Mad World, a practical guide to 8.3's FoS

By Qoko Last Updated: 2020/08/01 Changelog Patch: 8.3.0

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IntroductionMad Worldlong postGuide purposepurelyMad WorldMad World basics

You're solo. No backup mechanics, disconnects and (definite) Sanity drains or death will end your run.

All the masks means the mobs are scaled by 125%, which is pretty big from the baseline full clear.

In addition, your Sanity is 575, you have two Madnesses per area, leave pools behind you, spawn Effigies below 50% and take 500% Sanity drain from abilities.

In total, a run will take about 25 minutes. It's not necessary to do it as fast as possible, planning is key.

Prerequisitesneed

Obviously, Horrific Masquerade. In case that wasn't obvious.

Depending on your optimization, 455+ item level.

A good mixed dps build, preferably with only rank 3 Essences.

Ashjra'kamas, Shroud of Resolve 12+, preferably maxed out.

We Have the Technology, sans the Mind Stabilizer as you don't need it.

Basic know-how in the current Vision: a 4-mask practice run is useful.

Psychological readiness. I'm not joking; going in these without the right mind set will get you shredded.

Pre-run preparation

Your build should be an AoE/single target mix, unless you intend to swap around mid-Vision, which I recommend against.

I highly recommend Purification Protocol major if it is rank 2+ as almost anything is an Aberration.

Get a Gift tracker for Gift of the Titans. I've used Fatpala's in all my runs.

Get a Potion tracker and understand what potions do. The above WeakAura does this too.

Know where the buffs are and/or use HandyNotes.

Consumables (in order of importance):

Mad World run basicsGift pullGift of the TitansGift pullGift of the Titans

PROC (∞, practically 10): any kill (critter, mob, elite, zone boss, Thrall and Alleria) has about a 50% chance to proc Gift.

ACTIVE (20): 20 seconds long you're immune to Sanity drain and haste and movement speed are increased by 60%. You are not immune to damage or CC!

COOLDOWN (60): followed by a minute where Gift can't proc. When the cooldown runs out, it immediately reverts to the proc stage.

90 secondElite ExterminationPotion of Unbridled Furyout of combatAreas & MadnessesElite Exterminationtwo rather large sweepsMadnesses:

Madness: Promised Power & Madness: Desynchronized: whilst nothing in Tainted is bad, a slow phase outside the zone can be frustrating.

Madness: Desynchronized & Madness: Bloodthirsty: not having to worry about the power zone means you can focus solely on the time phase.

Madness: Promised Power & Madness: Bloodthirsty: use the zone if you can, otherwise a relatively mindless combo.

Madness: Scorched FeetMadnesses:

Madness: Scorched Feet & Madness: Dark Delusions: Delusions is the worst to combine with Scorched, but you should be able to avoid it regardless.

Madness: Scorched Feet & Madness: Entomophobia: Entomophobia is annoying at best. Just jump whilst flying from Scorched to get rid of them.

Madness: Dark Delusions & Madness: Entomophobia: respite. This should barely, if at all, bother you. Just keep regularly jumping and you're fine.

Madnesses:

Madness: Split Personality & Madness: Haunting Shadows: incredibly frustrating in Stormwind; you can cheese it partly by triggering Split, then Haunting.

Madness: Leaden Foot & Madness: Split Personality: tough for melee. If allowed to, stay still in the Split to drop Leaden.

Madness: Leaden Foot & Madness: Haunting Shadows: tough for ranged. Displacements are godsend, as there's no Split to worry about.

Buff potionsfive minutes

Spicy Potion: random AoE fire breath, the run out effect is a medium fear.

Sluggish Potion: 2% heal/second, the run out effect is a medium snare.

Sickening Potion: 5% damage taken reduction, the run out effect is a medium stun.

duration increases greatly15 minutesthreeOther tips & tricks

The largest threat are the elites and bosses, as missing a Sanity drainer can pretty much one shot you.

Get the potion color shortly after starting, and consider correct colored pots as a ~20% Sanity restore.

As timing is less relevant if you have K'Bab, get easy to reach buffs first.

Keep track of your Emergency Cranial Defibrillation status, as Cranial availability allows some risks.

Trying to keep Vision Hunter up will speed up the run eventually, though for longer paths you'll mount anyway.

Class specific notes

Havoc: Split Personality can be double jumped, Vengeful Retreat breaks Leaden Foot.

City specific guidesGift of the TitansSanity Restoration Orbloose guidelineAdjust accordingly!boldcursiveOrgrimmarGIFT 1

Proc it on the two packs on the right hand side. Try to group them up.

