End Time is one of those World of Warcraft dungeons that leaves a lasting impression – not just because of its unique setting, but for how it challenges and subverts expectations. Step into an Azeroth where Deathwing has succeeded. Cities are wrecked. The skies are cracked and swirling. Heroes face haunting reflections of legendary characters at the bitter end of existence itself. For players, it’s a thrilling (and sometimes unsettling) look at what might have been, and a critical stop on the journey toward vanquishing Deathwing in the Dragon Soul raid.

Why End Time Still Matters for World of Warcraft Players

First released in Cataclysm, End Time sits among the most memorable Heroic dungeons thanks to its striking narrative and innovative mechanics. Whether you’re gearing up an alt, collecting achievements, or immersing yourself in Warcraft’s lore, End Time is the perfect blend of challenge and story. Even years after its debut, it remains a fan favorite and is still referenced in guides and community discussions.

So, what makes End Time stand out? Is it the moment you first lock eyes with Murozond, the fallen aspect, or maybe when you defeat ghostly echoes of Jaina and others? Perhaps it’s that sense of racing against fate itself. Let’s dig into what you can expect, how to conquer each boss, and what loot is up for grabs.

The Setting: A Broken Future in Dragonblight

Picture it: an eerily empty Dragonblight, frozen at the apocalypse. The timeways are shattered, and Azeroth lies in ruins. Azeroth’s future should never look like this – but here you are. End Time is set inside the Caverns of Time, accessed either via Dungeon Finder or by heading to Tanaris in southern Kalimdor.

The layout is unique: players use a device at the central Time Transit Device to teleport to the various dragonshrines, rather than traversing a traditional sprawling map. It keeps you on your toes – and means every run feels snappy and focused.

Requirements to Enter

  • Level: 85 (required)
  • Item Level: 353 minimum via Dungeon Finder
  • No attunement or pre-quest needed, but beating End Time unlocks the next Caverns of Time Cata dungeon

Bosses and Echoes: Facing What Once Was

End Time is home to five boss encounters, but you’ll only tackle three each run. The first two are chosen at random from a pool of four familiar lore characters, each twisted into a haunting “echo.” This randomness keeps the dungeon fresh, even after several playthroughs.

Echo of Baine Bloodhoof (Obsidian Dragonshrine)

You’ll find Baine standing, alone and furious, on floating platforms above molten lava. The fight is as much a test of positioning as raw numbers. When he Pulverizes, platforms will vanish, and anyone lingering on them will drop into the lava (bad news). Step briefly into the lava for Molten Fists – a buffed punch for melee, but only if you can stand the heat. Smart groups keep spread out; panic mobility is the real killer here.

Echo of Jaina Proudmoore (Azure Dragonshrine)

Ice is Jaina’s domain. Frost blades, Frost Blades (long, curving projectiles), and Time Bombs fly at you, demanding constant movement. Stack loosely to avoid chaining bombs, but don’t drift so far that your healer curses your name. A little like musical chairs – you’re always moving, dodging, looking for that safe space.

Echo of Sylvanas Windrunner (Ruby Dragonshrine)

Sylvanas is the fight everyone talks about. She drops black arrows and, periodically, traps everyone in a The Calling of the Highborne phase where undead spirits pursue you. The trick is not to panic: if you outrun your ghoulish shadows, you’re good. For the Severed Ties achievement, try picking off those Risen Ghouls before Sylvanas goes down; easier said than done if your group is obsessed with only burning the boss.

Echo of Tyrande Whisperwind (Emerald Dragonshrine)

Tyrande’s main mechanic is Moonlance, a projectile that splits and forces movement. She tosses Blessing of Elune on herself for major healing, and unless you disrupt it (lots of interrupts help), the fight can drag on. The bonus achievement, Moon Guard, means reaching her with your healer unscathed – trickier than it sounds!

About the Echoes’ Loot Tables

Each echo drops from a pool of item level 378 gear – a definite upgrade for most players stepping up to the Dragon Soul raid. Some fan favorites among the loot include:

  • Time Traveler’s Leggings
  • Gloves of the Hollow
  • Cord of Lost Hope
  • Echoing Headguard
  • Dragonshrine Scepter
  • And more – covering nearly every armor type and most specs

For a full rundown and loot stats, sites like Icy Veins and Warcraft Tavern break down every option.

Final Showdown: Murozond Awaits

Once you’ve bested two echoes, it’s on to the Bronze Dragonshrine. Here, you’ll confront Murozond, the twisted, future self of Nozdormu. This is the real centerpiece of the dungeon – and a fight that’s as much about using your tools smartly as hard damage numbers.

The Hourglass Mechanic: Press Reset and Try Again

Strategically placed around the arena are five Hourglass of Time objects. Activating one is like smashing the “Try Again” button in an old-school arcade game:

  • Resets all players’ health and mana to full
  • Resets ALL ability cooldowns (yes, Time Warp, Healing Tide, you name it)
  • Brings dead players back
  • Does not reset Murozond’s health
  • But after each use, damaging ground effects spawn more rapidly

So, when should you use them? Savvy groups use major cooldowns, push the boss as far as possible, then reset when healers are spent or the ground is too dangerous. Rinse and repeat. On the flip side, waste your hourglasses early or out of sync, and the final 30% may feel hopeless. Communication is everything!

