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Rotface, the second boss of the Plagueworks wing in Icecrown Citadel (ICC), is a grotesque undead construct in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic. This Rotface guide details his abilities, sound cues, loot tables, achievements, and strategies to defeat him in 10-player and 25-player Normal and Heroic modes. Despite a 10-minute enrage timer, Rotface is a DPS race with a soft enrage from escalating ooze mechanics, requiring precise coordination, kiting, and cleansing. Whether you’re chasing Tier 10 gear or ICC achievements, this guide has you covered.
Rotface Overview
- Location: Plagueworks, Icecrown Citadel, Northrend.
- Type: Undead (Level 83 Boss).
- Health:
- 10N: 7.3M | 10H: 10.5M
- 25N: 36.3M | 25H: 47.4M
- Enrage: 10 minutes (soft enrage via escalating Mutated Infection).
- Key Mechanics: Slime Spray (cone AoE), Ooze Flood (quadrant damage), Mutated Infection (ooze spawns), Vile Gas (Heroic ranged debuff).
Fight Structure: Single phase with increasing Mutated Infection frequency, spawning Small and Big Oozes that must be merged and kited. Heroic adds Vile Gas for ranged spacing.
Related ICC Boss Guides
Master the Plagueworks and beyond:
- Festergut Guide – Previous ICC boss strategy
Rotface Abilities
Rotface’s mechanics focus on movement, cleansing, and ooze management. Below are his abilities with damage values and strategies, based on the provided input:
| Ability | Description | Damage (10N/10H) | Damage (25N/25H) | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melee | Hits main tank for physical damage (pre-mitigation). | ~65k Physical | ~65k Physical | Main tank holds Rotface in center; manageable with armor. |
| Slime Spray | Channels cone AoE at a random player every 20-30 sec for 5 sec. | 6.5k Nature/sec (32.5k total) / 8k Nature/sec (40k total) | Same as 10N/10H | Melee run through boss to back; ranged sidestep cone. Healers prep for tankable damage. |
| Ooze Flood | Floods a random quadrant (excluding center) every 20 sec for 20 sec, signaled by 5-sec ooze leak. Stacks 10% move speed debuff per sec (up to 100% root). | 5.5k Nature/sec / 6.5k Nature/sec | Same as 10N/10H | Track quadrant order (each floods once per cycle). Avoid flooded areas; use Hand of Freedom if rooted. |
| Mutated Infection | Infects a random non-tank every 14 sec (down to 5 sec by minute 5), dealing DoT and -75% healing for 12 sec. Spawns Small Ooze on cleanse/death. | 4k Nature/sec (48k total) / 5k Nature/sec (60k total) | Same as 10N/10H | Delay first cleanse; cleanse second immediately to merge oozes. Later infections: Cleanse near Big Ooze for absorption. |
| Weak Radiating Ooze | Small Ooze aura (10 yards), damages nearby players. Immune to Taunt. | 4.5k Nature/sec / 5k Nature/sec | Same as 10N/10H | Infected player kites Small Ooze to merge with another or Big Ooze. Avoid raid. |
| Sticky Ooze | Small/Big Ooze spits puddles at target, lasting on ground. | 3.9k-4.1k Nature/sec / Same | Same as 10N/10H | Kite oozes away from raid to limit puddle spread. |
| Radiating Ooze | Big Ooze aura (10 yards), damages nearby players. Gains Unstable Ooze stack (+20% damage per stack, up to 5). | 5k Nature/sec (6.5k at 5 stacks) / 6.5k Nature/sec (8.1k at 5 stacks) | Same as 10N/10H | Off-tank kites Big Ooze along room edge, using slow movement speed to stay ahead. |
| Unstable Ooze Explosion | At 6th Small Ooze absorption, Big Ooze channels 4-sec explosion, firing projectiles at all players. | 12k Nature (6-yard radius) / 15k Nature | Same as 10N/10H | Move 6+ yards during cast end; melee swap to opposite boss leg. |
| Vile Gas (Heroic) | Every 30 sec, hits a random ranged player (>8 yards from boss), causing vomiting and AoE damage (8 yards). | 4.9k-5.1k Nature/2 sec (15k total) + 5.9k-6.2k to nearby allies | Same as 10H | Ranged/healers spread 8+ yards apart. |
Heroic Notes:
- Vile Gas forces ranged/healers to spread, unlike Normal where all can stack in melee.
- Higher damage and faster Mutated Infection (5-sec interval by minute 5) increase ooze spawns.
- Big Ooze at 5 Unstable Ooze stacks hits for ~160k melee (pre-mitigation).
Rotface Strategy
The fight is a balance of maintaining high damage on Rotface while perfectly managing the Oozes.
Raid Composition
- Tanks: 2 (Main Tank on Rotface; Off-Tank on Big Ooze).
- Healers: 3 (10-player), 6 (25-player).
- Cleansers: Priority goes to Priests (Dispel Magic), Shamans (Cleanse Spirit), or Paladins (Cleanse).
