The Blighted Sanctum (East Wing — Prison of the Ancients): how to beat

A guide to the whole place: modes, waves and bosses in order. Every boss has its own deck and turn cycle — the numbers come from the game. Loot is in the item atlas and on the The Blighted Sanctum (East Wing — Prison of the Ancients) page.

In short

• Dungeon, levels 36–46, bosses: 4. Party — 3 heroes: tank, healer, damage dealer.
• Modes: Heroic (at level 60), Normal (at the place’s level, 36–46), Keystone +10 (Mythic+, at level 60).
• Cold — 4 of 4 bosses (on heroic and in keystones); a test strike — every boss, except in normal mode. These modes cannot be cleared without a tank and a healer.
• Normal mode has no cold, no test strikes and no “no tank — through shields” rule.

Bosses in order

1. Drycrown the Ancient, Sleeping Protector

Level 36. In detail — Drycrown the Ancient, Sleeping Protector: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Asleep” → “It Woke Up”; 7 cards.
• “Damp from the Roots” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 700, keystone +10 580 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Cracking Branch” test strike — on boss turns 7 and 15: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: summon with a task (“Vine from the Floor”); self-heal (“Drinks Ink”); charge (“Creak”); opening: more damage to the boss (“The Trunk Cracked”); boss empower (“It Woke Up”).

2. Rotbloom the Sporeling, Devourer of Roots

Level 39. In detail — Rotbloom the Sporeling, Devourer of Roots: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Growing” → “Last Exhale”; 6 cards.
• “Damp Cellar” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 1,040, keystone +10 860 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Big Slap” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: stacking damage over time (“Mould in the Air”); weaker healing for all (“Damp Bandages”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Dried Up”); charge (“Last Exhale”).

3. Winterfur, the Imprisoned Demon

Level 43. In detail — Winterfur, the Imprisoned Demon: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “In Chains” → “Unchained”; 7 cards.
• “Stone Pit” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 380, keystone +10 320 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Shackle Backhand” test strike — on boss turns 7 and 15: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: charge (“Lunge on the Chain”); boss empower (“First Chain”, “Second Chain”, “Last Chain”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Yanks the Chain”).

4. Great Ancient Rootmane, Keeper of the Hall

Level 46, final boss. In detail — Great Ancient Rootmane, Keeper of the Hall: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Digesting” → “Remembered the Night”; 8 cards.
• “Damp Earth” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 600, keystone +10 500 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Root from Below” test strike — on boss turns 9 and 17: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: stun (“Entangled”); charge (“Digesting”, “Roots from Under the Floor”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Heartburn”); summon with a task (“Young Shoots”); boss empower (“Remembered the Night”).

General rules

How to read the guide and the rules of a fight against a boss with a deck — How to beat: every boss; every mechanic in detail — Boss mechanics.