by Magistrate - 8 years ago     show comments

Today, we take a look at the Restoration druid artifact intro questline. The Restoration artifact, G’Hanir, the Mother Tree, bore the acorn that would become Nordrassil, and its power is now needed to defy the Legion invasion.

But the Mother Tree has fallen into corruption and needs cleansing, a journey that will take you from the Emerald Dream to the sacred heights of Mount Hyjal, where you’ll confront an age-old demon nemesis.

Quest Recap

G’Hanir, the Mother Tree, Restoration Druid

G’Hanir, the Mother Tree, is an ancient staff once enshrined at the foot of Shaladrassil–that big world tree in the new Val’sharah zone. As you may recall, the world tree has fallen into corruption from the Emerald Nightmare, and G’Hanir has also been tainted.

For safe keeping, the staff was taken into the Emerald Dream from the Dreamgrove. But it’s power is now needed to defend Azeroth against the Burning Legion, and Keeper Remulos sends you after it to do just that.

The first stop is a dryad named Mylune, who also played a part in the Guardian druid artifact quests. After obtaining a cup of moonwell water and the blessing of a treant ancient, she sends you into the Tel’Andu Barrow Den, where the druid Naralex (remember him?) transports you into the Dream.

Within the Dream, you will have to overcome several challenges posed by the encroaching Nightmare.

First, you will notice a red meter indicating your corruption level–it increases over time and gains a massive boost from entering the red mist in the den’s water. Using any healing abilities on yourself will slow and reverse the meter. Keep it low to stay in the Dream–if it dings max, you’ll have to start over.

Second, Nightmare creatures (similar to Mists‘ mist creatures) patrol the first big room. Ignore them, instead focusing on the druid ensnared on the central island. Bashana Runetotem must be freed with Nature’s Cure, after which she’ll tell you to sneak past the mist creatures. Simply use Prowl to run around the creatures to the ramp on the far side of the room. Here, Bashana will remove the Nightmare briars barring the way–if you do not rescue Bashana, the briars will block your path.

Third, Nightmare slimes patrol the winding hallway to the surface. Avoid them and their Nightmare trails–the trails will massively increase your corruption meter.

At the surface, there are some corrupted monsters that are easily avoided in or out of stealth. Click Prowl again to avoid them and head to the Circle of Spirits, where you will gather the Corrupted G’Hanir and be returned to your waking body by Lyessa Bloomwatcher, Guardian of G’Hanir.

After awakening, you will head to the Circle of Spirits again. You discover that the only way to purify the corrupted staff is to bathe it in the sacred waters of its child, Nordrassil, on Mount Hyjal. Using the Dreamway to quickly travel to Mount Hyjal, you arrive discovering the Legion has beaten you there–but Hamuul Runetotem has a defense force at your disposal. You just have to get them back in fighting shape.

While you heal up the druids, Lyessa begins the restoration ritual at the diminished Nordrassil waters. As she draws the corruption into herself, the Legion returns, this time with the pit lord Destromath. You must keep your four companions–included a Feral, Guardian, and Balance druid–at tip top health, while keeping demons off your back.

Blanketing your friends in AoE heals is simple; also, use Typhoon to blast adds away, and any combination of Ursol’s Vortex and Mass Entanglement to keep them off you. If they do get on you, they do minimal damage and are soon aggro’d or killed by your companions.

Once Lyessa finishes the ritual, she allows you to use the staff’s immense power to call down nature’s full fury on the invaders. They are dispatched quickly, and afterwards you can gather up the staff.

Follow our Legion Artifact coverage for more on the Artifact questlines, mechanics, and abilities. Also, don’t miss our druid Class Hall preview.

Screenshots

Also on Obtaining the Artifact

• Fire Mage Artifact
• Havoc Demon Hunter Artifact
• Enhancement Shaman Artifact
• Elemental Shaman Artifact
• Affliction Warlock Artifact
• Balance Druid Artifact
• Guardian Druid Artifact