How To Get Xal’atath, Blade of the Black Empire

In World of Warcraft: The War Within, Xal’atath is set up as the expansion’s main antagonist, always working in the shadows to corrupt and influence forces to align with her motivations. She’s a puppet-master that serves the Void, but a few WoW expansions ago, she took a very different form.

In the Legion expansion, Xal’atath was one of the Priest class’ Legendary Artifact Weapons. The Blade of the Black Empire contained Xal’atath until the events of Battle for Azeroth, but thanks to Timewalking and the Transmog system, players can still get the Xal’atath dagger appearance – the perfect weapon for a Shadow Priest in The Worldsoul Saga trilogy.

What Is Xal’atath?

As of the first The War Within patch 11.0.5, a lot of information about Xal’atath and her motivations is still shrouded in mystery – but there are a few things we know for sure about her.

Players first met Xal’atath when she was trapped inside of a blade whose origins are unknown, but theorized by some to be the remains of an Old God. After the defeat of The Black Empire, Xal’atath persisted in this form and was wielded by several influential players throughout Azeroth’s history – including the player character themselves.

In the Legion Shadow Priest Artifact Weapon questline, players are able to claim Xal’atath for their own. During this expansion, Xal’atath was not much more than a unique dagger that talked to its wielder, and would comment on The Black Empire and have special voice lines that only Shadow Priests could hear.

In Battle for Azeroth, Xal’atath was freed from the blade by a Blood Elf named Inanis in the Drustvar zone, and took over her body. This finally grants Xal’atath a physical form, and she goads the player as she walks into a void portal.

As it turns out, Xal’atath is much more than just an ancient, corrupted blade – she is an ancient Void entity that has existed since at least the time of The Black Empire in ancient Azeroth, when The Old Gods reigned practically unchecked over the world.

It’s unknown exactly what she is, whether she is a minor Void Lord, a forgotten Old God, or something else entirely. However, we do know that she is called The Harbinger by the Ethereals, as she appeared and ushered in the Void’s destruction of their homeworld.

In The War Within Xal’atath takes center stage as the main antagonist of the expansion and begins to put her plans into motion – and if you have earned the Artifact Weapon version of Xal’atath, she even has some special voice lines just for Shadow Priests during the TWW campaign.

How To Get Xal’atath, Blade of the Black Empire in WoW

To get the Legion Artifact Weapon version of Xal’atath, Blade of the Black Empire, you must be playing as a Priest. It doesn’t necessarily matter which spec, but the weapon is themed for Shadow Priests, and the class quest will be easier to complete if you are in the correct spec.

First, go to Chromie and select the World of Warcraft: Legion Timewalking campaign (you can do this at max level or while leveling a new Priest). Then, accept the summons to the Legion version of Dalaran after completing the intro scenario in the Broken Isles.

Upon your arrival in Dalaran, you should be approached by a member of the Netherlight Temple, who will direct you to the Priest Order Hall. Netherlight Temple can be accessed via a portal located in both the Alliance and Horde Inns in Dalaran.

Once inside the Priest class Order Hall, WoW players should first complete the handful of tutorial quests, which introduce the Class Hall mechanics. After completing the intro quests, you should be given the option to pursue an Artifact Weapon of your choosing.

For Priests, there are three Artifact Weapon Legion legendaries to choose from in the quest ‘A Legend You Can Hold’. When asked which weapon to pursue first, select the Shadow Spec option, which grants Xal’atath, Blade of the Black Empire upon completion. Priests will be given the quest ‘Blade In Twilight’ and sent to Tirisfal Glades to chase down a lead on a Twilight’s Hammer cultist who is wielding Xal’atath.

Follow the questline to eventually confront the Twilight Deacon underneath the Tomb of Tyr, who is attempting to reanimate the corpse of what appears to be an Old God-like creature named Zakajz. Defeat the Deacon and you will be able to pick up and equip Xal’atath, Blade of the Black Empire.

After picking it up, Xal’atath will begin to whisper to you, and says that she foresees “great things” together, and offers her aid “for now” You will also unlock the Xal’atath Dagger transmog for your collection, but being a Legion Artifact Weapon exclusive to the Priests, it is not available to any other class.

As it is a Legendary Weapon from an older expansion, the dagger has little practical use nowadays aside from Transmog.