Throne of the Four Winds Guide
Welcome to this comprehensive guide for the Throne of
the Four Winds raid! This guide will help you learn the
tactics and strategies needed to defeat the bosses in
this raid. Let’s dive into the heart of the Skywall!
The Throne of the Four Winds is a raid instance located
within the Skywall complex, introduced in World of
Warcraft: Cataclysm. Along with the Bastion of Twilight
and Blackwing Descent, it represents one of the initial
raids of the expansion. As such, it offers a gateway to
end-game content for players venturing into Cataclysm
Classic.
This raid is unique, featuring only two encounters: the
Conclave of Wind and Al’Akir. The Conclave of Wind is
a council-type encounter where players battle three
djinns simultaneously, each possessing distinct
abilities and requiring coordinated tactics. Following
their defeat, players face Al’Akir, the elemental lord
himself.
In both 10- and 25-player formats, Normal and Heroic
difficulties are available, providing scalable
challenges and rewards. The raid is rich in loot,
including Armor Tokens and Essence of the Forlorn, a
currency used to purchase gear with item levels 359 and
372. Prepare for a whirlwind of a fight in this
windswept domain!
Location and Access
The Throne of the Four Winds is located high in the sky,
off the southwest coast of Uldum in Kalimdor. The
entrance to the raid is not accessible by ground;
players must use a flying mount to reach it. The
precise coordinates for the raid entrance are
approximately (38, 80).
To access the Throne of the Four Winds, fly directly
south from Uldum until you reach the edge of the zone.
Continue flying over the sea until you spot a platform
floating in the air. This platform serves as the
entrance to the raid instance. Look for the lone
summoning stone on the far side of the entry platform.
Before attempting to access the raid, ensure that all
raid members possess flying mounts capable of reaching
the necessary altitude. Additionally, it’s advisable
to clear any potential aerial threats in the vicinity
to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted entry. Once
airborne, navigate carefully through the air currents
to reach the platform and begin your ascent into the
Elemental Plane of Air.
Raid Composition (10 and 25 man)
For a 10-man raid in the Throne of the Four Winds, a
balanced composition is crucial for success. Typically,
a 10-man raid should consist of 1-2 tanks, 3 healers,
and 5-6 damage dealers (DPS). A single tank can suffice
if they are highly skilled and geared, but having two
tanks provides more flexibility for handling boss
mechanics. The healers should be capable of handling
moderate to high raid damage, and the DPS should focus
on maximizing their output while also being prepared to
handle specific encounter mechanics.
In a 25-man raid, the composition is more forgiving but
still requires a strategic balance. A standard 25-man
raid would include 2-3 tanks, 6-7 healers, and 15-16
DPS. The additional tanks provide more security for
handling multiple targets or tank swaps. The increased
number of healers is necessary to manage the higher raid
damage, and the DPS should be a mix of melee and ranged
classes to effectively deal with various encounter
mechanics.
Boss Overview
The Throne of the Four Winds features two main boss
encounters: the Conclave of Wind and Al’Akir. The
Conclave of Wind is a unique encounter consisting of
three elemental djinns: Anshal, Nezir, and Rohash. Each
djinn resides on their own platform, and players must
strategically navigate between these platforms using wind
streams. The challenge lies in coordinating the raid to
defeat all three djinns simultaneously, as they will
regenerate health if any are left alive for too long.
After conquering the Conclave of Wind, players face
Al’Akir, the elemental lord of air. This encounter
takes place on a single platform and tests the raid’s
ability to handle high mobility, avoid environmental
hazards, and manage Al’Akir’s powerful abilities. The
fight is divided into multiple phases, each with its own
unique challenges, requiring precise execution and
coordination from the entire raid. Successfully
defeating Al’Akir rewards players with valuable loot
and marks the completion of the Throne of the Four Winds.
Conclave of Wind: Encounter Overview
The Conclave of Wind is the first encounter in the Throne
of the Four Winds, presenting a unique challenge where
players battle three elemental djinns simultaneously.
Anshal, Nezir, and Rohash each reside on separate
platforms connected by streams of wind. The raid must
split into smaller groups, assigning members to each
platform to engage the respective djinn.
The primary objective is to defeat all three djinns
within a short timeframe, as they will begin to
regenerate health if any remain alive. This requires
careful coordination and communication between the raid
groups. Players must utilize the wind streams to travel
between platforms, ensuring that each djinn is
constantly engaged. Each djinn has unique abilities and
mechanics that must be addressed, adding complexity to
the encounter. Success depends on the raid’s ability to
adapt to each djinn’s strengths and weaknesses, maintain
consistent damage output, and effectively manage
resources across all three platforms.
Conclave of Wind: Nezir Tactics
Nezir, the North Wind, focuses on frost damage and
mobility. His abilities can quickly stack frostbite on
players, so avoiding his attacks is critical. Be prepared
to navigate around his Ice Patches, which create
hazardous zones on the platform. During Sleet Storm, the
raid should spread out to minimize the impact of the
damage.
Tanks should maintain threat while kiting Nezir to avoid
standing in Ice Patches. Melee DPS needs to be aware of
their positioning to avoid unnecessary frost damage.
Ranged DPS and healers should maintain maximum distance
while staying within range to heal and deal damage.
Communication is key to ensure that players are aware of
Nezir’s abilities and can react accordingly. Managing
frost damage and staying mobile are essential for
success. Prioritize survival and awareness to overcome
Nezir’s frosty assault. Keep those toes toasty by dodging
Ice Patches and using cooldowns during Sleet Storm to
minimize the deep freeze.
