WoW TBC Arena
Illidan Stormrage

Illidan Stormrage Strategy — Black Temple

Phase 3 · Black Temple · 3-4 tanks, 6 healers, rest dps

The Betrayer, and the climactic fight of Phase 3. A five-phase gauntlet: tank Illidan, then survive the Flames of Azzinoth (two glaive elementals tanked by warlocks/hunters), then a demon-form phase with Shadow Demons and Flame Bursts, and a final push. Every phase has a mechanic that wipes a careless raid.

IllidanTankFlameFlameRaid
BossTankRaid / rangedAvoid
P2: two off-tanks hold Flames of Azzinoth on far sides, out of their Blaze trails; raid stacks center for Parasites. Kite between the flames.

Fight phases

  1. 1

    Phase 1

    Tank Illidan; dodge Parasitic Shadowfiend (spreads on contact — infected players spread out) and Draw Soul. Push to 65%.

  2. 2

    Phase 2 — Flames of Azzinoth

    Illidan drops his warglaives, spawning two Flames of Azzinoth. Two ranged tanks (warlock/hunter) hold them apart, out of their Blaze trails, while the raid kills both before Illidan re-engages.

  3. 3

    Phase 3

    Illidan returns; more Parasitic Shadowfiends and Agonizing Flames. Push to 30%.

  4. 4

    Phase 4 — Demon Form

    Illidan transforms; Shadow Demons root and drain random players (kill them instantly), Flame Burst is raid AoE. Force him out of demon form before Demon enrage.

  5. 5

    Phase 5

    Maiev appears; Illidan is tanked and burned to death while dodging Cage Traps and the earlier mechanics recurring.

By role

Tanks

Main tank holds Illidan and faces him away (Flame Buffet / Shear on the tank — Shear must be healed or blocked). Two dedicated Flame of Azzinoth tanks (ranged) kite the elementals along the walls, never standing in Blaze. Demon form needs a tank ready for the transition.

Healers

Shear hits the tank for a huge chunk — spot it and top instantly. Flames phase and demon-form Flame Burst are heavy raid damage; Parasitic Shadowfiends drain players. Long fight — manage mana across five phases.

DPS

Spread when Parasitic hits you. In the Flames phase, kill both Flames of Azzinoth roughly together before Illidan returns. In demon form, kill Shadow Demons the instant they spawn (they one-shot rooted players) and push him out of demon form. Respect every phase transition.

Common mistakes

  • ✕Standing in Blaze or letting a Flame of Azzinoth reach its tank's melee.
  • ✕Not killing Shadow Demons instantly in demon form.
  • ✕Spreading Parasitic Shadowfiend by clumping up.

Strategy summarized from community knowledge (WoWWiki / Wowhead) and rewritten for this guide. Position diagrams are original.