WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 Is Losing Raiders Fast - Consumable Prices Are Completely Broken

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• WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 Raids are destroying guilds | Essential strategies to survive the frustration!

  Whether in Phase 1, which was rich in new content, or in Phase 2, which is predominantly raid-centric, WoW TBC Classic raids remain your primary avenue for gaining new experiences and acquiring valuable resources.

  To ensure that your efforts yield meaningful rewards, these raids are typically challenging; they feature intricate mechanics and dangerous bosses, requiring you and your teammates to work together seamlessly to achieve victory.

  However, if these raids become too difficult, frankly speaking, there is a risk of driving players away, such is the complex nature of human psychology! Awkwardly enough, the two raids introduced in Phase 2 seem to be guilty of doing just that.

  In this article, we will analyze this situation and provide strategies applicable to most teams and guilds, designed to help you consistently clear these raids.

  

  Current raid progression status across guilds

  Based on active guilds, approximately 50% have currently cleared both Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep.

  While this figure represents a significant improvement compared to the raid completion rates seen during the original Burning Crusade expansion, it still serves as a clear indication of just how high the difficulty level of Phase 2 raids truly is.

  Most guilds had already completed their raid attunement quests either just before or shortly after the launch of Phase 2; although this consumed vast quantities of consumables and resources, it also ensured they were equipped with top-tier gear from Phase 1.

  Unfortunately, this near-flawless preparation failed to defeat the bosses in the new raids efficiently. Consequently, intense frustration is leading to a significant exodus of players, a situation that even risks sparking internal guild conflicts and potentially leading to guild dissolution.

  Yet, as we mentioned at the outset, maintaining a certain level of difficulty in raids is indeed necessary; if they were too easy, you would lack a sense of engagement and might even begin to question whether the final rewards hold any real value.

  That being said, if there are reliable strategies available for reference, strategies that allow you to clear the content while still preserving the inherent value of the raids, that would certainly be excellent news!

  And, in fact, these very strategies originate from the guilds and teams that have already successfully cleared the content.

  Furthermore, it is worth noting that the difficulty in clearing Phase 2 raids is exacerbated by more than just the combat mechanics themselves; it is also closely tied to the current game's economic imbalance, driven by an excessively high demand for consumables.

  Therefore, before things take a turn for the better, if you wish to utilize the following strategies more efficiently, it would be wise to buy WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold from IGGM in advance as a reserve, ensuring you can acquire any necessary consumables whenever needed!

  Melee DPS is a viable option

  When Phase 2 first launched, almost every raid group was chasing the so-called optimal composition, one that was heavily dominated by ranged DPS.

  However, two weeks later, the reality has proven otherwise: provided you truly grasp the core mechanics of the raid, there is actually an infinite array of possibilities available to you regarding team composition.

  First and foremost, the role of the core group is essential to provide all the necessary buffs and debuffs. This typically requires a Shadow Priest, two Warlocks assigned to cast curses, and three Paladins responsible for providing beneficial auras and blessings.

  While these core members do indeed occupy a significant number of roster spots, the remaining slots need not be reserved exclusively for ranged DPS. With proper planning, incorporating melee players can yield results that will certainly not disappoint you.

  Admittedly, specific boss encounters, such as the fight against Leotheras, might be slightly trickier with a melee-heavy setup.

  However, when viewed holistically, the overall DPS output of the raid group and its success rate in clearing the content remain largely unaffected by the choice between melee and ranged compositions.

  Among the top-tier guilds that have already cleared both new raids, some adopted a strategy of heavily stacking Shamans and Warriors with almost no ranged DPS; others brought along only five melee DPS players and still achieved a rapid clear.

  Therefore, it is ill-advised to make dogmatic assumptions right at the start of a new raid tier, insisting that one specific tactic is unequivocally the best.

  You might assume that raids are merely rigid, pre-programmed sequences designed by the development team; yet, ironically, it is sometimes the players' own tactics that become the most rigid.

  As long as you ensure that the essential buffs and debuffs are covered, maintaining flexibility is always paramount.

  Judicious use of consumables

  The reason for raising this point extends beyond just the current, rather dismal state of the in-game economy.

  In truth, raid wipes are almost never caused by insufficient DPS output. Often, your insistence on using a full suite of consumables stems more from a psychological impulse, or perhaps a desire to chase inflated, vanity damage numbers, than from actual necessity.

