This guide provides the most comprehensive overview of the most iconic raid in all of World of Warcraft history – Icecrown Citadel. You can expect a full coverage of every aspect of it starting from the preparation steps to achievements list and additional tips. This guide is for the WoTLK Classic version of the raid.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
From Prince to Lich: Classic WoW WotLK's Icecrown Tale
↑click me↑
Icecrown Citadel stands as the most formidable fortress of the Scourge and serves as the final bastion of the Lich King. Situated in the icy expanse of Icecrown on the continent of Northrend, this massive structure rises from the Icecrown Glacier, resembling a cathedral crafted from blades and claws, all made of saronite. More than just a fortress, the Citadel is a city in its own right, with its corridors teeming with the Scourge’s most vile and loyal minions. These undead legions stand guard, protecting their dark master from those who once sought to end his reign.
The story of the Lich King is deeply rooted in tragedy and betrayal. Arthas Menethil, once a noble prince, was driven to desperation in his quest to save his people from the Scourge. In a pivotal moment during the events of Warcraft 3, Arthas made the fateful decision to purge the town of Stratholme, which was being consumed by the Scourge’s plague. This act marked his descent into darkness, leading him on a path that would see him take up the cursed blade Frostmourne and ultimately become the Lich King. This transformation of a once-beloved prince into one of gaming’s most recognized villains adds a layer of depth and emotion to the confrontation in Icecrown Citadel, making the battle against him truly epic.
The Citadel’s very foundation is intertwined with the lore of the Lich King. When Kil’jaeden cast the Lich King into the mortal realm, Ner’zhul’s icy prison, known as the Frozen Throne, crashed into the spire of Icecrown Glacier. As the Lich King’s influence grew, the Scourge, alongside the dreadlords, constructed the Citadel around this spire. The fortress houses the Frozen Throne, which once imprisoned the spirit of Ner’zhul. It was here that Arthas Menethil shattered Ner’zhul’s icy confines, merging with him to become the new Lich King.
The significance of Icecrown Citadel is further amplified as it serves as the climax of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. It is here that the heroes of Azeroth, led by legendary figures like Highlord Tirion Fordring and Highlord Darion Mograine, converge to put an end to the Lich King’s tyranny. The assault on this citadel is not just a battle; it’s a pivotal moment in Azeroth’s history, determining the fate of the world.
How To Find Icecrown Citadel?
The imposing fortress of Icecrown Citadel is located in the heart of the Icecrown zone in Northrend. It stands as a dominant structure, visible from almost any point within the zone, making it hard to miss.
How to Find and Access the Raid:
- Flight: The most straightforward way to reach Icecrown Citadel is by flying directly to it. If you have a flying mount, navigate to the central part of the Icecrown zone. The citadel is the massive structure with spires reaching into the sky.
- Flight Points: If you don’t have a flying mount or prefer to use flight paths, the closest flight point is at the Argent Vanguard in Icecrown. From there, you can make your way north towards the citadel.
- Entrance: The main entrance to the raid is on the north side of the citadel. As you approach, you’ll find a sizable raised platform with a portal. This portal serves as the primary entry point to the raid.
It’s worth noting that the area around the citadel can be teeming with hostile Scourge forces. While they shouldn’t pose a significant threat to a prepared raider, it’s always good to be cautious and approach with a group if possible.
Raid Layout:
The starting point for all raid groups.
After completing The Lower Spire, there will be 3 more wings that can be approached in any order
- The Plagueworks
- The Crimson Hall
- The Frostwing Halls
The Frozen Throne, accessible only after clearing all previous wings, is where raiders face the Lich King.
Requirements and Preparation
Before you set foot in the chilling halls of Icecrown Citadel, there are a few prerequisites and preparations to consider. Ensuring you’re adequately equipped and informed will make your journey through the citadel smoother and more rewarding.
- Entry Requirements:
- Level Requirement: Players must be level 80 to enter Icecrown Citadel.
- Location and Access:
- Zone: Icecrown Citadel is located in the Icecrown zone in Northrend.
- Entrance: The main entrance to the raid is on the north side of the citadel, accessible via a raised platform with a portal.
- Gear Recommendations:
Understanding the Distinction:
- Gear Score provides a holistic view of a player’s overall gear quality. It’s a community-adopted metric originating from a third-party addon and is not natively present in the game.
- Item Level, on the other hand, is an official feature introduced by Blizzard. It pertains to individual gear pieces and is displayed both on the item itself and as an average in the character pane.
Both metrics, though serving slightly different purposes, are valuable in assessing a player’s readiness for raid content. Gear Score offers a quick snapshot of overall gear quality, while Item Level provides specific details about each piece of equipment.
- Stat Prioritization: Depending on your class and spec, prioritize stats that optimize your role. For instance, tanks might focus on stamina and defense, while DPS classes might prioritize attack power or spell power.
