World of Warcraft News and Raiding Strategies

The WoW Classic 20th Anniversary realms Phase 3 update arrives on March 20 at 3:00 pm PDT and includes the addition of the Blackwing Lair raid, new Reputation rewards, new Class quests, and more!

Release Timetable:

• March 20: Phase 3, including Blackwing Lair raid, Level 50 Class Quests, Warsong Gulch Reputation lists, Eternal Quintessence, and Darkmoon Faire
• April 3: PvP Honor Rank 11 cap removed, Arathi Basin Battleground opens, and Battleground Bonus Weekends

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Arriving on March 20

Descend Into the Darkness: Blackwing Lair Raid Opens

In the dark recesses of Blackrock Mountain’s peak, Nefarian, the eldest son of Deathwing, conducts some of his most awful experimentation, controlling mighty beings like puppets and combining the eggs of different dragonflights with horrific results. Should he prove successful, even darker pursuits rest on the horizon.

The ominous depths of Blackwing Lair are waiting for those brave enough to face its dangers. Gather your staunchest allies and prepare to undertake a treacherous journey into the heart of the mountain to reap the treasures within.

Raid Bosses: 8
Level: 60
Location: Blackwing Lair is located at the very height of Blackrock Spire—enter the mountain from the Burning Steppes or Searing Gorge.


After you get attuned, eight bosses await within Blackwing Lair, each with their own challenges and strategies you’ll need to employ to defeat them. You’ll need to coordinate closely with your raid team to be victorious.

• Razorgore the Untamed: Razorgore is tasked with protecting and cultivating various black dragon eggs secreted away in Blackwing Lair.
• Vaelastrasz the Corrupt: Having confronted Nefarian and losing to him in battle, Vaelastrasz has been corrupted and forced to fight Nefarian’s enemies.
• Broodlord Lashlayer: Lashlayer is a drakonid of the black dragonflight. Even though drakonid are not true dragons, the dragonflights often use them as frontline soldiers.
• Firemaw, Ebonroc, and Flamegore: As members of the black dragonflight, each of these imposing dragons is under the command of Nefarian but ultimately owes their loyalty to Deathwing.
• Chromaggus: A unique chromatic monster created by Nefarian, Chromaggus can harness the power of the various dragonflights against its enemies.
• Nefarian: The lord of Blackrock Spire, Nefarian is a member of the black dragonflight, the eldest son of Deathwing, and the creator of the chromatic dragonflight.

Dress to Impress

Players can continue pursuing their Tier 2 set and associated bonuses in Blackwing Lair, including bracers, belts, boots, gloves, shoulders, and chests.

• 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

Tier 2 helms can be acquired in Onyxia’s Lair from Onyxia, and legs can be earned in Molten Core from Ragnaros.

Additional Items

You’ll also find some additional notable items, such as the Claw of the Black Drake, Chromatically Tempered Sword, and Dragonbreath Hand Cannon. You’ll also be able to loot Elementium Ore from the Blackwing Technician. This can be smelted to make an Elementium Bar, which is needed as a part of the quest line to forge the legendary sword Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker.

As with his sister Onyxia, you’ll be able to loot the Head of Nefarian when you defeat him, which will begin a quest to spread the word of your victory.

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Reputation Rewards and Level 50 Class Quests


Reputation Rewards

With Phase 3 comes earnable Reputation rewards with the Argent Dawn, Timbermaw Hold, Thorium Brotherhood, Silverwing Sentinels (Alliance), and Warsong Outriders (Horde). Here are just some of the rewards:

• Argent Dawn
• Silverwing Sentinels (Alliance)
• Thorium Brotherhood
• Timbermaw Hold
• Warsong Outriders (Horde)

• Formulas: Enchant Bracer – Mana Regeneration, Power Anti-Venom
• Patterns: Argent Boots, Argent Shoulders, Dawn Treaders, Golden Mantle of the Dawn
• Plans: Girdle of the Dawn, Gloves of the Dawn

• Armor: Berserker Bracers, Caretaker’s Cape, Dryad’s Wrist Bindings, Forest Stalker’s Bracers
• Trinkets, Rings, and Neck Pieces: Lorekeeper’s Ring, Protector’s Band

• Formulas: Enchant Weapon – Strength
• Plans: Blackguard

• Formulas: Enchant Weapon – Agility
• Patterns: Might of the Timbermaw, Wisdom of the Timbermaw, Mantle of the Timbermaw, Timbermaw Brawlers
• Plans: Heavy Timbermaw Belt, Heavy Timbermaw Boots

• Armor: Battle Healer’s Cloak, Berserker Bracers, Dryad’s Wrist Bindings, Forest Stalker’s Bracers
• Trinkets, Rings, and Neck Pieces: Advisor’s Ring, Legionnaire’s Band, Scout’s Medallion
• Weapons: Advisor’s Gnarled Staff, Legionnaire’s Sword, Outrider’s Bow, Scout’s Blade

Level 50 Class Quests

If you’re level 50 or above, it’s time to seek out your class trainer in any major city to begin the adventure that will ultimately lead you into the belly of the Temple of Atal’Hakkar, nestled in the Swamp of Sorrows.

