WoW Forever Phase 2 Leveling Guide 20-30: Excavation Site Strategy
Phase 2 of the WoW Forever beta raises the level cap to 30 and adds the Excavation Site dungeon (24-29). This guide covers the fastest path from 20 to 30, including optimal Excavation Site strategy and the Brogdul rare spawn tip.
For broader coverage, see our Beta Phase 1 vs Phase 2, Excavation Site Guide, and Beta Leveling Guide articles.
Quick summary: Total Phase 2 time is 5-8 hours for experienced players. Excavation Site spam 24-29 is the fastest XP/hour. Brogdul rare spawn drops a BiS trinket — check the chamber every run. Final 29-30 stretch uses questing + dungeon mix.
Phase 2 timing
| Player type | Time 20-30 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Experienced | 5-7 hours | Optimized dungeon spam |
| First-time | 8-12 hours | Quest-heavy |
| Casual | 12+ hours | Lots of exploration |
Levels 20-24: Quest + dungeon mix
Phase 2 begins around October 1 with level 30 cap. From 20-24, mix questing with Ruins of Lordaeron runs (still efficient):
| Level | Activity | XP/hour |
|---|---|---|
| 20-22 | Questing in level range | 5,000-6,000 |
| 22-24 | Ruins of Lordaeron + quests | 6,000-7,000 |
Best zones for 20-24:
- Alliance: Duskwood, Redridge Mountains
- Horde: Stonetalon Mountains, Ashenvale
Levels 24-29: Excavation Site spam
Excavation Site is the best XP/hour dungeon in Phase 2. See our Excavation Site Guide for full details.
| Level | XP/run | Time/run |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | ~8,000 | 32 min |
| 25 | ~7,500 | 30 min |
| 26 | ~7,000 | 28 min |
| 27 | ~6,500 | 26 min |
| 28 | ~6,000 | 24 min |
| 29 | ~5,500 | 22 min |
Strategy: Queue as tank or healer for instant pops. As DPS, 5-15 min wait.
Total time Excavation Site spam 24-29: ~3-5 hours
Brogdul rare spawn
Brogdul the Excavator is a world rare elite that spawns inside (or near) Excavation Site. See our Excavation Site Guide for full details.
Drop table:
- Brogdul’s Mining Pick (~10% drop) — strong 2H Axe
- Excavator’s Hard Hat (~5% drop) — Mail head with Mining skill
- Heart of the Excavation (~1% drop) — summon earthen assistant trinket
Strategy:
- Check chamber before clearing dungeon
- Heart of the Excavation is the most-coveted drop
- Server-first Brogdul kills typically get celebrated
Levels 29-30: Final stretch
At 29, Excavation Site XP drops off. Switch to:
| Activity | XP/hour | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Questing | 4,000-5,000 | Mix zone completions |
| Excavation Site + quests | 5,500-7,000 | Best combo |
By 30 (Phase 2 cap), you should have:
- Full set of dungeon blues
- Some epic pieces
- Reputations leveled
- Professions up
Total Phase 2 time
| Level range | Time | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| 20-24 (quest + dungeon mix) | 2-3 hours | 2-3 hours |
| 24-29 (Excavation Site spam) | 3-5 hours | 5-8 hours |
| 29-30 (final stretch) | 0.5-1 hour | 5.5-9 hours |
Phase 2 priorities (what to test)
- Excavation Site — all 3 bosses + Brogdul
- Level 30 content — full talent points
- Endgame PvP — battlegrounds at 30
- Profession changes — new recipes
- Final bug reports — for Phase 2
Tips for Phase 2
- Use rested XP — log out at inns
- Coordinate Brogdul groups — guild chat helps
- Try multiple classes — class balance testing
- Submit final feedback — for the November 4 launch
FAQ
When does Phase 2 start?
Approximately October 1, 2026 — 2 weeks after Phase 1 began.
How long does 20-30 take?
5-8 hours for experienced players, 8-12 hours for first-timers.
Is Brogdul in Phase 2?
Yes — Excavation Site (and Brogdul) is a Phase 2 dungeon.
What does level 30 unlock?
Full talent trees, all endgame PvP, raid-prep content.
Final verdict
Phase 2 is mostly Excavation Site spam. The 20-24 stretch is short, then 3-5 hours of dungeon grinding carries you to 30.
For most players: focus on Excavation Site, check Brogdul chamber every run, submit final bug reports.
For live launch: Phase 2 prepares you for the November 4 live game.
For more guides, see our Beta Phase 1 vs Phase 2, Excavation Site Guide, and Beta Leveling Guide articles.
