The short recommendation
Stratholme is normally two runs. Live enters through the main gate and targets the Scarlet Bastion and Archivist; Undead enters through the service gate and runs ziggurats to Baron Rivendare. A full crossover is possible but should be advertised. The Scarlet Key opens Live-side gates; Key to the City opens the service entrance.
Choose the run before inviting
Living / Scarlet
Main gate → Fras Siabi / Cannon Master → Malor → Archivist Galford → Balnazzar.
Undead / Baron
Service entrance → three ziggurat bosses → slaughter square → Ramstein → Baron Rivendare.
Full / quest
Crosses both halves for linked objectives such as Medallion of Faith and Archivist follow-ups; allow substantially more time.
Timed Baron
A specialised 45-minute objective from the Tier 0.5 chain. Advertise it; do not surprise an ordinary group.
Before travelling
- Bring the Scarlet Key from Scarlet Monastery Library for Live-side access.
- Key to the City drops from Magistrate Barthilas and opens the service entrance on future runs.
- Collect quests at Light's Hope Chapel and Egan in Terrordale before entering.
- Confirm Live, Undead, full or timed route in the group title.
Quest pickup checklist
Classic dungeon quests often begin several zones or chain steps away. Check these before the group travels; the note tells you when a prerequisite matters.
| Quest | Faction | Pickup | Purpose / prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Archivist | Both | Duke Nicholas Zverenhoff | Live; burn archive and kill Galford |
| The Flesh Does Not Lie | Both | Betina Bigglezink | Collect Plagued Flesh Samples |
| The Restless Souls | Both | Egan, Terrordale | Use Egan's Blaster on citizens |
| Of Love and Family | Both | Tirion Fordring chain | Live; painting in Scarlet Bastion |
| Above and Beyond | Both | Archivist follow-up | Kill Baron Rivendare |
| The Medallion of Faith | Both | Aurius inside Undead entrance | Medallion found behind Commander Malor |
Quest names and access requirements checked against Classic Era records in July 2026. Some long chains require more than one visit.
Boss and event warnings
| Encounter | What the group must know |
|---|---|
| Archivist Galford | Manage fire damage and burn the archive for the quest after the room is controlled. |
| Balnazzar | Expect the transformation after Dathrohan; save resources for the demon phase. |
| Baroness Anastari | Possession removes a player temporarily; free them quickly. |
| Nerub'enkan / Maleki | Clear ziggurats and step inside each one after the boss to destroy crystals. |
| Ramstein | Kill abominations first; after Ramstein, prepare for a skeleton wave before the guards. |
| Baron Rivendare | Control skeletons, move from dangerous ground effects and maintain steady healing pressure. |
Notable reasons to run it
- Deathcharger's Reins — very rare Baron Rivendare mount
- Stratholme Holy Water — crates; powerful against undead
- Mask of the Unforgiven — The Unforgiven
- Animated Chain Necklace — Ramstein
- Cape of the Black Baron — Baron Rivendare
- Tier 0 legs — Baron Rivendare; other Tier 0 pieces across both halves
Loot tables are broad and drop chances vary. Treat this as a target shortlist, not a promise that every item is best for every spec or phase.
Role checklist
Own the route
Mark dangerous targets, use line-of-sight, watch patrols and pause before scripted events. State when a pull depends on crowd control.
Plan the recovery
Drink before events, call for dispels and tell the group when mana is not ready. Do not let an impatient pull conceal the real cause of a wipe.
Control beats padding
Interrupt, dispel, protect the healer and respect marked crowd control. A dead dangerous caster improves the run more than area damage on harmless targets.
Common wipe and wasted-time risks
- Joining ‘Strat’ without asking which side.
- Leaving a ziggurat without clearing its crystal.
- Opening supply crates without watching for trapped ones and nearby patrols.
- Standing unprepared after Ramstein while the event continues.
- Missing the Medallion of Faith crossover requirement between sides.