WoW Delves Guide: Tiers, Brann, Great Vault (2026)
Verified November 7, 2026 · Status: live feature
WoW Delves are solo-or-small-group dungeons with 11 difficulty tiers, a Brann Bronzebeard companion that levels with you, Bountiful chests that drop weekly rewards, and Great Vault gear that scales up to Tier 8 — the fastest reliable route to mythic-raid-tier item level for players without a static group. Verified on 7 November 2026.
Source: Blizzard — Delves: Your Guide to the Depths of Azeroth.
Symptom → cause → first action
| Question / problem | Likely cause | First action |
|---|---|---|
| Can’t start Delves | Character level below 70 | Level to 70; Delves unlock at endgame |
| Bountiful chest locked | Missing Restored Coffer Key | Get keys weekly from Delver’s Journey |
| Great Vault slot didn’t appear | Fewer than 4 Delves of Tier 8+ run | Run 4 Tier-8+ for full row |
| Dying constantly at Tier 11 | Too low item level for scaling | Push lower tiers; upgrade Brann first |
| Brann feels weak | Low companion level | Run any tier Delves; Brann XP is shared |
| Can’t find a Delve entrance | Entrances are small portal icons on map | Toggle Adventure map; 13 entrances across TWW zones |
Difficulty tiers (1–11)
- Tier 1–3: Introduction. Catch-up gear.
- Tier 4–7: Normal progression. Great Vault starts at Tier 4.
- Tier 8: Peak Great Vault gear scaling — pushing past this doesn’t give higher-ilvl Vault rewards, only Crests.
- Tier 9–10: For players chasing crest caps and seasonal achievements.
- Tier 11 Bountiful: Highest difficulty. Gilded Stash in the Treasure Room grants Gilded Crests (capped 3 loots per week per character).
Bountiful Delves and keys
Three Delves each week are flagged Bountiful — look for the glowing chest icon on the map. These let you spend a Restored Coffer Key on the final chest for bonus loot. Keys:
- Awarded from the weekly Delver’s Journey quest at Dornogal.
- You get roughly 2–4 keys per week depending on seasonal activity.
- Keys accumulate between weeks — don’t waste them on low tiers unless you’re min-maxing.
- Non-Bountiful Delves still drop regular loot; keys only matter for the bonus chest.
Brann Bronzebeard companion
Brann joins you automatically when you enter a Delve solo. He levels independently and has three specializations you can swap at the Dornogal campfire:
- Healer: Keeps you alive; best for pushing difficulty.
- DPS (ranged): Adds throughput; best for speed runs.
- DPS (melee): Situational; some encounters favor melee.
Brann does not join group Delves (2–5 players). Group Delves scale enemy health and damage but reward identical loot — the choice is yours.
Great Vault from Delves
| Delves completed (Tier 4+) | Vault slots on the World row |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1 slot |
| 4 | 2 slots |
| 8 | 3 slots (full row) |
Item level scales with the highest tier among the 8 runs, capped at Tier 8. Running higher tiers does not give higher-ilvl Vault gear — it only gives Gilded Crests from the Bountiful Tier 11 Gilded Stash (max 3 per week).
Solo vs group
| Mode | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Brann joins; enemies tuned for 1 player | Players without a group; max Brann use |
| Group (2–5) | No Brann; enemies scale to party size | Social play; faster clears with friends |
| Public Delve | Open matchmaking via Group Finder | Pickup players; variable skill |
If something’s not working
- WoW Worldsoul Saga for the broader Midnight/War Within context.
- WoW Mythic+ Season for the keystone alternative at endgame.
- WoW class tier list for solo-Delve class picks.
- Best Brann curios for companion loadout guidance.
- Still stuck → Blizzard CS ticket at battle.net/support with character realm + name + exact issue, or #help in the official WoW Discord.
FAQ
What level do I need to start Delves?
Level 70. Delves are endgame content and unlock automatically at 70 once you reach the War Within zones.
What’s the highest Delve tier?
Tier 11. The Bountiful Tier 11 Treasure Room contains a Gilded Stash with Gilded Crests (3 loots per week per character).
Do Delves give raid-equivalent gear?
Yes — the Great Vault from Delves caps at the same item level band as higher-end content. The ceiling is Tier 8; pushing beyond gives Crests, not higher-ilvl Vault gear.
Is Brann worth upgrading?
Yes. A fully specced Brann is the difference between clearing Tier 10 and getting one-shot in Tier 7. Prioritize his curios once unlocked.
Can I run Delves with friends?
Yes — up to 5 players. Group Delves scale enemy health and damage. Loot is the same as solo. Brann does not appear in groups.
Where do I get Restored Coffer Keys?
Dornogal weekly quest “Delver’s Journey”. Keys are account-bound and accumulate week-to-week.
Do Delves work in WoW Classic?
No. Delves are a retail feature. Classic has its own progression systems.
Related guides