• Druid
• Hunter
• Mage
• Paladin
• Priest
• Rogue
• Shaman
• Warlock
• Warrior

Druids will be sent to meet up with Towa Pathfinder in Un’Goro Crater who will give you a series of quests: Blood Petal Poison, Toxic Test, and A Final Ingredient.

At the completion of this questline, you’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Grizzled Pelt, Forest’s Embrace, and Moonshadow Stave.

Hunters will be sent to Azshara along the cliffs near the eastern shore to meet up with Ogtinc for the quest Hunter’s Charm. He’ll ask you to undertake a series of quests: Courser’s Antlers, Wavethrashing, and The Green Drake.

At the completion of this questline, you’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Hunting Spear, Devilsaur Eye, and Devilsaur Tooth.

Mages will pick up the quest Magecraft which will send them to Sanath Lim-yo in Azshara. He’ll provide a teleport to Archmage Xylem who will give the next series of quests: Magic Dust, The Siren’s Coral, and Destroy Morphaz.

At the completion of this questline, you’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Glacial Spike, Arcane Crystal Pendant, and Fire Ruby.

Paladins will begin their journey with the quest Chillwind Camp, which sends them to Commander Ashlam Valorfist in Western Plaguelands. From there they’ll embark on a series of quests that ultimately leads to the Temple of Atal’Hakkar: Dispelling Evil, Inert Scourgestones, Forging the Mightstone

At the completion of this questline, they’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Lightforged Blade, Sanctified Orb, and Chivalrous Signet.

Priests will receive the quest Cenarion Aid from their trainer which will lead them to Azshara to speak with Ogtinc on the cliffs near the eastern shore. Ogtinc will give them the next series of quests: Of Coursers We Know, The Ichor of Undeath, and the Blood of Morphaz.

At the completion of this questline, they’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Blessed Prayer Beads, Woestave, Circle of Hope.

Rogues will be given the quest A Simple Request, which sends them to Alterac Valley to meet up with Lord Jorach Ravenholdt. He’ll give the next quest, Sealed Azure Bag, which has them traveling to Azshara to visit Archmage Xylem. Sanath Lim-yo will be able to help them teleport to him. Archmage Xylem will give them the quest Encoded Fragments, followed by The Azure Key

At the completion of this questline, they’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Ebon Mask, Whisperwalk Boots, and Duskbat Drape.

Shaman will be given the quest Elemental Mastery, which sends them to collect samples of air, fire, earth, and water to take to Bath’rah the Windwatcher in Chillwind Point. They can get there by following the river north from Tarren Mill in Hillsbrad Foothills. These samples can be gathered from the elementals in Alterac Valley. Once they’ve turned in the quest, he’ll give them the quest Spirit Totem, which will send them into the Western Plaguelands. Once the quest is turned in, he’ll give another quest, Da Voodoo, which will send them into the depths of the Temple of Atal’Hakkar.

At the completion of this questline, they’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Azurite Fists, Wildstaff, and Enamored Water Spirit.

To begin this quest line, warlocks will pick up the quest An Imp’s Request from their trainer, which will have them travel to Felwood to meet up with Impsy. They can also take up the quest Hot and Itchy directly from Impsy who will give them the next series of quests: The Wrong Stuff and Trolls of a Feather, which leads into the Temple of Atal’Hakkar.

At the completion of this questline, they’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Soul Harvester, Abyss Shard, and Robes of Servitude.

Warriors will pick up the quest A Troubled Spirit which sends them to the Swamp of Sorrows to speak with the Fallen Hero of the Horde. They’ll find him along the path into the Blasted Lands. The Fallen Hero of the Horde will give them the next series of quests: Warrior Kinship, War on the Shadowsworn, and Voodoo Feathers.

At the completion of this quest line, they’ll be able to choose between three rare-quality rewards: Fury Visor, Diamond Flask, and Razorsteel Shoulders.

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Discover the Mysteries of Azeroth at the Darkmoon Faire



A gathering of the exotic from around the world and beyond, the Darkmoon Faire celebrates the wondrous and mysterious found in Azeroth. While the Faire spends most of its time in parts unknown, Silas Darkmoon and his enigmatic employees occasionally visit Mulgore and Elwynn Forest. When the Faire is on its way, barkers will travel to Orgrimmar and Ironforge to announce its arrival.

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Arriving on April 3

On April 3, two weeks after the launch of Phase 3, the PvP Honor Rank 11 cap will be removed, giving access to titles and awards for ranking up to 14. The gates of Arathi Basin will open for a 15 vs.15 resource battle, and more opportunities for Honor and Rewards can be had during Battleground holiday weekends.

