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Welcome to Ten Ton Hammer's Ultimate Guide to Utgarde Keep, Heroic Edition

This guide is built to cover anything you need to know about Utgarde Keep. It's got video, a map, loot, boss strats, a bestiary, an achievement guide, the lore of the dungeon, and even individual class guides tailored to help you get the most out of the instance. While it is possible to use this guide for the normal non-heroic instance, most of the information you will find here is based off the heroic (level 80) version of the instance. Please keep this in mind, particularly when reviewing the loot and achievement pages.

To navigate your way around the guide, simply click on the links at the top of the page to where you want to go.

Dungeon Overview

For those WoW players starting their Northrend adventures in the Howling Fjord, Utgarde Keep is the first dungeon players may decide to conquer. Utgarde Keep is located along the shores of Lake Cauldros. Get some fishing in while waiting for your group to assemble. It is the first part of two instances in the same area. Don’t get confused and head to Utgarde Pinnacle. There are two entrances to Utgarde Keep, which happen to be right next to each other. If traveling by land to Utgarde watch out for the mobs just outside the entrances.  

First time dungeon runners will have the option of picking up a quest or two at the beginning of the instance. Depending on how you’ve been questing prior to entry to Utgarde Keep players both Horde and Alliance may have additional quests that can be completed within the instance.  

Blizzard does a great job of exposing players to a great looking dungeon. It has the feel of running through a Norse stronghold. Although halfway through you’ll wonder why any stronghold needs this many stairs. Maybe Ingvar will hope players die of exhaustion on their trek to him? 

The denizens of Utgarde Keep are comprised of mostly humanoids, with just a bit of Undead and Protodrakes for flavor. Feel free to use all those crowd control techniques you’ve come to know and love. 

If players can manage it bring a Paladin along to tank. It’s not necessity but it does make those Undead encounters a bit smoother. Additionally any Shadow protection the group can muster will make boss encounters a bit easier. These bosses love Shadow damage.