Tazavesh, the Veiled Market and Streets of Wonder, is an 8-boss Mythic-only mega-dungeon introduced in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. For players seeking a greater challenge and exclusive rewards, the dungeon offers a challenging “Hard Mode” for each of its two wings. This guide will provide a comprehensive breakdown of how to activate Hard Mode in both Tazavesh wings, the strategies involved, and the rewards you can expect.
Understanding Tazavesh Hard Mode
Tazavesh’s Hard Mode isn’t a simple difficulty selection. Instead, it involves completing specific objectives and fulfilling particular criteria within the dungeon. Successfully triggering Hard Mode will make subsequent bosses significantly more difficult, demanding greater coordination, precise execution, and optimized character builds from your group. The challenge comes with increased rewards, making the effort worthwhile for dedicated players.
Why Attempt Hard Mode?
The primary reason to tackle Tazavesh Hard Mode is the increased challenge and the sense of accomplishment it provides. Beyond that, Hard Mode grants access to unique rewards:
- Increased Item Level Loot: Bosses in Hard Mode drop gear with a higher item level than their normal Mythic counterparts. This provides a valuable upgrade path for players aiming to improve their character’s power.
- Guaranteed Mount Drop: The final boss of the Hard Mode run in So’azmi’s Gambit has a 100% drop rate for the Caravan Brutosaur mount. This is a highly sought-after mount previously only obtainable through the now-retired Auction House.
- Achievements: Completing Hard Mode unlocks specific achievements. These achievements often contribute toward meta-achievements and provide bragging rights within the WoW community.
Enabling Hard Mode In Tazavesh: The Veiled Market
The first wing of Tazavesh, The Veiled Market, requires a different approach to activate its Hard Mode. The process centers around interacting with the Postmaster NPCs throughout the dungeon and completing a series of objectives within a time limit.
Step 1: Locating The Postmasters
Throughout the Veiled Market wing, you will encounter several Postmaster NPCs. These Postmasters are initially neutral but can be interacted with. There are three that are crucial for initiating Hard Mode.
- First Postmaster: Located after the first boss, Zo’phex the Sentinel, before the mailing room area.
- Second Postmaster: Found in the mailing room area, before the Alcazar boss, hidden amongst a large group of mail-sorted trash.
- Third Postmaster: Positioned before the final boss of the wing, Mailroom Mayhem, in a hidden corner after the second boss.
Step 2: Interacting With The Postmasters
To initiate Hard Mode, you need to interact with all three Postmasters in order. Speaking to them grants you a timed buff. Missing even one Postmaster will prevent Hard Mode from activating.
- Speaking to a Postmaster grants you a buff called “Urgent Package”. This buff lasts for only a few minutes and requires you to speak to the next Postmaster before the timer expires. The timer is very tight, so efficient movement and skipping unnecessary trash are crucial.
Step 3: The Speed Run Element
The most challenging aspect of activating Hard Mode in The Veiled Market is the speed requirement. You must speak to each Postmaster within the limited time provided by the “Urgent Package” buff. Failing to reach the next Postmaster before the buff expires will cause the Hard Mode attempt to fail.
Strategies For Success In The Veiled Market
- Plan Your Route: Familiarize yourself with the dungeon layout and plan the most efficient route between each Postmaster.
- Optimize Group Composition: Bring classes with high mobility and burst damage to quickly clear trash and move between objectives.
- Skip Unnecessary Trash: Focus on killing only the mobs that are essential to progress. Utilize stealth and crowd control abilities to avoid unnecessary encounters.
- Communicate Clearly: Designate a leader to guide the group and ensure that everyone knows the route and objectives. Coordinate cooldowns and abilities to maximize efficiency.
- Use Movement Enhancements: Utilize abilities like Heroic Leap, Blink, or Wind Rush Totem to quickly traverse the dungeon.
- Assign Roles: Assign specific roles for each player, such as a designated trash puller, a healer focused on movement, and DPS players responsible for quickly eliminating key targets.
Verifying Hard Mode Activation
Once you have successfully interacted with all three Postmasters within the time limit, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that Hard Mode has been activated. The subsequent bosses will have increased health and damage, and they will utilize additional abilities.
Enabling Hard Mode In Tazavesh: Streets Of Wonder
Activating Hard Mode in the Streets of Wonder wing involves a different mechanic than the Veiled Market. This time, players need to collect and use specific buffs from various locations within the dungeon before engaging specific bosses.
Step 1: Collecting The Buffs
Throughout the Streets of Wonder wing, you can find various “buff stations.” These stations offer different buffs that enhance your character’s abilities. However, only specific buffs are required to activate Hard Mode. These buffs generally revolve around gaining the trust of particular factions in the markets.
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The Buffs: You need to locate several different vendors that offer you items to purchase. In order to purchase the required items you must have enough reputation with that faction. You can gain reputation by doing particular actions in the dungeon.
