This page covers a healer-focused strategy for Fathom-Lord Karathress in Serpentshrine Cavern in The Burning Crusade. While it's tailored for healers, other roles may also find the information useful. If you have any suggestions or feedback, you can leave a comment below or tweet @PrestonDvorak.

This guide has been updated and maintained based on my own experiences with the encounter, combat log information, and Dungeon Journal information. I'll continue to update it as-needed.

General Mechanics and Abilities

During this encounter, players will be fighting against Karathress and his Fathom-Guards.

• Fathom-Lord Karathress
  • Stay more than 8-yards away to avoid Sear Nova.
  • Deals heavy damage to random mana users with Cataclysmic Bolt.
  • If any Fathom-Guards are still alive upon reaching 75% health, gains Blessing of the Tides, greatly increasing damage dealt and attack speed.
  • When a Fathom-Guard is killed, gains an additional ability. These abilities are detailed under their respective Fathom-Guard below.
    • Fathom-Guard Caribdis's Power of Caribdis grants Tidal Surge.
    • Fathom-Guard Sharkkis's Power of Sharkkis grants The Beast Within.
    • Fathom-Guard Tidalvess's Power of Tidalvess grants Spitfire Totem.
  • After 10-minutes, goes Berserk, greatly increasing attack speed and damage dealt.
• Fathom-Guard Caribdis
  • Interrupt Healing Wave to prevent the healing.
  • Stay more than 10-yards away to avoid Tidal Surge.
  • Avoid the Gusting Winds that move around the room, players hit have their cast speed reduced.
  • Deals light damage to all players with Water Bolt Volley.
• Fathom-Guard Sharkkis
  • During The Beast Within, Sharkkis and any summoned pets deal increased damage.
  • Deals light damage over time and drains mana from random players with Leeching Throw.
  • Deals light damage to swaths of player with Multi-Toss.
  • Deals light damage to random players with Hurl Trident.
  • Summons a Fathom Lurker or a Fathom Sporebat.
    • Fathom Lurker
      • The tanks will be dealing with the knock back from Knock Away.
      • Upon death, deals moderate damage to all players within 10-yards with Spore Explosion.
    • Fathom Sporebat
      • The tanks will be dealing with the knock back from Knock Away.
• Fathom-Guard Tidalvess
  • The tanks will be dealing with Frost Shock.
  • Can summon various totems.
    • Spitfire Totem deals moderate damage to random players.
    • Earthbind Totem slows the movement speed of players within 10-yards.
    • Poison Cleansing Totem periodically removes a poison effect from an enemy.

Healing Notes

Quick Notes

The notes below mostly pertain to progression difficulty, meaning if you out-gear the encounter or use extra healers they may not apply.

• Use Cooldowns
  
  • as-needed on Water Bolt Volley
  • as-needed while Spitfire Totem is active
• Other things to watch for
  • Keep players near full health to ensure they survive Cataclysmic Bolt.

Debuffs to Track

Major

• Tidal Surge incapacitates players, possibly causing the tanks to need additional healing.

Minor

• Leeching Throw causes players to need additional healing.

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Useful Addons

DBM Settings

Below are the DBM settings I'll be using for Fathom-Lord Karathress in Serpentshrine Cavern. You can set them up however you'd like, but these ones should work well as a starting point.

Healer DBM Settings for Fathom-Lord Karathress

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