Infestation Investigation WoW Full Quest Guide

This guide walks you through the full Infestation Investigation quest chain in World of Warcraft, from starting location to final reward. You’ll learn exactly where to go, what to kill, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that trip up players. The quest is a multi-step chain in the Western Plaguelands, starting with the Argent Dawn and ending with a choice of gear.

Background: The Scourge and the Argent Dawn

Infestation Investigation is a quest chain in the Western Plaguelands, a zone in the Eastern Kingdoms. It was introduced in the original game (2004) and remains available in both Classic and Retail versions, though the exact quest text and rewards may vary slightly between expansions. The quests are given by NPCs from the Argent Dawn, a neutral faction dedicated to fighting the Scourge, the undead army of the Lich King. The chain focuses on the Scourge’s use of cauldrons to spread the Plague, a deadly disease that turns living beings into undead. The Argent Dawn wants you to investigate these cauldrons and disrupt their operations.

How to Start: Finding the Quest Giver

To start Infestation Investigation, you must be at least level 50 (in Classic) or level 30 (in Retail, due to level squish). The quest giver is High Priestess MacDonnell at the Argent Dawn camp in the Western Plaguelands, located at coordinates (43, 84). If you haven’t done the earlier Argent Dawn quests, you may need to complete a few introductory quests first, like “The Argent Dawn” and “The Scourge Cauldrons.” These are given by the same NPC and will lead you into the Infestation Investigation chain. If you’re playing Retail, you can find the quest in your quest log under the Western Plaguelands section.

Quest Chain Steps: What to Do

The Infestation Investigation chain consists of several steps. Here’s the full breakdown:

1. Talk to High Priestess MacDonnell – She’ll tell you about the Scourge’s cauldrons and ask you to investigate them.
2. Collect samples from the cauldrons – You’ll need to travel to three specific cauldron locations in the Western Plaguelands: the one at the Bulwark (near the Undercity), the one at the Writhing Haunt, and the one at the Gahrron’s Withering. Each cauldron is guarded by undead mobs, so be prepared to fight. You’ll click on the cauldron to collect a sample, which may require you to kill a few mobs first.
3. Return the samples to MacDonnell – She’ll analyze them and tell you that the plague is being spread by a specific type of undead: the Plague Eruptors.
4. Kill Plague Eruptors – You’ll need to kill a certain number (usually 6) of these mobs, which are found in the same areas as the cauldrons. They look like large, bloated abominations.
5. Collect their remains – After killing them, you’ll loot their remains (e.g., “Plague Eruptor’s Heart”) and return to MacDonnell.
6. Final report – MacDonnell will ask you to deliver a report to Argent Officer Garrick in the camp. This triggers the completion of the chain.

Once you complete the chain, you’ll receive a choice of rewards: a cloak, a ring, or a trinket, depending on your class and spec. The quest chain is not long, but it involves a lot of travel, so it’s best to have a mount.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Players often run into a few issues with this quest chain:

• Can’t find the cauldrons – The cauldrons are not marked on the map. Use your coordinates or an addon like TomTom. The cauldrons are large, green, and glowing, so they’re hard to miss once you’re close.
• Mobs are too strong – The undead around the cauldrons are elite in Classic, so you’ll need a group or to be overleveled. In Retail, they’re normal mobs, but still dangerous if you pull too many.
• Quest not showing up – If you’re on Retail, make sure you have the “War Mode” off if you’re getting ganked, but that’s not a quest issue. The quest might be part of a larger chain, so check your quest log for any incomplete earlier quests from the Argent Dawn.
• Plague Eruptors not spawning – They have a spawn timer, so if you don’t see them, wait a few minutes or check the area more thoroughly. They can be hidden behind trees or buildings.

Rewards and Why It’s Worth Doing

The rewards for Infestation Investigation are solid for the level range. In Classic, you get a choice of a blue-quality item (e.g., a cloak with +stamina and +intellect, or a ring with +spell damage). In Retail, the rewards scale to your level and are useful for leveling. Additionally, completing this chain increases your reputation with the Argent Dawn, which is valuable for later endgame content, such as the Naxxramas raid entrance attunement (in Classic). Even if you’re not a completionist, the quest is a good source of experience and lore.

Alternatives: Other Plaguelands Quests

If you’re looking for similar quests in the area, consider these:

• The Scourge Cauldrons – This is the prequel quest that starts the chain. It asks you to destroy cauldrons in the same area.
• Scholomance quests – The Argent Dawn sends you on several quests to the Scholomance dungeon, which are longer but offer better rewards.
• Wrath of the Lich King quests – If you’re in Retail, you can also do the quests in the Eastern Plaguelands, which have a similar theme of fighting the Scourge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I do Infestation Investigation solo?
In Classic, the mobs are elite and you’ll likely need a group. In Retail, you can solo it easily, especially if you’re a few levels above the minimum.

Q: Where exactly are the cauldrons?
The cauldrons are at the Bulwark (around 45, 70), the Writhing Haunt (around 50, 50), and Gahrron’s Withering (around 55, 35). Use coordinates or an addon to find them.

Q: What happens if I lose the quest item?
You can’t lose it; the quest items are automatically collected in your quest log. If you abandon the quest, you can pick it up again from MacDonnell.

Q: Is this quest available in WoW Classic?
Yes, it’s available in all versions of Classic, including Season of Discovery, though the exact rewards may differ.

Q: How long does the quest chain take?
About 30-45 minutes, depending on your level and whether you have a mount. The travel between cauldrons is the longest part.

Q: Do I need to be a certain class?
No, any class can do the quest. However, classes with stealth (Rogue, Druid) can skip some mobs.

Final Tips and Context

Infestation Investigation is a classic example of the Argent Dawn’s early quests: go out, gather samples, kill a few mobs, and return. It’s straightforward but gives you a taste of the Plaguelands’ atmosphere. If you’re a lore fan, read the quest text – it reveals the Scourge’s methods and the Argent Dawn’s desperation. Also, note that the quest chain is part of the larger “The Scourge Cauldrons” series, which eventually leads to the “Araj the Summoner” quest. So, if you enjoy this chain, keep going.

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