Samia Inkling

Chromaggus
Race	Drakeadon (Beast)
Level	?? Boss
Affiliation(s)	Black dragonflight
Location	Blackwing Lair
Status	Killable
Pet family	Core hound
Blackwing Lair Razorgore the Untamed Vaelastrasz the Corrupt Broodlord Lashlayer Firemaw Ebonroc Flamegor Chromaggus Nefarian (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) (lore) NPCs Grethok the Controller Lord Victor Nefarius Master Elemental Shaper Krixix (lore) (lore) (lore) Loot

A two-headed dragon beast in Nefarian's service, who resides in Blackwing Lair after Flamegor and before Nefarian. He drops the Tier 2 Epic Set shoulders for all classes.

Chromaggus

Chromaggus is a boss in Blackwing Lair, right before Nefarian. One of the most challenging aspects to Chromaggus is the randomness of his abilities. As the name suggests (the word chromatic is derived from "khroma", the Greek word for "color", suggesting Chromaggus takes his powers from dragonflights from all colors), Chromaggus shimmers in a variety of colors, which relate to his current abilities. These abilities are determined upon instance creation, and will only be reset with the instance timer.

Despite his canine appearance, he's actually a dragonkin. It is speculated that he was created by Nefarian experimenting on captured Core Hounds, such as The Beast found in Upper Blackrock Spire, possibly by feeding or injecting dragon blood from various dragons from all dragonflights.

Abilities

Breath Attacks

Chromaggus' breaths are unique in that they do not only affect the front of Chromaggus, but hit everything within LoS of Chromaggus. In each new instance, Chromaggus will use two of five possible breaths. This combination will stay with him for the remainder of the instance timer.

• Incinerate : Red - 3675-4275 Fire damage. (This spell will hit for nearly 9000 Fire damage if you have the Black Affliction)
• Corrosive Acid : Green - Deals 875 to 1125 Nature damage every 3 sec for 15 seconds. Armour reduced by 3938 to 5062.
• Frost Burn : Blue - Attack speed reduced by 80%. Does approximately 1400 Frost damage.
• Ignite Flesh : Black - 657-843 Fire damage every three seconds for 60 seconds. This can stack if he casts it again within the 60 seconds the debuff lasts for.
• Time Lapse : Bronze - Stun for 6 seconds, reduces maximum health points to half. This ability used to permanently reduce threat, but does not do so as of patch 2.0.1. As with all stuns, Chromaggus will attack non-stunned characters first. When this debuff wears off, health points are raised again, effectively healing you.

A breath is cast every 30 seconds, and the 2 breaths alternate.

Note: A rumor is circulating that Chromaggus' breaths can be predicted by examining the dragon carcasses in the Ebonroc and Flamegor's room. While believable, several days of attempts will prove this untrue as the carcasses randomly change colors if the instance is empty long enough, much like how the Death Talon Pack and Lab Packs packs despawn if left partially cleared.

Brood Afflictions

In addition to his two breaths, Chromaggus also radiates Brood Afflictions which debuff everyone in the zone, not just those in line of sight. They include:

• Brood Affliction: Red (Disease) - 50 Fire damage/3s. Heals Chromaggus on death.
• Brood Affliction: Green (Poison) - Healing reduced by 50%, 250 Nature damage every 5 seconds.
• Brood Affliction: Blue (Magic) - Movement slowed by 70%. Casting speed reduced by 50%. 50 mana and 1 health drained per second.
• Brood Affliction: Black (Curse) - Fire Damage increased by 100%.
• Brood Affliction: Bronze - 4 second stun at random intervals for 10 minutes. Can only be removed with  [Hourglass Sand].

It is extremely important that the raid is constantly cured of these debuffs as they not only hinder the players, but can result in a wipe if any player gets all five of the debuffs. This part of the fight is simplified by the Paladin's Cleanse; otherwise you will have to assign one or two of the various healer classes along with Mages and Warlocks' Felhunters to handle each type of debuff. Bronze affliction can only be removed with  [Hourglass Sand], which drops off the trash packs leading up to Chromaggus. (Mages can also activate [Ice Block] to cancel it). Only healers, tanks, and hunters should need to remove bronze affliction. All other classes can live with it and must adapt to the frequent stuns.

When a player gets all five afflictions, they will turn into an elite Drakonoid. This mutation cannot be dispelled. The only way to deal with this situation is by polymorphing or killing the mutant player. When the player dies, Chromaggus is healed for a significant amount of health, prolonging the encounter. Attempting to chain polymorph the player may become complicated by the immense magical resistance that the player gains from the debuff. As such, it is best to keep these debuffs from ever stacking past 3. It also helps to keep a Restorative Potion handy in case the main dispellers are running low on mana. Mages can use iceblock to remove afflictions, however they cannot ice block out of the mutation.