  Of course, there are certainly instances where consumables play a truly critical role; however, they are by no means the sole, or even the primary, determining factor in the ultimate success or failure of a raid.

  Moreover, the frequent use of consumables can actually foster a psychological dependency on them, causing you to overlook the importance of skills and character builds, elements that are, in fact, the true determinants of a character's strength and the ultimate outcome of a battle.

  Maintain harmony with your teammates

  Both Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep are 25-player raids. The larger the group, the more challenging it becomes to coordinate effectively, and the likelihood of disputes arising increases significantly.

  Problems that emerge during a raid can directly lead to a failed clear; conversely, issues that surface before combat even begins may result in the immediate disbandment of the group, forcing you to waste unnecessary time searching for a new team.

  Disputes typically stem from disagreements regarding gear usage during combat or the distribution of loot once the raid concludes.

  However, under normal circumstances, the raid leader always allocates resources and loot with the primary objective of ensuring a successful clear; there is absolutely no need to feel that the process is unfair.

  Even if you are unfortunate enough to encounter a particularly exclusionary group, there is no need to engage in arguments; doing so would only serve to ruin your own gaming experience and waste your valuable time.

  While internal harmony may not be the decisive factor in clearing a raid, the entire process remains inextricably linked to your interactions with your teammates. If your group is constantly plagued by internal conflicts, it will inevitably make for a less-than-ideal experience.

  In summary, although the two Phase 2 raids can indeed be somewhat tricky, as long as you master their core mechanics and apply the general strategies outlined in this guide, you are bound to achieve a successful clear sooner or later!

• WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 Open World Gold Farms | These hidden spots give almost literally unlimited gold

  After the launch of WoW TBC Classic Anniversary phase 2, countless players and guilds have been busy tackling raids, and this period also sees the most intense consumption of gold.

  Therefore, you might need some gold farming methods to compensate for what raids consume. Here are some effective open-world gold farms that deliver high efficiency, though competition can be fierce.

  

  Let’s first take an overview of these 10 TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 open world farming locations:

  1. Void Ridge
  2. Forge Camps
  3. Death Forge
  4. Coilscar Point
  5. Legion Hold and Illidari Point
  6. Mana Forges
  7. Throne of Kil’jaeden
  8. Death’s Door
  9. Black Temple
  10. Outskirts of Black Temple

  1. Void Ridge

  Void Ridge lies in the southeastern part of Hellfire Peninsula. It is a good spot for players who are still leveling, since the monsters there are less challenging.

  The biggest advantage of this location is the extremely fast respawn rate of the mobs. You will need to hunt two types of creatures: Collapsing Voidwalker (note that they explode upon death) and Vacillating Voidcaller. They have a chance to drop Motes of Shadow. While these motes are not particularly valuable at the moment, their quantity can make up for it.

  2. Forge Camps in Blades Edge Mountains

  Forge Camps are filled with Legion demons and elementals that drop highly useful items. In the northern camp, the mobs mainly drop Marks of Sargeras and Fel Armaments, which can be used to raise your reputation with Aldor faction.

  Meanwhile, the southern camp contains many fire elementals and Fear Fiends, making it an excellent spot to farm both Primal Fire and Fel Armaments. Combined with reputation items, raw gold, and piles of Netherweave Cloth, your hourly gold income will remain very stable.

  Furthermore, while Wrath Hounds and Abyssal Flamebringers do not drop many valuable things, you will likely kill them incidentally while farming. Remember to check them for any uncommon or rare quality gear that might drop.

  3. Death Forge in Shadowmoon Valley

  Death Forge is packed with orcs, demons, and fire elementals, allowing you to collect gold, Netherweave Cloth, and even Motes of Fire all at once. The forge has multiple levels and side passages, so even if other players are doing quests in the area, you can usually find a quiet corner.

  This is a very relaxed farming spot where you can continuously pull mobs and watch the loot pile up. Additionally, if you are a Miner, you might also find some ore nodes inside the caves.

  4. Coilscar Point in Shadowmoon Valley

  Some quests direct you to Coilscar Point to kill Enraged Water Spirits, but most of the time this location is overlooked by players, meaning you won’t have to compete for mobs.

  These elementals are not strong attackers and have a decent chance to drop Motes of Water, which suits almost any class. Because primal materials remain in constant demand, this is a steady, low-competition spot that will serve you well during BCC Phase 2 and beyond.

