Small Friend, Big Plans Quest Guide

Unlocking hidden facilities and aiding the war effort is a key part of progressing through World of Warcraft: The War Within. The Small Friend, Big Plans quest introduces players to a quirky maintenance machine and sets the stage for reactivating a defunct war golem facility overrun by goblins. This level 80 quest in The Ringing Deeps offers 10 Valorstones as a reward and is essential for players delving into the zone’s storyline.

Quest Overview and Prerequisites

Before diving into the action, understanding the quest’s place in the broader campaign helps. This quest is part of the main storyline in The Ringing Deeps, specifically tied to efforts against invading forces. Players must be level 80 to accept it, as it’s designed for endgame content in The War Within expansion.

• Quest ID: 79023
• Zone: The Ringing Deeps
• Level Requirement: 80
• Faction: Both Alliance and Horde (separate guides available for visuals)
• Rewards: 10 Valorstones, experience, and progression toward larger story arcs

To start, complete preceding quests that lead to tracking a distress signal. This signal points to a small maintenance machine, setting up the core objective. No special items or renown levels are required beyond reaching the zone naturally through the campaign.

Finding the Quest Starter

The journey begins after investigating a mysterious distress signal. This leads you to a compact maintenance droid in The Ringing Deeps. The NPC providing the quest briefing explains the discovery: a little machine amid ruins, with a larger prize nearby—a shutdown war golem production site to the southeast.

Locate the quest giver near the signal’s origin point. Coordinates aren’t explicitly marked on maps initially, but following the main path from prior quests guides you there. Videos show the exact spot for both factions, confirming it’s accessible post-signal quest.

Interact with the quest giver to pick up Small Friend, Big Plans. The dialogue reveals the plan: use the maintenance machine to scout the goblin-overrun facility.

Meeting ZZ-01-47: Your Tiny Ally

The heart of the quest is introducing yourself to ZZ-01-47, the last functioning maintenance machine from the Deep Forge Golem Works. This little bot is key to assessing the facility without alerting goblins.

Approach ZZ-01-47 and initiate interaction. A simple /wave or dialogue option triggers the “introduce yourself” step. The machine responds positively, confirming its readiness to assist. Players report the interaction is straightforward—no combat or puzzles involved at this stage.

1. Locate ZZ-01-47 near the quest giver.
2. Select the interaction prompt: “Introduce yourself to the maintenance machine.”
3. Watch the short animation or dialogue sequence.
4. Quest updates automatically upon completion of this step.

ZZ-01-47’s lore ties into the zone’s industrial history, hinting at future quests involving golem reactivation. Keep this ally in mind for subsequent tasks.

Scouting the War Golem Facility

With ZZ-01-47 on board, the next phase involves heading southeast to the defunct facility. Goblins have taken over, turning it into a salvage operation. Your goal is to investigate functionality without full engagement.

Use stealth if available, or follow ZZ-01-47’s lead as it hacks doors or distracts foes. Video guides demonstrate paths avoiding major patrols. Key areas to check:

• Entrance Overlook: Assess goblin numbers and defenses.
• Production Lines: Scan for operational golem parts.
• Control Room: ZZ-01-47 interfaces here to pull data.

Expect minor mobs but no boss fights. Completing the assessment returns you to the quest giver for turn-in.

Rewards and What They Mean

Finishing Small Friend, Big Plans grants 10 Valorstones, a currency for gearing up in The War Within. These stones are crucial for purchasing upgrades from vendors in Dornogal or zone hubs.

Additional gains include reputation with local factions and unlocking follow-up quests like those in the Ties That Bind campaign. Valorstones scale with progression, making early quests like this valuable for alts.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Players sometimes face bugs or confusion:

• ZZ-01-47 Not Interactable: Ensure quest is active; relog if stuck.
• Facility Overrun: Clear nearby goblins quietly.
• Faction Differences: Horde paths mirror Alliance but with unique visuals.

If progress stalls, check Wowhead comments or YouTube for updates, as patches may tweak spawns.

Integration with The Ringing Deeps Storyline

This quest fits into the larger narrative of reclaiming earthen tech from nerubian and goblin threats. The war golem facility ties into campaigns like Against the Current and Ties That Bind, leading to events such as Ground Pounders and Metal and Stone.

Completing it advances your foothold in the zone, opening delves and world quests. Pair it with farming spots for materials like Flame Blessed Iron nearby.

Tips for Efficient Completion

To breeze through:

• Mount Up: Use flying mounts post-unlock for quick travel.
• Group Up: Optional for goblin clears.
• Record Your Run: For alts or sharing.
• Prep Gear: Level-appropriate for level 80 content.

Time investment: 5-10 minutes solo.

Related Quests in The War Within

Build on this with:

These chain into endgame campaigns.

Visual Walkthrough Resources

YouTube offers faction-specific videos:

• General guide with timestamps.
• ZZ-01-47 intro focus.
• Horde version.
• Short clip for quick check.

Wowhead provides interactive maps.

FAQ

Q: What level is Small Friend, Big Plans?
A: Level 80 in The Ringing Deeps.

Q: How do I introduce myself to ZZ-01-47?
A: Interact directly with the machine after picking up the quest.

Q: What are Valorstones used for?
A: Gear upgrades and vendor purchases in The War Within.

Q: Is this Horde or Alliance only?
A: Available to both, with minor visual differences.

Q: What if the quest doesn’t appear?
A: Complete prerequisite distress signal quest.