Use it on Grommash Hold guards, the mobs towards (and including) Naros.

Spend the cooldown on clearing behind Grommash Hold.

GIFT 2

Proc it on the packs behind the Hold (top right hand side).

Use it on the remaining mobs in the area.

For the cooldown check potion color and potions and Gamon.

RESPITEGIFT 3

Proc it on Zek'han's mobs. Spread out dps to ensure all four die at the same time.

Use it on Decimator Shiq'voth: watch out for Decimator without Gift; only when it's on the way back!

Spend the cooldown to access Wisdom and clear the first mob and middle pack.

GIFT 4

Proc it on the pack before the bridge.

Use it on all possible trash except for the pack after the bridge.

Spend the cooldown to clear and any useful potions, K'Bab if Sanity's running sub-300.

GIFT 5

Proc it on the Horror pack; the Faceless may stay up for a bit longer but it shouldn't matter too much.

Use it on Coagulated Horror: all the blood is nasty without Gift so watch out if it runs out.

Spend the cooldown to kill Voidcrazed Hulk: the throw will cause some additional sanity drain but you should be max after Hulk.

GIFT 6Valley of Wisdom 3.

Pull Vez'okk the Lightless and proc it on the unleashed Corruptions.

Use it for Vez'okk the Lightless as well. Stay in the inside circle of the chaos orbs, avoid Defiled and just group up and AoE adds.

Spend the cooldown to go towards Valley of Spirits and clear the first totem.

GIFT 7

Proc it on the second totem mobs, if it doesn't proc, (Bjemba or) the patrol.

Use it on the patrol, third and fourth totems. These packs can be quite nasty due to Madnesses.

Spend the cooldown on all totems at least; chests and crystals if you see fit.

GIFT 8Valley of Spirits 3.

Proc it on the two Faceless in front of the Elemental.

Use it on Oblivion Elemental: Hopelessness is rather harmless. Mind the waves, especially with Scorched Feet.

Spend the cooldown on mounting towards the Drag entrance.

RESPITEGIFT 9

Proc it on the Annihilator pack. Mind the Burrower: a stun helps after they just resurfaced.

Use it on Annihilator Lak'hal; pull him regardless of a Burrower up. The sanity zones are hard to avoid so kill him fast.

Spend the cooldown starting Garona role play, clearing the next pack (and Warpweaver Dushar).

GIFT 10

Proc it on the middle pack in the Drag.

Use it on Snang and the final pack.

Spend the cooldown to clear all the role play. Don't bother with K'Bab as we're orbing.

ORB 1The Drag 3Inquisitor GnshalVoid TorrentALTERNATIVEThe Drag 3GIFT 11

Proc it on Misha, otherwise her adds. If the Inquisitor did, the next few packs.

Use it on the two packs behind Misha and the bridge.

Spend the cooldown to clear the left side on the center island, in front of the Mindhunter.

GIFT 12

Proc it on the right pack in front of the Mindhunter.

Use it on Aqir Mindhunter: mind that the poison can still stack and then lead to a stun, as well as the huge knockback.

Spend the cooldown to clear the pack up to Rexxar: this is a nasty pack: you might want to CC the Swarmer if you can.

ORB 2GIFT 13Valley of Honor 4.

Pull Rexxar and proc it as soon as possible on the pets.

Use it on Rexxar: he still hurts a lot! Hence an orb, Gift and the haste cooldown. Do not trigger a trap outside Gift.

Spend the cooldown to totem back.

ORB 3GIFT 14Thrall

Proc it on a Void Boar, interrupt the other; if it procs on neither, so be it.

Use it on Thrall: see below for pointers.

Congratulations!

Thrall's Mad World

The boars are your number one prio at the start. They should not live to cast at all, but at least before Gift runs out.

Defiled Ground is the only thing that can actually kill you. Just sidestep it properly; don't move too much so you can still distinguish Burned Bridge and Defiled Ground.

Surging Darkness take a fair amount of time to explode. Plan accordingly, especially if a Defiled Ground follows.

Hopelessness is harmless in itself, but can screw up your orientation; get rid of it but still prioritize Defiled Ground and Surging Darkness.

Cries of the Void might get you low and/or proc Cranial. You can risk if you still have Cranial to just ignore it completely; though there's no real reason to do so.

Grommash Hold (T): proc Gift on right side mobs; use it on mobs towards Naros and Hold guards (and Naros). Spend the cd on clearing behind the Hold.

