Posts tagged ‘Guide to the molten front’

Firehawk490x

The next step, once the portal to the Molten Front has been opened and access to the dailies at Regrowth area and at Malfurion’s Breach has been gained, is to enrol the aid of Druids of Talon & the Shadow Council thus opening up two new areas (the Furnace and Forlorn Spire), quests, dailies and achievements.  The starting quests for these new areas are available from Malfurion Stormrage (in the cave at Malfurion’s Breach), each costing 150 Marks of The World Tree to complete.  It is more or less personal preference which one you choose to open up first though one set of the Shadow Council dailies (starting with Mysterious Seed and leading to the Crimson Lasher) can be done in the Ashen Fields.

Once enough marks are accumulated you can open up first one area and then (at a faster rate with the extra dailies) the second area.  Sadly, you can complete only one of these areas each day, either Wardens or Druids.  Accepting one starting daily (i.e. Into the Fire daily OR The Forlorn Spire) from General Moonfall will phase out the other.

Enlisting allies is a continuing theme in the Molten Front quests and dailies, from enlisting the help of the five Ancients (Goldrinn/Lo’gosh, Aviana, Tortolla, Malorne and Aessina), freeing Commander Jarod Shadowsong and now enlisting the aid of the Druids of the Talon and the Shadow Wardens.  Finally, the aid of the Elderlimb, of Ayla Shadowstorm and of the Armorers (Rickett and Damek Bloombeard) is enlisted.  And the whole enterprise depends on the cooperation between the Cenarion Circle, the Earthen Ring, the Dragon Aspects and the contentious, warring factions of the Alliance and the Horde.  Western society often extols the rugged individual (the John Wayne, Indiana Jones or Rambo type character) who needs no help and does it “my way”.  In reality, it is not a sign of weakness to admit that we depend on the help of others – from those who have build the world we live in to those who now journey with us –  our family, friends and colleagues.  (As the saying goes, “Depression is not a sign of weakness but of being too strong for too long.”)

The Questlines:

Druids of the Talon

Secure the aid of the Druids of Talon for the fight at the Molten Front by speaking to Skylord Omnuron at the Shrine of Aviana (he is up two flights of stairs).  This will cost 150 Marks.

Flight of the Storm Crow

Isara Riverstride, the Innkeeper at Aviana’s Shrine directs you back to Malfurion’s Breech to see how the Druids of the Talon are doing with the fight.  Once you have completed the 4 available dailies at Malfurion’s Breach, Into the Fire will become available from General Moonfall.  This opens up the new area, the Furnace, the Molten Flow and Fireplume Peak.  The quest must be completed each day to access these areas and the other Druid of the Talon dailies.

Furnace Dailies & Fireplume Peak Dailies

Into the Fire

Taldris Moon asks you to escort and protect a Druid of the Talon Windcaller through the furnace (the wall of flames to the northeast of Malfurion’s Breach). Despite what the Windcaller says – stay just a little way behind him as he walks through the flames. It is in fact hard to get that sweet spot – not too close, not too far, especially as it is hard to match the Druid’s slow, measured pace.  On top of that a number of Flamewalkers will spawn and begin attacking you and the Druid as you advance.  The flame is very damaging!  If you do die, try to resurrect on the other side of the flames or at least in the small gap in the flames to the left and continue going.

Once you have crossed the flames, defeat the elite on other side of the flames with the help of the Druids and any other players present.  Once the elite is defeated you should be projected down into the hole into the subterranean Molten Flow, but if not, find the coiled rope on the north side and rappel down.  Hand the quest into Thisalee Crow who is standing a little way into the tunnels. Awards 2 Marks of the World Tree.

Thisalee will then give you two dailies:

Flamewalkers of the Molten Flow – kill 8 Flamewalkers (Sentinels, Shamans or Hunters) in the cavern and return to Thisalee. The Sentinels are warrior types that patrol an area.  They may randomly pick up a party member and carry them away for “a dip in the magma”.  The Shamans are standing on the edge of the lava while the Hunters patrol with charhounds. Gives 2 Marks.

