This is part of a series describing rogue tactics for the bosses in Naxxramas. The focus is on the 10-man version of the fights, since that’s what most people will be running. If you have suggestions for alternate strategies, or if I say something that you disagree with, please put it in the comments.
These are not meant to be full raid strategy guides. They are written to describe the role of rogues (or other melee dps) during the encounters. For full strategy guides refer to Bosskillers or WoWWiki.
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Grand Widow Faerlina is the second boss in the Spider Wing of Naxxramas. She has a unique mechanic that makes this a fun fight. There is an achievement that goes with this fight (Momma Said Knock You Out), and your specific strategy will change depending if you are going for that achievement.
In the 10-man version, when you start you will see Faerlina along with a group of her Worshippers. On the initial pull, dps goes straight for Faerlina, and let an off-tank gather up the worshippers. Pile the single-target dps on Faerlina as fast as you can.
She will do a couple of things during the fight to watch for. She will fire off a Poison Bolt Volley that will likely catch you. She will also cast a Rain of Fire. You can Cloak out of either of these, but they will happen often enough that your Cloak will usually be on cooldown. I suggest that you move out of the Rain of Fire, and let your healers remove the poison DoT from you. If poison removal is slow, then you can use Cloak to get rid of it.
Every so often she will Frenzy, which makes her hit the tank faster and harder. The way to stop her frenzy is to kill one of the Worshippers when it is next to her. At this time you will change target to a pre-marked Worshipper and take it down fast. Note: the Worshipper has to be close to Faerlina for this to work. Don’t jump the gun and kill it too quickly. Let the off tank bring it close. (FYI: your Anesthetic Poison will not dispel her Frenzy)
Note that the exact way the raid manages the adds will vary depending on your raid makeup and who is tanking them. Refer to a complete strategy guide to decide what is best for your raid.
Once the Frenzy has been dispelled, target Faerlina again and take her down. When she frenzies again, go kill another Worshipper to dispel it. Repeat. Make sure you have planned in advance which worshiper you are going to kill for each frenzy.
Further notes:
On 25-man, the role for rogues is actually easier because you’re not switching targets. She starts with both Worshippers and Followers in this case. Before you start on Faerlina, help take down the Followers fast, because they have an AoE silence ability. Once they are dead, you target Faerlina and stay on her the entire time. The 25-man version of the Worshippers need to be mind controlled by a priest and they commit suicide to stop the Frenzy. No need for you to help kill them.
If your raid is going for the achievement, then you will stay on Faerlina the entire time and dps through her Frenzy. This is much easier on us rogues, but harder on the tanks and healers that have to live through her attacks and keep the poisons cleansed. Make sure to move out of the Rain of Fire.
The 10-man version drops the Boots of the Worshiper, which are a great upgrade from the foot gear available through heroics. On 25-man you can get the Dislocating Handguards or the Widow’s Fury (a nice 1.6 speed sword).