Enrage and Frenzy

Chromaggus frenzies every ten to fifteen seconds throughout the fight and must be kept tranquilized by hunters. The frequency of these frenzies is much greater than those of Magmadar but not quite as often as Flamegor. Nevertheless, frenzy must be kept off or the tank will die very quickly.

At 20% health, Chromaggus will enter a hard Enrage [1] that lasts the duration of the fight. He can still frenzy, which makes it even more important for hunters to stay on top of their tranquilizing shots. Additionally, healers who were taking time lapse breath should stop at this point and focus solely on keeping the tank up.

Shimmer

Chromaggus' skin can "shimmer", changing his vulnerability to a particular school of magic. If you have CTRA it will help you know when his vulnerability changes and identify it when it is found.

Strategy

The Chromaggus fight is all about line of sight.

There are several possible positions where he can be tanked effectively:

• The top of the circular ramp up to where Ebonroc and Flamegor patrol
• On the circular ramp itself facing down
• The door to his own room
• Between the cubbies on the right hand side before the circular ramp

Find somewhere that suits your raid and that you are happy with.

As described above, Chromaggus has different breaths. This fight is a long one, and the trick to it is to move OOS when CTRA gives a breath warning. All other than the MT should move OOS. Healing should intensify on the MT during this period as he will be taking heavy damage from whichever breath Chromaggus uses. The breaths are cast alternately so once you know which breaths he is using you can prepare appropriately.

During the fight Chromaggus will shimmer. This means his resistances have changed. He will become extremely vulnerable to one type of magic and extremely resistant to others allowing for a boost in DPS (or allowing DPS to slow for a time to allow tanks to keep ahead on aggro).

The one difference to this tactic is the Time Lapse breath. Commonly called 'hard mode' Chromaggus, Time Lapse is a breath attack that stuns. The stun is a binary spell which can be resisted with arcane resistance. Much like Onyxia when she does her fear attack, Chromaggus will target the person highest on his aggro list who is not stunned.

In order to deal with Time Lapse the tactic in theory is simple, but in practice is harder.

• Main Tank - Affected by every time lapse. After he recovers from the stun, Chromaggus returns to him.
• Off Tanks - Should build as high a level of hate as they can and then in turn run out of LoS on the Time Lapse warning. The offtank runs out of line of sight of Chromaggus (there should be a small contingent of healers who also avoid Time Lapse who can heal the offtank during these brief intervals) at every timelapse and are healed where they stand. When the MT's stun wears off, Chromaggus will loyally return and the fight continues as normal.
• Others - Should let themselves get hit by Time Lapse if they have more hate than the off-tank. Otherwise, they should avoid it.

A warlock can leave an imp on the ideal tank spot so that it is easy for the off tank and MT to get the positioning perfect.

For all who can decurse, it is important to be on the ball due to the Brood Affliction debuffs as described above. Especially on the main tank.

It is vital that hunters keep tranquilizing shot up on this boss as he causes three times as much damage when frenzied. The blue and bronze afflictions can prevent hunters from tranquilizing. That's a recipe for a dead tank and a wipe, so priests and paladins must place the highest priority on removing the blue affliction from hunters, and the hunters should each carry two Restorative Potions and five Hourglass Sands per attempt.

As this is a very long fight, it's not a good idea risking death to stay in the line of fire of a breath attack until the last moment. Get into a safe spot early. The breath attack is instant. Once you see the breath animation start, it's over. So, it's safe to move back into line-of-sight as soon as that appears.

Loot

On a kill, Chromaggus drops 2 Shoulders + 2 Random other items.