  

  5. Legion Hold and Illidari Point

  Both of these areas are situated in the west-central part of Shadowmoon Valley in Outland. They are excellent for consistent gold grinding, green items, cloth, and Aldor reputation items.

  Many players simply fly over them on their way to other zones. If Legion Hold becomes too crowded, just fly a short distance east. The mobs respawn quickly, and if you play a class with strong sustain, such as a Paladin or Hunter, you can keep pulling almost non-stop.

  6. Black Temple

  Black Temple is a fantastic farming spot for players aligned with Scryer faction, because the blood elves there drop Sunfury Signets and Arcane Tomes at a reliable rate.

  Like other good grinding locations, the mobs are dense and respawn fast. Even better, they are only involved in a few quests, so you will rarely face competition from questing players.

  7. Mana Forges in Netherstorm

  Here you will also find many Sunfury blood elves that drop signets, tomes, and plenty of uncommon items. There are also numerous demons offering Marks of Sargeras and Fel Armaments. If one Mana Forge starts feeling crowded, simply mount up and fly to another one.

  If you are a Miner or Herbalist, keep an eye out for Fel Iron, Adamantite, and Netherbloom - you will always encounter these gathering nodes in Outland.

  8. Throne of Kil’jaeden in Hellfire Peninsula

  This is a wonderful location for farming Primal Fire, especially from Incandescent Fel Sparks that roam the plateau. Due to the high mob density and the excellent drop rate of Motes of Fire, you can harvest both Motes of Fire and WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold here.

  However, you need to prepare for combat. This is a well-known spot, so there will be heavy competition from other players. If you plan to play during off-peak hours and can secure a corner of the plateau, your hourly gold income will be very impressive.

  9. Death’s Door in Blades Edge Mountains

  In the southern part of Blades Edge Mountains, you will find a demon canyon filled with Death Smite Fel Guards. Most players come here only once during a quest chain and never return.

  These mobs drop a decent amount of gold, as well as a steady supply of Aldor reputation items. Because few players visit, there is no open-world PvP or mob competition to worry about.

  10. Outskirts of Black Temple

  You need to equip special goggles given by a quest and then head to the outskirts of Black Temple. Once there, you will see shadowy ghosts that other players cannot interact with. Since these monsters require a specific quest item to be seen, competition is almost non-existent.

  The ghosts drop respectable gold and various high-level items. Moreover, there is an abundance of them, and they respawn constantly. Quiet and consistent, this is one of the most reliable ways to earn gold - never worrying about someone stealing your kills. You can farm gold, cloth, and vendor items here with ease.

  You can be flexible with the areas mentioned above in WoW TBC Anniversary Phase 2. If you feel that competition at one farming spot is too intense, simply switch to another location to avoid efficiency loss caused by too many players.

• WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 Hard Lesson: Two Gold Pits you must Avoid

  It's been almost two weeks since the release of WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2, and players have already tried out the core raids Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep. Frankly, the feedback has been quite positive, with a decent team experience. However, TBC Phase 2 also has some issues that cannot be ignored.

  Phase 2 Raid Quality

  Unlike Phase 1, which only featured short raids like Karrazhan, Gruul's Lair, and Magtheridon's Lair with a limited number of bosses, Phase 2 introduced two true raids with multiple high-mechanic bosses and large groups of mobs to clear.

  This design not only represents a significant leap in fun but also increases the difficulty compared to Phase 1, even with the nerfed versions. This is enough to require a dedicated team to cooperate seriously, rather than the easy crushing of Phase 1.

  For players who enjoy teamwork and are willing to invest time in progression, Phase 2's raid experience is exactly what TBC should be like.

  

  The Economic System Has Collapsed

  Despite the dungeons themselves receiving much praise from players, a large number of players are considering quitting or waiting until Phase 4 to return. The core issue isn't the difficulty of the combat mechanics, but rather the exorbitant prices of consumables.

  During the second week of Phase 2, the price of Flask on some servers soared to 180 TBC Classic Anniversary gold per bottle.

  Since everyone's team needs to continuously fight SSC and TK within a week, plus clearing mobs and the possibility of wiping and starting over, most guilds require members to consume two to three Flasks per night or two, with some slower-progressing guilds even needing four.

  However, Flask alone can cost a player close to or even exceed 800 gold every two weeks.

