!A fantasy dungeon entrance to the Excavation Site with torches and runes

WoW Forever Beta Excavation Site Dungeon Prep Guide

Excavation Site is the Phase 2 dungeon opening October 1, with 3 bosses + Brogdul rare elite. This guide covers boss mechanics, loot tables, group comp, and how to be ready for Phase 2 launch.

For broader content, see our Beta Phase 1 vs Phase 2, Phase 2 Prep Guide, and Excavation Site Guide articles.

Quick summary: Excavation Site is a level 24-29 dungeon with 3 bosses + Brogdul (rare elite). Best XP source 24-29. Best loot: Heart of Excavator trinket + Excavator’s Hard Hat. Group comp: 1 tank + 1 healer + 3 DPS. Total run time: 30-40 min.

Excavation Site overview

Dungeon basics

Stat	Value
Level range	24-29
Bosses	3 + 1 rare (Brogdul)
Location	Wetlands (Horde) / Loch Modan (Alliance)
Recommended level	22+
XP/run	7,000-9,000
Estimated time	30-40 min

Why Excavation Site matters

• Best XP/hour for levels 24-29
• Pre-bis trinket (Heart of Excavator)
• Pre-bis head (Excavator’s Hard Hat)
• Brogdul rare elite drops unique loot
• Reputation with Cenarion Circle

Boss 1: Foreman Stonehide

Overview

Stat	Value
Level	26
HP	~80,000
Type	Humanoid (Tauren)
Role	Mini-boss

Mechanics

1. Earth Spike — Single target damage + slow
2. Stone Quake — AoE damage + knockback
3. Rallying Cry — +damage to nearby adds

Strategy

1. Tank the boss alone (no adds during fight)
2. DPS burn boss fast (avoid Rallying Cry)
3. Healer keep tank above 60% HP
4. AoE is manageable (don’t stack)

Loot

Item	Slot	Type
Stonehide Pendant	Neck	Trinket
Foreman’s Wrench	Weapon	2H Mace
Cenarion Stone	Material	Crafting

Boss 2: Earthspeaker Yeva

Overview

Stat	Value
Level	27
HP	~100,000
Type	Elemental (Druid)
Role	Mini-boss

Mechanics

1. Earthquake — AoE damage + silence
2. Roots of the Earth — roots the tank
3. Totem of Tremors — adds a totem (CC immune)

Strategy

1. Interrupt Earthspeaker’s cast (Earthquake)
2. Burn totem fast (tremor totem gives CC immunity)
3. Tank keep mobile (Earthquake knocks back)
4. Healer pre-pop defensives during Earthquake

Loot

Item	Slot	Type
Earthspeaker’s Pendant	Neck	Trinket
Yeva’s Spire	Weapon	Staff (Mail)
Cenarion Earth	Material	Crafting

Boss 3: The Sealed Titan

Overview

Stat	Value
Level	28
HP	~150,000
Type	Elemental Titan
Role	Final boss

Multi-phase fight

Phase 1 (100-50% HP): Single target only, manageable Phase 2 (50-0% HP): AoE + adds appear

Mechanics

1. Earthquake — AoE damage
2. Stone Shards — adds spawn (5-10 mobs)
3. Titanic Slam — heavy single target damage (tank)

Strategy

Phase 1 (100-50%):

1. Tank face boss away from group
2. DPS burn boss to 50%

Phase 2 (50-0%):

1. DPS kill adds first
2. AoE for adds
3. Tank maintain threat on boss
4. Healer save cooldowns for Phase 2

Loot

Item	Slot	Type
Sealed Titan Fragment	Weapon	2H Axe
Earthen Mantle	Shoulders	Mail
Cenarion Seal	Material	Crafting

Brogdul the Excavator (Rare Elite)

Overview

Stat	Value
Level	30 (Rare Elite)
HP	~250,000
Type	Elemental (Tauren)
Role	Optional boss

Spawn

• Spawn timer: 2-4 hours after death
• Location: Random within Excavation Site
• Required level: 24+ (recommended)
• Group needed: 5+ players

Mechanics

1. Excavation Slam — AoE damage + knockback
2. Stone Toss — single target + slow
3. Earthquake — AoE damage

Strategy

1. Group of 5 (full party)
2. Tank maintain aggro
3. Healer keep party alive (heavy damage)
4. DPS burn boss (long fight, ~5-10 min)
5. CC adds if any spawn

Loot

Item	Slot	Type	Drop rate
Heart of the Excavation	Trinket	Summon earthen	1%
Excavator’s Hard Hat	Head	Mail head	5%
Brogdul’s Mining Pick	Weapon	2H Axe	10%
Excavator’s Stone	Material	Rare	50%

Heart of the Excavation is the most-coveted trinket in beta (1% drop rate).

