diff --git a/src/common/Logging/Log.cpp b/src/common/Logging/Log.cpp
index 386ccbbe33..38a8ccbbdc 100644
--- a/src/common/Logging/Log.cpp
+++ b/src/common/Logging/Log.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
 #include "Timer.h"
 #include "Tokenize.h"
 #include <chrono>
-#include <sstream>
 
 Log::Log() : AppenderId(0), highestLogLevel(LOG_LEVEL_FATAL)
 {
diff --git a/src/common/Logging/LogMessage.cpp b/src/common/Logging/LogMessage.cpp
index b112444f1c..aea9718b19 100644
--- a/src/common/Logging/LogMessage.cpp
+++ b/src/common/Logging/LogMessage.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "LogMessage.h"
-#include "StringFormat.h"
 #include "Timer.h"
 
 LogMessage::LogMessage(LogLevel _level, std::string const& _type, std::string_view _text)
diff --git a/src/common/Utilities/Util.cpp b/src/common/Utilities/Util.cpp
index 0020b0102e..6ad08152f3 100644
--- a/src/common/Utilities/Util.cpp
+++ b/src/common/Utilities/Util.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 #include <boost/core/demangle.hpp>
 #include <cctype>
 #include <cstdarg>
-#include <ctime>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <string>
 #include <utf8.h>
diff --git a/src/server/apps/worldserver/CommandLine/CliRunnable.cpp b/src/server/apps/worldserver/CommandLine/CliRunnable.cpp
index c2cc94edbc..83688f1cca 100644
--- a/src/server/apps/worldserver/CommandLine/CliRunnable.cpp
+++ b/src/server/apps/worldserver/CommandLine/CliRunnable.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 
 #include "CliRunnable.h"
 #include "Config.h"
-#include "Errors.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "World.h"
 #include <fmt/core.h>
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/TotemAI.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/TotemAI.cpp
index 9df6fbb7c1..03b105a762 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/TotemAI.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/TotemAI.cpp
@@ -20,11 +20,16 @@
 #include "Creature.h"
 #include "DBCStores.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "ObjectAccessor.h"
 #include "SpellMgr.h"
 #include "Totem.h"
 
+/// @todo: this import is not necessary for compilation and marked as unused by the IDE
+//  however, for some reasons removing it would cause a damn linking issue
+//  there is probably some underlying problem with imports which should properly addressed
+//  see: https://github.com/azerothcore/azerothcore-wotlk/issues/9766
+#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
+
 int32 TotemAI::Permissible(Creature const* creature)
 {
     if (creature->IsTotem())
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/UnitAI.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/UnitAI.cpp
index 24ba8e8257..f57e7a2b29 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/UnitAI.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/CoreAI/UnitAI.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "Spell.h"
 #include "SpellAuraEffects.h"
-#include "SpellAuras.h"
 #include "SpellInfo.h"
 #include "SpellMgr.h"
 
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAI.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAI.cpp
index df37d78b6c..04e63bc89c 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAI.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAI.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "Vehicle.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "ZoneScript.h"
 
 //Disable CreatureAI when charmed
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAISelector.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAISelector.cpp
index c4436b840c..96861c4844 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAISelector.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/CreatureAISelector.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "MovementGenerator.h"
 
 #include "GameObject.h"
-#include "GameObjectAIFactory.h"
 
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
 
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/ScriptedAI/ScriptedCreature.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/ScriptedAI/ScriptedCreature.cpp
index 25ed7b4391..79e32319cf 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/ScriptedAI/ScriptedCreature.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/ScriptedAI/ScriptedCreature.cpp
@@ -15,17 +15,21 @@
  * with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include "AreaBoundary.h"
 #include "ScriptedCreature.h"
 #include "Cell.h"
 #include "CellImpl.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "Spell.h"
 #include "TemporarySummon.h"
 
+/// @todo: this import is not necessary for compilation and marked as unused by the IDE
+//  however, for some reasons removing it would cause a damn linking issue
+//  there is probably some underlying problem with imports which should properly addressed
+//  see: https://github.com/azerothcore/azerothcore-wotlk/issues/9766
+#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
+
 // Spell summary for ScriptedAI::SelectSpell
 struct TSpellSummary
 {
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartAI.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartAI.cpp
index 717b8ee735..276074ca90 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartAI.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartAI.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "CellImpl.h"
 #include "GridDefines.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "ObjectDefines.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScript.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScript.cpp
index dd5f09297f..9452c86d67 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScript.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScript.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 #include "GossipDef.h"
 #include "GridDefines.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Language.h"
@@ -37,6 +36,12 @@
 #include "SpellMgr.h"
 #include "Vehicle.h"
 
