Quillspike — The Thorny Barrow: 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 Quillspike — The Thorny Barrow page.

In short

• Dungeon, levels 25–35, bosses: 4. Party — 3 heroes: tank, healer, damage dealer.
• Modes: Heroic (at level 60), Normal (at the place’s level, 25–35), 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. Snoutgnasher Sharpspike

Level 25. In detail — Snoutgnasher Sharpspike: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “On Guard” → “Bristled”; 6 cards.
• “Steppe Wind” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 920, keystone +10 760 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Not Allowed” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: timed shield (“Prickly Shell”); hit on everyone (“Rolled Over”, “Needles Everywhere”); boss empower (“Bristled”).

2. Dark Shaman Rotgouge

Level 28. In detail — Dark Shaman Rotgouge: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “The Job” → “Overtime”; 6 cards.
• “Fresh Pit” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 840, keystone +10 700 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Handle to the Forehead” test strike — on boss turns 9 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: swallows a fighter (“Lie There for Now”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Leaning on the Shovel”); damage over time (“Dirt Down the Collar”); boss empower (“One More Pit”).

3. Dire Boar Crookedfang

Level 32. In detail — Dire Boar Crookedfang: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Grazing” → “Gone Wild”; 6 cards.
• “Frost on the Bristles” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 740, keystone +10 620 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Tusk from Below” test strike — on boss turns 7 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: charge (“Charge”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Tripped”); boss empower (“Gone Wild”).

4. High Priestess of the Thorny Root — Thornmother Vyorna

Level 35, final boss. In detail — High Priestess of the Thorny Root — Thornmother Vyorna: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “The Mistress” → “Root-Heart”; 8 cards.
• “Frozen Ground” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 380, keystone +10 320 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Don't Trample!” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 15: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: chain hit (“Thorny Vine”); card freeze (“Roots up the Sleeve”); charge (“Briars from Underground”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Listening to the Earth”); summon with a task (“Root-Heart”); boss empower (“Got Angry”).

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.