Classic 20th Anniversary Phase 3 Arrives March 20

Time: 2025-03-06 by mmojugg Game: WoW Classic Anniversary Guide

06 March 2025 - The World of Warcraft Classic 20th Anniversary realms are set to ignite with Phase 3, which will launch on 20 March at 15:00 PDT. This update unleashes the infamous Blackwing Lair raid, intricate level 50 class quests, a treasure trove of reputation rewards, and a PvP escalation with Arathi Basin arriving on April 3. It's a nostalgia-packed expansion of vanilla WoW's finest, brimming with challenges and loot. Let's dive deep into every detail and gear up for Azeroth's next chapter.

March 20: Phase 3 launches with Blackwing Lair raid, level 50 class quests, Warsong Gulch reputation lists, Eternal Quintessence, and Darkmoon Faire.

3 April: PvP Honor Rank 11 cap removed, Arathi Basin Battleground opens, and Battleground Bonus Weekends begin.

Descend Into the Darkness: Blackwing Lair Raid Opens

Perched atop Blackrock Mountain, Blackwing Lair is where Nefarian, Deathwing's eldest son, conducts his sinister experiments - manipulating dragons and fusing dragonflight eggs into nightmarish creations. This 40-player raid requires precision and teamwork, and promises epic battles and richer rewards for those brave enough to descend.

Raid Bosses: 8

Level: 60

Location: Top of Blackrock Spire, accessible via Burning Steppes or Searing Gorge.

Attunement: Grab “Blackhand's Command” from a Blackrock elite near the Spire entrance—soloable with care or a quick group effort.

Face these eight formidable foes:

Razorgore the Untamed: Guards black dragon eggs. Phase 1 tasks DPS with smashing orbs while tanks juggle adds—chaos reigns without focus.

Vaelastrasz the Corrupt: A noble dragon twisted by Nefarians. Burning Adrenaline kills fast; stack healers and DPS hard to outpace the timer.

Broodlord Lashlayer: Drakonid brute with Mortal Strike and knockbacks. Melee must hug tight, ranged dodge Blast Nova.

Firemaw, Ebonroc, Flamegore: Black dragon trio with Shadow Flame. Rotate tanks to manage stacking debuffs; healers stay sharp.

Chromaggus: Nefarian's chromatic experiment cycles breath attacks (fire, frost, shadow). Time Shimmer phases to survive; resistance gear helps.

Nefarian: The raid's climax. Phase 1 spawns adds, Phase 2 triggers class-specific chaos (Priests, brace for fears!), and Phase 3 is a brutal DPS check.

Dress to Impress

Tier 2 sets drop in Blackwing Lair (bracers, belts, boots, gloves, shoulders, chests), offering iconic looks and power:

Druid: Stormrage Raiment - Healing and crit boosts.

Hunter: Dragonstalker Armor – Agility and ranged precision.

Mage: Netherwind Regalia - Spell crit and mana efficiency.

Paladin: Judgement Armor – Tank and heal hybrid stats.

Priest: Vestments of Transcendence - Healing mastery.

Rogue: Bloodfang Armor – Stealth and burst DPS.

Shaman: The Ten Storms – Elemental and resto flexibility.

Warlock: Nemesis Raiment - DoTs and pet synergy.

Warrior: Battlegear of Wrath - Tanking dominance.

Helms drop from Onyxia in Onyxia's Lair, legs from Ragnaros in Molten Core—complete your set across Azeroth's deadliest lairs.

Additional Items

Epic loot awaits:

Claw of the Black Drake: Feral druid off-hand gem.

Chromatically Tempered Sword: Versatile DPS weapon.

Dragonbreath Hand Cannon: Hunter's ranged showstopper.

Elementium Ore: Looted from Blackwing Technicians. Smelt into bars (needs a rare recipe) for the Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker questline—a legendary grind worth every swing.

Head of Nefarian: Defeat him to start a victory quest, echoing Onyxia's head turn-in with faction-wide bragging rights.

Reputation Rewards and Level 50 Class Quests

Reputation Rewards

Grind rep with key factions—Argent Dawn, Timbermaw Hold, Thorium Brotherhood, Silverwing Sentinels (Alliance), and Warsong Outriders (Horde). Notable rewards:

Argent Dawn: Enchant Bracer – Mana Regeneration (healer must-have), Argent Shoulders (versatile stats), Dawn Treaders (boots).

Timbermaw Hold: Might of the Timbermaw (melee cloak), Timbermaw Brawlers (gloves), Heavy Timbermaw Boots (tanky feet).

Thorium Brotherhood: Girdle of the Dawn (plate belt), Blackguard (rogue sword), Gloves of the Dawn (crafting perk).

