Legion Dungeon Previews: Vault of the Wardens & Assault on Violet Hold
Many challenges await the heroes of Azeroth in Legion, and among the most dangerous are the dungeons found in and around the Broken Isles. In this preview, we take a look at two of the expansion’s new dungeons: Vault of the Wardens and Assault on Violet Hold.
Vault of the Wardens
Location: Azsuna
Bosses: 5
This secret Warden facility was carved into the mountainside deep in Azsuna, and sealed with magical wards both to keep intruders out and to ensure that the terrors locked within could never escape. Many of the most dangerous foes the Wardens have encountered were locked away within the Vault, but in the aftermath of Cordana’s betrayal and the Legion’s attack, those creatures now roam the halls freely.
Developer Insights: This dungeon was one of the very first concepts we locked down early in the development of Legion. From the moment we’d settled on Demon Hunters emerging from stasis in the midst of a Legion attack on their ancient prison, we knew we wanted to let players revisit that location in its aftermath.
In this dungeon, players enter a ruined version of the once-pristine Vault, where the inmates are running the prison, so to speak. Once we decided on some of the monstrosities that would be unleashed as bosses, we went back to the Demon Hunter starting experience and gave enemies like Ash’golm and Glazer cameos, to create a greater sense
The Vault of the Wardens is broken up into three floors, where the dungeon’s five bosses dwell:
Tirathon Saltheril – Once ally to the Master, Tirathon made a bargain with the Legion in exchange for more power. Embittered after years of imprisonment, Tirathon is eager to dole out pain and suffering to whomever crosses his path. If that happens to be one of his former captors, then so much the better.
Vault of the Wardens
Inquisitor Tormentorum – Of all the foul creatures that serve the Legion, the hooded inquisitors are perhaps the most mysterious, and the most menacing. Tormentorum arrived in the aftermath of the initial assault upon the Vault. As he drifts through its halls, his gaze piercing the shadows in search of some vital secret, and even other demons give him a wide berth.
Glazer – Like many demons of this type, Glazer can focus his gaze into a potent weapon against his enemies. The Wardens discovered that the creature's magical emissions could be reflected back to their source to debilitating effect. They used this knowledge to ensnare the demon and crafted a special prison of mirrors to contain its power—until now.
Ash'golm – Ash'golm was one of Ragnaros' lieutenants who burned a violent scar across the forests of Kalimdor before the Wardens finally managed to bind him. Unable to fully destroy Ash'golm, the Wardens locked him in a prison of ice. Unfortunately, the recent incursion by the Legion has weakened the countermeasures that kept Ash'golm frozen all these years. . . .
Vault of the Betrayer
Cordana Felsong – Traitor. Betrayer. Outcast. Cordana was among the vanguard that pursued Garrosh into the Dark Portal, fighting by Khadgar's side and working to thwart the influence of the Shadow Council. But Gul'dan's dark sorcery wormed its way into her heart, turning her into the warlock's ultimate pawn. Once a paragon of duty, she will now forever be known as the instrument of the Wardens' undoing.
Assault on Violet Hold
Location: Dalaran
Minimum Level: 105
Bosses: 8 (must defeat 3 different bosses each run)
IIn the aftermath of the Northrend campaign and the Blue Dragonflight’s attack on this Dalaran prison, the Violet Hold was repaired and its cells were repurposed to house some of the most dangerous servants of the Lich King. Now, as Dalaran floats above the Broken Isles as the flagship of the war against the Legion, a shadowy threat once again seeks to strike at the Kirin Tor from within.
Located within the floating city of Dalaran—recently relocated to the Broken Isles—the Violet Hold now houses some new prisoners who are looking for a little payback on the Kirin Tor.
Developer Insights: With Dalaran moving to the Broken Isles, that meant that the Violet Hold was coming along with it. While the space is used for a couple of Artifact and Class Order quest lines, its classic function has always been as a dungeon. We used this as an opportunity to modernize some of the mechanics from the old dungeon, such as checkpointing and progress tracking, revisited some of our favorite creature types that players haven’t seen in quite some time.
Since Dalaran’s last function was as a major staging ground for the Northrend campaign, it follows that its cells might now house all manner of Scourge monstrosities. In Legion, the dungeon serves as a throwback to Icecrown Citadel’s greatest hits, with close relatives of some familiar foes like Blood Queen Lana’thel, Festergut and Rotface, and Sindragosa making an appearance as the Legion unleashes them upon adventuring parties. Oh, and a gnome.
While there are eight possible bosses to fight in the Violet Hold, you’ll encounter a different set of three each time you venture into the dungeon.
Millificent Manastorm – An engineering genius of undeniable prowess, Millifecent Manastorm seems to be the complete opposite of her husband Millhouse. Smart and resourceful, she is a force to be reckoned with.
Blood-Princess Thal’ena – Blood-Princess Thal’ena is the daughter of the powerful San’layn Queen Lana’thel. She has been locked inside the Violet Hold since the Northrend campaign, suffering the gnawing pain of her eternal hunger. Now that her cell has been opened, she intends to feed on the world.
Festerface – Professor Putricide had many experiments seized when Icecrown Citadel fell. At best guess, Festerface appears to be a failed prototype that predated the construction of the professor’s two most notorious creations: Rotface and Festergut.
Anub’esset – Anub’esset, one of the few remaining ancient Nerubian crypt lords, was captured by the Kirin Tor durning the invasion of Icecrown Citadel and imprisoned in the Violet Hold. Set free during the Legion’s invasion, his thoughts turn only to revenge against the living.
Mindflayer Kaahrj – This eldritch creature was captured in the depths of Ulduar, ensnared as it lapsed into a catatonic state after the defeat of Yogg-Saron. Since Dalaran arrived at the Broken Isles, the monstrosity has mysteriously awakened, and only the powerful wards of the Violet Hold keep its powers in check.
Shivermaw – Rumored to be one of Sindragosa’s own brood, this fearsome frost wyrm was captured from the Frostwing Halls of Icecrown Citadel, where the forces of the Lich King labored to create these winged abominations.
Sael’orn – The origins of these arachnid demons are not fully understood. Scholars who have studied the Legion speculate that they are the remnants of a forgotten race on a world long ago conquered by the armies of Sargeras. Sael’orn is a particularly vicious specimen, and has been tasked with leading the infiltration of Dalaran.
Fel Lord Betrug – This ruthless Legion commander stands ready to lead an invasion of Dalaran from within its walls.