WoW SoD Phase 2: Mekgineer Thermaplugg Guide (Gnomeregan Raid)

World of Warcraft Season of Discovery Phase 2 has introduced a lot of new content for players to try out. Whether you will be doing PvP in Stranglethorn Vale, collecting all of the new class runes and skillbooks or raiding in Gnomeregan. 

Since the new 10-man raid can be quite challenging given the amount of new mechanics and armor bosses have in Gnomeregan. 

With that being said, we will be going over some strategies and tips so you can be prepared for the final boss and secure yourself some great gear as well. Wowhead has created a great guide and we will expand upon it by adding more helpful information and tips.

WoW SoD Phase 2 Mekgineer Thermaplugg Guide for Gnomeregan Raid

This is the sixth and last boss of the Gnomeregan Raid as you will need to go through several phases to defeat him. We will go through all of the different ablities during all of the phases so you can have a better understanding of the fight and you should do.

WoW SoD Phase 2 Mekgineer Thermaplugg Primary Abilities

Each of the phases has a different set of bombs that they drop. The first (Fire) phase, the second (Frost) phase and third (Nature) phase. 

• Incendiary Bomb - Drops while STX-96/FR is active, when these explode they do relatively high damage as well as leave a ground fire effect that deals damage.
• Frost Bomb - Drops while STX-97/IC is active, when these explode they do relatively high damage as well as leave a ground that slows players.
• Radioactive Bomb - Drops while STX-98/PO is active, when these explode they do relatively high damage as well as leave a ground that applies a disease which increases nature damage taken by 50%.

The bombs spawn from one of the pillars in the room, and players can stop them from spawning by clicking on red buttons that are located on the right side of the pillars. 

Please keep in mind that a debuff is applied to a player once you click a button that stops you from clicking another pillar button for 30 seconds.

This should be prioritized by ranged DPS players as melees will lose a lot of uptime running to the buttons and back to the boss but they should also be reserved as backup.

Clicking a button also takes some health away but grants mana so both ranged DPS and healers can make use of this to get some mana back.

STX-96/FR First (Fire) Phase Abilities and Tips

The first phase deals a lot of Fire damage so you can prep for it by chugging a Fire Protection Potion. The phase will last until the boss reaches 50% HP.

• Sprocketfire - This is a stacking dot damage that gets applied to the tank, creating a forced tank swap during the boss.
• Sprocketfire Punch - Does some damage to its current target applies Sprocketfire, eventually forcing a tank swap to mitigate damage taken.
• Furnace Surge - The boss will cast a frontal fire breath-like spell, if hit will apply repeated stacks of the Sprocketfire debuff.

During the first phase, the fire boss will be stacking Sprocketfire on the tank, via either Sprocketfire Punch, Furnace Surge, and Incendiary Bomb; and on the raid through the latter two.

Furnace Surge can be avoided entirely even by the tank by running directly away from the boss while it does its frontal. Between 5 and 7 stacks, the off-tank should taunt and pick up the boss until the main tank's Sprocketfire runs out.

STX-97/IC Second (Frost) Phase Abilities and Tips

The second phase deals a lot of Nature damage so you can prep for it by chugging a Frost Protection Potion. The phase will last until the boss reaches 50% HP.

• Supercooled Smash - Does some damage to its current target applies Freezing, at 10 stacks, it applies Frozen Solid, which can force a tank swap.
• Coolant Discharge - Casts a raid-wide AoE damage ability, this also applies Freezing. If a target is Frozen Solid, it wipes the raid instead.
• Freezing - The debuff caused by the previous two spells, this is a stacking slow that eventually causes the target to become Frozen Solid. This is a dispellable debuff.

During the second phase, the frost boss will be stacking Freezing on the raid, via Coolant Discharge, and Frost Bomb; and on the tank, via Supercooled Smash.

This debuff can be dispelled, meaning one tank can handle the boss the entire phase without worrying about getting Frozen Solid.

Make sure to keep the tank and the raid below 9 stacks, because during the 10th, it will freeze the target, and when Coolant Discharge is cast, it'll causes a raid-wipe.

STX-98/PO Third (Nature) Phase Abilities and Tips

The third phase deals a lot of Frost damage so you can prep for it by chugging a Frost Nature Protection Potion. The phase will last until the boss reaches 50% HP.

• Radiation Sickness - Stacking debuff that increases the nature damage taken by 50%.
• Hazardous Hammer - Does some damage to its current and applies Radiation Sickness.
• Toxic Ventilation - Interruptible AoE channel ability that deals nature damage.

During the third phase, the nature boss will be stacking Radiation Sickness on the raid via Radioactive Bomb; and on the tank through Hazardous Hammer.

These stacks should be either dispelled, or at least kept low. Otherwise, when the Toxic Ventilation gets casted, it'll have massive AoE damage.

Toxic Ventilation can be interrupted, but the lack of a cast bar can make it more challenging than normal - so those with kicks should pay close attention.

STX-99/XD Final Phase Abilities and Tips

The final phase allows the boss to cast all of the abilities from previous phases, however, you will be able to deal with each one much easier since the boss will be randomizing the spells. 

You will need to look out for the bombs at all times and pay attention to your surroundings but you should be able to deal with this phase without stressing too much.

Once you have defeated the mech, Mekgineer Thermaplugg will jump out, but he does not pose a serious threat so you will be able to defeat him quite easily.

WoW SoD Phase 2 Mekgineer Thermaplugg Tips

We will be covering tips for all roles in the Gnomeregan Raid during the final boss encounter.

Tank Tips

• Kite the boss near the entrance to make it easier to avoid damaging other people with Furnace Surge, as well as allowing you to run away from it further as to avoid the extra Sprocketfire stacks.
• Ensuring the boss remains around the center during the rest of the fight is important so players can reach pillars faster and keep DPSing. 
• If a bomb explodes, make sure to kite the boss away from the pool the bomb spawns. 

Melee Tips

• Stay out of the floor pools (fire).
• You should prioritize dealing damage and make sure to act as backup for bombs in crucial situations.
• If a Frost Bomb does explode, melee can use Free Action Potion to avoid getting slowed and maintain constant DPS.

Ranged Tips

• If you are assigned to a pillar, make sure to stick next to it to stop bombs as soon as possible.
• Save instant cast spells for bombs to nuke them down.
• Target bombs before they reach melees and tanks.
• Use up mana regeneration potions and cooldowns as the fight is very long.

Healer Tips

• Your main priority will be to heal if you are not assigned to a pillar. Make sure to stay away from bombs.
• Using any and all mana regeneration tools (such as mana potions, Minor Recombobulator, Miniaturized Combustion Chamber) as early as possible in order to be able to get more off later and throughout the fight is important, since this is a long fight.

And that is everything you need to know for the Mekgineer Thermaplugg encounter in the new Gnomeregan Raid in World of Warcraft Season of Discovery Phase 2.

Good luck in your pugs and make sure to give it your all so you can get your hands on some shiny new gear.