Conclave of Wind: Anshal Tactics
Anshal, the West Wind, requires managing Ravenous Creepers
and avoiding Soothing Breeze. Ravenous Creepers spawn
periodically and must be dealt with swiftly to prevent
them from overwhelming the raid. Toxic Spores from these
Creepers must be dispelled quickly to avoid damage over
time. Soothing Breeze creates silencing zones that should
be avoided unless necessary for strategic reasons.
Tanks should position Anshal away from the raid to
minimize the impact of Soothing Breeze. DPS should focus
on quickly eliminating Ravenous Creepers as they spawn.
Healers must be vigilant in dispelling Toxic Spores and
healing through any damage taken. Effective communication
is crucial to coordinate the elimination of Creepers and
avoid silencing zones. Prioritize eliminating Ravenous
Creepers and managing Toxic Spores to keep the raid
healthy. Avoid Soothing Breeze to maintain spellcasting
capabilities. By staying sharp, moving quick, and
remembering every moment counts, you can conquer Anshal and
his minions.
Conclave of Wind: Rohash Tactics
Rohash, the East Wind, focuses on high wind damage and
mobility. He casts Blasting Winds, inflicting significant
damage and knocking players back. To mitigate this, use
the wind streams to your advantage, positioning yourselves
strategically to avoid being knocked off the platform.
Additionally, Rohash uses Wind Buffet, increasing damage
taken by a percentage.
Tanks need to maintain threat while managing their position
to avoid knockbacks. DPS should maximize damage output
while being mindful of their positioning relative to the
wind streams. Healers must be prepared for bursts of damage
from Blasting Winds. Utilize defensive cooldowns to
mitigate the effects of Wind Buffet. Coordination is key
to surviving the encounter. Use the wind streams to
reposition after knockbacks. Be prepared for high damage
output. Stay alert and communicate effectively. Maximize
uptime on Rohash while avoiding environmental hazards. By
mastering your movement and utilizing the wind streams, you
can conquer Rohash and claim victory.
Al’Akir: Encounter Overview
Al’Akir, the final boss of the Throne of the Four Winds,
is a challenging encounter that tests raid awareness and
coordination. The fight unfolds in three distinct phases,
each demanding specific strategies and tactics.
In Phase One, Al’Akir remains grounded, unleashing
powerful abilities such as Lightning Strike and Wind Burst.
Raid members must avoid standing in Lightning Clouds and
manage the knockback effect of Wind Burst. Phase Two sees
Al’Akir take to the skies, creating adds called Stormlings
that must be dealt with quickly. Players must also dodge
lightning strikes and swirling tornadoes. The final phase
is a high-damage burn phase where Al’Akir becomes more
vulnerable. Players must maximize their damage output while
avoiding fatal mechanics. Success requires precise
movement, effective add management, and coordinated
healing. Prepare for a volatile battle against the Lord of
the Winds!
Al’Akir: Tactics and Strategies
To conquer Al’Akir, a well-coordinated strategy is
essential. During Phase One, tanks should maintain threat
while the raid avoids Lightning Clouds. Assign specific
players to handle Wind Burst knockbacks, ensuring they are
positioned to minimize disruption.
In Phase Two, prioritize eliminating Stormlings quickly to
reduce raid damage. Assign dedicated players to interrupt
their casts and maintain control. When Al’Akir ascends,
spread out to minimize the impact of lightning strikes and
carefully navigate through the swirling tornadoes. Phase
Three is a race against time. Use all available cooldowns
to maximize damage output while healers focus on keeping
the raid alive. Be aware of increased damage and execute
any remaining mechanics flawlessly. Effective communication
and swift reactions are critical for success. With the
right tactics, you can bring down the Lord of the Winds!
Loot and Rewards
The Throne of the Four Winds offers a range of valuable
loot and rewards for those brave enough to challenge its
elemental lords. Players can acquire powerful armor tokens
to upgrade their gear, enhancing their effectiveness in
combat. In addition to armor, the raid also drops weapons
and other equipment with item levels 359 and 372.
Another significant reward is the Essence of the Forlorn,
a special currency used to purchase high-level gear from
vendors. This currency provides an alternative path to
obtaining powerful items, ensuring players have multiple
avenues for progression. Beyond gear, the raid also offers
various achievements for completing specific challenges.
These achievements not only provide bragging rights but
also contribute to meta-achievements that unlock unique
rewards. Mount collectors will be thrilled to know that
Al’Akir has a chance to drop the coveted mount;
Tips and Tricks for Success
To maximize your chances of success in the Throne of the
Four Winds, strategic planning and coordination are
essential. Effective communication among raid members is
crucial for executing tactics and adapting to dynamic
encounter mechanics; Prioritize assigning roles and
responsibilities to ensure everyone knows their tasks
during each phase of the fights.
Proper positioning is key to avoid unnecessary damage and
maximize damage output. Utilize raid markers to designate
specific locations for players to stand, particularly
during encounters with stacking debuffs or area-of-effect
abilities. Mastering movement is also vital for dodging
incoming attacks and quickly repositioning when necessary.
Pay close attention to boss timers and ability patterns to
anticipate incoming threats and react accordingly.
Understanding the nuances of each boss encounter is
essential for developing effective strategies and overcoming
challenges.
Additionally, ensure that your raid composition is
well-balanced. Remember to gem and enchant gear.