Lore ·
Deathwing Explained: The Black Dragon Behind Onyxia and Nefarian
Deathwing the Destroyer was once Neltharion the Earth-Warder, the Aspect who led the black dragonflight until the Old Gods corrupted him and he betrayed the other dragons. In World of Warcraft: Forever (WoW Forever), set in the first year of World of Warcraft, Deathwing himself is absent from the world, and his children Onyxia and Nefarian act in his place.
Quick answer: Neltharion was one of five Dragon Aspects. He had the Dragon Soul made to fight the Burning Legion, then used it against his own allies and took the name Deathwing. In Forever's era, his daughter Onyxia waits in her lair in Dustwallow Marsh, which opens as a 40-player raid on December 9.
Some stories begin with a monster. This one begins with a guardian, a dragon charged with watching the deep places of the world, who listened too long to a whisper beneath the stone. What followed made his name a warning across Azeroth.
Key facts
- Original name: Neltharion, the Earth-Warder (Warcraft Wiki, Wowpedia)
- Office: Aspect and leader of the black dragonflight (Warcraft Wiki, Wowpedia)
- Weapon: the Dragon Soul (Warcraft Wiki, Engadget, Blizzard Watch)
- Children: Nefarian and Onyxia, twins of Deathwing and his consort Sintharia (Wowpedia, Warcraft Wiki)
- Status in Forever's era: absent; Wowpedia says missing or dead, and Warcraft Wiki says his children led the flight in his absence
- Forever raid: Onyxia's Lair, 40 players, unlocks December 9 (Blizzard, Warcraft Tavern)
Who was Neltharion, the Earth-Warder?
Warcraft Wiki says Neltharion was one of the five Dragon Aspects and led the black dragonflight, with dominion over the earth and the deep places of Azeroth. Wowpedia's black dragonflight page agrees that his flight's duty was to watch over Azeroth. Engadget's Know Your Lore column describes him as an Aspect charged with watching over the deep places of the earth.
How did he become Deathwing?
The Old Gods whispered to him, say Warcraft Wiki, Wowpedia and Engadget, and he came to fear the other Aspects. Engadget says his goblin servants built the Dragon Soul as a weapon against the Burning Legion, and the dragons gave part of their power to it. According to Blizzard Watch, he secretly meant to use it against his own kind.
In the War of the Ancients he turned on the Aspects. The sources differ on how many blue dragons fell: Warcraft Wiki says many, Engadget says nearly all except Malygos, and Blizzard Watch says he killed Malygos's flight. Warcraft Wiki says his corruption reshaped his body and he took the title Deathwing. The Sundering that followed shaped the night elves; read Night Elves History and the Warcraft lore recap for that age.
Where is Deathwing in WoW Forever's era?
Wowpedia says that in the original game Deathwing was absent, believed missing or dead, while Onyxia and Nefarian led the flight. Warcraft Wiki's Neltharion page agrees that his children act in his stead.
That leaves the pair to meet. Wowpedia says Onyxia posed as Lady Katrana Prestor in Stormwind, and that Nefarian ruled from Blackrock Spire as Lord Victor Nefarius. Blizzard describes Onyxia as a Black Dragonflight dragon, the younger sister of Nefarian, who guards her brood and works to manipulate the mortal races. For the city she walked in, read Stormwind's history.
Can you fight Deathwing's children in WoW Forever?
Onyxia, yes. Blizzard and Warcraft Tavern say Onyxia's Lair opens on December 9 for level 60 players. It is a 40-player raid in Dustwallow Marsh, with three phases of fire attacks. Entry needs the Drakefire Amulet. Blizzard says the Alliance chain starts in the Burning Steppes with Helendis Riverhorn and the Horde chain in the Badlands with Warlord Goretooth.
Nefarian is not in Blizzard's three announced raids, which are Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia's Lair. The free Lore Forever add-on shows readable background as you travel, and the optional Willo voice companion can answer lore questions. Both are fan-made.
What is not confirmed yet
- Blizzard has not published a Forever story for Deathwing, so this article describes the character, not new content.
- Sources disagree on how much of the blue dragonflight fell in the War of the Ancients.
- Whether Nefarian or Blackwing Lair appears in Forever's first year is unannounced.
- Later events, including Deathwing's return, are outside WoW Forever.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Deathwing in World of Warcraft?
Deathwing is Neltharion the Earth-Warder, a Dragon Aspect who betrayed the other Aspects with the Dragon Soul. He leads the black dragonflight.
Is Deathwing in WoW Forever?
Not in person. In the original game's first year Deathwing is absent, and his children Onyxia and Nefarian act for the flight, according to Wowpedia and Warcraft Wiki.
Who are Deathwing's children?
Nefarian and Onyxia, twins born to Deathwing and his consort Sintharia, according to Wowpedia. Onyxia is the younger of the two, as Blizzard also says.
What is the Dragon Soul?
The Dragon Soul is the artifact Neltharion had made to fight the Burning Legion. Warcraft Wiki says it was renamed the Demon Soul after his corruption.
When can you fight Onyxia in WoW Forever?
Onyxia's Lair opens on December 9 as a 40-player raid for level 60 characters, according to Blizzard.
Sources
Reviewed October 24, 2026. This article covers history before and during Forever's setting and does not treat later events as Forever canon. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.