!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
- Earth Spike — Single target damage + slow
- Stone Quake — AoE damage + knockback
- Rallying Cry — +damage to nearby adds
Strategy
- Tank the boss alone (no adds during fight)
- DPS burn boss fast (avoid Rallying Cry)
- Healer keep tank above 60% HP
- 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
- Earthquake — AoE damage + silence
- Roots of the Earth — roots the tank
- Totem of Tremors — adds a totem (CC immune)
Strategy
- Interrupt Earthspeaker’s cast (Earthquake)
- Burn totem fast (tremor totem gives CC immunity)
- Tank keep mobile (Earthquake knocks back)
- 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
- Earthquake — AoE damage
- Stone Shards — adds spawn (5-10 mobs)
- Titanic Slam — heavy single target damage (tank)
Strategy
Phase 1 (100-50%):
- Tank face boss away from group
- DPS burn boss to 50%
Phase 2 (50-0%):
- DPS kill adds first
- AoE for adds
- Tank maintain threat on boss
- Healer save cooldowns for Phase 2
Loot
| Item | Slot | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed Titan Fragment | Weapon | 2H Axe |
| Earthen Mantle | Shoulders | |
| 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
- Excavation Slam — AoE damage + knockback
- Stone Toss — single target + slow
- Earthquake — AoE damage
Strategy
- Group of 5 (full party)
- Tank maintain aggro
- Healer keep party alive (heavy damage)
- DPS burn boss (long fight, ~5-10 min)
- 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
- Maintain threat on primary boss
- Face boss away from group (cleave damage)
- Use Shield Block on cooldown
- Save cooldowns for boss enrage / phase transitions
Healer strategy
- Pre-pot before boss pulls
- Pre-heal before AoE damage
- Dispel magic effects
- Use cooldowns during boss enrage
DPS strategy
- Burn boss (skip adds if not threat)
- Use cooldowns during boss enrage
- CC adds if necessary
- 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
- Heart of the Excavation (BiS trinket)
- Excavator’s Hard Hat (BiS head)
- Sealed Titan Fragment (BiS weapon)
- 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:
- Heart of the Excavation (trinket, 1% drop)
- Excavator’s Hard Hat (head, 5% drop)
- Sealed Titan Fragment (weapon)
- 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.