Tier 2 Shoulder

Bloodfang Spaulders Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Leather Shoulder 4 Armor +3 Agility or Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +2 Dodge Bloodfang Armor (1/8 pieces) [Bloodfang Belt] [Bloodfang Boots] [Bloodfang Bracers] [Bloodfang Chestpiece] [Bloodfang Gloves] [Bloodfang Hood] [Bloodfang Pants] [Bloodfang Spaulders] (3) Set: Increases the chance to apply poisons to your target by 5%. (5) Set: Improves the damage reduction of Feint by 5%. (8) Set: Gives the Rogue a chance to inflict 283 to 317 damage on the target and heal the Rogue for 50 health every 1 sec. for 6 sec. on a melee hit.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Rogue Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 22 3 Dragonstalker's Spaulders Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Mail Shoulder 7 Armor +2 Agility or Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +1 Critical Strike +3 Haste Dragonstalker Armor (1/8 pieces)  [Dragonstalker's Belt]  [Dragonstalker's Bracers]  [Dragonstalker's Breastplate]  [Dragonstalker's Gauntlets]  [Dragonstalker's Greaves]  [Dragonstalker's Helm]  [Dragonstalker's Legguards]  [Dragonstalker's Spaulders] (3) Set: Increases the ranged attack power bonus of your Aspect of the Hawk by 20%. (5) Set: Increases your pet's stamina by 40 and all spell resistances by 60. (8) Set: You have a chance whenever you deal ranged damage to apply an Expose Weakness effect to the target. Expose Weakness increases the ranged attack power of all attackers against that target by 450 for 7 sec.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Hunter Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 15 48 Epaulets of Ten Storms Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Mail Shoulder 7 Armor +2 Agility or Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +2 Critical Strike +1 Versatility The Ten Storms (1/8 pieces)  [Belt of Ten Storms]  [Bracers of Ten Storms]  [Breastplate of Ten Storms]  [Epaulets of Ten Storms]  [Gauntlets of Ten Storms]  [Greaves of Ten Storms]  [Helmet of Ten Storms]  [Legplates of Ten Storms] (3) Set: Increases the amount healed by Chain Heal to targets beyond the first by 5%. (5) Set: Increases your critical strike by 42. (8) Set: When you cast a Healing Wave or Lesser Healing Wave, there is a 25% chance the target also receives a free Lightning Shield that causes 50 Nature damage to attacker on hit.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Shaman Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 22 3 Judgment Spaulders Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Plate Shoulder 10 Armor +2 Strength or Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +2 Critical Strike Judgment Armor (1/8 pieces)  [Judgment Belt]  [Judgment Bindings]  [Judgment Breastplate]  [Judgment Crown]  [Judgment Gauntlets]  [Judgment Legplates]  [Judgment Sabatons]  [Judgment Spaulders] (3) Set: Increases the radius of a Paladin's auras to 50 yd. (5) Set: Increases Intellect by 40. (8) Set: Inflicts 74 additional Holy damage on the target of a Paladin's Judgment.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Paladin Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 13 75 Nemesis Spaulders Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Cloth Shoulder 3 Armor +2 Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +1 Versatility Equip: Restores 1 health per 5 sec. Nemesis Raiment (1/8 pieces)  [Nemesis Belt]  [Nemesis Boots]  [Nemesis Bracers]  [Nemesis Gloves]  [Nemesis Leggings]  [Nemesis Robes]  [Nemesis Skullcap]  [Nemesis Spaulders] (3) Set: Increases Intellect by 20. (5) Set: Your pet gains an additional 10% of your health. (8) Set: Reduces the threat generated by your Destruction spells by 20%.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Warlock Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 13 33 Netherwind Mantle Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Cloth Shoulder 3 Armor +2 Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +3 Versatility Netherwind Regalia (1/8 pieces) [Netherwind Belt] [Netherwind Bindings] [Netherwind Boots] [Netherwind Crown] [Netherwind Mantle] [Netherwind Gloves] [Netherwind Pants] [Netherwind Robes] (3) Set: Reduces the threat generated by your Scorch, Arcane Missiles, Fireball, and Frostbolt spells. (5) Set: Increases the radius of Arcane Explosion, Flamestrike, and Blizzard by 25%. (8) Set: 10% chance after casting Arcane Missiles, Fireball, or Frostbolt to reduce the cast time of Arcane Blast, Fireball, and Frostbolt by 10% for 10 sec.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Mage Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 15 49 Pauldrons of Transcendence Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Cloth Shoulder 3 Armor +1 Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +2 Versatility Vestments of Transcendence (1/8 pieces)  [Belt of Transcendence]  [Bindings of Transcendence]  [Boots of Transcendence]  [Halo of Transcendence]  [Handguards of Transcendence]  [Leggings of Transcendence]  [Pauldrons of Transcendence]  [Robes of Transcendence] (3) Set: Increases your Spirit by 50. (5) Set: When struck in melee there is a 50% chance you will Fade for 4 sec. (8) Set: Your Greater Heal spell now also heals for 315 (+ 100% of Spell power) over 15 sec.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Priest Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 18 51 Pauldrons of Wrath Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Plate Shoulder 10 Armor +1 Strength or Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +2 Dodge +3 Parry Battlegear of Wrath (1/8 pieces)  [Bracelets of Wrath]  [Breastplate of Wrath]  [Gauntlets of Wrath]  [Helm of Wrath]  [Legplates of Wrath]  [Pauldrons of Wrath]  [Sabatons of Wrath]  [Waistband of Wrath] (3) Set: Increases the Strength and Agility granted by Battle Shout by 15. (5) Set: 20% chance after using an offensive ability requiring rage that your next offensive ability requires 5 less rage to use. (8) Set: 4% chance to parry the next attack after a block.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Warrior Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 20 30 Stormrage Pauldrons Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Leather Shoulder 4 Armor +1 Agility or Intellect +4 Stamina +1 Fire Resistance +2 Versatility Stormrage Raiment (1/8 pieces) [Stormrage Belt] [Stormrage Pauldrons] [Stormrage Handguards] [Stormrage Bracers] [Stormrage Legguards] [Stormrage Chestguard] [Stormrage Cover] [Stormrage Boots] (3) Set: Increases your Spirit by 50. (5) Set: Reduces the casting time of your Regrowth spell by 0.2 sec. (8) Set: Increases the duration of your Rejuvenation spell by 3 sec.   Durability 100 / 100 Classes: Druid Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 4 3 63

