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By Christopher Lucas October 14, 2026

Ascendant Venomstones Guide: How to Get and Use Them

Ascendant Venomstones arrive the week of October 20 in Patch 12.1.5. Here is the questline that unlocks them, all 4 drop sources, and which gear they upgrade.

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Ascendant Venomstone is the new gear upgrade in Patch 12.1.5. It pushes fully upgraded Season 2 gear past its normal item level cap. Venomstones are not live yet. They open the week of October 20, the same reset that lifts the crest cap.

Orin Straylight runs the Venomstone research in Silvermoon City
Orin Straylight runs the Venomstone research in Silvermoon City Image: Blizzard Entertainment

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Unlocking Venomstones

The unlock runs through Orin Straylight in Silvermoon City, one quest per weekly reset.

Week ofQuest from OrinWhat it does
October 6Umbral Blessings of the CatalystLets you trade for 1 extra Nebulous Voidcore per week
October 13Ancient Depths, Ancient VenomStarts Orin's Venomstone research
October 20Ascending with VenomstonesResearch completes and Venomstones open
The October 6 quest has 2 prep quests: In the Catalyst's Shadow from Decimus in Voidstorm, and Prismatic Potential from Orin. Do this week's quest now. If you miss Ancient Depths, Ancient Venom, you start the October 20 step behind.
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Where Venomstones drop

From the week of October 20 there are 4 sources:

  1. Every Heroic or Mythic raid boss, including Kith'ix
  2. Mythic+ Keystone dungeons at +10 and above
  3. Tier 11 Bountiful Delves, which suits solo players who run the Labyrinth of Kindo'jan
  4. Nightmare Prey Hunt Champion gear chests (Prey guide)
Raiders, Mythic+ players and solo players each have their own path to Venomstones.

How to use them

Collect 10 Venomstones, then use them near the Catalyst in Silvermoon City. Each use raises the item level of one eligible item.

What qualifies:

  • A fully upgraded Season 2 Hero track item
  • A fully upgraded Season 2 Myth track item
  • A maximum-quality Tidal Crafted weapon, trinket or necklace
Blizzard has not said how many item levels a Venomstone adds or how many times one item can be raised. We will add it once players confirm it.

Which item to upgrade first

  • Upgrade a slot you will keep for the rest of the season. Venomstones only work on items that are already maxed, so spend them on your best-in-slot pieces, not on placeholders.
  • Weapons and trinkets first. A crafted weapon or trinket at maximum quality qualifies, and those slots move your throughput the most.
  • Get your crests ready. The crest cap lifts the same week. Finish your Hero and Myth upgrades with crests, and those items become Venomstone targets right away.