World of Warcraft Classic 20th Anniversary Phase 3 Guide

The 20th anniversary of World of Warcraft is upon us, and Blizzard is celebrating with a massive update. For many players, the excitement surrounding the release of Phase 3 is palpable, bringing new challenges, raids, and rewards to the game. Whether you're a veteran returning to the game or a new player just diving into WoW Classic, Phase 3 is packed with content you won't want to miss.

In this guide, we'll break down everything that's coming in the Phase 3 update, from the ominous Blackwing Lair raid to the new reputation rewards, class quests, and more. We'll dive into all the details to make sure you're ready to take on the challenges that await you in this pivotal phase of WoW Classic's 20th anniversary celebration.

Release Timetable for Phase 3

March 20 - Phase 3 Launch:

• Blackwing Lair Raid opens

• Level 50 Class Quests

• Warsong Gulch Reputation

• Eternal Quintessence

• Darkmoon Faire

April 3 - New Content Drops:

• PvP Honor Rank 11 cap removed

• Arathi Basin battleground opens

• Battleground Bonus Weekends

Blackwing Lair Raid - The Heart of Blackrock Mountain

One of the most anticipated features of Phase 3 is the opening of Blackwing Lair, a raid that takes players into the depths of Blackrock Mountain to face Nefarian, the infamous son of Deathwing. If you're ready to push your raid group to the limit, Blackwing Lair is the place to be. But be warned, this raid is no walk in the park - it will require tight coordination, strategy, and plenty of teamwork to get through.

Location: Blackwing Lair is located at the top of Blackrock Spire, accessible from either the Burning Steppes or the Searing Gorge.

Once you've completed the Attunement quest, you'll face eight powerful bosses, each with their own unique challenges. Let's take a look at these raid bosses and the strategies you'll need to defeat them:

1. Razorgore the Untamed: Razorgore’s challenge lies in his ability to hatch and protect black dragon eggs. Your raid will need to control the eggs while also dealing with waves of enemies.

2. Vaelastrasz the Corrupt: Once a noble dragon, Vaelastrasz has been corrupted by Nefarian. Defeating him requires careful management of his powerful abilities and healing.

3. Broodlord Lashlayer: This drakonid is a formidable tank and needs to be handled with care. Watch for his fire-based abilities and manage aggro accordingly.

4. Firemaw, Ebonroc, and Flamegore: These black dragons each come with their own mechanics, and taking them down will require your raid to stay on top of positioning and debuff management.

5. Chromaggus: A unique chromatic dragon with the ability to use powers from other dragonflights. Players will need to resist his numerous debuffs and make quick use of cleanses.

6. Nefarian: The final boss of Blackwing Lair and the eldest son of Deathwing. Nefarian presents a number of challenges, including switching between dragonflights and coordinating with your raid team to manage various mechanics.

Loot and Rewards in Blackwing Lair: As you defeat these bosses, you'll be able to collect powerful gear from Tier 2 sets, including:

• Druid: Stormrage Raiment

• Hunter: Dragonstalker Armor

• Mage: Netherwind Regalia

• Paladin: Judgement Armor

• Priest: Vestments of Transcendence

• Rogue: Bloodfang Armor

• Shaman: The Ten Storms

• Warlock: Nemesis Raiment

• Warrior: Battlegear of Wrath

You can complete your tier 2 set with items such as bracers, belts, boots, gloves, shoulders and chests. The remaining pieces - helmets and legs - can be obtained by defeating Onyxia in Onyxia's Lair and Ragnaros in Molten Core.

You’ll also find additional loot like the Claw of the Black Drake, Chromatically Tempered Sword, and the Dragonbreath Hand Cannon. Plus, the Elementium Ore dropped by Blackwing Technicians is crucial for progressing in the Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker questline.

Reputation Rewards and Class Quests for Level 50+

With the launch of Phase 3, you'll also have the opportunity to earn valuable reputation rewards from factions such as the Argent Dawn, Thorium Brotherhood, Timbermaw Hold, and the Warsong Outriders (for Horde players) or Silverwing Sentinels (for Alliance players). These rewards include powerful equipment and crafting materials that can enhance your journey as you continue to level up and prepare for more endgame content.

Here’s a look at some of the rewards you can earn based on reputation:

• Argent Dawn: Earn Formulas for crafting like Enchant Bracer – Mana Regeneration, as well as Patterns for Argent Boots and Plans for the Girdle of the Dawn.

• Silverwing Sentinels (Alliance): Earn Binds for improved gear, such as Gloves of the Dawn.

• Thorium Brotherhood: Gain access to recipes and materials for creating powerful gear.

• Timbermaw Hold: Access to crafting plans for potent items, useful in both PvP and PvE.

For those of you level 50 and above, there's no shortage of content. Head to your class trainers in the major cities to begin a new series of quests that will take you to the Temple of Atal'Hakkar in the Swamp of Sorrows. Whether you're a Druid, Hunter, Mage, or any other WoW classic class, you'll dive into these new quests to unlock powerful rewards.

For example, the Druid's quest line sends you to meet the Towa Pathfinder in Un'Goro Crater, where you'll face a series of challenges such as Blood Petal Poison and Toxic Test. Once completed, you'll receive a rare reward such as Grizzled Pelt, Forest Embrace or Moonshadow Staff.

The Darkmoon Faire – An Event Worth Attending

The Darkmoon Faire returns for Phase 3, bringing with it a gathering of exotic vendors, games, and quests. The Faire travels across Azeroth, setting up shop in Mulgore and Elwynn Forest, and when it's on the road, you'll want to visit it to see what new and rare items it has in store. Don't miss your chance to collect some of the Faire's unique trinkets and rewards to help you on your travels.

Arathi Basin and PvP Updates - More Honor and Rewards

If PvP is your thing, Phase 3 introduces some exciting new changes to the PvP Honor system. From the 3rd of April, the cap for Honor rank 11 will be lifted, opening up new titles and rewards for those who wish to push the boundaries of their PvP rank. In addition, Arathi Basin, a 15v15 battleground, will open its doors at 15:00 PDT on 3 April. This battleground pits players against each other in a race to capture five points on the map and be the first to collect 2000 resources.

You'll need solid teamwork and strategic coordination to ensure victory in Arathi Basin, as it will be a constant tug-of-war for control of key resources. Capture points include the Farm, Mine, Blacksmith, Lumber mill and Stables - all of which will be vital in amassing the 2000 resources needed to win.

Battleground Holidays will also be introduced from the 4th of April. Each weekend, the featured battleground (such as Arathi Basin) will offer increased honour and faction rewards, making it a great time to participate in these events.

Conclusion – Gear Up for the 20th Anniversary Celebrations

Phase 3 of World of Warcraft Classic is packed with new content, including the highly anticipated Blackwing Lair raid, new class quests, reputation rewards, and PvP updates. With so much on the horizon, it's a great time to dive back into the game and revisit the epic battles, loot, and strategies that have made WoW Classic a timeless experience.

So gather your allies, equip your gear, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure in Blackwing Lair. Don't forget to check out the new reputation rewards and exciting new class quests. Whether you're looking to conquer a raid, level up, or engage in some serious PvP, Phase 3 has something for everyone.

Need some extra gold to fund your adventures? Check out WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold from trusted vendors like G4mmo to make sure you're ready for whatever comes next!

Remember, the journey doesn't end here - this is just the beginning of a whole new chapter in the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary celebrations. So make sure you stay sharp, because things are about to get intense. Good luck, adventurers!