Grommash Hold (T): proc Gift on the mobs behind Hold; use it on the remaining mobs Spend the cd on potion color, K'Bab, (Gamon) and going towards Spirits..

Valley of Spirits (C): proc Gift on Zek'han's mobs; use it on Decimator Shiq'voth. Spend the cd to access Wisdom, clear the middle.

Valley of Wisdom (L): proc Gift on the bridge pack; use it and the cd on all other trash but the Horror pack.

Valley of Wisdom (L): proc Gift on the Horror pack; use it on Coagulated Horror; spend the cd on Voidcrazed Hulk.

Valley of Wisdom (L): proc Gift on Vezokk's adds; use it on Vez'okk the Lightless; spend the cd to go towards Valley of Spirits.

Valley of Spirits (C): proc Gift on second totem mobs; use it on remaining totem mobs (and Bjemba); spend the cd on chests.

Valley of Spirits (C): proc Gift on the two Elemental trash; use it on Oblivion Elemental; spend the cd running to the Drag.

The Drag (C): proc Gift on the Annihilator pack; use it on Annihilator Lak'hal; spend the cd clearing first part of the Drag (and Warpweaver).

The Drag (C): proc Gift on the second pack; use it on Snang and the remainingg mobs; spend the cd to deal with the rp.

The Drag (C): ORB (two orbs) as Gift's not proccable and kill Inquisitor Gnshal.

Valley of Honor (L): procc Gift on Misha; use it on the mobs behind her, spend the cd clearing up to the Mindhunter.

Valley of Honor (L): proc Gift on the pack right of Mindhunter; use it on Aqir Mindhunter; spend the cd clearing up to Rexxar

Valley of Honor (L): ORB (one orb) whenever the haste cooldown is ready.

Valley of Honor (L): proc Gift on pets; use it on Rexxar; spend the cd toteming back.

Grommash Hold (T): give yourself some respite if you have an orb left. Check all buffs, chests/crystals if you want.

Grommash Hold (T) LAST ORB, proc Gift on left side Hold thrash; use it on Thrall.

StormwindeasierGIFT 1

Proc it on the first two packs. Try to group them up.

Use it on Cathedral guards, potion mobs and the packs towards Trade.

Spend the cooldown (on Agustus Moulaine), potion color and identifying some pots.

GIFT 2

Proc it on remaining mobs.

Use it on the remaining mobs(, Angry Bear Rug Spirit) and the Dwarven bridge.

Spend the cooldown on the gnomes, tumors and the first pack in Dwarven.

GIFT 3

Proc it on the pack before the Forge-Guard or the bank/auction house pack.

Use it on Forge-Guard Hurrul: relatively harmless anyway, easy with Gift.

Spend the cooldown to clear: all but the two mobs right side mobs without a bomb. After the cooldown runs out, get the buff mine and do bombs.

GIFT 4Dwarven District 2.

Proc it on the the remaining mobs. Line of sighting them towards the boss and then activating the boss helps.

Use it on Therum Deepforge: if need be, kick Ordnances away, but he will move with you.

Spend the cooldown to clear up Dwarven if you need to, but make sure to clear the Old Town bridge before it runs out.

GIFT 5

Proc it on Light-Hunter guards just inside Old Town. This may not proc Gift, so kill rats behind them if not!

Use it on Armsmaster Terenson: Blade Flourish is harmless if you have Gift; just avoid Blast and kill her before she does Flourish again.

Spend the cooldown to clear the next three packs, but take your time; these packs hurt!.

GIFT 6

Proc it on the last (or second to last if slower) pack towards Alx'kov.

Use it on Alx'kov the Infested (or partly the pack before him): he is rather harmless in itself, but Gift avoids having to move much.

Spend the cooldown on clearing the pack before the gates and unlocking the gates.

ORB 1GIFT 7Old Town 4.

Proc it on a rat.

Use it on Overlord Mathias Shaw: Shaw's no fun, but take your time. Eyes drain a significant amount if hit but not enough to kill you, just kill him slowly.

Spend the cooldown on the teleport back and clearing the middle bridge towards Trade.

RESPITEGIFT 8

Proc it on the Inquisitor packs. These two packs combined are rather harmless as the Burrowers will jump to you straight away.

Use it on Inquisitor Darkspeak; with Gift up, you can ignore the Agonizing Torment pretty much throughout. Just kick it if it's starting with Gift gone.

Spend the cooldown clearing the outskirts and the middle pack (and Neglected Guild Bank), but not the pack towards the Slavemaster.

GIFT 9Trade District 2

Proc it on the pack towards the Slavemaster.

