Quel'Serrar: How to Get the Epic Tank Sword via Onyxia

Section: Quests 3 min read Vanilla 1.12.1 · x5 Updated 08.10.2026

Quel'Serrar is the epic main-hand tank sword tempered in the flame and blood of Onyxia. It is one of Vanilla's best tank swords for warriors and paladins. On WoW x5 you reach Dire Maul and Onyxia quickly, where the quest plays out.

Quel'SerrarEpic tank sword

Onyxia's FlameTempering the blade

Foror's CompendiumQuest start

Quel'SerrarBinds when picked upUniqueMain HandSword84 - 126 DamageSpeed 2.00(52.50 damage per second)+12 StaminaDurability 105 / 105Classes: Warrior, PaladinRequires Level 60Chance on hit: When active, grants the wielder 13 defense and 300 armor for 10 sec."The High Blade"

Contents

Step 1. Find Foror's Compendium
Step 2. Get the Unfired Ancient Blade from Lydros
Step 3. Temper the blade in Onyxia's flame
Why it is a great sword
Tips for x5
Common mistakes
Quick checklist

Step 1. Find Foror's Compendium

The quest begins with the book Foror's Compendium of Dragon Slaying (renamed Nostro's Compendium in today's client), a very rare drop from Dire Maul bosses. The book is not soulbound, so it can be bought on the auction house. Only a level 60 warrior or paladin can take the quest.

Step 2. Get the Unfired Ancient Blade from Lydros

Bring the book to Lorekeeper Lydros in the library of Dire Maul West. He gives you a dull and flat elven blade — hand it back to him and you receive the Unfired Ancient Blade and the quest The Forging of Quel'Serrar.

Lorekeeper Lydros in the Dire Maul library — gives the Unfired Ancient Blade and the final reward

Step 3. Temper the blade in Onyxia's flame

The final stage is the Onyxia fight:

Late in the fight (around 5–10% of Onyxia's health), use the Unfired Ancient Blade where her fiery breath will hit it.
Pick up the Heated Ancient Blade — it has a 20-minute timer.
Kill Onyxia and drive the heated blade into her corpse before anyone skins it to get the Treated Ancient Blade.
Turn it in to Lorekeeper Lydros and receive Quel'Serrar.

Unfired Ancient BladeBinds when picked upUniqueUse: Place under the flaming breath of Onyxia.

Heated Ancient BladeQuest ItemUniqueDuration: 20 minUse: Drive into the heart of the brood mother to temper the heated blade.

Treated Ancient BladeQuest ItemUnique"Tempered in the blood of Onyxia."

Onyxia in her lair — her fiery breath heats the blade for Quel'Serrar

Why it is a great sword

Property	Value
Type	Main-hand sword
Proc	+13 defense and +300 armor for 10 sec
For whom	Warrior and paladin tanks (MC era)
Requires	Onyxia attunement/access

The defense and armor proc makes Quel'Serrar the benchmark tank sword until top raid drops appear.

Tips for x5

Combine hunting for Foror's Compendium with Dire Maul reputation clears and the Tribute Run.
Don't forget Onyxia attunement/prep.
For a tank, Quel'Serrar is a key part of your pre-raid BiS.

Common mistakes

Missing the book. Foror's Compendium is easy to overlook in the general Dire Maul loot.
Planting the blade too early. The heated blade cools after 20 minutes — plant it late in the fight.
Letting the corpse be skinned. Warn your skinners: once skinned, the body disappears and the blade cannot be tempered.
Forgetting Onyxia access. You need the attunement/key — sort it before the attempt.

If the tempering fails, abandon the quest and get a new blade from Lydros — you do not need a second book.

Quick checklist

Find Foror's Compendium in Dire Maul.
Turn the book in to Lorekeeper Lydros and receive the Unfired Ancient Blade.
Heat the blade in Onyxia's breath, drive it into her corpse and return it to Lydros → Quel'Serrar.

FAQ

Where does the Quel'Serrar quest start?

With Foror's Compendium of Dragon Slaying — a very rare drop from Dire Maul bosses that is also sold on the auction house. The book starts a quest that you turn in to Lorekeeper Lydros in the Dire Maul library. Only a level 60 warrior or paladin can start it.

Why do I need Onyxia?

The Unfired Ancient Blade from Lydros must be heated by Onyxia's fiery breath, and after she dies you drive the heated blade into her corpse. Lydros then turns the resulting Treated Ancient Blade into Quel'Serrar.

Who wants Quel'Serrar?

Warrior and paladin tanks. The proc grants +13 defense and +300 armor for 10 seconds, and the sword adds +12 Stamina. It is one of the best tank swords of the Molten Core era.