus also uses this ability at 50 Energy.

Tectonic Upheaval

Night-Twisted Pale

While Tectus is fully formed, Night-Twisted Pale will attempt to enter the fight, empowering Tectus and attacking players. In Mythic difficulty, Night-Twisted pale continue to attack after Tectus is shattered.

Night-Twisted Earthwarper
Night-Twisted Berserker

Loot

23 drops · item level 1 to 44 · 12 slots (Chest, Feet, Finger, Head, Legs, Neck +6 more) · all Bind on Pickup

Brackenspore

The Iron Horde juggernaut moored in the waters beside Highmaul drew the attention of Brackenspore, ancient walker of the deep. The aquatic giant spreads fungal growth and moss in his wake, and is driven by primal instinct to eradicate any traces of civilization on Draenor.

Abilities & Strategy

Overview

Brackenspore emerges from the infested waters beneath the cliffs of Highmaul, spreading fungal growth that will engulf the beach if left unchecked. Players must use available Flamethrowers to keep Creeping Moss in check, while defeating hostile fungi that Brackenspore creates in his wake.

Tanks
  • Grab the attention of Fungal Flesh-Eaters as they stream in from the sea.
  • Interrupt Decay which is cast by the Fungal Flesh-Eaters.
Damage Dealers
  • Interrupt Decay which is cast by the Fungal Flesh-Eaters.
  • Intercept the damage from Spore Shot away from other players, to avoid splashing the damage.
Healers
  • Heal friendly mushrooms to full to gain their effects. Once they are healed to full they will begin to wither and die at an increasing rate. Keep them healed in order to maintain their beneficial effects.
  • Heal Living Mushrooms to full to gain Living Spores in order to survive the damage caused by Infesting Spores.

Hostile Fungus

Spore Shooter
Mind Fungus
Fungal Flesh-Eater

Beneficial Mushrooms

Living Mushroom

Heal this unit to full to gain the effects of Living Spores.

Rejuvenating Mushroom

Heal this unit to full to gain Rejuvenating Spores.

Blackfuse Company 9000

Players may use this weapon to burn away Creeping Moss.

Loot

19 drops · item level 44 · 11 slots (Back, Chest, Feet, Hands, Neck, Ranged +5 more) · all Bind on Pickup

Imperator Mar'gok

As the grand Imperator of Highmaul, Mar'gok is descended from a long line of sorcerers who have ruled the Gorian Empire. Equal parts cunning and brutality, Mar'gok recognized the rising tide of the Iron Horde and what it would mean to oppose them. He has acquiesced to an alliance with Grommash, even as he continues to search for a way to tip the balance of power back into his favor.

Abilities & Strategy

Overview

Imperator Mar'gok assaults players with destructive Arcane magic and summons Arcane Aberrations to fight for him. When Imperator Mar'gok reaches 85%, 55% and 25% health remaining, he activates one of the runestones in his throne room, augmenting his abilities with additional effects. The runestones activated at 55% and 25% must be awakened from their dormant state. As they charge, guards arrive to defend the Imperator as Volatile Anomalies pour from the stone. In Mythic difficulty, Imperator Mar'gok maintains the effects of 2 runestones at once and begins to awake a new runestone at 66% and 33% health remaining.

Damage Dealers
  • Arcane Wrath spreads to nearby allies.
  • Destructive Resonance will inflict lethal damage if triggered.
  • Arcane Aberrations inflict heavy raid wide damage as long as they are alive.
Healers
  • Arcane Wrath inflicts heavy damage when it expires from a target.
  • Arcane Aberrations will inflict raid wide damage every second that they are alive.
  • Force Nova inflicts heavy damage to players as it moves over them.
Tanks
  • Accelerated Assault will stack indefinitely until Imperator Mar'gok melee attacks a different target.
  • Mark of Chaos will inflict damage to allies within 35 yards when it expires.
  • Imperator Mar'gok will periodically summon Arcane Aberrations.

Stage One: Might of the Crown

Arcane Wrath
Destructive Resonance
Arcane Aberration

Imperator Mar'gok summons an Arcane Aberration.

Mark of Chaos
Force Nova
Accelerated Assault

Stage Two: Rune of Displacement

When Imperator Mar'gok reaches 85% health remaining, he activates the Rune of Displacement. In Mythic difficulty, Imperator Mar'gok begins the fight with both the Rune of Displacement and Rune of Replication active.

Arcane Wrath: Displacement

In addition to Arcane Wrath's normal effects, Branded Players are unable to move more than 10 yards from the location they were marked. Attempting to leave the marked area will teleport the player back to the location they were originally marked.

Destructive Resonance: Displacement

In addition to Destructive Resonance's normal effects, it grows to twice its original size over 30 seconds.

Displacing Arcane Aberration

Imperator Mar'gok summons a Displacing Arcane Aberration.

Mark of Chaos: Displacement

In addition to Mark of Chaos' normal effects, the target is teleported to a random location.