Get Ready for Arathi Basin

The gates to Arathi Basin open on April 3 at 3:00 pm PDT for a 15 vs.15 resource race. Players must hone their team coordination to a keen edge to capture and hold five different bases throughout the map and accrue resources. Alliance players will start close to the Stables at Trollbane Hall, while Horde players will begin near the farm in the Defiler’s Den. The first team to collect 2000 resources wins.

Players: 15 vs.15
Level Range: 20+
Capture Points: Farm, Mine, Blacksmith, Lumber Mill, and Stables
Resources Needed to Win: 2000
Battleground Holidays: More Honor and Rewards

Every weekend from Thursday night at midnight until early Tuesday morning, performing objectives in the featured battleground gains increased Honor and Faction rewards. Battleground holidays are on a weekly rotation cycle, starting the weekend of April 4 with Arathi Basin. Seek out the emissary in major cities to get the objective for the featured battleground to kick off your battle weekend.

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We look forward to seeing how you fare in Phase 3 of WoW Classic: 20th Anniversary Edition.

See you in Azeroth!

The 11.1.5 content update is making its way to the PTR and brings with it some new changes and additions that will roll out in the weeks after the release of the content update.

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Defend the Arathi in the Nightfall Scenario

Players will take up arms beside a new faction, Flame’s Radiance, to defend the Arathi against the Sureki forces following the defeat of Queen Ansurek. This faction consists of volunteer militia led veterans Thaed Pyremaker and Mylton Wyldbraun. As you rise through the ranks, you will earn up to ten levels of Renown and unlock new rewards.

Alongside the Flame’s Radiance, players will be split between task forces within the Nightfall public scenario to clear the battlefield and push back the Sureki. You’ll also be able to strike back against Sureki forces throughout Hallowfall and Azj-Kahet to continue to earn Renown and rewards with additional quests and activities between the scenarios.

Players can expect a variety of rewards for taking part in the scenario and quests including— new armor sets, a tabard that will update visually as you progress through the ranks of the Flame’s Radiance, weapons, a new color variation of the Delver’s Dirigible, and more. As your rank increases, you can also expect to earn buffs which will help you become stronger while in Hallowfall and Azj-Kahet.

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Dastardly Duos

Later in the patch cycle, players will be able to experience a new six-week event providing a variety of cosmetics, toys, and even some dungeon items based on the bosses you encounter.

Vinnie sweets, showrunner, and announcer, is promoting Dastardly Duos where players can step up to take on ‘animatronic’ versions of past bosses, gain powerups, and strive for higher and higher scores for bragging rights. You and your party will fight two (or more) bosses at a time to rack up your highest score.

There will be three hubs for Dastardly Duos that players can visit. One in Stormwind, one in Orgrimmar, and one in Dornogal. While Vinnie Sweets is running the show, you’ll need to speak with Xiggie Marou to queue for the fight in the Dastardly Dome. A visit with Wodin, the Troll-Servant vendor, will also get you access over the weeks to some additional powerups or items that can help you in the fight.

In week one, there will be four bosses available to fight and each week thereafter additional bosses will be added up to a total of ten total bosses to face.

Earning specific achievements will also provide additional game effects from them within the Dastardly Duo.

Earn points for kills, damage done, and much more. Rack up a high score with your party for bragging rights and see how far you can go!

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Horrific Visions Revisited


Return to N’Zoth’s corrupted versions of Stormwind and Orgrimmar, complete objectives, and take on the challenges within. As you make your way through these encounters, you’ll need to maintain your sanity or ultimately fail.

You will be able to go it alone or create a part of allies to join you. Players who want to experience Horrific Visions alone or need an additional helping hand in their party will also be able to invite a Construct of Soridormi companion to join them. This follower will be able to Tank, DPS, or Heal and will not be affected by sanity.

For players looking for an bigger challenge, you’ll be able to activate higher difficulties of play for additional gear up to Heroic difficulty items appropriate to your level. Horrific Vision Masks are also returning including: Mask of Pain, Mask of Dark Imagination, Mask of the Long Night, Mask of the Burned Bridge, and Mask of the Daredevil. Three additional new masks will also be available to discover and conquer!

A new currency to collect becomes available to spend at the vendor for previous rewards—Displaced Corrupted Mementos. Players will be able to earn new rewards in Horrific Visions such as mounts, toys, transmogs, weapon enchantments, and more.

Whether you’re playing a new max-level alternate character or experiencing it for the first time, you can experience this content shortly after the launch of the 11.1.5 update.

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UI Update

We are implementing a new UI update which introduces a Cooldown Manager, allowing players to better track class ability cooldowns. This additional functionality can be personalized through the edit mode within the UI.

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We’ll share more details on the schedule of content in the weeks ahead and look forward to seeing you on the PTR!