+/// @todo: this import is not necessary for compilation and marked as unused by the IDE
+//  however, for some reasons removing it would cause a damn linking issue
+//  there is probably some underlying problem with imports which should properly addressed
+//  see: https://github.com/azerothcore/azerothcore-wotlk/issues/9766
+#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
+
 SmartScript::SmartScript()
 {
     go = nullptr;
diff --git a/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScriptMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScriptMgr.cpp
index 5142145b84..aceadfc11b 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScriptMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AI/SmartScripts/SmartScriptMgr.cpp
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
 #include "GameEventMgr.h"
 #include "GridDefines.h"
-#include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "ObjectDefines.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/AuctionHouse/AuctionHouseMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/AuctionHouse/AuctionHouseMgr.cpp
index 6c9f77eadb..ab782a5c70 100644
--- a/src/server/game/AuctionHouse/AuctionHouseMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/AuctionHouse/AuctionHouseMgr.cpp
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "AuctionHouseMgr.h"
-#include "AccountMgr.h"
-#include "AsyncAuctionListing.h"
 #include "Common.h"
 #include "DBCStores.h"
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlefield/Battlefield.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlefield/Battlefield.cpp
index 254720eb5e..fe609ea1f5 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlefield/Battlefield.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlefield/Battlefield.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "GameGraveyard.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "GroupMgr.h"
 #include "Map.h"
@@ -33,6 +32,12 @@
 #include "Transport.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
 
+/// @todo: this import is not necessary for compilation and marked as unused by the IDE
+//  however, for some reasons removing it would cause a damn linking issue
+//  there is probably some underlying problem with imports which should properly addressed
+//  see: https://github.com/azerothcore/azerothcore-wotlk/issues/9766
+#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
+
 Battlefield::Battlefield()
 {
     m_Timer = 0;
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Battleground.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Battleground.cpp
index eac4b55958..82ed79027e 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Battleground.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Battleground.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "Battleground.h"
 #include "ArenaSpectator.h"
 #include "ArenaTeam.h"
-#include "ArenaTeamMgr.h"
 #include "BattlegroundBE.h"
 #include "BattlegroundDS.h"
 #include "BattlegroundMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAB.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAB.cpp
index c50ab4617c..4cc94a60da 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAB.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAB.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "BattlegroundMgr.h"
 #include "Creature.h"
 #include "GameGraveyard.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "Util.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAV.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAV.cpp
index c445ce9582..ca5191964a 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAV.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundAV.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "SpellAuras.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
-#include "WorldSession.h"
 
 void BattlegroundAVScore::BuildObjectivesBlock(WorldPacket& data)
 {
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundDS.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundDS.cpp
index bd84a831e9..66e6f445b4 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundDS.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundDS.cpp
@@ -16,15 +16,12 @@
  */
 
 #include "BattlegroundDS.h"
-#include "ArenaScore.h"
 #include "Creature.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "ObjectAccessor.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
-#include "WorldSession.h"
 
 BattlegroundDS::BattlegroundDS()
 {
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundEY.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundEY.cpp
index 2632b1192c..1b3fe32c8b 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundEY.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundEY.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "Creature.h"
 #include "GameGraveyard.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "Util.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundIC.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundIC.cpp
index e269f4c746..2053232894 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundIC.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundIC.cpp
@@ -20,14 +20,12 @@
 #include "GameGraveyard.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "ScriptedCreature.h"
 #include "Transport.h"
 #include "Vehicle.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
-#include "WorldSession.h"
 
 void BattlegroundICScore::BuildObjectivesBlock(WorldPacket& data)
 {
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRL.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRL.cpp
index 80d36ad75d..72f41344d3 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRL.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRL.cpp
@@ -16,8 +16,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "BattlegroundRL.h"
-#include "ArenaScore.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRV.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRV.cpp
index 7cb46a2613..e61f496d29 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRV.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundRV.cpp
@@ -19,13 +19,11 @@
 #include "ArenaScore.h"
 #include "Battleground.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "ObjectAccessor.h"
 #include "Pet.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
-#include "WorldSession.h"
 