- Cartel Rep: Increase your Cartel Rep by killing enemies affiliated with the Cartel.
- Broker Rep: Increase your Broker Rep by finding the lost pets and returning them.
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Obtaining the Items: Once you have sufficient reputation, you need to return to the vendors to buy their items.
Step 2: Using The Buffs
The timing and location of when you use the items you have obtained is critical. The items you have purchased must be activated before engaging certain bosses in the dungeon.
- Before So’leah: The reputation vendor item purchased from Cartel So’leah must be used before beginning the fight.
- Before Hylbrande: The reputation vendor item purchased from Hylbrande must be used before beginning the fight.
Step 3: The Puzzle Element
The most challenging aspect of activating Hard Mode in the Streets of Wonder is the need to find the hidden items, get the right amount of reputation and then use those items before the right boss fights.
Strategies For Success In The Streets Of Wonder
- Plan Your Route: Familiarize yourself with the dungeon layout and plan the most efficient route between each of the vendors.
- Communicate Clearly: Designate a leader to guide the group and ensure that everyone knows the route and objectives. Coordinate cooldowns and abilities to maximize efficiency.
- Assign Roles: Assign specific roles for each player, such as a designated Cartel killer, a pet finder, and DPS players responsible for quickly eliminating key targets.
Verifying Hard Mode Activation
Once you have successfully use the required items from the reputation vendors, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that Hard Mode has been activated. The subsequent bosses will have increased health and damage, and they will utilize additional abilities.
Boss-Specific Strategies For Hard Mode Tazavesh
Once you have activated Hard Mode, each boss encounter will present unique challenges that require specific strategies. Here’s a general overview of what you can expect and some tips for tackling each boss.
The Veiled Market Bosses (Hard Mode)
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Zo’phex the Sentinel: Expect additional mechanics related to the security system. Precise positioning and quick reactions are essential to avoid taking excessive damage.
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Alcazar: The adds will spawn more frequently and hit harder. Prioritize add control and ensure that your tank is prepared to handle the increased pressure.
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Mailroom Mayhem: The sorting mechanic will be more complex and require greater coordination. Designate roles for each player and practice the sorting sequence to minimize errors.
Streets Of Wonder Bosses (Hard Mode)
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So’leah: She gains new abilities or empowers existing ones, often increasing the damage of her spells. Interrupting her casts and avoiding the empowered abilities are crucial for survival.
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Hylbrande: Expect more frequent and dangerous shield phases. Coordinate cooldowns and focus fire to quickly break the shields and minimize the damage output of the boss.
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Timecap’n Hooktail: The encounter will involve tighter timing and more complex navigation through the time portals. Clear communication and precise movement are essential to avoid getting lost in time.
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Myza’s Oasis: Expect increased add spawns and more potent environmental hazards. Prioritize add control and utilize defensive cooldowns to mitigate the damage from the environment.
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The Grand Menagerie: The animal combinations will be more challenging and require greater adaptability. Understand the abilities of each animal and adjust your strategy accordingly.
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Au’dyl: The puzzle mechanics will become more complex and demand greater attention to detail. Designate roles for each player and practice the puzzle sequence to minimize errors.
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Banthos: The encounter will involve more frequent and devastating shadow attacks. Utilize defensive cooldowns and maintain good positioning to avoid taking fatal damage.
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So’azmi: The final boss will have increased health and damage, and he will utilize additional abilities. Coordinate cooldowns and focus fire to quickly defeat him and claim your rewards. In Hard Mode, he is guaranteed to drop the Caravan Brutosaur mount.
Tips For Success In Tazavesh Hard Mode
- Gear Up: Ensure that your group is adequately geared before attempting Hard Mode. Higher item level gear provides a significant advantage in terms of damage output and survivability.
- Optimize Character Builds: Experiment with different talents, conduits, and soulbinds to optimize your character’s performance for each encounter.
- Consumables: Utilize consumables such as flasks, potions, and food buffs to maximize your character’s stats.
- Communication: Clear and concise communication is essential for success in Hard Mode. Utilize voice chat to coordinate strategies, call out mechanics, and react to unexpected situations.
- Patience and Persistence: Hard Mode is designed to be challenging, and it may take multiple attempts to succeed. Don’t get discouraged if you fail initially. Analyze your mistakes, adjust your strategy, and keep trying.
- Watch Videos and Guides: Study videos and guides to learn the specific mechanics and strategies for each boss encounter. This can provide valuable insights and help you prepare for the challenges ahead.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Practice the normal Mythic version of Tazavesh to familiarize yourself with the dungeon layout, boss mechanics, and trash pulls. This will make it easier to transition to Hard Mode.
- Have Fun: Remember that the goal is to have fun and challenge yourself. Don’t let the difficulty discourage you. Enjoy the process of learning and overcoming the challenges of Hard Mode.