Fire Flowers – collect 5 Luciferns for Choluna.  The ferns are on little islands in the lava or on top of the outcrops.  Use the wind and fire eddies to get onto the top of the outcrops by standing in them and jumping (space bar).  It is best to stand on the islets as the hot lava will interrupt your herb gathering even though it does trivial damage.  Choluna is above ground and to the northeast of the entrance hole.  Gives 2 Marks.

NOTE:

Anren Shadowseeker

On your very first trip to the Molten Flow, make sure you go to the very back cavern where you will find Anren Shadowseeker half-dead in a lava pool.  As part of the quest Need Water Badly, escort him back toward the beginning of the cave (speak to him and then follow him closely as he utilizes the fire vents to jump over the rocks).  Tagging Anren with a raid icon can make this easier.  Hand into Tholo Whitehoof standing near Fireplume Peak (see below) Gives 5 marks.

This will open up a new set of dailies (both here and in Sulfurion Spire – depending on which area you choose for the day.  The daily only becomes available once you finish all the Druids or Wardens dailies for that day.

Now Anren or Tholo will offer one of the following dailies at the Molten Flow, Fireplume Peak or the Forlorn Spire.

Hounds of Shammox – collect 6 Houndbone Ash from the non-elite Charhounds in the Molten Flow or elite Ancient Charhounds in Magna Springs. Gives 1 Mark.

How Hot – Anren (standing near the floating path to Fireplume Peak) asks you to use the thermometer provided to measure the heat of three lava pools at Fireplume Peak – the northwest, the northeast and the central pool at the top of the peak. Gives 1 Mark.

The Flame Spider QueenTholo Whitehoof asks you to collect 8 samples of Flame Venom and Searing Web Fluid (to help study ways of defeating the Flame Spider Queen).  The yellow Cinderweb Creepers spray you with Flame Venom during the fight while the red Cinderweb Spiders (on the pillars) squirt the Searing Web Fluid. Hand in to Anren standing back at Malfurion’s Breach. Gives 1 Mark.

Fandral’s Methods – Tholo asks you to collect supplies from the Igneous Depths – a Flame Druid Staff, a Flame Druid Spellbook, a Flame Druid Reagent Pouch, and a Flame Druid Idol.  This quest can be completed during the Forlorn Spire daily Enduring Heat (see below) or after it.  The items are small and easy to miss. Gives 1 Mark.

To get out of the Molten Flow back to the Furnace – jump at the wind updraught at the very start of the cavern and it will spin you up to the top.  Continue to the northeast to find Choluna.

Fireplume Peak Dailies

This leads to another 2 (out of a possible 5) Fireplume Peak dailies from Morthis Whisperwing and Arthorn Windsong standing facing the edge of the northwest corner of the Furnace just past Choluna.  There are a series of floating stepping stones to Fireplume Peak near the edge where the quest givers are standing. Jump from stone to stone in a gentle curve, gradually getting higher.  Beware of crumbling stones.  If you fall you will be eventually be caught in midair by a Druid of the Talon and placed on the lowest part of the Peak (even if you are heading back to the Furnace).  The way back to the furnace is a lot easier.  Start on the western side of the stones at the narrowest point where the pathway can be easily completed in about three jumps with little risk of falling.  There is a graveyard at lower eastern side of Fireplume Peak (if you die while questing) though it does not appear to be possible to use the vents to climb back to your body in ghost form.

Singed Winds Arthorn would like you to rescue 5 injured druids at Fireplume Peak with the kit she gives you.  Click on the fallen druids in bird form. Gives 2 Marks.

Starting Young Morthis wants you to bring back 5 Fire Hawk Hatchlings.  The hatchlings are either in the air where they hard to access or on the edge of the lava pools where they are difficult to see.  Use Ctrl V to make them more visible.  The biggest concentration is in the lava pool at the top of the Fireplume Peak. Gives 2 Marks.

Peaked Interest Morthis Whisperwing asks you to retrieve a Fire Hawk egg from the top Fireplume Peak.  Cross over using the stepping stones & use the vents to progress up to the very top of the peak.  The eggs (along with some Fire Hawk hatchlings) are in a pool of lava at the top which is guarded by elite 85 Fire Hawk Matriarch who will pursue you as soon as you pick up the egg.  Make a fast escape down the peak and across the stepping stones. Once you have handed the egg to Morthis, the Matriarch will leave off the pursuit.  Gives 2 Marks.