Chromaggus non-set loot

Angelista's Grasp Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Cloth Waist 2 Armor +2 Intellect +4 Stamina +2 Critical Strike +3 Haste Durability 55 / 55 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 81 12 Ashjre'thul, Crossbow of Smiting Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Crossbow Ranged Speed 3.00 5 – 8 Damage (2.2 damage per second) +3 Agility +2 Stamina +36 Ranged Attack Power Durability 90 / 90 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 6 2 30 Chromatically Tempered Sword Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Unique-Equipped Sword One-Hand Speed 2.60 3 – 6 Damage (1.7 damage per second) +2 Agility or Strength +1 Stamina Durability 105 / 105 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 8 58 14 Chromatic Boots Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Plate Feet 9 Armor +2 Strength or Intellect +4 Stamina +5 Critical Strike Durability 80 / 80 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 4 41 62 Claw of Chromaggus Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Dagger One-Hand Speed 1.80 1 – 2 Damage (0.8 damage per second) +9 Intellect +2 Stamina +2 Versatility Durability 80 / 80 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 2 23 79 Elementium Reinforced Bulwark Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Shield Off Hand 42 Armor +2 Strength +5 Intellect +2 Stamina +1 Dodge +2 Parry Durability 120 / 120 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 44 27 Elementium Threaded Cloak Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Back 3 Armor +3 Stamina +4 Dodge +1 Versatility Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 19 91 Empowered Leggings Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Cloth Legs 3 Armor +4 Intellect +5 Stamina +2 Critical Strike +4 Versatility Durability 120 / 120 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 5 85 76 Girdle of the Fallen Crusader Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Plate Waist 8 Armor +2 Strength or Intellect +4 Stamina +2 Critical Strike +2 Versatility Durability 55 / 55 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 82 28 Primalist's Linked Waistguard Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Mail Waist 5 Armor +3 Agility or Intellect +4 Stamina +2 Critical Strike Durability 55 / 55 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 2 85 67 Shimmering Geta Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Cloth Feet 2 Armor +2 Intellect +4 Stamina +5 Versatility Durability 80 / 80 Requires Level 25 Sell Price: 1 22 6 Taut Dragonhide Gloves Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Leather Hands 4 Armor +2 Agility or Intellect +4 Stamina +2 Critical Strike +3 Versatility Durability 55 / 55 Requires Level 25 "A cold chill passes through your spine as you place your hands on these gloves. They appear to be made from the skin of whelplings - a lot of whelplings." Sell Price: 81 71 Taut Dragonhide Shoulderpads Item Level 29Disenchants into: Not disenchantable Binds when picked up Leather Shoulder 4 Armor +3 Agility or Intellect +4 Stamina Durability 100 / 100 Requires Level 25 "The hides of several different dragon flights appear to be stitched together, comprising the top of the shoulders." Sell Price: 3 18 32

Notes

One of the realms in World of Warcraft is named after Chromaggus.

• See: Realm Names and their place in Warcraft Lore

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

Chromaggus is similar to a core hound, and it is possible that they are related. The Beast is a huge core hound found in the nearby Upper Blackrock Spire, captured by the black dragonflight (probably stolen from the Molten Core). Most likely The Beast is included in Nefarian's experiments with the chromatic dragonflight, which Chromaggus may be a result from. Interestingly, as Core Hounds (at least the ones found in Molten Core) are the servants of Ragnaros and therefore the enemies of Nefarian and his dragons (see Blackrock Mountain), Chromaggus may be an attempt by the black dragonflight to gain their enemies' strength.

Cataclysm

Chromaggus is now tameable and is categorized as a beast. When tamed, he is considered a core hound. Taming him can be dangerous because of his breath attacks, so use extreme caution. Like other core hounds, he requires the 31 point Beast Mastery talent to tame.

Patches and hotfixes

• Hotfix (2011-06-29): All Brood Affliction debuffs applied by Chromaggus are now removed after zoning out of Blackwing Lair.
  
• Hotfix (2010-12-07): Razorgore and Chromaggus in Blackwing Lair will no longer cause an infinite loop of encounter mind control mechanics when pets or companions are present.
  
• Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Now classified as a beast and tamable as a core hound.
  
• Patch 1.8.0 (2005-10-10): If you are in front of Chromaggus and can hit him with spells, his breath attack will hit you.
  
• Patch 1.6.0 (2005-07-12): Added
  

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB

Movie Chromaggus video

Movie Chromaggus taming video