Blackrock Depths Blackrock Depths ( aka Blackrock Deeps , BRD ) is the deepest part of Blackrock Mountain , ruled by the Dark Iron dwarves who are led by Emperor Dagran Thaurissan . Several minions of the Firelord Ragnaros also make their home in these lava - lined depths . BRD is currently the largest 5 - man instance in the game , and is likely to remain so , making it a true wonder of the World of Warcraft . The average time to complete the entire instance is 4 – 6 hours due to its complexity : a large amount of mobs and bosses , several scripts , and many quests . The enemy level range is 48 - 56 , and the minimum level requirement to enter is level 42 . The Anvilrage Military are not to be underestimated either , particularly the Officers ( who have Divine Shield ) and the Medics who can heal their troops . Even for a lesser - geared level 70 , they can be dangerous in large groups . BRD is not visited as often these days since many players prefer to go to Outland at level 58 ( the rewards for Outland ' s initial quests render BRD ' s gear obsolete ) . Farming for Fiery Weapon enchanting recipe may still be useful , since it is commonly used by low - level players . In Wrath of the Lich King , BRD attracted more interest due to the instance - clearing achievement ; and the introduction of Jeeves , which requires Field Repair Bot 74A ( which is learned in BRD ) . The instance is also almost entirely soloable ( for Rogues or Hunters , at least , and probably most melee classes ) by about tier 5 ( level 70 ) , although it is not economically efficient to do so . Although there is money to be made here ( especially for miners ) , the sheer size of the instance and the comparatively low level of the mobs mean that there are better instances for farming ( notably Scholomance ) . For level 80 , this instance is easily soloable . Fire mages may still have harder time than Warriors with Bladestorm , for example . Although it is not especially profitable , BRD ( and the rest of the Blackrock Mountain complex ) is well worth at least one visit . These instances represented the original game ' s end - game content , and were made with a high level of quality . History . Also known as the Blackrock Deeps Quests . Detention Block ( Lower City ) - 47 - 57 . To complete the Detention Block , you go straight forward into a large open cavern , then turn right into the cell blocks , and kill High Interrogator Gerstahn at the end of the hallway . She is the boss who drops the Satchel . It ' s a rather quick trip . Upper City - 51 - 61 . To complete the Upper City , you have to kill the Emperor . This journey will take quite some time due to BRD ' s size . If you have already killed the High Interrogator Gerstahn , you will not get the Satchel on killing the Emperor ; you will instead get it by mail . There have been no reports as to what happens to the bonus XP you are supposed to get . Tip : If your group consists of mostly lvl 52 + chars and Upper City is yellow , while Lower City is green - go for the Emperor without killing the High Interrogator Gerstahn . Dungeon Finder . Queuing for randoms in Dungeon Finder can either drop you in the Detention Block ( Lower City ) or Upper City . If you are unfamiliar with the two areas , you may be able to determine your location based on your fellow party members : if you have someone below level 51 in the group , you are in Detention Block ; if you have someone above level 57 , you are in the upper City . Mobs . Minor NPCs . The depths are inhabited by Dark Iron Dwarves , their demonic bloodhound pets , their golem protectors , and their fire elemental allies . There is also a contingent of Twilight ' s Hammer ambassadors inside the city and the detention block area . The dwarves in the Depths consist primarily of warrior and priest types . Outside the Shadowforge City , the dwarves are all elite . Inside the city , one can find groups of one or two elite dwarves or Twilight cultists surrounded by a cadre of non - elite citizens . Some other humanoid races appear in the city and in the Ring of Law . The demonic bloodhounds in the Depths are renowned for their ability to sniff out stealthed rogues and druids . They will sometimes be grouped into their own pack , and sometimes included in a group with humanoid allies . All of the dogs are non - elite , but their damage capability in large numbers is not to be underestimated . The golems and fire elementals in the Depths generally fit the stereotypes of their races . The golems are strong and well - armored melee attackers , though some exceptional specimens have the ability to release area - of - effect fire spells . The fire elementals cause large amounts of fire damage with melee attacks and ranged fire spells . " This list is not complete . " Rare bosses . These characters are just as tough as the common bosses , but do not appear in every trip to this instance . Other details . Dark Iron . BRD is one of the two places where Dark Iron ore can be mined reliably , the other location being Molten Core . Since patch 1 . 7 , dark iron ore nodes have begun to appear rarely in the Burning Steppes and the Searing Gorge . BRD is also the location of the Black Forge and the Black Anvil . The Black Forge is the only place where dark iron ore can be smelted into bars . The Black Anvil is required for most crafting recipes that require dark iron bars . As such , a BRD run is essential to almost any blacksmithing or engineering work which uses that rare metal . Blacksmithing . Scattered around BRD are Blacksmithing Plans which appear as scrolls that can be clicked on with a gear icon . Only a high - level Blacksmith should click on these plans ; if anyone without high - level blacksmithing attempts to use them " the plans will be destroyed " . Opening the scroll will give you one of the following BoP plans : Also , the plans within are BoP so you may want to roll before using them if you have multiple smiths . Places to find plans : Engineering . Several engineering schematics are available only in the Depths . Loot . See Blackrock Depths loot .