Excavation Site (Wetlands) in WoW: Forever: Bosses, Loot, Entrance

Excavation Site quick facts

The Excavation Site is a dwarven dig gone wrong. The site is overgrown with tall grass where raptors nest, and some of those raptors are stealthed. Blizzard's October 20 dungeon overview puts it at levels 24-29. That number replaces the 26-31 range in the October 1 beta patch notes.

Wetlands 24-29Excavation Site Dungeon Run (Wetlands)For players who want the quest turn-ins and the boss loot without spending an evening in the group finder. A vetted pro plays the run alongside you.from 23 EURSee options

Where is the Excavation Site entrance?

The entrance is in the Wetlands, above Whelgar's Excavation. Look in the stretch between Thelgen Rock and the Dun Algaz pass, where the zone meets Loch Modan. Blizzard has not published exact coordinates, so trust the in-game map over any coordinates you find elsewhere.

Alliance players have the shorter trip. They can come north from Loch Modan through Dun Algaz or south from Menethil Harbor. Horde players usually cross from Arathi Highlands over Thandol Span and ride south through the zone. The Wetlands lean Alliance, so on a PvP ruleset Horde groups should expect company on the way in.

Excavation Site bosses and loot

Wowhead lists three bosses, and every item they drop is new in Forever. The list below only includes items that drop from a single boss. Blizzard has not published drop rates.

Every boss in order of level, with the items that drop only from that boss. Pick a boss below to see its full loot table; hover any item for the Wowhead tooltip.

The Relic Guardian has the highest-level drops. Hunters will want the Golemsight Long Gun from it, and every class can use the ring. Shadetooth fits the raptor theme and drops a good mix of gear for leather, mail and caster players.

What do the campsite blueprints do?

Campsite blueprints drop from certain Forever dungeon bosses and teach advanced campsite objects for the camping system. The Excavation Site drops two of them: Greenhouse from Shadetooth and Rock Garden from the Relic Guardian. Blizzard has not published what either object does, so don't count on a specific buff until you have learned the blueprint yourself.

Excavation Site quests by faction

All 14 Excavation Site quests can be picked up from level 24. The Alliance gets more of them, and nearly all are quest level 31.

Every quest is level 31 except Highland Hides at 28. That means a level 24 character will find them red, so most groups go in around 26-27, which is a more comfortable level. Grab the full set before you go in. Per Wowhead, Forever dungeon quests now give most of a dungeon's experience.

What level should you be for the Excavation Site?

Level 24 lets you enter and take every quest, but 26-27 is the comfortable range for a normal group. The Relic Guardian's gear requires level 28, so you can still equip it if you finish the dungeon near the top of the range. Forever has no level scaling, so an overgeared group will make the dungeon a lot easier.

Is it worth running the Excavation Site more than once?

Yes, more than it was at launch. On November 8 Blizzard hotfixed dungeon kill experience up by 50% so repeat runs feel worthwhile. A second run is mostly about gear: you get more chances at the Golemsight Long Gun, the ring and the two blueprints.

Does Excavation Site loot count for transmog?

Yes, if you have transmog turned on. In Forever, Uncommon and Rare bind-on-pickup dungeon drops unlock their appearance for every eligible player when the item is looted. That means you can collect the Garb of Florid Feathers look even if a groupmate wins the item.

Where does the Excavation Site fit in Forever leveling?

It fills the late-20s gap between the 15-20 new dungeons and the City of Dalaran at 28-33. Wowhead's Spelunker achievement photos put it in the Novice tier with The Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep. If you are leveling in Eastern Kingdoms, the Excavation Site is a good stop before you head toward Dalaran.

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Frequently asked questions

What level is the Excavation Site in WoW: Forever?

Blizzard's October 20 dungeon overview lists the Excavation Site at levels 24-29. The October 1 beta notes had it at 26-31, but the overview is the current number. All of its quests can be picked up from level 24, though most are quest level 31, so groups usually go in around 26 or 27.

Where is the Excavation Site entrance in the Wetlands?

It sits above Whelgar's Excavation in the Wetlands, near Thelgen Rock and the Dun Algaz pass to Loch Modan. Alliance players can reach it from Loch Modan or Menethil Harbor. Horde players usually come from Arathi Highlands over Thandol Span. Blizzard has not published exact coordinates.

How many bosses are in the Excavation Site?

Per Wowhead's Forever zone page, the Excavation Site has three bosses: Saltspine, Shadetooth and the Relic Guardian. All their drops are new in Forever, and Shadetooth and the Relic Guardian also drop campsite blueprints. Blizzard has not published drop rates.

Can Horde players do the Excavation Site?

Yes. The Excavation Site is contested, so both factions can enter it. Horde players have five quests for it, including Dragonmaw Rumors, Open the Maw and Earthen Echo. The Alliance has nine. Groups have to be made up of players from the same faction and ruleset.

What campsite blueprints drop in the Excavation Site?

Shadetooth drops Blueprint: Greenhouse and the Relic Guardian drops Blueprint: Rock Garden. Both teach advanced objects for Forever's camping system. Blizzard has not published what buffs these two objects give.

Is the Excavation Site the same as Whelgar's Excavation?

No. Whelgar's Excavation is the old open-world dig site in the Wetlands. The Excavation Site is a new five-player instanced dungeon in WoW: Forever, located above it. Inside, it is a dwarven dig gone wrong, with raptors nesting in tall grass.