To upgrade the Flame Altar from level 3 through level 9, defeat the required bosses in this order: Scavenger Matron, Fell Wispwyvern, Fell Monstrosity, Fell Sicklescythe, Fell Cyclops, Fell Dragon Youngling, and finally Hydrak'Dal. Each boss head advances the altar by one level, so this chain also provides a practical boss-hunting route.
Flame Altar boss order
| Order | Boss | Location | Altar result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scavenger Matron | Hill of Scavengers in Springlands; Glennwood's End and Fawnsong Frontier in Revelwood; also Nomad Highlands and Kindlewastes | Unlocks level 3 |
| 2 | Fell Wispwyvern | The Pike, Pikemead's Reach, and Revelwood | Unlocks level 4 |
| 3 | Fell Monstrosity | Cradle of Dusk in Nomad Highlands; also reported in Kindlewastes, Albaneve Summits, and Veilwater Basin | Unlocks level 5 |
| 4 | Fell Sicklescythe | Several Shroud points throughout Kindlewastes, Albaneve Summits, and Veilwater Basin | Unlocks level 6 |
| 5 | Fell Cyclops | A frozen Elixir Well in Albaneve Summits | Unlocks level 7 |
| 6 | Fell Dragon Youngling | Howling Peak in Albaneve Summits | Unlocks level 8 |
| 7 | Hydrak'Dal | Drak'Dal Temple in Veilwater Basin, reached through the Fisher's Vengeance questline | Unlocks level 9 |
Boss locations and important mechanics
Scavenger Matron
The Matron is the starting fight for the upgrade chain and can appear at several Scavenger locations. Her Gorger form throws a three-way poison attack, while her Grizzler form summons reinforcements. Be prepared for a fight that can become more crowded after the form change.
Fell Wispwyvern
Search The Pike, Pikemead's Reach, or Revelwood. The Wispwyvern roars to summon Fell Beetles. Attack its mouth during the roar to stun it, then use the opening to deal damage.
Fell Monstrosity and Fell Sicklescythe
The Monstrosity uses Shroud Spray at range and Shroud Breath in front of itself. Statues in its arena can spawn Fell Berserkers, so watch the surroundings as well as the boss. The mobile Sicklescythe is found at Shroud points in the eastern regions and punishes long melee commitments; avoid staying committed to a single attack sequence for too long.
Fell Cyclops
This required Cyclops is at a frozen Elixir Well in Albaneve Summits. Fire and Shroud damage are effective against it, while Blunt and Ice are resisted. Do not confuse it with the separate unaligned Cyclops, whose head is a crafting material and does not advance the Flame Altar.
Fell Dragon Youngling
At Howling Peak, the Youngling takes greatly reduced damage until its stun bar fills. Stun Arrows and lightning spells such as Chain Lightning help fill that bar, and deflecting its Fell Fire Meteors back at it also contributes. Once it falls, use the brief damage window before it recovers and summons Fell Draconian Vultures.
Hydrak'Dal
Hydrak'Dal is the final step in this Flame Altar chain, not necessarily a traditional story-ending boss. Enter the Drak'Dal Temple through the Fisher's Vengeance questline. The fight includes two smaller creatures before the main battle, ranged rock attacks marked by a yellow glow, ground attacks indicated beneath your character, and a close-range Whirlwind. Keep moving, use the central pillar for cover, and avoid chasing the boss into dangerous areas such as slowing mud. The arena's speed pads can help with repositioning.
Other named fights that do not advance the chain
- Fell Thunderbrute: found around Elixir Wells and Shroud Roots across several regions; its head provides a Shroud Core rather than a listed altar level.
- Hollow Cyclops: found in the final chamber of Hollow Halls dungeons and drops a Hollow Cyclops Head.
- Cyclops: found in five cave systems in Albaneve Summits, including areas near Everfrore Keep, Howling Peak, Wildwater Basin, and Lake Luma; its head is used for crafting.
- Fell Critter Queen: found at certain Shroud-covered Elixir Wells or Shroud Lairs in Revelwood, Kindlewastes, and Nomad Highlands.
- Vukah Brawler: found at Vukah Ceremony Hill, Vukah Arena, Treetop Settlement, and Vukah Sacrifice Hill.
- Scavenger Tyrant: a separate miniboss at the edge of Rothstep, north of Everfrore Keep, and inside the Forge of Obsidia.
If your goal is specifically Flame Altar progression, prioritize the seven bosses in the table rather than these additional encounters. The altar level confirms which step you have reached, while the required boss head identifies the next upgrade in the sequence.