The Ooze Management System (Core Mechanic)
- First Infection: Delay the cleanse (by ∼8−10 seconds) to minimize the number of ground puddles (Sticky Ooze) that spawn early. The infected player kites away.
- Second Infection: Cleanse immediately. Both players kite their Small Oozes together to a pre-determined spot (e.g., the door). When the two Small Oozes touch, they merge into one Big Ooze.
- Subsequent Infections: Cleanse these players immediately near the Big Ooze. The Big Ooze will instantly absorb the newly spawned Small Ooze, preventing extra Small Oozes from running loose.
- Big Ooze Kiting: The Off-Tank must kite the Big Ooze around the perimeter of the room. The kiting tank must constantly watch the Ooze Flood and use abilities like Hand of Freedom or Anti-Magic Shell to avoid the movement speed stacks.
- Unstable Ooze Explosion: This occurs after a Big Ooze absorbs its 6th Small Ooze (reaching 5 stacks). When the 4-second cast begins, everyone prepares to move. Melee should move to the opposite boss leg. Ranged should move a short distance into an area that no one was standing in previously.
Positioning Tips
- Normal Mode (10N/25N): All raid members (except the Ooze Kiting Tank) can stack tightly on Rotface’s current location, moving as a group to avoid Slime Spray.
- Heroic Mode (10H/25H): Ranged DPS and Healers MUST spread 8+ yards apart to prevent Vile Gas from chaining to nearby allies. Melee should still stack on the boss.
Role-Specific Tips
- Main Tank: Hold Rotface in the center circle. Use cooldowns for comfort, though the damage is manageable.
- Off-Tank: Build high threat on the Big Ooze immediately. Kite along the walls, ensuring the Ooze is always facing away from the raid.
- Melee DPS: Stack on one boss leg; swap to opposite leg during Unstable Ooze Explosion. Cleave Small Oozes if nearby.
- Ranged DPS: Heroic: Spread 8+ yards. Kite Small Oozes to Big Ooze for absorption. Sidestep Slime Spray.
- Healers: Maintain 8-yard spacing. Prioritize healing players with Mutated Infection (due to the −75% healing debuff). Use raid cooldowns during Unstable Ooze Explosion.
- Cleansers: Priests (Dispel Magic), Shamans (Cleanse Spirit), or Paladins (Cleanse). Delay first cleanse; prioritize later cleanses near Big Ooze.
Rotface Loot Tables
Below are the complete loot tables for Rotface in Icecrown Citadel. Items are Item Level 251 (Normal) or 264 (Heroic). All modes drop 2-3 items plus Primordial Saronite. Emblems of Frost: 2 (Normal), 5 (Heroic). 25-player modes include Tier 10 tokens. Percentages reflect drop rates.
10-Player Normal (ILvl 251)
| Item | Type | Slot | Key Stats | Drop Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockjaw | One-Handed Mace | Main Hand | Strength, Stamina, Damage (tank/melee) | 26% (76/296) |
| Shuffling Shoes | Mail Armor | Feet | Agility, Haste, Stamina (hunter/shaman) | 21% (62/296) |
| Gluth’s Fetching Knife | Thrown Weapon | Thrown | Agility, Crit, Damage (rogue/hunter) | 18% (54/296) |
| Abomination Knuckles | Fist Weapon | Main Hand | Agility, Crit, Damage (rogue/feral) | 17% (51/296) |
| Ether-Soaked Bracers | Cloth Armor | Wrist | Spell Power, Haste, Stamina (caster) | 17% (50/296) |
| Shaft of Glacial Ice | Staff | Two-Hand | Spell Power, Crit, Stamina (caster/healer) | 17% (50/296) |
| Flesh-Shaper’s Gurney Strap | Plate Armor | Waist | Strength, Stamina, Dodge (tank) | 16% (47/296) |
| Rotface’s Rupturing Ring | Ring | Finger | Strength, Hit, Stamina (melee) | 16% (48/296) |
| Chestguard of the Failed Experiment | Leather Armor | Chest | Agility, Crit, Stamina (rogue/feral) | 13% (37/296) |
| Taldron’s Short-Sighted Helm | Mail Armor | Head | Agility, Crit, Stamina (hunter/shaman) | 13% (37/296) |
| Choker of Filthy Diamonds | Amulet | Neck | Spell Power, Crit, Stamina (caster/healer) | 11% (34/296) |
| Gloves of Broken Fingers | Leather Armor | Hands | Agility, Haste, Stamina (rogue/feral) | 11% (34/296) |
10-Player Heroic (ILvl 264)
- Same items as 10N, with upgraded stats (higher Stamina, damage, secondary stats).
