All 7 Bandit Mask Locations in WoW Forever
In WoW Forever, the quest “The Hills Have Eyes” requires you to collect 7 Bandit Masks from Defias Highwaymen and Defias Pillagers in the Hillsbrad Foothills. You can find all 7 masks by farming these mobs in the area around the Durnholde Keep and the hills east of Southshore, with the highest drop rates on the Highwaymen patrolling the eastern slopes.
Background: The Quest and Its Rewards
“The Hills Have Eyes” is a level 22-24 quest offered by Magistrate Sevren in the Undercity, and later by NPCs in Tarren Mill for Horde players. It sends you to the Hillsbrad Foothills to thin out the Defias presence that has spread north from Westfall. The quest is a standard kill-and-collect objective: you need 7 Bandit Masks, which drop from Defias Highwaymen and Defias Pillagers. The reward is a choice of a leather, mail, or cloth item, plus reputation with the Undercity. It is a required step for the chain that eventually leads to the “Battle of Hillsbrad” questline, so most Horde characters complete it around level 22-24.
Where Exactly to Farm the Masks
All 7 masks drop from the same two mob types, so you do not need to travel far. The most reliable farming spot is the eastern slope of the hills between the Durnholde Keep road and the coast, roughly at coordinates 45, 45 to 55, 55. That area has a dense cluster of Defias Highwaymen and Pillagers. The Highwaymen are level 23-24 and have a slightly higher drop rate (around 35-40%) compared to Pillagers (around 25-30%). The Pillagers are more common near the ruined farmsteads at the base of the hills, while Highwaymen patrol the ridges. If you circle the entire hill area, you can easily gather 7 masks in 15-20 minutes at level 24 or higher.
How the Drop System Works
Bandit Masks are not a guaranteed drop; they are a random drop with a percentage chance per kill. The drop rate is not affected by your level, group size, or whether you are on the quest. Each mob has an independent chance to drop the mask, so killing more mobs per minute is the only way to speed up the farm. The masks are also not unique, so you can farm them before picking up the quest and they will count once you accept it. However, you cannot trade them to other players because they are quest items and bind on pickup. If you are in a group, only the player who loots the corpse gets the mask, so solo farming is usually faster unless you coordinate looting.
Choosing the Right Route and Class
Your class and level affect how efficiently you can farm. A level 24-26 character with decent gear can kill the mobs in 2-4 hits, so any class works. Ranged classes (Hunter, Mage, Warlock) can pull from a distance and avoid taking damage, which reduces downtime. Melee classes should focus on the Highwaymen because they have less health than the Pillagers (about 900 vs 1100). A good route is to start at the southern end of the hill cluster, work your way north along the ridge, then loop back south through the farmsteads. Avoid the elite Durnholde guards that patrol the road to the west; they are level 26-27 and will kill you if you pull them. If you are lower than level 22, you will struggle with the mobs, so consider doing the quest at 23 or above.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
A common misconception is that the masks only drop from a specific mob or that you need to kill a named boss. That is false; any Defias Highwayman or Pillager in the Hillsbrad Foothills can drop the mask. Another issue is that players often farm the wrong area – the Defias in the northern part of the zone (near the Alterac Mountains) are not the right mobs; they are level 25-26 and have a lower drop rate. Also, some players think the quest is only for Horde, but Alliance players can also get it from a drop in Westfall? Actually, that is incorrect – the quest is Horde-only. Alliance players cannot obtain this quest because it is part of the Horde’s Hillsbrad questline. If you are Alliance and want the masks, you cannot get the quest, so the masks are useless to you. Another problem is that the drop rate can feel low if you are killing the wrong mobs; stick to the Highwaymen on the eastern ridge.
Comparison with Similar Farming Quests
This quest is similar to other “collect X drops” quests in the same level range, such as “The Kolkar’s Horns” in the Barrens or “The Missing Diplomat” chain. The drop rate for Bandit Masks is actually higher than many other quest items (around 30% vs 20% for some other quests), so it is considered one of the easier farming quests. The main difference is that the mobs are tightly packed and respawn quickly, so you can stay in one spot and kill continuously. In contrast, the Kolkar quest requires you to run between camps. The masks also have a relatively high vendor value (about 1 silver each), so you can make a little gold while farming. Compared to the “Raptor Horns” quest in the Barrens, this one is faster because the mobs are lower level and have less health.
Safety and Efficiency Tips
To farm safely and efficiently, follow these tips:
- Bring food and water – you will take damage, and eating between pulls is faster than waiting for health regen.
- Use your cooldowns – if you have a big damage ability, use it on the Highwaymen to kill them faster.
- Watch for patrols – the Durnholde guards patrol the road; pull mobs away from the road to avoid aggro.
- Turn in the quest as soon as you have 7 masks – the masks take up bag space and you might accidentally delete them.
- If you are a skinner, you can also skin the beasts in the area to make extra gold, but that is optional.
- Do not go AFK in the middle of the farm – you will get ganked by enemy players if you are on a PvP server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the quest as Alliance?
No, “The Hills Have Eyes” is a Horde-only quest. Alliance players cannot obtain it, so the masks are useless to them. If you are Alliance and want to experience the Hillsbrad questline, you would need to roll a Horde character.
What level should I be to farm the masks?
You should be at least level 22 to survive the mobs, but level 24-25 is ideal. At level 24, you can kill the mobs in 2-3 hits and take minimal damage. If you are lower, you will die frequently, and if you are much higher (28+), the quest is trivial but you may have already outleveled the reward.
Do the masks drop from any Defias mob in the zone?
No, only Defias Highwaymen and Defias Pillagers in the Hillsbrad Foothills drop the masks. The Defias that appear in other zones (like Westfall or the Deadmines) do not drop them. Stick to the eastern hills area.
How long does it take to get all 7 masks?
At level 24 with a decent weapon, it takes about 15-20 minutes of continuous farming. The drop rate is around 30-40% on Highwaymen, so you will need to kill roughly 20-25 mobs. Since the respawn is quick, you can stay in one area and kill as they respawn.
Can I farm the masks before accepting the quest?
Yes, the masks are regular drops and will count toward the quest once you accept it. However, you must have the quest in your log to turn them in. If you delete the masks, you cannot get them back, so keep them in your bags.
What is the best class for farming this quest?
Hunters and Warlocks have the easiest time because they can pull from range and let their pet tank. Mages can AoE the groups if they are careful. Melee classes work fine but will take more damage and need to eat more often. Any class can do it, but ranged is more efficient.
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