Territorial Birds. Arthorn wants you to cross the stepping stones to Fireplume ridge and kill 5 Fire Hawks in order to keep their numbers in check. Gives 2 Marks.

Fire in the Skies Morthis wants you to use the trained Fire Hawk to kill 100 of the Flamewalker Salamanders, 40 of the Cinderweb Spiders and 3 of the Molten Firelords amassing in the Firelands. This is a bombing raid where you target the mobs while flying over them.  Mount the Trained Fire Hawk next to the quest giver.   The fire hawk will do continual loops over the Lair and until you hit Return to the Furnace.  You have two attacks available, Flame Seed and Flame Burst which work best as a combined attack.  Plant the seed first and then use the burst for maximum damage, preferably targeting large groups of the Flamewalkers and spiders.  It takes the combined attack to down the Firelords (Behemoth like elementals).  Remember also to target the named mobs for achievement (see below).  Gives 2 Marks.


The Shadow Wardens

After accepting the quest from Malfurion (and accumulating the needed 150 marks), speak to Captain Saynna  Stormrunner of the Shadow Wardens standing on the northern side of the Sanctuary of Malorne.  Saynna goes ahead to the Firelands with her companions.

Now the Hunter begins – Matoclaw at the Sanctuary of Malorne sends you to speak to Saynna at the Molten Front.  The captain standing in the cave with Malfurion is planning an assault on the Forlorn Spire.

Taldris Moonfall will now offer the access daily Forlorn Spire, Widow’s Clutch and Igneous Depths (once the 4 Ashen Field dailies are completed.) The quest must be completed each day to access these areas and the other Shadow Warden dailies.

Forlorn Spire Dailies

Accompany and protect the shadow wardens in their assault on the Forlorn Spire.  Cross the Ashen Fields and take the ramp going up to the northeast once the assault party moves out.  (The assault might already be in progress if another player has already started the sequence.)  You and your companions will encounter several elites on the way up.  Once the Pyrelord is defeated, and Taldos has destroyed the Spire with a giant plant, you will be transported to the Spire.  Hand the quest into Marin BladewingThis quest awards 2 marks.

Deldren Ravenelm (standing next to the dead spider) offers any 2 of the following:

Pyroarchanophobia –  Kill 8 Cinderweb spiders.

Wicked Webs – use your weapon (melee or ranged) to free 8 victims of the Cinderweb cocoons.

Egg-tinction – collect 20 Cinderweb spider eggs from the Widow’s Clutch.  The egg sacks are the brown domes on the sides of the columns with each containing 2-4 eggs.  Sometimes collecting eggs will cover you with spiderlings (jump to shake them off) or provoke one of the spiders to draw you up the column with entangling web (kill the spider & then jump down again).  Gives 2 marks.

Marin Bladewing offers one of the following dailies:

Solar Core Destruction – destroy the Solar Core (a floating molten ball in the northeast) just beyond the Cinderweb spider area.  The ball is surrounded by many Druids of Flame who respawn quickly so the best strategy may be to kill a couple and then rush in a click on the ball.  The subsequent explosion will throw you into the air on top of one of the pillars.  Gives 2 marks.

The Wardens are Watching – draw out a Druid of Flame while in the company of a Warden and follow her instructions.  The Warden will accompany you through the Cinderweb spider area (and assist you with fighting the spiders).  Continue northeast to the Widow’s Clutch and attack a druid of flame.  When the druid is about 2/3 health he or she will put up a shield.  Draw the druid over the trap set by the Warden who will then return separately with his prisoner.  Gives 2 marks.

