WoW SoD: Naxxramas & Karazhan Crypts Live in P7 February 6

Are you working your way through World of Warcraft's Season of Discovery Phase 7? Have you prepared for the new Karazhan Crypts 5-player dungeon? If so, well done, my friends. That means it's time to step things up a notch and head to the Plaguelands to prepare for the greatest WoW raid of all time, Naxxramas. As always, the lich Kel'Thuzad awaits, and groups of 20 or more players will be able to experience new mechanics, a new "Empower" difficulty, and new Sanctified gear that can be upgraded with the Seal of the Dawn trinket.This is the official verification message.

Opening Date: 28th January

Location: Begin your journey to Karazhan Crypts by visiting the Chapel of Light Hope in Eastern Plaguelands to pick up the starting quest.

Details: This 5-player dungeon is designed for level 60 players, with a 24-hour lockout for those with extensive equipment.

Mechanics: A novel "darkness" mechanic requires players to stay within the light to avoid hidden dangers within. This dungeon offers a unique challenge where teamwork and strategy are key to navigating the shadows and solving puzzles.

Release date: 28th January

Locations: Eastern Plaguelands, Azshara, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Tanaris, Winterspring, major cities, and select dungeons.

Tasks: Players can undertake Argent Dawn quests to combat the Scourge, with no end in sight. Players will be tasked with investigating and thwarting invasions, keeping an eye on the map to locate hot spots.

Rewards: Battle rare undead for Necrotic Runes, which can be used to purchase essential items such as Blessed Wizard Oil, Consecrated Sharpening Stone, Major Healing and Major Mana Potions from Commander Thomas Helleran at Light's Hope Chapel.

Availability: Located in every major town and starting zone.

Purpose: Purchase all runes and rune-related research items for the low price of one copper each. Note that some runes for Druids, Paladins and Shamans require a relic to be equipped and certain actions to be taken before they can be created; relics are also available from these vendors.

Launch date: 6 February at 13:00 PST

Location: Naxxramas hovers above the Plaguelands, challenging players with its horrors, led by Kel'Thuzad.

Raid Size: Designed for 20 players, but allows up to 40, introducing the new "Empower" difficulty mechanic.

Gear: Discover Sanctified gear that can be enhanced with the Seal of the Dawn trinket to take on the raid at its most challenging. The Seal of the Dawn has different versions for DPS, healing, and tanking, and provides up to a 37.50% health and damage boost when fully equipped.

Rewards: More loot drops and cosmetic items when sections are empowered, with special secrets in the Frostwyrm Lair of Sapphiron and Kel'Thuzad when all bosses are defeated on the hardest difficulty.

Empower mechanics: Empower each quarter to increase the difficulty, health and damage of bosses. This system also grants additional loot, including cosmetic items.

Sanctified Gear: Acts as a set bonus when combined with the enhanced Seal of the Dawn, providing significant boosts to damage, healing or threat depending on your role.

With the addition of the Karazhan Crypts, the ongoing Scourge invasion, and the revamped Naxxramas raid, Season of Discovery Phase 7 promises to keep players busy with both new and familiar challenges. Whether you're fighting in the dark corridors of Karazhan or battling the forces of the Lich King in Naxxramas, there's plenty to explore and conquer.