Using unused difficulty flags (10H/25H) to create custom Heroic modes in WotLK raids that don’t support them

[Ouranos1984]

Hi everyone,

I’m exploring the feasibility of using existing Heroic difficulty flags (10H/25H) in WotLK to create new difficulty variants for raids that do not natively use them — without modifying boss AI scripts.

This would allow us to give new life to legacy raids while maintaining a blizzlike feel.

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🔧 Goal

To implement a new Heroic version of existing raids using spawnmask and difficulty flags, but without changing scripted behaviors. Specifically:

• Duplicate creature_template entries with increased stats (HP, damage…)
• Assign them spawnmask = 2 (used only for 10H/25H)
• Create distinct creature_loot_template entries
• Optionally apply an undispellable aura (e.g., +30% spell damage taken) when players enter in Heroic mode
• Do not touch .cpp boss scripts or hardmode logic

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📜 Raids that don’t use 10H/25H

These WotLK raids do not leverage the Heroic flag and are eligible for this approach:

Raid	Native Modes	Uses 10H/25H Flag?
Naxxramas	10 / 25	❌ No
Eye of Eternity (Malygos)	10 / 25	❌ No
Obsidian Sanctum (Sartharion)	10 / 25	❌ No (HM via drakes)
Ulduar	10 / 25 + internal HMs	❌ No (HM via mechanics)
Onyxia’s Lair (WotLK version)	10 / 25	❌ No

🧩 For Ulduar and Sartharion, adding 10H/25H would effectively unlock 4 difficulty variants:

• Normal + Heroic
• Each with and without optional hardmode triggers

This results in extra content combinations without modifying script logic.

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💠 Loot Concept

To make these new modes attractive while keeping balance:

• Rewards could be cosmetic only

  • Old legendary weapon models (Atiesh, Sulfuras, Warglaives, etc.)
  • Tier 3 skins from old Naxxramas (40-player)

• Or 284 ilvl loot that is:

  • Highly specialized per spec/playstyle
  • Encourages horizontal progression instead of simple power creep

This would allow us to offer high-end rewards while avoiding ICC-style stat inflation.

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❓ Questions

1. Has this approach been discussed or implemented in any public forks (TrinityCore, AzerothCore, etc.)?
2. Is spawnmask + difficulty_entry handling reliable/stable in TC 3.3.5 for this use case?
3. Are there limitations or edge cases I should expect (AI targeting, phasing, group loot, etc.)?
4. Are tools/scripts available to mass duplicate raid entries (creatures, spawns, loot) to a new difficulty slot?

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Thanks for reading — I'm just exploring this idea before committing development time.
Any feedback or experience from similar systems would be appreciated.

(Post originally written in French, translated with ChatGPT.)

[siriusty1]

I tried adding a heroic difficulty to Naxxramas by directly reusing its monsters and adding difficulty levels 2 and 3 in the mapDiffiulty.dbc and dungeon_access_template tables. However, the problem is that the newly added dungeon difficulty cannot be recognized by the client. In the window for dungeon progress cooldown, the difficulty text is empty, and the difficulty icon cannot be displayed next to the mini-map.