TBC Classic Raid Entrances — Karazhan, Gruul, Magtheridon, SSC, TK, Black Temple & Sunwell

The Burning Crusade introduced one of WoW’s most elaborate raiding ecosystems — a chain of interconnected attunements where each raid unlocked the next. From Karazhan’s gothic towers in Deadwind Pass to Kil’jaeden’s throne on the Isle of Quel’Danas, getting through the right doors at the right time is half the challenge.

This guide covers the exact entrance location and attunement requirements for every TBC Classic raid.

Raid	Players	Zone	Phase	Attunement
Karazhan	10	Deadwind Pass	1	The Master’s Key — Required
Gruul’s Lair	25	Blade’s Edge Mountains	1	None
Magtheridon’s Lair	25	Hellfire Peninsula	1	None
Serpentshrine Cavern	25	Zangarmarsh	2	The Cudgel of Kar’desh — Required (removed Phase 4)
Tempest Keep: The Eye	25	Netherstorm	2	The Tempest Key — Required (removed Phase 4)
Battle for Mount Hyjal	25	Caverns of Time	3	The Vials of Eternity — Required
Black Temple	25	Shadowmoon Valley	3	Medallion of Karabor — Required
Sunwell Plateau	25	Isle of Quel’Danas	5	None

⚡ TBC Classic Anniversary note: All raid attunements are account-wide on Anniversary servers — complete the chain once and all your alts are attuned.

Karazhan (Kara) Entrance & Attunement

Zone: Deadwind Pass, Eastern Kingdoms
Final Boss: Prince Malchezaar
Players: 10 | Tier: 4

Where Is the Entrance?

Karazhan can be found in Deadwind Pass in the Eastern Kingdom. This zone is an infrequently traveled-through area from Classic wedged between Duskwood and Stonard. The raid entrance is the large tower at the center of the zone. Archmage Alturus stands just outside at coordinates 47.0, 75.6 and serves as the quest hub for both attunement and the Violet Eye reputation.

Attunement: The Master’s Key (How to Unlock Karazhan)

Karazhan requires The Master’s Key to enter — the most involved Phase 1 attunement. The goal is to collect three key fragments: the First Key Fragment in the Shadow Labyrinth dungeon, the Second Key Fragment in The Steamvault, and the Third Key Fragment in The Arcatraz. Then combine them inside the Black Morass.

Quick attunement steps:

1. Speak to Archmage Alturus in Deadwind Pass and complete Arcane Disturbances and Restless Activity in the Master’s Cellar beneath Karazhan
2. Collect First Key Fragment from Shadow Labyrinth (Auchindoun, Terokkar Forest)
3. Collect Second Key Fragment from The Steamvault (Coilfang Reservoir, Zangarmarsh)
4. Collect Third Key Fragment from The Arcatraz (Tempest Keep, Netherstorm) — requires flying mount
5. Combine the fragments inside The Black Morass (Caverns of Time, Tanaris)
6. Return to Alturus to receive The Master’s Key

🎯 You can enter Karazhan without the key if another attuned player opens the door for you, but completing attunement is strongly recommended for every raider.

Gruul’s Lair Entrance

Zone: Blade’s Edge Mountains, Outland
Final Boss: Gruul the Dragonkiller
Players: 25 | Tier: 4

Where Is the Entrance?

No attunement required — just be level 65+. You can find the entrance to Gruul’s Lair in the northern section of the Blade’s Edge Mountains zone.

How to get there:

• Fly to Sylvanaar (Alliance) or Thunderlord Stronghold (Horde) in Blade’s Edge Mountains
• Ride north toward Blade’s Edge Plateau
• The raid entrance and summoning stone are clearly visible in the northern cliffs

🎯 SSC tip: Gruul drops the Earthen Signet — one of two items needed for the Serpentshrine Cavern attunement.

Magtheridon’s Lair Entrance

Zone: Hellfire Peninsula, Outland
Final Boss: Magtheridon
Players: 25 | Tier: 4

Where Is the Entrance?

No attunement required — just be level 65+. You’ll find the entrance to Magtheridon’s Lair in Hellfire Peninsula. It’s in the middle of the map at Hellfire Citadel. Horde can fly or run from Thrallmar while Alliance can fly/run from Honor Hold. The entrance portal and summoning stone can be found in the southwest portion of the citadel on the chasm floor. Hidden in a corner, you’ll see an opening in the wall that will lead you to the entrance to the raid.

🎯 TK tip: Killing Magtheridon is required to complete the Tempest Keep attunement chain (Trial of the Naaru).

Serpentshrine Cavern (SSC) Entrance & Attunement

Zone: Zangarmarsh, Outland (inside Coilfang Reservoir)
Final Boss: Lady Vashj
Players: 25 | Tier: 5

Where Is the Entrance?

You’ll find the instance inside Coilfang Reservoir in Zangarmarsh at coordinates 50, 41 — the same dungeon hub that also holds Slave Pens, Underbog, and Steamvault. The entrance itself is the waterfall portal at the center of the reservoir.