Beware His Power

Murozond hits hard with frontal cone breath (watch your positioning!), spawns yellow vortexes across the arena, and whips that deadly tail. For tanks, face him away from the group at all times; for everyone else, don’t stand behind him or in the swirling yellow stuff.

Getting There and Quests Along the Way

Ready to tackle End Time? It helps to know your route. Horde players can port to Uldum from Orgrimmar – Alliance do the same from Stormwind – then fly or ride to the Caverns of Time in Tanaris. Alternately, hop a flight to Gadgetzan, and trek south. The portal sits between the Battle for Mount Hyjal and the Dragon Soul raid entrances at roughly 64, 50 coords in Tanaris.

You don’t need any prior quests to enter, but while inside, you’ll want to pick up:

  • The End Time – Breadcrumb, offered in your faction city to teleport you straight to the action.
  • Murozond – Defeat the dungeon’s final boss, then return to Nozdormu in the Entryway of Time.
  • Archival Purposes from Alurmi inside the instance.

Finishing these quests not only delivers gold and gear, but unlocks the Well of Eternity and Hour of Twilight dungeons as you continue the Caverns of Time storyline.

Unique Mechanics & Achievement Highlights

It’s not just about finishing the dungeon. For collectors and achievement hunters, a few challenges stand out:

  • Heroic: End Time – Clear the dungeon on Heroic (standard for Cata Classic, anyway)
  • Heroic: End Time Guild Run – Same as above, but with 3+ guild members
  • Moon Guard – Reach and slay Echo of Tyrande without your healer being hit by any trash mobs en route
  • Severed Ties – Kill two Risen Ghouls during a single Highborne phase with Sylvanas

Some runs go out of their way for these – and even for veterans, nailing them all in one go is no small feat!

Strategy Tips for Every Group

  • Pace Yourself: Don’t rush between dragonshrines. Watch for trash patrols, especially on the way to Tyrande where the healer’s safety counts for Moon Guard.
  • Echo Fights: Spread out where possible. For Baine, position someone on each platform; for Jaina, keep an eye on icy blades. On Sylvanas, coordinate killing ghouls during Highborne phases.
  • Maximize Hourglasses: In the Murozond fight, plan to use major cooldowns right after activating an hourglass for the biggest impact.
  • Communicate: Let your party know when you need an hourglass reset (especially healers!).
  • Loot Mindfully: Role-specific gear is sprinkled throughout the loot table. Check if what you need is better from echoes or Murozond, and coordinate rolls, especially in pre-made groups.

Where to Find More Information and Community Insights

Still hungry for details? The WoW community has created a treasure trove of resources for End Time. For up-to-date strategies, loot breakdowns, and lore deep dives, check out the following:

Frequently Asked Questions about End Time

What is the minimum gear level for End Time?

You’ll need an item level of at least 353 to queue via Dungeon Finder, which you can get from previous heroics, crafted gear, or some quest rewards. If you’re running a pre-made group and physically walking in, there’s no hard check, but you’ll want solid gear for the challenge.

How do I access End Time in Cataclysm Classic?

Head to the Caverns of Time in Tanaris. The entrance is between the Battle for Mount Hyjal and Dragon Soul raid portals. Alternatively, use Dungeon Finder for quickest access at level 85.

Do I have to complete any quests before entering End Time?

No prior quest is required for entry. However, picking up the breadcrumb quest from your faction city will teleport you directly to the dungeon and net you some extra XP or gold.

Is End Time soloable?

It’s theoretically soloable for max-level, well-geared players in later expansions, but at Cataclysm level, it requires a coordinated group of five. The mechanics (particularly hourglass in Murozond and the echo phases) need at least a couple of players to manage safely.

What makes the Murozond fight unique?

The major twist is the Hourglass of Time mechanic. Players can reset all cooldowns, health, and mana up to five times during the encounter. Using hourglasses smartly makes it less about raw burst and more about teamwork and planning.

Can I farm specific loot from End Time?

Sort of! Since the two echo encounters are random each run, targeting a specific item is a little hit-and-miss. Still, all bosses offer item level 378 loot, so running it repeatedly gives you a good shot, especially if you’re after a certain piece for transmog or pre-raid gearing.

Are there any notable achievements available?

Yes, especially if you enjoy a challenge. “Moon Guard” (on Echo of Tyrande) and “Severed Ties” (on Sylvanas) are standout achievements. Go for a guild run and you can snag an achievement for that, too.

How do echo bosses work in End Time?

At the start, the game randomly selects two out of four possible “echo” minibosses (Baine, Jaina, Sylvanas, Tyrande). Which echoes you get changes every run – giving End Time more replay value compared to many other dungeons.

Which professions or class abilities are helpful in End Time?

Druids, mages, and shamans with movement or crowd control can really shine during echo phases and the Murozond fight. Having a class with a reliable interrupt, such as shaman or warrior, will make the Tyrande encounter especially smoother.

What should new players watch for during the dungeon?

Don’t tunnel vision the boss! Watch the floor (especially on Baine and Murozond), communicate about hourglass usage, and don’t be afraid to ask your group for advice. Most wipes come from people ignoring mechanics, not from lack of DPS or healing.

Where can I see a full boss guide or get more detailed tips?

There are several detailed written and video guides available. For comprehensive strategies, try Icy Veins or Warcraft Tavern. For a full playthrough with commentary, check out videos like this on YouTube: