Unlocking the Secrets of the Runecarver in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands
So, you’re eager to tap into the immense power of the Runecarver and craft legendary armor in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands? Excellent choice! This ancient being, imprisoned within Torghast, Tower of the Damned, holds the key to imbuing your gear with incredible abilities. Unlocking him involves a series of quests and requirements, but fear not, I’m here to guide you through the entire process.
The most direct route to unlocking the Runecarver is by progressing through the initial Shadowlands campaign. This involves leveling to level 60, completing the main story campaign quests, and then choosing a Covenant. After choosing your covenant and completing the first few Covenant quests, you will be directed to Torghast. Completing the storyline within Torghast, including rescuing Baine and discovering the key to the Runecarver’s prison, will ultimately lead to his release. Once freed, the Runecarver will become available in his chamber in Torghast, ready to craft your legendary items.
The Path to Legendary Power: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a breakdown of the steps to unlock the Runecarver and begin your legendary crafting journey:
- Reach Level 60: This is the foundation. You can’t start the Shadowlands endgame content without hitting the level cap.
- Complete the Main Shadowlands Campaign: Follow the main story quests through the zones of Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth. These quests introduce you to the Covenants and the conflicts within the Shadowlands.
- Choose a Covenant: Once you complete the main campaign, you’ll be prompted to choose a Covenant. This decision is significant as it grants you unique abilities, a Covenant campaign, and access to Covenant-specific rewards.
- Complete the Initial Covenant Campaign Chapters: Progress through your chosen Covenant’s campaign quests until you’re directed to Oribos to speak with Bolvar Fordragon.
- Into Torghast: Bolvar will then send you into Torghast to find the Runecarver. Follow the quest line within Torghast.
- The Search for Baine: Progress the questline until you find Baine. Freeing him is a key part of the process.
- Free the Runecarver: After turning in “Search for Baine,” Ve’nari will give you the next quest in the short quest chain to free the Runecarver. Complete that quest chain.
- Unlock the Runecarver Chamber: Complete the Deep Within, Ashes of the Tower, and The Final Pieces quests.
- Gather Soul Ash: To complete the Ashes of the Tower, you must collect 1,250 Soul Ash in Torghast. You will need to run Torghast wings to collect this currency.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the Runecarver will be accessible, allowing you to craft powerful legendary items that enhance your character’s abilities.
Skip Ahead with Caution
There’s a potential skip available, particularly useful for alt characters. After choosing your Covenant and returning to Bolvar in Oribos, before accepting the next quest from him, close the quest window and speak to him again. He may offer the option to skip ahead to the Runecarver. This doesn’t skip the Runecarver quests themselves, but rather bypasses some of the initial Covenant introduction. Be aware that skipping might affect your understanding of the initial narrative and could potentially lock you out of certain opening experiences.
Runecarver FAQs: Mastering the Art of Legendary Crafting
Here are some frequently asked questions to further illuminate the path to legendary power:
1. What happens if the Runecarver is missing?
If you find the Runecarver’s chamber empty or see the Primus in his place, you may have started the Zereth Mortis campaign. Completing quests like “Reality’s Doorstep” should resolve this phasing issue and bring the Runecarver back.
2. How do I unlock the Runecarver skip on alts?
As mentioned earlier, after choosing your Covenant and returning to Bolvar in Oribos, before accepting the next quest from him, close the quest window and speak to him again. If the skip is available, he will have the option to start the Runecarver questline.
3. What are the basic requirements for unlocking legendary crafting?
You need to reach level 60, complete the main Shadowlands campaign quests, choose your Covenant, and complete the initial Covenant campaign chapters.
4. Which specific quests unlock the Runecarver?
The core quests are Deep Within, Ashes of the Tower, and The Final Pieces. Deep Within simply requires you to speak to the Runecarver initially. Ashes of the Tower requires collecting 1,250 Soul Ash from Torghast.
5. How do I get to the Runecarver’s chamber in Shadowlands?
After reaching max level, choosing a covenant, and completing the first chapter of the covenant campaign, players are directed to Torghast. There, they will discover a mysterious key that unlocks the way to the Runecarver.
6. How do I start the Runecarver questline?
After completing the “Into Torghast” storyline, look for a quest offered by Ve’nari that will lead you on a quest chain to free the Runecarver.
7. How do I unlock the Runecarver on a new character?
The process is the same for all characters. After reaching max level, choosing a covenant, and completing the first chapter of the covenant campaign, players are directed to Torghast. There, they will discover a mysterious key that unlocks the way to the Runecarver.
8. Where do I get the materials for Runecarver gear?
The required materials are obtained from various sources: raid bosses, dungeon bosses, PvP activities, Reputation vendors, Torghast, and the Great Vault.
9. Was the Runecarver secretly the Jailer?
The prevailing theory is that the Runecarver was the Primus, stripped of his memories by the Jailer. This was later confirmed in-game.
10. Where do I find the Memory of the Runecarver?
The Runecarver’s Memory for the Reawakening quest can be obtained by killing Odalrik in The Maw or from Purveyor Zo’kuul in Oribos.
11. What happens if I fail a quest during the Runecarver unlock?
If a quest fails, you can abandon it and restart it. The quest log is your best friend.
12. What was the Runecarver’s backstory?
The Runecarver was imprisoned in Torghast and his memories were stolen. He was later revealed to be the Primus, one of the Eternal Ones.
13. Who is the Runecarver in lore?
The Runecarver is the Primus of Maldraxxus, one of the Eternal Ones who rule the Shadowlands. He’s a master strategist and forger of powerful artifacts.
14. Can I equip multiple Legendaries?
In Patch 9.2, after completing Chapter 7 of the Zereth Mortis campaign, players were able to equip two Legendary items.
15. Do Shadowlands legendaries work in Dragonflight?
Shadowlands Legendaries and Covenant abilities will continue to work exclusively in Shadowlands content.
By following these steps and understanding the nuances of the Runecarver unlock process, you’ll be well on your way to crafting powerful legendary items and dominating the Shadowlands. Remember, patience and persistence are key. Good luck, and happy crafting! You may also be interested in the learning opportunities offered by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.