WoW 20th Anniversary Phase 3 Prep Guide: March 20

Phase 3 of World of Warcraft's 20th Anniversary Edition arrives on 20 March 2025, and it's time to gear up - literally and figuratively. The Blackwing Lair opens its menacing doors, PvP ranks evolve, and the stakes are higher than ever. Whether you're a raid veteran or a fresh face, this guide has everything you need to dominate: attunements, gear, consumables, PvP strategies, and even a nudge to shake up your playstyle. Let's get you ready for Nefarian and beyond - because in Classic WoW, preparation is power!  

First things first - you can't walk into Blackwing Lair unprepared. Here's what you'll need:  

Onyxia Scale Cloak: Nefarian's Shadow Flame will one-shot you without this. Craft it from Onyxia's head (scales skinned from her corpse) via the Leatherworking Quest, or buy one from the auction house. Pro tip: Craft extras for guilds or profit - the gold rush awaits!  

Blackwing Lair Attunement: Kill the Scarshield Quartermaster in Upper Blackrock Spire (UBRS), loot Blackhand's Command, and complete a full UBRS run. Click on the orb behind General Drakkisath and you're in. Bonus: Sell cleared UBRS IDs for 20-30 gold cha-ching!

Got your cape and attunement? You're already one step ahead.  

Pre-raid Best-in-Slot (BiS) gear is your ticket to success. Key pieces from Molten Core (MC) such as Onyxia's Tier 2 Helmet, Ragnaros' Tier 2 Legs, Onyxia's Necklace, and the Fire Lord's Choker are essential. Don't sleep on Bone-Reaver Edge or Onslaught Belt either. Phases move fast, so MC and BWL will overlap - plenty of time to pick off stragglers if you're not fully equipped. Check class-specific BiS lists (plenty online) to prioritise. Rare loot feels epic, but do you think MC drops should be buffed?  

Offence: World Buffs (full stack), Goblin Sapper Charges, Stratholme Holy Water - essential for tough fights like Nefarian.  

Defense: Greater Fire Protection Potions (keep one rolling for the entire raid), Greater Shadow Protection Potions (Nefarian), Juju Ember (Firemaw). Limited Invulnerability Potions save lives on Vaelastrasz or garbage pulls.  

Melee Bonus: Elixir of Reflexes for Razorgore and trash threat.

Bring repair bots too - BWL eats through durability. Consumables turn good runs into great ones - stock up now!  

With rank 11 now capped and rank 14 looming post-BWL, Phase 3 could bump the cap to 12 or higher, unlocking juicy BiS gear. Get to rank 11 as soon as possible - use the Ranker add-on to track your honour and plan your grind. Alterac Valley (AV) spam is your best bet: top honour per hour, low effort. When rank 14 opens, will you chase it? It's a grind, but these weapons are legendary. Start now to stay ahead!  

BWL isn't as pug-friendly as MC - join a solid guild. Server discords (e.g. Nightslayer) list runs - 1 hour MC clears or sub-20 minute speedruns could be your ticket. Plan your BiS with tools like 60 Upgrades - Trinkets and Nefarian's Loop are hotly contested, so know your soft reserves. Check your class Discord for advice on what's worth fighting for. A tight guild makes all the difference - don't get left behind!  

Feeling stale on your main? Phase 3 is the time to re-roll. MC gear is still dropping, and most raiders don't need it - new toons are being showered with loot. Try tanking to master the mechanics, or roll a Warrior to top the DPS charts. It's a fresh start with big rewards - don't sleep on this golden age of alts!  

Launching on 20 March at 15:00 PDT, Phase 3 brings Blackwing Lair, new class quests, and PvP mayhem (the rank cap is lifted on 3 April with Arathi Basin). Every step you take now - cloaking, attuning, equipping, consuming - will set you up for success. Miss a step and you're stuck outside the raid or wiping on trash. This is classic WoW at its best - high stakes, high rewards.  

Phase 3 of WoW's 20th Anniversary is your chance to shine - whether you are raiding BWL, climbing PvP ranks, or starting from scratch. Get your cape, tune up, stock up on consumables and get your squad together. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more guides - let's make 20 March a triumph!