The Black Morass Dungeon Guide TBC Classic
The Black Morass (Opening of the Dark Portal) is a level 68–70 Caverns of Time dungeon in Tanaris in The Burning Crusade Classic. This timed, wave-based encounter revolves around defending Medivh as portals open and bosses spawn throughout the run.
Most players tackle it right after Old Hillsbrad Foothills since the Caverns of Time questline progression leads directly into Black Morass. Visit the TBC Classic Dungeon Hub for all dungeon guides, quests, and bosses.
The Black Morass Dungeon Overview
Quick facts
The Black Morass (often “BM”) is all about tempo. Portals open one after another, and your job is to burn rift packs fast, prevent leaks onto Medivh, and delete the three bosses on the 6th, 12th, and 18th portals.
How to Get to The Black Morass
The entrance to the Caverns of Time is in Tanaris at 65, 50. Inside the Caverns of Time, The Black Morass is on the pinkish-glow side with crocodiles skittering about:
Heroic Black Morass Requirements
To enter Heroic, you need Level 70 and Revered with the Keepers of Time. Purchase the Heroic key 30635 from the quartermaster 21643.
Every Heroic boss drops 29434 (turn in to G’eras in Shattrath for epic rewards), and the final boss also guarantees a 23572.
The Black Morass Quests
This video walkthrough shows where to pick up every The Black Morass quest, what you need before entering, and how the quest chain connects to Old Hillsbrad Foothills and key progression in TBC Classic.
10296 is started by 20130 in Caverns of Time after completing the Old Hillsbrad questline (10279 chain). The follow-ups primarily ask you to complete The Black Morass and reward your choice of: 29320, 29322, 29321, or 29323.
As part of the Karazhan attunement, 9836 requires completing The Black Morass to empower your key.
There is also an Alchemy-only quest 10902 (325 Alchemy) that involves looting 31753 from Rift Lords and Rift Keepers.
Bosses
Chrono Lord Deja
Spawns on the 6th portal. He is tethered to his rift, so fight near the spawn point and keep clearing adds that slip out.
Chrono Lord Deja Strategy
- He cannot be dragged far from his Time Rift. Set up near the portal and stabilize there.
- Rift mobs keep spawning during the boss. Assign quick swaps so nothing reaches Medivh.
- Heroic: Arcane damage spikes harder. Healers should pre-hot/shield the tank.
Chrono Lord Deja Abilities
Loot
Normal: 27988, 27996, 27994, 27995, 27993, 27987, 29675
Heroic: same core table as Normal + 29434
Temporus
Spawns on the 12th portal and is also tethered. Keep killing portal packs cleanly and manage his buffs.
Temporus Strategy
- He cannot be moved far from his Time Rift. Anchor the fight at the portal.
- Rift mobs still spawn during the boss, so keep swaps tight.
- 38593 (Hasten) can be dispelled or spellstolen.
- Heroic: he gains Spell Reflection. If you see a blue aura, stop spellcasting.
Temporus Abilities
Aeonus
Spawns on the 18th portal in the center. He is not tethered and will immediately run toward Medivh, so pick him up fast and turn him away.
Aeonus Strategy
- He always spawns at the central rift and heads straight for Medivh. Tanks: be ready with a snap pickup.
- Unlike earlier boss waves, adds do not keep spawning during Aeonus.
- Tank him facing away from the party to prevent Sand Breath splash.
- Hunters can remove his Frenzy when it appears.
- Heroic: Sand Breath is brutal. Positioning is everything, and ranged should respect the cone.
Aeonus Abilities
Loot
Normal: 28193, 27509, 27873, 28192, 28194, 27977, 27839, 28207, 28189, 28188, 28190
Heroic: adds items like 29356, 30531, 29247, 29253 + guaranteed 23572
← Back to the TBC Classic Dungeon Hub
Black Morass FAQ (TBC Classic)
Where is The Black Morass located in TBC Classic?
The Black Morass is inside the Caverns of Time in Tanaris. The Caverns of Time entrance is at 65, 50 in Tanaris. Once inside, The Black Morass portal is on the south side of the cavern complex.
What level should you be for The Black Morass?
The recommended level range for Normal Black Morass is 68–70 (you can enter at 65). Heroic Black Morass requires level 70.
How do you unlock The Black Morass in TBC Classic?
The Black Morass is unlocked through the Caverns of Time questline that starts in Old Hillsbrad Foothills. After completing the Old Hillsbrad chain, you’ll be able to pick up the quest that sends you into The Black Morass and progress toward opening it.
How do you enter Heroic Black Morass?
To enter Heroic The Black Morass, you need level 70 and Revered reputation with the Keepers of Time. You must also purchase the Heroic key 30635 from the Keepers of Time quartermaster 21643.
How many bosses are in The Black Morass, and when do they spawn?
The Black Morass has three bosses that spawn from portals during the event: Chrono Lord Deja on the 6th portal, Temporus on the 12th portal, and Aeonus on the 18th portal.
What is the main strategy for Black Morass?
Black Morass is a wave-based dungeon. The goal is to protect Medivh while you quickly clear each rift wave. The most important “strategy” is tempo: kill portal packs fast, swap targets cleanly, and prevent enemies from reaching Medivh. Crowd control usually slows you down, so prioritize damage, interrupts, and dispels.
What type of mobs are in The Black Morass?
Most enemies in The Black Morass are Dragonkin and time-rift creatures. Because this is an event-style instance, pulls are dictated by portal spawns rather than normal trash packs.
Is The Black Morass required for Karazhan attunement?
Yes, The Black Morass is part of the Karazhan attunement chain in TBC Classic. If you’re working toward Karazhan, you’ll eventually need to complete The Black Morass as part of the questline progression.
Does Heroic Black Morass drop Primal Nether?
Yes. In Heroic, the final boss Aeonus guarantees a 23572. Heroic bosses also drop 29434, which can be turned in to G’eras in Shattrath for epic rewards.
What are the best classes for The Black Morass?
The best groups for Black Morass are built for fast wave clears: strong AoE or cleave damage, reliable interrupts, and quick target swaps. Cleanse and dispel tools help a lot, especially if rift casters land dangerous debuffs. If your group is struggling, adding more damage often helps more than adding extra crowd control.
Is The Black Morass a good dungeon for leveling in TBC Classic?
It can be great XP if your group can maintain pace, but it is also more punishing than many dungeons because it’s timed and wave-based. Many players run it at level 70 for quest progression, attunements, and Heroic farming rather than purely for leveling.
What should I do first: Old Hillsbrad Foothills or The Black Morass?
Most players run Old Hillsbrad Foothills first. It’s the first Caverns of Time dungeon and its questline progression leads naturally into The Black Morass. Running them in order is the smoothest way to unlock quests and avoid missing prerequisites.