 static constexpr Milliseconds BG_RV_PILLAR_SWITCH_TIMER  = 25s;
 static constexpr Milliseconds BG_RV_FIRE_TO_PILLAR_TIMER = 20s;
diff --git a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundWS.cpp b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundWS.cpp
index 64b4619f48..1f84f6f6fc 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundWS.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Battlegrounds/Zones/BattlegroundWS.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "BattlegroundMgr.h"
 #include "GameGraveyard.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "Object.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "Player.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Chat/Hyperlinks.cpp b/src/server/game/Chat/Hyperlinks.cpp
index cc9e43cafc..b55f36191b 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Chat/Hyperlinks.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Chat/Hyperlinks.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "Hyperlinks.h"
 #include "Common.h"
 #include "DBCStores.h"
-#include "Errors.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "QuestDef.h"
 #include "SharedDefines.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Combat/ThreatMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Combat/ThreatMgr.cpp
index 87e9725a42..c1041da496 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Combat/ThreatMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Combat/ThreatMgr.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include "Map.h"
 #include "ObjectAccessor.h"
 #include "Player.h"
-#include "SpellAuras.h"
 #include "SpellInfo.h"
 #include "SpellMgr.h"
 #include "Unit.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/DataStores/M2Stores.cpp b/src/server/game/DataStores/M2Stores.cpp
index 16a7c9fa5f..3bd101bd83 100644
--- a/src/server/game/DataStores/M2Stores.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/DataStores/M2Stores.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "DBCStores.h"
-#include "Common.h"
 #include "Containers.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "M2Structure.h"
@@ -25,7 +24,6 @@
 #include <boost/filesystem/path.hpp>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <iostream>
-#include <iomanip>
 
 typedef std::vector<FlyByCamera> FlyByCameraCollection;
 std::unordered_map<uint32, FlyByCameraCollection> sFlyByCameraStore;
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/Creature.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/Creature.cpp
index 3d0c018bae..f8a41cc57a 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/Creature.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/Creature.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "GroupMgr.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "LootMgr.h"
 #include "MapMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/TemporarySummon.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/TemporarySummon.cpp
index 9236f8520a..69bd080dd8 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/TemporarySummon.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Creature/TemporarySummon.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "TemporarySummon.h"
-#include "CreatureAI.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
 #include "GameObjectAI.h"
 #include "Log.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/DynamicObject/DynamicObject.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/DynamicObject/DynamicObject.cpp
index 46902575f0..779e443124 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/DynamicObject/DynamicObject.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/DynamicObject/DynamicObject.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "SpellAuraEffects.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "ObjectAccessor.h"
 #include "Opcodes.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Item/Item.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Item/Item.cpp
index bfcb13892e..b63e90b869 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Item/Item.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Item/Item.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 #include "SpellInfo.h"
 #include "SpellMgr.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
-#include "WorldSession.h"
 #include "Tokenize.h"
 #include "StringConvert.h"
 
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Pet/Pet.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Pet/Pet.cpp
index 3491320867..5696c18ac5 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Pet/Pet.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Pet/Pet.cpp
@@ -18,11 +18,9 @@
 #include "Pet.h"
 #include "ArenaSpectator.h"
 #include "Common.h"
-#include "CreatureAI.h"
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "Group.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "PetPackets.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/CinematicMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/CinematicMgr.cpp
index 39d67e45eb..8dbe3fb416 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/CinematicMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/CinematicMgr.cpp
@@ -16,11 +16,9 @@
  */
 
 #include "CinematicMgr.h"
-#include "Map.h"
 #include "M2Stores.h"
 #include "MotionMaster.h"
 #include "Player.h"
-#include "TemporarySummon.h"
 