- Consumables and Buffs:
- Flasks:
- Flask of Endless Rage: +180 Attack Power
- Flask of the Frost Wyrm: +125 Spell Power
- Flask of Pure Mojo: Increases mana regeneration by 45 mana per 5 seconds
- Flask of Stoneblood: +1300 Maximum Health
- Food Buffs:
- Mega Mammoth Meal: +80 Attack Power, +40 Stamina
- Tender Shoveltusk Steak: +46 Spell Power, +40 Stamina
- Spiced Worm Burger: +40 Critical Strike Rating, +40 Stamina
- Potions:
- Runic Healing Potion: Restores 2700 to 4500 health
- Runic Mana Potion: Restores 4200 to 4400 mana
- Powerful Rejuvenation Potion: 2475 to 4125 mana and health
- Group Composition:
- Balanced Team: A typical raid composition for ICC10 might include 2 tanks, 2-3 healers, and the rest as DPS. For ICC25, the numbers would scale accordingly. However, the exact composition can vary based on strategies and group preferences.
- Research and Familiarization:
- While not a strict requirement, it’s highly beneficial to familiarize yourself with boss mechanics before attempting the raid. This can be done through guides, videos, or discussions with experienced players.
Raid Difficulty Levels in Icecrown Citadel for Classic WoW WotLK
10-Player vs. 25-Player Modes:
- 10-Player Raids: Allow up to 10 characters in a raid group.
- 25-Player Raids: Allow up to 25 characters in a raid group.
- Loot Differences: 25-Player raids tend to offer more and higher-quality loot than 10-Player raids.
- Achievements: Separate achievements exist for completing the 10-Player and 25-Player versions.
Normal vs. Heroic Modes:
- Availability: Both 10-Player and 25-Player modes offer Normal and Heroic difficulty settings.
- Unlocking Heroic: The raid leader must defeat the Lich King on Normal to access Heroic difficulty for each boss.
- Difficulty Selection: The raid leader can choose the difficulty for each boss before the encounter, allowing flexibility in raid progression.
Boss Encounters in Icecrown Citadel for Classic WoW WotLK
Adding a strategy for each of the 12 bosses in this raid would make this guide too big and there’s already too much info to go through. So, here’s so major defining features for each of them:
The bone warden of the Citadel, Marrowgar stands as the first challenge for adventurers.
- Key Mechanics: Bone Spike Graveyard, Bone Storm, Coldflame.
- Strategy Tip: Spread out to minimize Bone Storm’s impact and quickly focus on Bone Spikes to free impaled teammates.
A formidable lich, Lady Deathwhisper oversees the cultists serving the Lich King.
- Key Mechanics: Mana Barrier, Death and Decay, Summon Adds.
- Strategy Tip: Manage the adds effectively, especially during phase one, and focus on breaking her Mana Barrier to transition to phase two.
An aerial clash between the Horde and Alliance.
- Key Mechanics: Rocketeers, Battle-Mages, Boarding Parties.
- Strategy Tip: Balance between shooting down the enemy ship with cannons and repelling boarding parties. Utilize battle-mages to freeze the opposing ship’s cannons.
The Lich King’s most powerful death knight awaits, thirsty for blood.
- Key Mechanics: Blood Power, Mark of the Fallen Champion, Rune of Blood.
- Strategy Tip: Control the adds and manage healing for players marked by the Fallen Champion. Minimize damage to reduce Saurfang’s Blood Power accumulation.
These two abominations result from Professor Putricide’s experiments.
- Key Mechanics: Gas Spore, Vile Gas, Mutated Infection.
- Strategy Tip: Spread out to manage Gas Spore and Vile Gas. Healers should be prepared for bursts of damage, especially during Mutated Infection.
The mastermind behind the Plagueworks, his experiments are as deadly as they are grotesque.
- Key Mechanics: Mutated Plague, Malleable Goo, Unbound Plague.
- Strategy Tip: Manage the abomination adds and avoid Malleable Goo. Rotate players affected by Unbound Plague.
The queen of the San’layn, her bite can be both a boon and a curse.
- Key Mechanics: Vampiric Bite, Pact of the Darkfallen, Bloodbolt Whirl.
- Strategy Tip: Manage the bite mechanic to optimize DPS and heal through Bloodbolt Whirl. Coordinate movement for Pact of the Darkfallen.
A unique encounter where players must heal the dragon Valithria instead of defeating her.
- Key Mechanics: Nightmare Portal, Blazing Skeleton, Risen Archmage.
- Strategy Tip: Assign healers to enter the Nightmare Portals and maximize healing on Valithria. DPS should focus on controlling adds.
The Lich King’s frost wyrm, her icy breath can freeze any adventurer in their tracks.
- Key Mechanics: Frost Beacon, Unchained Magic, Ice Tomb.
- Strategy Tip: Spread out to manage Frost Beacon and Ice Tomb. Casters should be wary of Unchained Magic’s backlash.
The final encounter against the ruler of the Scourge, Arthas Menethil.
- Key Mechanics: Infest, Defile, Val’kyr Shadowguards.
- Strategy Tip: Manage positioning to minimize Defile’s spread. Prioritize Val’kyr Shadowguards to prevent them from dropping players off the platform.
