Howling Caverns: 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 Howling Caverns page.

In short

• Dungeon, levels 15–21, bosses: 6. Party — 3 heroes: tank, healer, damage dealer.
• Modes: Heroic (at level 60), Normal (at the place’s level, 15–21), Keystone +10 (Mythic+, at level 60).
• Cold — 6 of 6 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. Anacra the Slithering

Level 15. In detail — Anacra the Slithering: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “The Lesson” → “Stern Voice”; 6 cards.
• “Aired Out” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 880, keystone +10 740 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Out of the Classroom” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: card freeze (“Quiet!”); charge (“Dictation”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Lost the Words”); boss empower (“Stern Voice”).

2. Lady Serpenta

Level 16. In detail — Lady Serpenta: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “First Cup” → “Another Little Cup”; 5 cards.
• “The Tea Went Cold” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 960, keystone +10 800 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Drink Up” test strike — on boss turns 9 and 17: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: stacking damage over time (“Brew”); charge (“Brewed Herself a Cup”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Spilled”).

3. Cobrahn the Scaled

Level 17. In detail — Cobrahn the Scaled: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Calling” → “Gone Hoarse”; 5 cards.
• “Draught from the Door” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 600, keystone +10 500 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Son, Come Here” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: mark (“Calls by Name”); charge (“Shouts at Everyone at Once”); opening: more damage to the boss (“Lost His Voice”).

4. Fangor the Scaled

Level 19. In detail — Fangor the Scaled: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Planting” → “Who Trampled the Flowerbed”; 5 cards.
• “Ground Frost” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 440, keystone +10 360 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “Don't Trample” 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 (“Saplings”); boss empower (“Who Trampled the Flowerbed”).

5. Naralex the Sleeping Seer

Level 20. In detail — Naralex the Sleeping Seer: how to beat.

• 3 phases: “Dozing” → “Tossing and Turning” → “Got Up”; 5 cards.
• “The Stove Burnt Out” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 1,200, keystone +10 1,000 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “I Told You” test strike — on boss turns 9 and 17: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: hit on everyone (“Muttering”); charge (“Keep It Down!”); boss empower (“Got Up”).

6. Mutanus the Devourer

Level 21, final boss. In detail — Mutanus the Devourer: how to beat.

• 2 phases: “Listening” → “Speaking”; 7 cards.
• “Damp and Chilly” cold: every enemy turn, everyone through shields — heroic 600, keystone +10 500 to each before Hardiness. No cold in normal mode.
• “It's You, Isn't It” test strike — on boss turns 8 and 16: heroic 7,000, keystone +10 8,000; 40% weaker with a defensive card on yourself.
• Mechanics: swallows a fighter (“Took You to Listen”); card freeze (“Repeating”); charge (“All the Voices at Once”); damage over time (“Whispers to Everyone”); boss empower (“Started Talking”).

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.