 CinematicMgr::CinematicMgr(Player* playerref)
 {
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp
index b6044f556c..787d4ecb1d 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/Player.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,6 @@
 #include "Transport.h"
 #include "UpdateData.h"
 #include "UpdateFieldFlags.h"
-#include "UpdateMask.h"
 #include "Util.h"
 #include "Vehicle.h"
 #include "Weather.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/PlayerStorage.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/PlayerStorage.cpp
index 508a0f2b7b..9836a64003 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Player/PlayerStorage.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Player/PlayerStorage.cpp
@@ -24,14 +24,12 @@
 #include "Battleground.h"
 #include "BattlegroundAV.h"
 #include "BattlegroundMgr.h"
-#include "CellImpl.h"
 #include "Channel.h"
 #include "CharacterDatabaseCleaner.h"
 #include "Chat.h"
 #include "Common.h"
 #include "ConditionMgr.h"
 #include "Config.h"
-#include "CreatureAI.h"
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
 #include "DisableMgr.h"
 #include "GameEventMgr.h"
@@ -43,7 +41,6 @@
 #include "GroupMgr.h"
 #include "Guild.h"
 #include "InstanceSaveMgr.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "LFGMgr.h"
 #include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Unit/Unit.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Unit/Unit.cpp
index 2ca014e2ef..57674dd6dc 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Unit/Unit.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Unit/Unit.cpp
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 #include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "InstanceSaveMgr.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "MapMgr.h"
 #include "MoveSpline.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Entities/Vehicle/Vehicle.cpp b/src/server/game/Entities/Vehicle/Vehicle.cpp
index e6ca904283..b33502da2d 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Entities/Vehicle/Vehicle.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Entities/Vehicle/Vehicle.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 
 #include "Vehicle.h"
 #include "BattlefieldWG.h"
-#include "CreatureAI.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "MoveSplineInit.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Events/GameEventMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Events/GameEventMgr.cpp
index 21e40c9e1d..073352c4cf 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Events/GameEventMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Events/GameEventMgr.cpp
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
 #include "Transport.h"
 #include "UnitAI.h"
-#include "Util.h"
 #include "World.h"
 #include "WorldStatePackets.h"
 #include <time.h>
diff --git a/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectAccessor.cpp b/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectAccessor.cpp
index a529e4e009..c169769a82 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectAccessor.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectAccessor.cpp
@@ -21,10 +21,8 @@
 #include "DynamicObject.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "Map.h"
-#include "MapInstanced.h"
 #include "MapMgr.h"
 #include "ObjectDefines.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectMgr.cpp
index 491338d6f3..d814b7c01a 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Globals/ObjectMgr.cpp
@@ -43,12 +43,10 @@
 #include "ReputationMgr.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
 #include "Spell.h"
-#include "SpellAuras.h"
 #include "SpellMgr.h"
 #include "SpellScript.h"
 #include "Transport.h"
 #include "Unit.h"
-#include "UpdateMask.h"
 #include "Util.h"
 #include "Vehicle.h"
 #include "World.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Grids/Notifiers/GridNotifiers.cpp b/src/server/game/Grids/Notifiers/GridNotifiers.cpp
index a85a7285a5..7b25ab1bdd 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Grids/Notifiers/GridNotifiers.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Grids/Notifiers/GridNotifiers.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Map.h"
 #include "ObjectAccessor.h"
 #include "SpellInfo.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Grids/ObjectGridLoader.cpp b/src/server/game/Grids/ObjectGridLoader.cpp
index ac1631caf5..628189ae4b 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Grids/ObjectGridLoader.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Grids/ObjectGridLoader.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "Corpse.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
 #include "Creature.h"
-#include "CreatureAI.h"
 #include "DynamicObject.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Guilds/Guild.cpp b/src/server/game/Guilds/Guild.cpp
index 85344f670a..c6ce30a50e 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Guilds/Guild.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Guilds/Guild.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
  */
 
 #include "Guild.h"
-#include "AccountMgr.h"
 #include "Bag.h"
 #include "CalendarMgr.h"
 #include "CharacterCache.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Handlers/MiscHandler.cpp b/src/server/game/Handlers/MiscHandler.cpp
index 5149e6a49f..9cfad00e62 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Handlers/MiscHandler.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Handlers/MiscHandler.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "CharacterPackets.h"
 #include "Chat.h"
 #include "Common.h"
-#include "CreatureAI.h"
 #include "DBCEnums.h"
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
 #include "GameObjectAI.h"
@@ -30,7 +29,6 @@
 #include "GossipDef.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "GuildMgr.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "LootMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Handlers/PetitionsHandler.cpp b/src/server/game/Handlers/PetitionsHandler.cpp
index 79b9f703eb..6ce8b6039c 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Handlers/PetitionsHandler.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Handlers/PetitionsHandler.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "ArenaTeamMgr.h"
 #include "Guild.h"
 #include "GuildMgr.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "Opcodes.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceSaveMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceSaveMgr.cpp
index 5cb7d3f596..efc07e5a46 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceSaveMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceSaveMgr.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "Config.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Log.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceScript.cpp b/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceScript.cpp
index 993d7e9056..600edae4a2 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceScript.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Instances/InstanceScript.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 
 #include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Creature.h"
-#include "CreatureAI.h"
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
 #include "GameObject.h"
 #include "Group.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Maps/AreaBoundary.cpp b/src/server/game/Maps/AreaBoundary.cpp
index 7d040785d8..3ef5601a8b 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Maps/AreaBoundary.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Maps/AreaBoundary.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 
 #include "AreaBoundary.h"
 #include "Unit.h"
-#include "TemporarySummon.h"
 
