Classic WoW 20th Anniversary Phase 2: Key Info

Phase 2 of the Classic WoW 20th Anniversary Edition is upon us, bringing with it a tidal wave of content to spice up your Azeroth adventures. Whether you're a PvP junkie chasing honour ranks or a PvE hero in search of epic loot, this phase - which launches on 9 January 2025 - has something for everyone. From the revamped honour system to the treasures of Dire Maul and the chaos of world bosses, here's everything you need to know to hit the ground running. Let's break it down and get you ready for the action!  

Mark your calendars - Phase 2 launches at 2pm PST (5pm EST) on the 9th of January with  

Honor System: Updated and live, capped at rank 11 until Blackwing Lair drops (rank 14 later). Expect a week of Wild World PvP before Battlegrounds arrive.  

Dire Maul: The dungeon opens with new loot and class quests.  

World Bosses: Azuregos and Lord Kazzak spawn for rare drops.  

Battlegrounds: Warsong Gulch and Alterac Valley will go live on 16 January at 2pm PST.

This staggered release means you'll have a week to grind out the world PvP or tackle the new PvE content before jumping into the BG queues. It's a chaotic blast from the past - Blizzard is even embracing the madness this time!  

The honour system returns with lessons learned from 2019. No decay, ranks stick, and the cap is now at rank 11 - perfect for casual grinders and hardcore rankers alike. Here's what to hunt:  

Alterac Valley (AV) quests: Complete The Battle for Alterac for rewards such as the Wand of Biting Cold (16 spell power) - a mage must-have while Frost reigns supreme.  

AV Reputation: Hit Exalted for Don Julio's Band (melee gem) or Caster Tomes (fire, frost or generic spell power). Revered offers weapons such as Frostbite (Horde axe) or Stormstrike Hammer (Alliance).  

Epic mount discount: Exalted with AV will reduce your mount cost by 300-400 gold - grab the Stormpike Ram (Alliance) or Frostwolf Howler (Horde).

Pro tip: Move slowly during AV grinds to catch stragglers for extra honour. We're still not sure if this is the zerg-fest or turtle-meta version of AV - either way, it's PvP gold!  

These big bads drop rare loot, but they're hard to pin down:  

Azuregos (Azshara): Spawns randomly (sometimes days apart). Top picks include Cold Snap (wand), Snowblind Shoes (caster boots), and Crystalline Crown (head slot). Focus here if you can - better loot table.  

Lord Kazzak (Blasted Lands): Offers Fel Infused Leggings and Blacklight Bracers, as well as mats such as Eye of Shadow. Less caster-friendly, but still worth a try.

No instanced versions here (unlike SoD) - this is classic world boss hunting. Gather your guild and pray for a spawn!  

Dire Maul's three wings unlock at Phase 2, bringing with them  

Caster Food: Runn Tum Tuber Surprise (10 Intellect) beats Nightfin Soup for pure damage - stock up!  

Class trinkets: Available through quests (e.g. Priests get a stellar one; Mages, not so much). Check your class requirements!  

Libram of Concentration: +8 spell power to helm/legs. Requires Skin of Shadow, Large Brilliant Shard and Pristine Black Diamond - prices may spike.  

Tribute Chest (North): Patterns such as Archmage's Belt and Felcloth Gloves (warlock hit), plus Wild Skin (healing cloak). Stock up on Water Essence, Larval Acid and Cured Rugged Hide for profit!  

Mage Water: Upgrade your conjured water - seek out a guide if you're new to this quest.

Warriors and Paladins may also want to check out Quel'Serrar - cool, but niche in today's meta.  

Stockpile Mats: Grab crafting items (Felcloth, Demonic Runes) before prices soar.  

Honor Grind Early: Use the world PvP week to push for Rank 3—gear up for BGs.  

Check Add-Ons: Track honor and loot with tools like AtlasLoot or Ranker.  

Team Up: World bosses and Dire Maul runs are smoother with a squad—coordinate now!

Phase 2 shifts the Anniversary Edition into high gear. PvP gets a jolt with honor and BGs, while PvE opens new progression paths. It's a chance to relive Classic's glory days with a modern twist—Rank 11 now, Rank 14 later keeps the grind fresh without trivializing Blackwing Lair. Whether you're blasting foes in AV or sniping Azuregos drops, there's plenty to sink your teeth into.  

Phase 2 of Classic WoW's 20th Anniversary is a treasure trove of chaos and opportunity. From epic mounts to spell power boosts, it's time to gear up, grind smart, and embrace the madness. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more tips to conquer Azeroth—happy hunting!