Loot and Rewards from Icecrown Citadel for Classic WoW WotLK
Icecrown Citadel is not just a pinnacle of challenging encounters but also a treasure trove of some of the most sought-after gear, weapons, and items in the game. Here’s a brief overview:
| Mode | Normal Item Level | Heroic Item Level |
| 10-Player | 251 | 264 |
| 25-Player | 264 | 277 |
Tier 10 Armor Sets:
Icecrown Citadel drops tokens that players can exchange for their Tier 10 class armor sets. Each class has three variations of the Tier 10 set, each tailored for a different specialization.
Weapons and Trinkets:
From the chilling grasp of Shadowmourne, a legendary two-handed axe, to powerful trinkets that can turn the tide of battle, the armory of Icecrown Citadel is vast and varied.
- Jaina’s Locket
- Muradin’s Favor
- Sylvanas’s Music Box
- Reins of the Crimson Deathcharger
- Tabard of the Lightbringer
Special Drops:
- Invincible’s Reins: A rare mount drop from the Lich King on Heroic mode.
- Primordial Saronite: A crafting material used for various high-end recipes.
Achievements:
Completing certain challenges and boss encounters in specific ways can earn players unique achievements. For instance, the Bane of the Fallen King achievement is awarded to players who defeat the Lich King on Heroic mode.
Again, this calls for an entire guide on this topic which we may do in future.
Icecrown Citadel Trash Mobs Tips
Not only the bosses themselves poses a threat, getting to them is also going to be a challenge and I have a few tips that could help you out dealing with those trash mobs:
- Always be aware of your surroundings. Many trash mobs have area-of-effect (AoE) abilities that can quickly wipe an unprepared group.
- Crowd control (CC) is essential. Use abilities like Polymorph, Hex, and Freezing Trap to control dangerous mobs.
- Prioritize targets. Some trash mobs pose a greater threat than others. Identify and eliminate these threats first.
- The trash leading to Lord Marrowgar consists of five types: The Damned, Deathbound Ward, Ancient Skeletal Soldier, Nerub’Ar, and Servant of the Throne.
- Deathbound Wards are activated by floor traps. These traps can be seen and disarmed by rogues. However, it’s often better to trigger them intentionally and deal with the Wards when prepared.
- The Damned, Nerub’Ar, Servant of the Throne, Deathbound Ward, and Ancient Skeletal Soldier all have unique abilities. Familiarize yourself with them to handle them effectively.
- Before engaging Lady Deathwhisper, you’ll face Cult Adherents and Cult Fanatics. Adherents are casters that deal shadowfrost damage and can cast Curse of Torpor, which increases spell cooldowns. Fanatics are melee mobs with a cleave ability.
- Both types can undergo Dark Transformation, increasing their damage. They can also be empowered by Lady Deathwhisper, granting them AoE abilities and preventing interruptions. Purge or dispel these enhancements quickly.
- Reanimated adherents and fanatics will appear. Adherents are nearly immune to magic, while fanatics are nearly immune to physical damage. Handle them with the appropriate DPS type.
- Before the actual battle, you’ll face several marines and sergeants. Skybreaker Sergeants have a wounding strike and a Bladestorm ability. Deal with them quickly to prevent excessive damage to your ship.
- Both sergeants and marines can gain buffs that increase their damage and attack speed. If not tanked, they’ll use burning pitch, causing siege damage to your ship.
- Blood Beasts will spawn during this encounter. These should be handled by ranged DPS, as they grant Saurfang Blood Power when they deal damage. Use immobilizing effects to control them and prevent them from reaching players.
- Avoid using AoE abilities when Blood Beasts first spawn to prevent unwanted aggro.
- Precious and Stinky, two large dogs, patrol this area. They have a Decimate ability that reduces all players’ health significantly. Be prepared to heal up quickly after this.
- The trash mobs before Festergut and Rotface can apply various diseases. Cleanse these diseases quickly to prevent them from spreading.
The trash here consists of various types of vampires. They can drain health, transform into bats, and use other vampiric abilities. Interrupt their drain abilities and focus fire to bring them down quickly.
- The trash mobs here include various undead and vrykul. The vrykul can transform into Ymirjar Battle-Maidens, which have powerful AoE abilities. Spread out to minimize damage.
- The undead mobs can apply diseases and deal frost damage. Cleanse diseases and use frost resistance if available.
Remember, the key to handling trash mobs in Icecrown Citadel is preparation and awareness. Know what each mob can do, prioritize threats, and use crowd control effectively. With these tips, you’ll be able to navigate the dangers of Icecrown Citadel and focus on the main boss encounters.
The Lich King Awaits: Are You Ready?
Icecrown Citadel stands as one of the most iconic raids in World of Warcraft’s storied history. From the chilling lore of the Lich King to the intricate mechanics of each boss encounter, it offers a challenge and experience that is unparalleled. With the strategies and insights provided in this guide, you’re now equipped to face the Lich King and his minions head-on.
However, if you ever find yourself in need of a little extra help, whether it’s gearing up, mastering a specific boss, or just looking for a reliable team to raid with, remember that LFCarry.com is here for you. Our team of seasoned WoW experts is always ready to assist you in conquering Icecrown Citadel and claiming your rightful rewards.
Join us at LFCarry.com and let’s conquer the Lich King together!