Needledell — Barrow of the Dead: 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 Needledell — Barrow of the Dead page.

In short

• Dungeon, levels 37–46, bosses: 4. Party — 3 heroes: tank, healer, damage dealer.
• Modes: Heroic (at level 60), Normal (at the place’s level, 37–46), 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. Rot-Totemist Mordrek

Level 37. In detail — Rot-Totemist Mordrek: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Marking” → “Remembered”; 6 cards.
• “Cold from the Bones” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 720, keystone +10 600 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Staff to the Crown” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 15: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: mark (“Sign on the Forehead”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Forgot What He Was Doing”); summon with a task (“Bone Idol”); boss empower (“Remembered”).

2. Bonegrinder the Smasher, Altar Guardian

Level 40. In detail — Bonegrinder the Smasher, Altar Guardian: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Grinding” → “Angry”; 6 cards.
• “Cold Mill” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 720, keystone +10 600 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Sack off the Shoulder” test strike — on boss turns 7 and 15: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: hit that cuts healing (“Crushing Bones”); charge (“Grind Down”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Dusting Off His Hands”); hit on everyone (“Bone Dust”); boss empower (“Out of Sacks”).

3. Dark Priest of the Rotting Barrow — Necromancer Valgrim

Level 43. In detail — Dark Priest of the Rotting Barrow — Necromancer Valgrim: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Cross-Check” → “Everyone in a Row”; 6 cards.
• “Damp Book” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 820, keystone +10 680 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Ledger to the Head” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: summon with a task (“Raised the Forgotten”); damage over time (“Seal of Rot”); charge (“Rotten Wind”); opening: more damage to the boss (“No Strength Left”).

4. Bone Colossus — Aman'Toth, Lord of the Barrow

Level 46, final boss. In detail — Bone Colossus — Aman'Toth, Lord of the Barrow: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Hungry” → “Iced Over”; 8 cards.
• “The Barrow Is Frozen” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 380, keystone +10 320 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Full Weight” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 14: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: summon with a task (“Picks Up Bones”); card freeze (“Ice Whirlwind”); charge (“Stomped”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Bent Down for a Bone”); boss empower (“Iced Over”); hit on everyone (“Cold on Everyone”).

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.