Having completed either of these dailies Marin Bladewing gives:

Enduring the Heat – destroy all the runes (blue glowing circles) in the Igneous Depths.  The entrance to the cavern is on the eastern wall of the Magma Springs.  There are ramps down on either side of the wall (Ashen Fields end or the Widow’s Clutch end) but it is just as easy to jump down.  Once at the cave enter and click on each of the glowing blue rune circles.  Don’t stop to fight the adds but keep running towards the next rune in a rough figure of eight course.  The runes give you some protection from damage and destroying them (Right click) takes out all the following hostiles that are close by (so wait a little while for maximum affect).  Once you have destroyed all the runes, the adds will disappear and you can exit and hand in the quest to Teresa Barkskin at the entrance at your leisure.

NOTE:

The Crimson Lasher

On your first visit to the spire – look out for a quest drop Mysterious Seed from looting a Druid of Flame. Hand the seed into Avilia standing next the portal from the Breach to the Regrowth.  These leads to the quests Planting Season (plant the seed in the earth at the grave yard) and Little Lasher (Bring the Lasher back to Avilia; 5 marks) From now on one of the following dailies becoming available:

Embergris – collect 5 from the Embergris from Charred Soldiers or Charred Vanquishers in the Ashen Fields.

Steal MagnoliasAvilia wants you to collect 8 Magnolias from the Magma Springs in the company of the Crimson Lasher.  You can collect the small molten flowers from the magma pools on the northern edge of the Ashen Fields or go further into the Magma Pools to the north – just watch out for the 85 Lava Bursters, Core Hounds and Elite Behemoths that sleep, patrol or can spawn in this area as you are picking the flowers.  Every so often a non-elite Lava Burster tries to pick the flower at the same time as you and will erupt from the lava and attack. Gives 1 Mark.

Some Like it Hot – Observe the Crimson Lasher’s reaction to the 6 Ember Pools of burning fire spewed out by the Emberspit Scorpions during combat.  The dark grey rock coloured Scorpions can be found in the northern edge of the Ashen Fields and in the Magma Pools proper.  If you keep your DPS low, you may get 3-5 pools of lava from one scorpion.  Gives 1 Mark.

Note that the Tholo and Anren dailies and the Crimson Lasher dailies are both available each day regardless of whether you choose the Druid of the Talon or the Shadow Warden dailies.  However, while the Lasher dailies can be done in the Ashen Fields, the Tholo and Anren dailies can only be picked up at the Furnace or the Forlorn Spire – depending of which area you chose that day.

Having opened most of the areas and dailies of Malfurion’s Breach, you can accumulate marks more quickly to gain access to the final three questlines:  Additional Armaments, Calling the Ancients and Filling the Moonwell.  [Post to come soon.]

Achievements:

It is now also possible to complete some more achievements – some which can be started in the Regrowth and/or the starting areas of Malfurion’s Breach and some of which are done entirely in the new areas.

Fireside Chat

Speak to various NPCs (i.e. ask the question under the offered quest dialog) during the battle of the Molten Front. The NPCs are stationed at various locations including the Sanctuary of Malorne, Malfurion’s Breech, the Furnace and the Forlorn Spire.  Note that while access to the Molten Front is available once the Ancients are assisted, Commander Jarod Shadowsong will only be available at Malfurion’s Breech after you have freed him and enlisted his aid (the quest series starting with Tortolla standing at the start /side of  and concluding with .)

  • Matoclaw is standing on the steps at the Sanctuary of Malorne.  Ask “Tell me about the Ancient Malorne?”
  • Dorda’en Nightweaver is standing near the tent with the Archdruid at the Sanctuary of Malorne – once the quest line Leyara is completed & Hamuul has been almost burnt to death.  Ask Dorda’en “How is Hamuul doing?”
  • Malfurion Stormrage is standing in the cave at Malfurion’s Breach once Through the Gates of Hell is completed.  Ask “How are we doing in the battle?” or “What are we building here?”
  • Taldis Moonfall is standing outside the cave at Malfurion’s Breach.  Ask “Can you tell me about the Sentinel Tree, General?”
  • Commander Jarod Shadowsong moves about in the area in front of the cave at Malfurion’s Breach at the entrance to the Ashen Fields.  You will not find him until you have freed him and defeated the Twilight forces in .  Ask, “Commander Shadowsong, what are Marks of the World Tree?”
  • Thisalee Crow is in, the cavern in the Molten Flow beneath the Furnace.  You will need to have completed Into the Fire (see above) to get to her.  Ask “How do I get out of here?”
  • Arthorn Windsong is standing in northeast corner of Furnace, facing Fireplume Peak. Ask “What more can you tell me about these fire hawks?”
  • Deldren Ravens is standing at the entrance of the Forlorn Spire (once has been completed).  Ask “What can you tell me about these spiders?”