25-Player Normal (ILvl 264)
| Item | Type | Slot | Key Stats | Drop Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotface’s Acidic Blood | Quest Item | N/A | Shadowmourne quest (not equippable) | 89% (278/311) |
| Shadowfrost Shard | Quest Item | N/A | Shadowmourne quest (zone drop) | 53% (164/311) |
| Seal of Many Mouths | Ring | Finger | Agility, Crit, Stamina (rogue/hunter) | 29% (89/311) |
| Trauma | Trinket | N/A | Heal proc on periodic damage (healer BiS) | 26% (80/311) |
| Dislodged Foreign Object | Trinket | N/A | Spell Power, Haste proc (caster BiS) | 24% (76/311) |
| Primordial Saronite | Trade Good | N/A | Crafting material | 23% (70/311) |
| Bile-Encrusted Medallion | Amulet | Neck | Spell Power, Haste, Stamina (caster/healer) | 22% (68/311) |
| Aldriana’s Gloves of Secrecy | Leather Armor | Hands | Agility, Haste, Stamina (rogue/feral) | 19% (60/311) |
| Raging Behemoth’s Shoulderplates | Plate Armor | Shoulder | Strength, Crit, Stamina (DK/warrior/paladin) | 19% (58/311) |
| Winding Sheet | Cloak | Back | Spell Power, Spirit, Stamina (healer) | 19% (60/311) |
| Helm of the Elder Moon | Leather Armor | Head | Agility, Crit, Stamina (rogue/feral) | 18% (56/311) |
| Rib Spreader | Dagger | One-Hand | Agility, Crit, Damage (rogue/feral) | 18% (57/311) |
| Corpse-Impaling Spike | Wand | Ranged | Spell Power, Crit, Damage (caster) | 17% (54/311) |
| Dual-Bladed Pauldrons | Mail Armor | Shoulder | Agility, Haste, Stamina (hunter/shaman) | 17% (53/311) |
| Blightborne Warplate | Plate Armor | Chest | Strength, Stamina, Armor (tank) | 15% (47/311) |
| Bloodsunder’s Bracers | Mail Armor | Wrist | Agility, Crit, Stamina (hunter/shaman) | 13% (40/311) |
| Death Surgeon’s Sleeves | Cloth Armor | Wrist | Spell Power, Haste, Stamina (caster) | 13% (40/311) |
| Rot-Resistant Breastplate | Plate Armor | Chest | Strength, Stamina, Dodge (tank) | 11% (35/311) |
| Protector’s Mark of Sanctification | Token | N/A | Tier 10 shoulders (all armor types) | Not listed (common) |
25-Player Heroic (ILvl 277)
- Same items as 25N, with upgraded stats.
- Includes Protector’s Mark of Sanctification (Tier 10 token).
- Quest items (Rotface’s Acidic Blood, Shadowfrost Shard) retain high drop rates.
Rotface Achievements
Rotface has one challenge achievement in Icecrown Citadel, worth 10 points, centered on managing oozes to prevent an Unstable Ooze Explosion. Below are the details:
| Achievement | Description | Difficulty | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dances with Oozes (10 player) / Dances with Oozes (25 player) | Defeat Rotface without any Big Ooze using Unstable Ooze Explosion. | Normal/Heroic (10/25) | Cleanse Mutated Infection near existing Big Ooze to absorb Small Oozes instantly. Avoid creating multiple Big Oozes. Off-tank kites tightly to prevent merges. |
Achievement Tips:**
- Delay First Cleanse: Hold off cleansing the first Mutated Infection for ~8-10 seconds to minimize Sticky Ooze puddles, reducing clutter.
- Merge Oozes Efficiently: Cleanse the second Mutated Infection immediately, and have both infected players kite their Small Oozes together to form one Big Ooze. For subsequent infections, cleanse near the Big Ooze for instant Small Ooze absorption, preventing it from reaching 6 stacks (which triggers Unstable Ooze Explosion).
- Off-Tank Control: The off-tank (e.g., Protection Paladin or Blood Death Knight) should kite the Big Ooze along the room’s edge, using abilities like Hand of Freedom or Anti-Magic Shell to navigate Ooze Flood. Ensure no additional Big Oozes form by avoiding accidental Small Ooze merges.
- Raid CDs for Safety: If an Unstable Ooze Explosion is imminent, use raid cooldowns like Divine Guardian or Tranquility to mitigate damage.
- Practice: Master ooze management on Normal before attempting Heroic, where Vile Gas and higher damage complicate positioning.
Final Tips & Addons
- Addons: DBM/BigWigs for timers (Mutated Infection, Slime Spray, Ooze Flood). WeakAuras for Vile Gas and ooze tracking.
- Practice: Master ooze merging on Normal before Heroic. Practice kiting with off-tank.
- Fun Fact: Rotface’s “Good news, everyone!” mimics Professor Putricide—use it to hype your raid!
- Next Steps: Check our guides for Festergut, Professor Putricide, or ICC Achievements.
This Rotface Guide equips you to handle oozes, farm T10 tokens, and conquer ICC’s Plagueworks. For full ICC loot, tier lists, or boss strategies.