Silverwing Sentinels/Warsong Outriders: Advisor's Gnarled Staff (caster), Legionnaire's Sword (Horde melee), Outrider's Bow (Horde ranged), Scout's Blade (Alliance dagger).

Warsong Gulch rep ties into PvP lists—grind marks for gear like Berserker Bracers or Caretaker's Cape.

Level 50 Class Quests

At 50+, visit your class trainer in a major city to launch a quest chain culminating in the Temple of Atal'Hakkar (Swamp of Sorrows). Highlights:

Druid: Meet Towa Pathfinder in Un'Goro Crater. Quests: Blood Petal Poison, Toxic Test, A Final Ingredient. Rewards: Grizzled Pelt (feral), Forest's Embrace (caster), Moonshadow Stave (healer).

Hunter: Head to Azshara's eastern cliffs with Ogtinc. Quests: Hunter's Charm, Courser's Antlers, The Green Drake. Rewards: Hunting Spear (melee), Devilsaur Eye (pet DPS), Devilsaur Tooth (ranged).

Mage: Start with Magecraft to Sanath Lim-yo in Azshara, teleporting to Archmage Xylem. Quests: Magic Dust, The Siren's Coral, Destroy Morphaz. Rewards: Glacial Spike (frost), Arcane Crystal Pendant (mana), Fire Ruby (fire).

Paladin: Begin at Chillwind Camp with Commander Ashlam Valorfist in Western Plaguelands. Quests: Dispelling Evil, Inert Scourgestones, Forging the Mightstone. Rewards: Lightforged Blade (DPS), Sanctified Orb (heal), Chivalrous Signet (tank).

Priest: Cenarion Aid leads to Ogtinc in Azshara. Quests: Of Coursers We Know, The Ichor of Undeath, Blood of Morphaz. Rewards: Blessed Prayer Beads (heal), Woestave (caster), Circle of Hope (regen).

Rogue: A Simple Request to Lord Jorach Ravenholdt in Alterac Valley, then Azshara's Archmage Xylem. Quests: Sealed Azure Bag, Encoded Fragments, The Azure Key. Rewards: Ebon Mask (stealth), Whisperwalk Boots (agi), Duskbat Drape (crit).

Shaman: Elemental Mastery gathers samples for Bath'rah the Windwatcher near Chillwind Point. Quests: Spirit Totem, Da Voodoo. Rewards: Azurite Fists (melee), Wildstaff (caster), Enamored Water Spirit (heal).

Warlock: An Imp's Request or Hot and Itchy to Impsy in Felwood. Quests: The Wrong Stuff, Trolls of a Feather. Rewards: Soul Harvester (DPS), Abyss Shard (pet), Robes of Servitude (stats).

Warrior: A Troubled Spirit to the Fallen Hero of the Horde in Swamp of Sorrows. Quests: Warrior Clan, War of the Shadowsworn, Voodoo Feathers. Rewards: Fury Visor (DPS), Diamond Flask (tank), Razorsteel Shoulders (hybrid).

Discover the Mysteries of Azeroth at the Darkmoon Faire

Silas Darkmoon's traveling carnival hits Mulgore and Elwynn Forest, bringing exotic quests, trinkets, and buffs. Barkers in Orgrimmar and Ironforge announce its arrival—stock up on Darkmoon Cards (e.g., +10% damage) or quirky pets. It's a brief but delightful detour from the grind.

Get ready for Arathi Basin

On 3 April at 15:00 PDT, Arathi Basin will open as a 15v15 resource war. Alliance spawns near Trollbane Hall's Stables, Horde at Defiler's Den farm. Capture five nodes—Farm, Mine, Blacksmith, Lumber Mill, Stables—and race to 2000 resources.

Players: 15 vs. 15

Level Range: 20+

Tips: Hold three nodes for steady gains; coordinate ninja hats to turn battles.

The PvP Honor Rank 11 cap lifts, unlocking ranks 12-14 (Grand Marshal, High Warlord) with prestigious gear—think epic mounts and weapons.

Battleground Holidays: More Honor and Rewards

Starting April 4, Battleground holidays (Thursday midnight to Tuesday morning) boost Honor and faction rewards in a weekly rotation—Arathi Basin leads off. Visit town emissaries for objectives. Stack marks and Honor for Warsong Gulch or Arathi Basin gear upgrades.

Thanks for Reading

Phase 3 of WoW Classic: 20th Anniversary Edition is a masterclass in vanilla design—Blackwing Lair's punishing encounters, class quests' personal triumphs, and PvP's gritty rewards. From Nefarian's lair to Arathi's battlefields, it's a feast of content that demands teamwork, patience, and a little luck. Gather your raid, sharpen your blades, and mark March 20 on your calendar—Azeroth's calling.

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