Use it on Slavemaster Ul'rok: Chains of Servitude works a bit wonky with Gift up (stun can reapply) so just run from it.

Spend the cooldown to clear all cages (you pretty much need the minute).

GIFT 10

Proc it on the bridge pack towards Mage Quarter.

Use it the tumors and the pack towards the right.

Spend the cooldown to clear the T-section pack, the Portal Keeper around the corner and the first pack towards Zardeth.

GIFT 11

Proc it on the Portal Keeper pack around the corner at Zardeth.

Use it on Zardeth of the Black Claw: Rain of Fire is pretty harmless besides Sanity drain.

Spend the cooldown to clear up behind Zardeth to but not including the Portal Keeper pack.

ORB 2GIFT 12Mage Quarter 4

Proc it on the Portal Keeper and his adds.

Use it on Boundless Corruption: Boundless without Gift is a death sentence. Zerg him as soon as you possibly can.

Spend the cooldown to kill the 5th Portal Keeper and go up the tower.

We're unable to proc Gift on Magister Umbric: prioritize kicking Entropic Missiles and do it patiently. Afterwards, teleport back.

ORB 3GIFT 13Alleria

There's nothing left to proc Gift on. Only a Spawn can give you one and definitely kill it if your Sanity gets that low.

Use it on Alleria Windrunner: see below for pointers.

Congratulations!

Alleria's Mad World

The Eye is annoying, but the benefit in comparison to Shaw is that there's just one.

Void Eruption and Chains are practical one shots, so prioritize those.

Melee should kick (interact) Ordnances away from the center; ranged can just sidestep it.

Darkened Sky should be sidestepped; similar to the Defiled Ground on Thrall, but with less priority.

Interrupt Tainted Polymorph as it's the only interruptible cast; it's not required (if you have limited interrupts) but you'll drain some from Burned Bridge.

Cathedral Square (T): proc Gift on the first mobs; use it on the next pack and Guards; spend the cd on on potion color and the available buff.

Cathedral Square (T): proc and use Gift on remaining mobs; spend the cd on the Dwarven bridge and the first pack inside Dwarven.

Dwarven District (C): proc Gift on Forge-Guard pack; use it on Forge-Guard Hurrul; spend the cd on clearing, bombs, buff mine and chests.

Dwarven District (C): proc Gift on the last two bombless mobs; use it on Therum Deepforge; spend the cd on clearing the bridge to Old Town.

Old Town (L): proc Gift on the Light-Hunter guards; use it on Armsmaster Terenson; spend the cd on clearing (slowly).

Old Town (L): proc Gift on the pack before Alx'kov; use it on Alx'kov the Infested; spend the cd on clearing and chests.

Old Town (L): open Shaw's gates, ORB (two orbs) and pull the closest by pack.

Old Town (L): proc Gift on the pulled pack; use it and its cd on Overlord Mathias Shaw. Teleport out (this seems to be safe) and clear the bridge to Trade.

Trade District (C): proc Gift on the packs before the Inquisitor; use it on Inquisitor Darkspeak; spend the cd clearing the outskirts.

Trade District (C): proc Gift on the pack before Ul'rok; use it on Slavemaster Ul'rok; spend the cd on (Neglected Guild Bank and) cages.

Mage Quarter (L): go right, proc Gift on the starter pack; use it on the first Portal Keeper; spend the cd on the second Portal Keeper to Zardeth.

Mage Quarter (L): proc Gift the randomly spawning mobs; use it on Zardeth of the Black Claw; spend the cd on clearing up to Mage Tower behind Zardeth.

Mage Quarter (L): quickly skim for chests and then ORB (one orb).

Mage Quarter (L): proc Gift on the Portal Keeper pack before Boundless; use it on Boundless Corruption; spend the cd on the final Portal Keeper and the stroll up the tower.

Mage Quarter (L): kill Magister Umbric (no Gift, no orb): prio interrupting Entropic Missiles (Poly is no Sanity drainer). Teleport back.

Cathedral Square (T): give yourself some respite if you have an orb left. Check all buffs, chests and crystals if you want.

Cathedral Square (T): LAST ORB, proc Gift on the potion mobs (LoS inside); use it on Alleria Windrunner..

Acknowledgments

Comments

Comment by cheinii

Just to add one thing.. The horrific add procs gift quite well. xd

So just stand near the boss patiently, and once it dies, pull away!

Ie for Shaw, or Uldric.. i am really horrible at clicking stuff so take insane sanity dmg (and am low pulling them ofc), yet 20 sec free dps helps a looooot

Mad World, a practical guide to 8.3's FoS

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