Boss guide
How to beat Sapphiron
Naxxramas · Encounter 4 · 16:00 · 26,000 base HP
When it arrives
Arrives at 16:00 as encounter 4 of 5 in Naxxramas.
Boss yell“Sapphiron rises from the frozen lair, its wings filling the hall with frost!”
Attack timeline
5 recorded actions for this boss, in data order. Values are stored base client parameters.
1 Scattered circles
In-game text“Sapphiron calls down meteors!”
Several ground circles land at once; the game warns "the boss calls down meteors!". The data records 3-8 circles, a 1.4-2.8 s warning and a 7-13 s cycle.
- Interval
- 8 s
- Warning
- 1.4 s
How to handle: Find the largest gap before the warning ends and commit to it; do not weave between circles at the last moment. With eight circles, move early rather than react.
2 Projectile volley
In-game text“Sapphiron hurls axes across the field!”
The boss throws a volley across the field; the game warns "the boss hurls axes across the field!". The data records 5-9 projectiles every 4.5-6 s.
- Interval
- 5 s
How to handle: Strafe between the gaps instead of backing away, and change direction only after a projectile passes. With a 4.5 s cycle there is no safe standing window.
3 Tether
In-game text“Sapphiron's tether drains you! Get away to break it!”
A tether links the boss to you and drains you; the game says "the boss's tether drains you! Get away to break it!". The data records a 1.5-1.8 s warning and a 13-18 s cycle.
- Interval
- 16 s
- Warning
- 1.6 s
How to handle: Run away from the boss as soon as the tether appears and keep the link stretched until it breaks. Do not cross through the boss to break it.
4 Marked circle
Soak circleThree marked circles appear with a 4-5 s warning, and the action repeats every 24 s where an interval is listed. The soak label means the circles are meant to be stood in, not dodged.
- Interval
- 24 s
- Warning
- 5 s
How to handle: Pick the nearest circle and step into it before the 4 s warning ends; do not try to cover all three. The soak only works if you are inside the mark when it resolves.
Inferred from game data — not yet verified in game5 Summon
Add waveIn-game text“Minions, to me!”
The boss calls in a wave of adds; the game announces it with "Minions, to me!" or "A pack hunts you!". The data records 4-14 adds on a 10-16 s cycle.
- Interval
- 12 s
How to handle: Clear the pack before the next summon lands; at 14 adds a single-target build falls behind. Keep moving so the new adds do not surround you while you finish the last wave.
Phase changes
Below 50% health · one trigger
- Marked circle Soak circle
Three marked circles appear with a 4-5 s warning, and the action repeats every 24 s where an interval is listed. The soak label means the circles are meant to be stood in, not dodged.
How to handle: Pick the nearest circle and step into it before the 4 s warning ends; do not try to cover all three. The soak only works if you are inside the mark when it resolves.
Inferred from game data — not yet verified in game
How to fight it
Up to three actions, taken from the timing data: shortest warning, shortest interval, then the first new phase action.
- 1Shortest warning (1.4 s) Scattered circles
Find the largest gap before the warning ends and commit to it; do not weave between circles at the last moment. With eight circles, move early rather than react.
- 2Most frequent (every 5 s) Projectile volley
Strafe between the gaps instead of backing away, and change direction only after a projectile passes. With a 4.5 s cycle there is no safe standing window.
Suggested build focus
Build tips recorded for this boss's attack types.
- Wider area coverage helps, but the main need is a clear exit lane and a movement speed boost.
- A movement-speed item or dash makes the gap between volleys much safer.
- A dash is useful for opening distance, but sustained speed matters if the tether lasts.
- Solo play: take the closest circle; movement speed helps you reach it before the 4 s warning ends. Inferred from game data — not yet verified in game
Based on the site's first-clear class ranking, not zone-specific testing.
Attacks and hazards
Scattered circles
scattered circles- Base interval
- 8 s
- Warning time
- 1.4 s
- Count
- 5
Find the safe gap between the marked zones.
Projectile volley
projectile volley- Base interval
- 5 s
- Count
- 7
Keep room to move and avoid the visible projectile paths.
Tether
tether- Base interval
- 16 s
- Warning time
- 1.6 s
Break line and create distance from the tether.
Marked circle
soak circle- Base interval
- 24 s
- Warning time
- 5 s
- Count
- 3
Enter the marked circle before it resolves.
Summon
summon adds- Base interval
- 12 s
- Summons
- 12
Clear the adds without letting them close the exit.
Health phases
Thresholds are base client values; difficulty and run scaling can change the encounter.
Below 50% health · one trigger
Marked circle
soak circle- Warning time
- 5 s
- Count
- 3
Enter the marked circle before it resolves.
Mechanics can scale with difficulty, party size and later patches. The values above are stored base client parameters, not measured cast times.
Class loot
Warrior
- Dreadnaught Gauntlets hands · Legendary · 20%
Paladin
- Redemption Gauntlets hands · Legendary · 20%
Hunter
- Cryptstalker Gauntlets hands · Legendary · 20%
Rogue
- Bonescythe Gloves hands · Legendary · 20%
Priest
- Gloves of Faith hands · Legendary · 20%
Shaman
- Earthshatter Gauntlets hands · Legendary · 20%
Mage
- Frostfire Gloves hands · Legendary · 20%
Warlock
- Plagueheart Gloves hands · Legendary · 20%
Druid
- Dreamwalker Gloves hands · Legendary · 20%