Force Nova: Displacement

In addition to Force Nova's normal effects, it now also pushes players away as the nova moves outwards.

Intermission: Dormant Runestones

When Imperator Mar'gok reaches 55% health remaining, he begins to awaken the Rune of Fortification. The rune charges for 1 minute before releasing its power. In Mythic difficulty, Imperator Mar'gok begins to awaken the Rune of Fortification at 66% health remaining. This causes the Rune of Replication to become dormant.

Gorian Warmage

Two Gorian Warmages come to defend Imperator Mar'gok as he charges the Rune of Fortification.

Volatile Anomaly

As the Rune of Fortification charges, Volatile Anomalies pour from the rune stone every 12 sec.

Stage Three: Rune of Fortification

Arcane Wrath: Fortification

In addition to Arcane Wrath's normal effect, the jump range of Arcane Wrath is only decreased by 25% with each jump.

Destructive Resonance: Fortification

In addition to Destructive Resonance's normal effects, it persists for 2 minutes.

Fortified Arcane Aberration

Imperator Mar'gok summons a Fortified Arcane Aberration.

Mark of Chaos: Fortification

In addition to Mark of Chaos' normal effects, the target is rooted in place.

Force Nova: Fortification

In addition to Force Nova's normal effects, an additional nova is released every 8 sec,. for 16 sec.

Intermission: Lineage of Power

When Imperator Mar'gok reaches 25% health remaining, he begins to awaken the Rune of Replication. The rune charges for 1 minute before releasing its power. In Mythic difficulty, Imperator Mar'gok begins to awaken the Rune of Replication at 33% health remaining. This causes the Rune of Displacement to become dormant.

Gorian Reaver

A Gorian Reaver comes to defend Imperator Mar'gok as he charges the Rune of Replication.

Gorian Warmage

Two Gorian Warmages come to defend Imperator Mar'gok as he charges the Rune of Replication.

Volatile Anomaly

As the Rune of Replication charges, Volatile Anomalies pour from the rune stone every 12 sec.

Stage Four: Rune of Replication

Arcane Wrath: Replication

In addition to Arcane Wrath's normal effects, a second player will be Branded the first time Arcane Wrath jumps.

Destructive Resonance: Replication

In addition to Destructive Resonance's normal effects, two additional Destructive Resonances are created nearby when it detonates or expires.

Replicating Arcane Aberration

Imperator Mar'gok summons a Replicating Arcane Aberration.

Replicate

Upon death, Replicating Arcane Aberrations split into 7 Arcane Remnants.

Mark of Chaos: Replication

In addition to Mark of Chaos' normal effects, 8 Orbs of Chaos are conjured when Mark of Chaos expires. Each orb flies out from the wearer and inflicts Arcane damage to all players that they move through.

Force Nova: Replication

Loot

23 drops · item level 44 · 11 slots (Back, Chest, Feet, Finger, Head, Legs +5 more) · all Bind on Pickup

Quests

3 quests Blizzard’s quest data files under Highmaul, all for level 40:

Achievements

15 achievements tied to Highmaul, worth 140 achievement points in total.

  • Mythic: Kargath BladefistDefeat Kargath Bladefist in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty.10
  • Mythic: The ButcherDefeat The Butcher in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty.10
  • Mythic: TectusDefeat Tectus in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty.10
  • Mythic: BrackensporeDefeat Brackenspore in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty.10
  • Mythic: Twin OgronDefeat the Twin Ogron in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty.10
  • Mythic: Ko'raghDefeat Ko'ragh in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty.10
  • Mythic: Imperator's FallComplete the Imperator Mar'gok encounter in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty.Title: Empire's Twilight10
  • Flame On!Defeat Kargath Bladefist in Highmaul without destroying any Fire Pillars on Normal difficulty or higher.10
  • Hurry Up, Maggot!Cause the Butcher in Highmaul to slay 6 Maggots before defeating him on Normal difficulty or higher.10
  • More Like Wrecked-usDefeat Tectus in Highmaul by destroying all eight Motes of Tectus within 10 seconds of each other on Normal difficulty or higher.10
  • A Fungus Among UsGain 15 stacks of Burning Infusion and then defeat Brackenspore in Highmaul on Normal difficulty or higher.10
  • Brothers in ArmsDefeat the Twin Ogron in Highmaul without their Disposition ever exceeding 30% on Normal difficulty or higher.10
  • Pair AnnihilationDefeat Ko'ragh in Highmaul with fewer than 15 Overflowing Energy orbs touching the ground or players without Nullification Barrier, on Normal difficulty or higher.10
  • Lineage of PowerEmpower and defeat a Fortified Replicating Gorian Warmage and then defeat Imperator Mar'gok in Highmaul on Normal difficulty or higher.10
  • Cutting Edge: Imperator's FallComplete the Imperator Mar'gok encounter in Highmaul on Mythic difficulty, before the release of patch 6.2.

More Warlords of Draenor Raids

Other raids from the same expansion.

Related