Overview

The Gate of the Setting Sun is a 5-man dungeon located on the Serpent’s Spine, between the Vale of Eternal Blossoms and the Dread Wastes in Pandaria. Players must defend the wall against a mantid assault led by four bosses: Saboteur Kip'tilak, Striker Ga'dok, Commander Ri'mok, and Raigonn. The dungeon has a linear layout, progressing along the ramparts before descending to the courtyard for the final encounter. It is available on Normal (level 88+) and Heroic (level 90) difficulties, with no major mechanic differences between modes, though Heroic has higher damage and health values.

Location

Coordinates: Entrance at (15.0, 80.0) in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, atop the Serpent’s Spine.

Access: Players can reach the entrance via a rope at (75, 21) in Dread Wastes if unable to fly. A teleport spell, Path of the Setting Sun, is also available.

Quests

Two quests are available from Bowmistress Li at the dungeon entrance:

Lighting the Way: Light the signal flame before fighting Commander Ri'mok. Rewards item level 440 gear.

That's a Big Bug!: Defeat Raigonn, the final boss. No additional rewards beyond experience and gold.

Loot

Item level 463 gear drops from bosses, with Klatith, Fangs of the Swarm (item level 476) as a notable exception from Raigonn.

Useful for pre-raid gearing in Mists of Pandaria Classic.

Boss Strategies

1. Saboteur Kip'tilak

Mechanics:

Throw Explosives: Kip'tilak throws Stable Munitions around the room, which explode after a delay, creating four lines of fire in cardinal directions (north, south, east, west). These explosions can detonate other munitions, creating chain reactions.

Sabotage: Targets a random player, causing them to explode after a few seconds, creating similar fire lines.

World in Flames: Periodically detonates all Stable Munitions at once.

Strategy:

Positioning: Stand diagonally (e.g., northeast or southwest) from munitions to avoid fire lines. Spread out to minimize overlap from Sabotage explosions.

DPS and Healing: Focus on burning down Kip'tilak quickly. Healers should prepare for moderate raid-wide damage from explosions.

Tanks: No special tank mechanics; keep Kip'tilak centered to give the group room to maneuver.

Heroic Note: Explosions deal more damage, so precise positioning is critical.

2. Striker Ga'dok

Mechanics:

Prey Time: Fixates on a random player, chasing them and dealing heavy physical damage.

Acid Bomb: Drops bombs that create damaging pools on the ground.

Strafing Run: Ga'dok flies off and bombards a section of the rampart with fire, requiring players to move to a safe zone.

Cannon Phase: After defeating Ga'dok, players (except one) must use cannons to clear mantid fliers, while the remaining player runs to ring a signal bell.

Strategy:

Positioning: Stay spread out to avoid overlapping Acid Bomb pools. During Strafing Run, move to the safe section of the rampart indicated by the game.

DPS and Healing: DPS should focus Ga'dok while avoiding Prey Time by kiting him. Healers need to top off the fixated player quickly.

Tanks: Minimal tanking required; focus on dodging mechanics.

Cannon Phase: Assign one player (preferably with mobility Quester movement speed) to run to the bell. Others use cannons to shoot down fliers. Once the bell is rung, all players are teleported to the bell.

3. Commander Ri'mok

Mechanics:

Frenzied Assault: A high-damage frontal attack that increases Ri'mok’s damage output when players stand in Viscous Fluid pools.

Viscous Fluid: Creates damaging pools that reduce player damage but increase Ri'mok’s damage if he stands in them.

Reinforcements: Summons Krik'thik Swarmers and Krik'thik Saboteurs, who throw bombs similar to Kip'tilak’s explosives.

Strategy:

Positioning: Avoid Viscous Fluid pools and keep Ri'mok out of them. Move diagonally to dodge Saboteur bombs.

DPS and Healing: Prioritize killing Saboteurs to reduce bomb spam, then Swarmers. Burn Ri'mok down steadily.

Tanks: Face Ri'mok away from the group to avoid Frenzied Assault hitting others. Pull him out of Viscous Fluid pools.

Heroic Note: Saboteurs spawn more frequently, so crowd control (e.g., stuns, interrupts) is key.

4. Raigonn

Mechanics:

Phase 1 (Carapace): Raigonn’s tough exterior reduces damage taken significantly. Players must attack his Weak Spot (on his head) using launchers/catapults to break his carapace.

Adds:

Krik'thik Swarm Bringers: Cast Screeching Swarm, dealing Shadow damage to a targeted player and those within 20 yards.

Krik'thik Engulfers and Protectors: Tankable adds that support Raigonn.

Phase 2 (Post-Carapace): Raigonn fixates on random players, dealing heavy melee damage. No tanking required.

Battering Headbutt: Raigonn charges the inner gate, knocking players off his head and dealing heavy damage if within 10 yards.

Strategy:

Phase 1:

Use launchers/catapults to reach Raigonn’s Weak Spot. DPS it until the carapace breaks (signal for Phase 2).

Prioritize killing Swarm Bringers to reduce Screeching Swarm damage. Tank Engulfers and Protectors away from the group.

Avoid Battering Headbutt by staying off Raigonn’s head during his charges (watch for animations).

Phase 2:

DPS Raigonn down while kiting his fixate. Spread out to avoid cleave damage.

Healers should focus on the fixated player, as Raigonn hits hard.

Tanks: Focus on adds in Phase 1; no tanking needed in Phase 2.

Heroic Note: Adds hit harder and spawn more frequently, so crowd control and quick add management are crucial.

Trash Mobs

Mantid Units: Flying mantids drop bombs similar to Kip'tilak’s explosives. Stand diagonally to avoid fire lines.

Krik'thik Mobs: Some have high-damage abilities; interrupt or stun when possible.

Tips: Clear trash carefully, as bombs can overwhelm unprepared groups. Use crowd control to manage large pulls.

Achievements

Gate of the Setting Sun: Complete the dungeon on any difficulty.

Heroic: Gate of the Setting Sun: Complete on Heroic difficulty.

Challenge Mode Achievements (Bronze, Silver, Gold): Complete the dungeon in Challenge Mode with the respective rating. Gold grants a teleport spell, Path of the Setting Sun.

Tips for Success

Positioning is Key: Bombs and fire lines are a recurring mechanic. Always stand diagonally to explosives.

Crowd Control: Use stuns, interrupts, and slows on Saboteurs and other dangerous adds.

Healer Awareness: Be ready for burst damage during fixate mechanics (Ga'dok and Raigonn) and bomb explosions.

Team Coordination: The cannon phase after Ga'dok requires clear communication to ensure the bell is rung promptly.

Gear Check: Item level 440+ is recommended for Normal, 460+ for Heroic, to handle the damage output.

Conclusion

The Gate of the Setting Sun is a fast-paced, mechanics-heavy dungeon that tests positioning and add management. With proper coordination and awareness of bomb patterns, groups can efficiently clear the dungeon and secure valuable pre-raid gear. Focus on quick add control, precise movement, and strong healing to succeed, especially on Heroic difficulty.