Conclusion
Enabling Hard Mode in Tazavesh requires dedication, coordination, and a thorough understanding of the dungeon’s mechanics. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing the strategies provided, you can increase your chances of success and claim the valuable rewards that await. Remember to communicate effectively with your group, optimize your character builds, and practice each encounter to master the challenges of Hard Mode. Good luck, and may your loot be plentiful!
What Are The Key Differences Between Mythic And Hard Mode In Tazavesh?
Hard Mode Tazavesh ramps up the difficulty significantly compared to the standard Mythic version. Expect significantly increased health and damage output from enemies, requiring tighter coordination, optimized rotations, and stricter adherence to mechanics. Many abilities will one-shot unprepared players, and some bosses gain entirely new mechanics that must be learned to survive.
Unlike regular Mythic, which focuses primarily on gear checks and DPS races, Hard Mode introduces layers of complexity that demand strategic thinking and flawless execution. Positioning becomes paramount, interrupts are absolutely crucial, and understanding the encounter’s intricacies is no longer optional, but a mandatory requirement for progression.
What Are The Requirements To Unlock Hard Mode In Tazavesh?
To unlock Hard Mode, you must first clear the entire Tazavesh dungeon on Mythic difficulty. This serves as a prerequisite, ensuring that you and your group have at least a basic understanding of the dungeon’s layout, boss mechanics, and general flow. This also helps to ensure that your gear level is at a reasonable minimum for attempting the harder content.
Once you have completed a full Mythic clear of Tazavesh, the unlock is account-wide. This means that any character on your account can then initiate the Hard Mode unlock process, provided they meet the minimum item level requirements for entering Mythic dungeons. It’s important to note that the initial Mythic clear doesn’t have to be done on the character you intend to run Hard Mode with.
How Do I Actually Initiate Hard Mode Once Unlocked?
To initiate Hard Mode, you need to locate and interact with the Mysterious Broker during the dungeon run. This Broker can be found after defeating the first boss, Mailroom Mike. The Broker will offer a dialogue option, and upon selecting it, they will activate Hard Mode for the remainder of the dungeon run.
The key thing to remember is that you must initiate the Hard Mode conversation with the Mysterious Broker before engaging any subsequent bosses. If you defeat a boss after Mailroom Mike without talking to the Broker, you’ll be locked into the standard Mythic version for the rest of that run. This means you’ll need to reset the dungeon to attempt Hard Mode again.
Are There Any Specific Gear Or Item Level Requirements Recommended For Hard Mode?
While there isn’t a hard item level gate, aiming for at least item level 240-250 is highly recommended before attempting Hard Mode Tazavesh. The increased damage and health pools of the enemies demand a certain level of survivability and DPS to progress successfully. Undergeared groups will likely struggle immensely.
Beyond item level, focus on acquiring gear with stats that are optimal for your class and role. This means prioritizing the stats that contribute most to your damage output, healing effectiveness, or survivability. Proper trinkets, enchantments, and gem sockets are also crucial for maximizing your character’s potential in this challenging environment.
What Are Some Essential Consumables Or Buffs To Bring To Hard Mode?
Consumables are absolutely critical for tackling Hard Mode. Bring a full stock of high-end potions, such as Superior Healing Potions and Greater Intellect Potions (or their equivalent for your class). Food buffs providing beneficial stats, like increased stamina or primary stats, are also essential for ensuring maximum performance.
Flasks are non-negotiable for any serious Hard Mode attempt. Ensure that everyone in your group is using the appropriate flask for their class and role. Augment runes, providing a small but valuable stat boost, are also highly recommended. Finally, consider utilizing combat potions, such as Potion of Empowered Proximity, during challenging encounters to further enhance your damage or healing output.
Are There Any Specific Boss Strategies That Drastically Change In Hard Mode?
While the core mechanics of each boss remain largely the same, Hard Mode often introduces new abilities or significantly alters existing ones, requiring adjustments to your strategies. For example, Zo’phex’s “Eternal Bargain” ability might become more frequent or deal significantly higher damage, demanding tighter healer coordination and mitigation strategies.
Similarly, the “Rampage” ability during the So’azmi encounter could become more difficult to manage, requiring tanks to cycle cooldowns more effectively or utilize specific positioning strategies. Carefully research and understand these changes for each boss encounter to avoid unexpected wipes and optimize your approach.
What Rewards Can I Expect From Completing Hard Mode Tazavesh?
Successfully completing Hard Mode Tazavesh grants access to higher item level loot compared to the standard Mythic version. This makes it a valuable source for gearing up your character. You’ll also have a chance to acquire unique cosmetic items, such as mounts or transmogrification appearances, that are exclusive to Hard Mode.
Beyond gear and cosmetics, completing Hard Mode also offers a significant sense of accomplishment. It’s a challenging and rewarding experience that tests your skill, coordination, and strategic thinking. The sense of teamwork and camaraderie that comes from overcoming these obstacles can be just as valuable as the loot itself.