Players enter the reservoir through the pipe in the center of the lake, then swim down to reach the raid entrance.

How to get there:

• Fly to Telredor (Alliance) or Zabra’jin (Horde) in Zangarmarsh
• Ride to the center of the zone — the large pipe structure in the lake
• Swim into the pipe and down to the raid portal

Attunement: The Cudgel of Kar’desh

The Serpentshrine Cavern attunement revolves around completing the quest The Cudgel of Kar’desh, which requires players to obtain two raid items: the Earthen Signet and the Blazing Signet. To begin, enter Heroic Slave Pens in Coilfang Reservoir. After defeating the first boss, Mennu the Betrayer, look for the NPC Skar’this the Heretic inside a cage nearby.

Steps:

1. Enter Heroic Slave Pens, defeat Mennu the Betrayer, and speak to Skar’this the Heretic in his cage to pick up the quest
2. Kill Gruul the Dragonkiller in Gruul’s Lair — loot the Earthen Signet
3. Kill Nightbane in Karazhan — loot the Blazing Signet (requires completing the Medivh’s Journal quest chain to summon Nightbane)
4. Return to Skar’this and turn in — receive The Mark of Vashj granting permanent SSC access

⚠️ Attunement removed in Phase 4. Completing the chain afterward still awards the Champion of the Naaru title.

Tempest Keep: The Eye Entrance & Attunement

Zone: Netherstorm, Outland
Final Boss: Kael’thas Sunstrider
Players: 25 | Tier: 5

Where Is the Entrance?

The Eye is inside the floating Tempest Keep fortress in northern Netherstorm. You need a flying mount to reach the entrance — or a Warlock summon. The nearest flight master is Harpax in Cosmowrench at /way 65.2, 66.8. From there, fly northeast to the main island and enter through the central archway. The raid portal is inside.

Attunement: The Tempest Key

The longest attunement chain in TBC. Three major requirements:

Part 1 — Cipher of Damnation (Shadowmoon Valley):

• Alliance start: Earthmender Sophurus at Wildhammer Stronghold
• Horde start: Earthmender Splinthoof at Shadowmoon Village
• Complete the full Oronok Torn-heart storyline across Shadowmoon Valley

Part 2 — Trials of the Naaru (A’dal in Shattrath):

• Speak to A’dal in Shattrath City to receive the Trial quests
• Complete Trial of the Naaru: Mercy — Heroic Shattered Halls: rescue prisoners from Shattered Hand Executioner
• Complete Trial of the Naaru: Strength — collect items from Heroic dungeons
• Complete Trial of the Naaru: Tenacity — defeat Harbinger Skyriss in Heroic Arcatraz while keeping Millhouse Manastorm alive

Part 3 — Kill Magtheridon:

• Defeat Magtheridon in Magtheridon’s Lair
• Return to A’dal to receive The Tempest Key

⚠️ Attunement removed in Phase 4. The completed chain awards the Hand of A’dal title.

Battle for Mount Hyjal Entrance & Attunement

Zone: Hyjal Summit (Caverns of Time, Tanaris)
Final Boss: Archimonde
Players: 25 | Tier: 6

Where Is the Entrance?

The Battle for Mount Hyjal is accessed through the Caverns of Time in Tanaris, Kalimdor. Travel to Tanaris and enter the Caverns of Time — the Hyjal Summit portal is inside. You can also speak to Zephyr in the Shattrath City inn for a direct teleport to the Caverns of Time.

 

Attunement: The Vials of Eternity

The very first requirement is to reach Revered reputation with the Keepers of Time. Once you finish this reputation grind, you can pick up the attunement quest from Soridormi, who is located deep within the Caverns of Time in Tanaris.

The attunement tasks players with conquering the final encounters of the two previous 25-player raids: Lady Vashj in Serpentshrine Cavern and Kael’thas Sunstrider in Tempest Keep. You must loot: Vashj’s Vial Remnant from Lady Vashj, and Kael’s Vial Remnant from Kael’thas Sunstrider.

Steps:

1. Reach Revered with Keepers of Time (run Caverns of Time dungeons)
2. Speak to Soridormi in the Caverns of Time and accept The Vials of Eternity
3. Kill Lady Vashj in SSC and loot Vashj’s Vial Remnant
4. Kill Kael’thas Sunstrider in The Eye and loot Kael’s Vial Remnant
5. Return to Soridormi to complete the quest and gain access

Black Temple (BT) Entrance & Attunement

Zone: Shadowmoon Valley, Outland
Final Boss: Illidan Stormrage
Players: 25 | Tier: 6

Where Is the Entrance?

Black Temple serves as a premier 25-player raid situated in the far eastern reaches of Shadowmoon Valley. Unlike other major raids, the entrance is not a massive gate; instead, it is a small breach in the wall that leads into the Karabor Sewers at coordinates /way 71, 46.

Xi’ri stands just outside at /way 65.2, 44.0 and is involved in the final attunement step. Nearest flight path: Shadowmoon Village (Horde) or Wildhammer Stronghold (Alliance).