 // ---== RECTANGLE ==---
 RectangleBoundary::RectangleBoundary(float southX, float northX, float eastY, float westY, bool isInverted) :
diff --git a/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp b/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp
index 26c35ffdfe..1059219b9a 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Maps/Map.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "Geometry.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "LFGMgr.h"
@@ -39,7 +38,6 @@
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
 #include "Transport.h"
 #include "VMapFactory.h"
-#include "VMapMgr2.h"
 #include "Vehicle.h"
 #include "Weather.h"
 
diff --git a/src/server/game/Maps/MapMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Maps/MapMgr.cpp
index a1f866eac2..9e89d64e21 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Maps/MapMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Maps/MapMgr.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include "GridDefines.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "InstanceSaveMgr.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "LFGMgr.h"
 #include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/OutdoorPvP/OutdoorPvP.cpp b/src/server/game/OutdoorPvP/OutdoorPvP.cpp
index 7ea5ca9d46..4a0988f302 100644
--- a/src/server/game/OutdoorPvP/OutdoorPvP.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/OutdoorPvP/OutdoorPvP.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "OutdoorPvP.h"
 #include "CellImpl.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "Map.h"
 #include "MapMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Scripting/MapScripts.cpp b/src/server/game/Scripting/MapScripts.cpp
index 40f86ae1a0..bd31e8dcfa 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Scripting/MapScripts.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Scripting/MapScripts.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@
 #include "CellImpl.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Map.h"
 #include "MapMgr.h"
 #include "MapRefMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Server/WorldSession.cpp b/src/server/game/Server/WorldSession.cpp
index d45144cb4f..3ab5e7a31c 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Server/WorldSession.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Server/WorldSession.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #include "Common.h"
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
-#include "Group.h"
 #include "Guild.h"
 #include "GuildMgr.h"
 #include "Hyperlinks.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Spells/Auras/SpellAuraEffects.cpp b/src/server/game/Spells/Auras/SpellAuraEffects.cpp
index 3cecac6139..27a3b8971f 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Spells/Auras/SpellAuraEffects.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Spells/Auras/SpellAuraEffects.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "Common.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "ObjectAccessor.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/game/Spells/Spell.cpp b/src/server/game/Spells/Spell.cpp
index e239466c7f..f97a8827d2 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Spells/Spell.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Spells/Spell.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include "GameObjectAI.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
 #include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Log.h"
@@ -56,6 +55,12 @@
 #include "World.h"
 #include "WorldPacket.h"
 
+/// @todo: this import is not necessary for compilation and marked as unused by the IDE
+//  however, for some reasons removing it would cause a damn linking issue
+//  there is probably some underlying problem with imports which should properly addressed
+//  see: https://github.com/azerothcore/azerothcore-wotlk/issues/9766
+#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
+
 extern pEffect SpellEffects[TOTAL_SPELL_EFFECTS];
 
 SpellDestination::SpellDestination()
diff --git a/src/server/game/Texts/CreatureTextMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Texts/CreatureTextMgr.cpp
index e477f45803..f370e72ab1 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Texts/CreatureTextMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Texts/CreatureTextMgr.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "Common.h"
 #include "DatabaseEnv.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "MiscPackets.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 
diff --git a/src/server/game/Weather/WeatherMgr.cpp b/src/server/game/Weather/WeatherMgr.cpp
index af3035deb4..29d8a6f4ef 100644
--- a/src/server/game/Weather/WeatherMgr.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/Weather/WeatherMgr.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "Weather.h"
-#include "WorldPacket.h"
 #include "WorldSession.h"
 #include <memory>
 