Flawless Victory – requires defeating unaided one of the elite 85 Molten Behemoths in the Magna Springs without being damaged by the giant’s two special attacks – the melee range Molten Stomp and the long distance Fiery Boulder.

Master of the Molten Flow

This achievement requires three feats:

  • Kill a Flamewalker with its own Flamewake.  This is relatively easy – just kite the Flamewalker back into its own Flamewake (a wall of fire type of attack).
  • Kill a Sentinel while it is carrying a party member. This one is hard though not impossible to solo It requires landing a killing blow on a sentinel while it is carrying a party member, including pets or indeed yourself, into the lava (sentinels will do this sporadically for a period of time); and
  • Kill a Hunter while not sustaining hit by its wild barrage.  Not all the Flamewalker Hunters have the wild barrage ability, though the seem more likely to do so.  If they do, it requires moving out of range quickly once the cast bar goes up and then, while keeping the hunter’s attention/aggro, staying out of range of the rain of arrows while they last. Move in a continual evasive pattern (zigzagging in a rough semi-circle).

Death From Above – Bomb sixed named elementals (Ragepyre, Blazefury, Flashfire, Hatespark, Heatflayer and Singeslayer) in a bombing run in the Molten Front (during Fire in the Skies daily from the Druids of the Talon).  There are usually only 2 or 3 of the elementals active each daily. They are often on the edges of the different areas and in range for just a second or two.  However, with patience and a few runs, each of the elementals can be targeted for this achievement.

King of Spider Hill – reach the highest point in Widow’s Clutch.  This is not too hard with a little patience.  Basically you need to climb the high cinder block like hill north of the Forlorn Spire (southern end of the Widow’s Clutch).  As flight is not possible in the Molten Front – this requires using the red Cinderweb Spiders who will, once aggro-ed, will pull you to their position with their sticky red Entangling Web.  Start at the base, and target spiders a little higher than you with whatever ranged attacks or taunts you have and move in a rough spiral up the face of the spur.  The main difficulties are line of sight problems and the spacing of the spiders.

Have fun rallying the troops on the Molten Front – and don’t forget to make meaningful allies in real life.  After all, the dangers and adversaries in the Furnace and the Forlorn Spire may be more epic and glamorous but the perils of everyday life leave real scars.   Life was not meant to be lived alone. As an ancient sage once said, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:12NIV)   And, as if often said, one of the best ways of making good friends is to be one!

Kharin

If you have found this post helpful you may be interested in my other posts on other Cataclysm Dailies:

Molten Front Dailies

Opening the Portal – qualifying for the new Mount Hyjal dailies

The Meek Shall Inherit Kalimdor – Regrowth & Ashen Field dailies & achievements

Cooking Dailies

A Bunch of Lunch – a guide to the new Cataclysm cooking dailies in Darnassus, Ironforge, Thunderbluff and Undercity – including where to find the quest givers, tips on completing each daily, which quests give 2 cooking awards or 2 cooking skills, rewards and achievments.

Doing Lunch – a guide to the new Cataclysm Cooking Dailies in Stormwind and Orgrimmar- including where to find the quest givers, tips on completing each daily, rewards and achievments.

Fishing dailies

Other Fish in the Sea - a guide to the new Cataclysm Fishing Dailies in Darnassus, Ironforge, Thunderbluff and Undercity – including where to find the quest givers, tips on completing each daily, rewards and achievments and which quests give 2 fishing skill.

Gone Fishing – a guide to the new Cataclysm Fishing Dailies in Stormwind and Orgrimmar – including where to find the quest giver, tips on completing each daily, rewards, achievements and a brief guide on how to fish for those starting out in this profession.

Darkmoon Faire

Come one, Come all – a guide to the revamped Darkmoon Faire – new quests, dailies and rewards.

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