Optimal group composition

Recommended comp

Role	Class	Race
Tank	Skyborne Warrior Prot	Skyborne
Healer	Disc Priest (Atonement)	Night Elf
DPS 1	Skyborne Mage Fire	Skyborne
DPS 2	Undead Rogue Sub	Undead
DPS 3	Troll Warlock Affliction	Troll

Alternative comps

Tanky DPS comp:

• Tank + Disc Priest + Skyborne Mage Fire + Skyborne Mage Fire + Undead Paladin

Spell DPS comp:

• Skyborne Warrior Prot + Resto Druid + Skyborne Mage Fire + Skyborne Mage Fire + Troll Warlock

Melee DPS comp:

• Skyborne Warrior Prot + Disc Priest + Undead Rogue Sub + Enh Shaman + Sub Rogue

Strategy by group role

Tank strategy

1. Maintain threat on primary boss
2. Face boss away from group (cleave damage)
3. Use Shield Block on cooldown
4. Save cooldowns for boss enrage / phase transitions

Healer strategy

1. Pre-pot before boss pulls
2. Pre-heal before AoE damage
3. Dispel magic effects
4. Use cooldowns during boss enrage

DPS strategy

1. Burn boss (skip adds if not threat)
2. Use cooldowns during boss enrage
3. CC adds if necessary
4. Save interrupts for boss enrage

Pre-bis loot (level 20 → 24-29 transition)

Slot	Pre-bis item	Source
Head	Excavator’s Hard Hat	Brogdul rare (5%)
Trinket	Heart of the Excavation	Brogdul rare (1%)
Weapon	Sealed Titan Fragment	Final boss
Shoulders	Earthen Mantle	Final boss

Loot priority for first Excavation Site run

1. Heart of the Excavation (BiS trinket)
2. Excavator’s Hard Hat (BiS head)
3. Sealed Titan Fragment (BiS weapon)
4. Earthen Mantle (BiS shoulders)

Phase 2 prep checklist

Pre-launch (Sept 25-30)

• [ ] Reach level 20 with main character
• [ ] Save 300-500g reserve
• [ ] Stockpile consumables (food, potions)
• [ ] Find a guild or group
• [ ] Test Excavation Site on beta (if available)

Launch day (Oct 1)

• [ ] Login immediately at launch
• [ ] Reach level 24 (Excavation Site access)
• [ ] Find group of 5
• [ ] Run Excavation Site 3-5 times
• [ ] Farm Brogdul rare
• [ ] Get Heart of the Excavation trinket

First week

• [ ] Reach level 30 (Phase 2 cap)
• [ ] Run Excavation Site daily
• [ ] Reach Honored with Cenarion Circle
• [ ] Farm Heart of Excavator trinket

Common Excavation Site questions

When does Excavation Site open?

October 1, 2026 (Phase 2 launch).

What’s the recommended level?

24+ for normal run, 26+ for Brogdul.

What group comp is best?

1 tank + 1 healer + 3 DPS (standard).

How long does a run take?

30-40 min for full clear.

What’s the best loot?

Heart of the Excavation (1% drop, BiS trinket).

Can I solo Excavation Site?

No — it’s a 5-man dungeon.

What if my group wipes?

Release and run back (respawn at dungeon entrance).

Final verdict

Excavation Site is the most-coveted Phase 2 dungeon with unique loot, Brogdul rare elite, and best XP/hour for 24-29.

Top priority loot:

1. Heart of the Excavation (trinket, 1% drop)
2. Excavator’s Hard Hat (head, 5% drop)
3. Sealed Titan Fragment (weapon)
4. Earthen Mantle (shoulders)

Top strategy:

• Group comp: Tank + Healer + 3 DPS
• Boss order: Stonehide → Yeva → Sealed Titan → Brogdul (rare)
• Pre-farm: Save 300-500g for consumables

Whatever you choose, Excavation Site is the gateway to Phase 2 progression. Be ready for October 1.

For more Phase 2 info, see our Beta Phase 1 vs Phase 2, Phase 2 Prep Guide, Excavation Site Guide, and Beta Final Verdict articles.