diff --git a/src/server/game/World/World.cpp b/src/server/game/World/World.cpp
index 9c7cd51eb0..eb4785b61b 100644
--- a/src/server/game/World/World.cpp
+++ b/src/server/game/World/World.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@
 #include "InstanceSaveMgr.h"
 #include "ItemEnchantmentMgr.h"
 #include "LFGMgr.h"
-#include "Language.h"
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "LootItemStorage.h"
 #include "LootMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/scripts/Events/love_in_air.cpp b/src/server/scripts/Events/love_in_air.cpp
index 1a2f044db6..6141b180d5 100644
--- a/src/server/scripts/Events/love_in_air.cpp
+++ b/src/server/scripts/Events/love_in_air.cpp
@@ -18,9 +18,7 @@
 #include "Cell.h"
 #include "CellImpl.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
-#include "GridNotifiersImpl.h"
 #include "Group.h"
-#include "LFGMgr.h"
 #include "PassiveAI.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
 #include "ScriptedCreature.h"
diff --git a/src/server/scripts/Events/pilgrims_bounty.cpp b/src/server/scripts/Events/pilgrims_bounty.cpp
index a23e4af3cb..ef165e5643 100644
--- a/src/server/scripts/Events/pilgrims_bounty.cpp
+++ b/src/server/scripts/Events/pilgrims_bounty.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "PassiveAI.h"
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
-#include "ScriptedCreature.h"
 #include "SpellAuraEffects.h"
 #include "SpellScript.h"
 #include "Vehicle.h"
diff --git a/src/server/scripts/Outland/Auchindoun/ShadowLabyrinth/boss_grandmaster_vorpil.cpp b/src/server/scripts/Outland/Auchindoun/ShadowLabyrinth/boss_grandmaster_vorpil.cpp
index 97b9627c88..7fce6bb3be 100644
--- a/src/server/scripts/Outland/Auchindoun/ShadowLabyrinth/boss_grandmaster_vorpil.cpp
+++ b/src/server/scripts/Outland/Auchindoun/ShadowLabyrinth/boss_grandmaster_vorpil.cpp
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
  * with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include "Player.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
 #include "ScriptedCreature.h"
 #include "shadow_labyrinth.h"
diff --git a/src/server/scripts/Outland/HellfireCitadel/ShatteredHalls/instance_shattered_halls.cpp b/src/server/scripts/Outland/HellfireCitadel/ShatteredHalls/instance_shattered_halls.cpp
index ffaf806d91..3d27937cb0 100644
--- a/src/server/scripts/Outland/HellfireCitadel/ShatteredHalls/instance_shattered_halls.cpp
+++ b/src/server/scripts/Outland/HellfireCitadel/ShatteredHalls/instance_shattered_halls.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 
 #include "CreatureTextMgr.h"
 #include "InstanceScript.h"
-#include "ScriptedCreature.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
 #include "shattered_halls.h"
 
diff --git a/src/server/scripts/Spells/spell_generic.cpp b/src/server/scripts/Spells/spell_generic.cpp
index 822e05a887..299e993b5c 100644
--- a/src/server/scripts/Spells/spell_generic.cpp
+++ b/src/server/scripts/Spells/spell_generic.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
 #include "Group.h"
-#include "InstanceScript.h"
 #include "Pet.h"
 #include "ReputationMgr.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
diff --git a/src/server/scripts/World/npcs_special.cpp b/src/server/scripts/World/npcs_special.cpp
index d1e80ef2cc..3092303258 100644
--- a/src/server/scripts/World/npcs_special.cpp
+++ b/src/server/scripts/World/npcs_special.cpp
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 #include "Chat.h"
 #include "CombatAI.h"
 #include "CreatureTextMgr.h"
-#include "DBCStructure.h"
 #include "GameEventMgr.h"
 #include "GameTime.h"
 #include "GridNotifiers.h"
diff --git a/src/server/scripts/World/server_mail.cpp b/src/server/scripts/World/server_mail.cpp
index 5776753d63..4f5a250b2d 100644
--- a/src/server/scripts/World/server_mail.cpp
+++ b/src/server/scripts/World/server_mail.cpp
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 
 #include "Player.h"
 #include "ScriptMgr.h"
-#include "Mail.h"
 #include "ObjectMgr.h"
 #include "QueryResult.h"
 
diff --git a/src/server/shared/Packets/ByteBuffer.cpp b/src/server/shared/Packets/ByteBuffer.cpp
index eca42bda5c..b3ae4b5330 100644
--- a/src/server/shared/Packets/ByteBuffer.cpp
+++ b/src/server/shared/Packets/ByteBuffer.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "Log.h"
 #include "MessageBuffer.h"
 #include "Timer.h"
-#include "Util.h"
 #include <ctime>
 #include <sstream>
 #include <utf8.h>