Attunement: Medallion of Karabor

The longest attunement chain in TBC — it runs through multiple raids and requires completing Hyjal attunement first.

Prerequisites: Level 70, declared for The Aldor or The Scryers, Arcatraz attunement done, and Hyjal Summit attunement complete.

Key steps:

1. Start the chain in Shadowmoon Valley at your faction hub (Sanctum of the Stars for Scryers / Altar of Sha’tar for Aldor) — collect Tablets of Baa’ri fragments
2. Complete quest chain through Shadowmoon Valley leading to Akama at the Warden’s Cage
3. Enter Serpentshrine Cavern and defeat Fathom-Lord Karathress — speak to Seer Olum afterward
4. Enter Tempest Keep wearing the Ashtongue Cowl disguise and kill Al’ar
5. Enter the Battle for Mount Hyjal raid and defeat the first boss, Rage Winterchill. Loot the Time-Phased Phylactery from his remains and bring it back to Akama.
6. Travel to Shattrath City and speak to A’dal — accept Entry Into the Black Temple
7. Find Xi’ri outside the Black Temple at /way 65.2, 44.0 and complete A Distraction for Akama
8. Once the event concludes, speak to Xi’ri again. You will receive the final Medallion of Karabor, which serves as your permanent key to the raid.

⚠️ Attunement removed in Phase 4. Killing Illidan upgrades it to Blessed Medallion of Karabor.

Sunwell Plateau Entrance

Zone: Isle of Quel’Danas, Eastern Kingdoms
Final Boss: Kil’jaeden
Players: 25 | Tier: 6 (waist/wrist/feet)

Where Is the Entrance?

No attunement required — just be level 70. The most convenient way for players to make their way to the Isle of Quel’Danas is to go to Shattrath City. Within Shattrath, there will be a portal in the Terrace of Light. Keep in mind that in order to access this portal, you will need to be dismounted first.

Sunwell Plateau is located to the southwest of Sun’s Reach where players will be teleported when entering the Isle of Quel’Danas. Follow the path going southwest and the raid instance portal will be quite hard to miss.

🗺️ TBC Attunement Chain — Visual Order

Karazhan (Master's Key)
    ↓
Gruul's Lair (no attune) + Nightbane (Kara)
    ↓
Serpentshrine Cavern (Cudgel of Kar'desh)
    +
Magtheridon's Lair (no attune)
    ↓
Tempest Keep: The Eye (Tempest Key)
    ↓
Battle for Mount Hyjal (Vials of Eternity)
    ↓
Black Temple (Medallion of Karabor)
    ↓
Sunwell Plateau (no attune)

FAQ

Which TBC raids require attunement?
Karazhan (The Master’s Key), Serpentshrine Cavern (The Cudgel of Kar’desh), Tempest Keep: The Eye (The Tempest Key), Battle for Mount Hyjal (The Vials of Eternity), and Black Temple (Medallion of Karabor) all required attunement originally. Gruul’s Lair, Magtheridon’s Lair, and Sunwell Plateau never required attunement. All attunements were removed in Phase 4, though completing them still grants the Hand of A’dal and Champion of the Naaru titles.

How do I get into Karazhan?
Karazhan is in Deadwind Pass, Eastern Kingdoms. You need The Master’s Key to enter — obtained by collecting three key fragments from Shadow Labyrinth, The Steamvault, and The Arcatraz, then combining them in The Black Morass. Speak to Archmage Alturus outside the tower to begin the attunement questline.

Where is the Serpentshrine Cavern entrance?
SSC is inside Coilfang Reservoir in Zangarmarsh at coordinates 50, 41. Swim into the pipe in the center of the lake and down to the raid portal. You need The Mark of Vashj from The Cudgel of Kar’desh quest — requiring kills of Gruul the Dragonkiller and Nightbane.

How do I reach Tempest Keep: The Eye?
The Eye is inside Tempest Keep, a floating fortress in northern Netherstorm. You need a flying mount to reach it — fly northeast from Cosmowrench (Flight Master Harpax) and enter through the central archway. A Warlock summon also works. Attunement requires the lengthy Cipher of Damnation chain, Trials of the Naaru heroic dungeon quests, and killing Magtheridon.

How do I get to Sunwell Plateau?
Travel to Shattrath City in Terokkar Forest and use the portal in the Terrace of Light to reach the Isle of Quel’Danas. Dismount before using the portal. Once on the island, follow the path southwest to find the Sunwell Plateau raid entrance. No attunement is needed — just be level 70.

Are TBC attunements account-wide in Anniversary Edition?
Yes. In TBC Classic Anniversary, all raid attunements are account-wide. Once any character on your account completes the full chain, all your alts are automatically attuned to that raid.

What happens to attunements in TBC Phase 4?
In Phase 4 of TBC Classic, all raid attunement requirements are removed. Any level 70 player can freely enter Karazhan, SSC, The Eye, Mount Hyjal, and Black Temple without completing attunement. However, completing the original chains still awards the Champion of the Naaru and Hand of A’dal character titles.