  Melee DPS also need additional items like Firebloom, Scrolls of Strength, and Scrolls of Agility, while Engineers also consume Goblin Sapper Charges. All these factors combined mean that a player diligently consuming all world buffs can easily use 500 to 100 WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold per raid.

  Of course, theoretically, it's possible to clear Phase 2 raids without flasks or top-tier food, but most reputable guilds mandate the use of these consumables. Joining a PUG (PickUp Group) without these requirements makes a full clear virtually impossible given the difficulty and DPS pressure of Phase 2.

  Therefore, not using these consumables is simply not feasible in the actual game environment. It's fair to say that the economic situation during TBC Classic Anniversary has been the worst of all WoW Classic expansions since launch. Bots frantically gather herbs and farm materials, but players who actually hand-gather or craft items struggle to profit.

  This dire economic environment directly leads to widespread player burnout, causing many to choose to temporarily or permanently leave the game.

  Advice for Different Players

  It's understandable that ordinary BCC players are feeling burnt out and stressed right now. If you're feeling discouraged by consumable prices or simply experiencing game fatigue, feel free to take a break without guilt.

  The best window to return is Phase 4, as you'll need to catch up on a lot of progress by then. More importantly, Primal Nether will become Bind on Equip, meaning players can directly unlock these materials and craft endgame gear, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for alts or new characters.

  Furthermore, TBC Classic Anniversary isn't the only option in WoW Classic; WoW Classic Era and WoW Classic Hardcore also have stable player bases.

  In short, we play TBC for fun. If Phase 2 feels like a chore, take a break or switch to a different version.

  Comparison with 2021 TBC

  If we compare the current TBC with the initial TBC release in 2021, most players would likely agree that 2021 TBC offered a better overall experience.

  It's worth noting that Shaman's Bloodlust and Heroism buffs have now been extended to raids. Negative effects are reset after a wipe or boss kill, significantly improving the raid's combat pace.

  While bots existed back then, the economy wasn't as distorted as it is now. Players could craft gold through daily quests, herbalism, and material farming, unlocking more items and feeling more free.

  However, since Phase 1 of TBC, bots have had an exceptionally strong control over the market, making it virtually impossible for ordinary players to find a stable and easy way to make TBC Classic Anniversary gold.

  But that's the reality now; if you don't want to play, you can only take a break, and complaining won't help.

  Considering the development team's recent heavy promotion of Wrath of the Lich King, the much-anticipated Classic Plus might not be released until at least the mid-to-late game of Wrath of the Lich King, or even after it ends.

  Whether you stick with Phase 2, temporarily quit and wait for Phase 4, or have completely switched to WoW Classic Hardcore or WoW Classic Era, don't let the game hold you hostage. Make the decision that best suits your time and energy.

  While the current economy and consumable prices in TBC are indeed putting pressure on some players, this is expected to be gradually alleviated through future Phase updates.

• WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 The Best and Worst Classes | Is the pursuit of High Parse Scores justified?

  The launch of the new phase for BCC Anniversary not only signifies an expansion of available content but also triggers shifts in the in-game meta, as the relative power levels of various classes may rise or fall.

  As we enter Phase 2, if you are looking to roll an alt character, the key factor in choosing a class is its ability to effectively handle the two newly released raids.

  Based on current gameplay experiences and player feedback, we present below a guide to the best and worst class options in TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 for your reference.

  

  The worst classes for Phase 2

  First, a disclaimer: this designation of worst is based solely on the current game environment and is not a criticism of any specific class in and of itself.

  In terms of the current gameplay experience, Rogue class is in a rather unfavorable position. As a DPS class, if you look strictly at raw damage output numbers, Rogues actually perform quite well.

  However, the awkward reality is that when their damage figures are compared against those of other DPS classes, they fail to demonstrate any significant advantage.

  Furthermore, as guilds across the game strive to clear Phase 2 raids as quickly as possible, they tend to prioritize recruiting members from the classes widely acknowledged as the strongest, a category to which Rogues clearly do not belong.

  Consequently, if you are a Rogue player, you may find yourself facing the frustrating predicament of struggling to find a raid group lately, even if you are a skilled player.

  To be honest, this unfortunate situation cannot be entirely blamed on Rogue class itself; rather, it stems from the fact that, beyond simply prioritizing damage rankings, most casual groups tend to mimic the raid compositions utilized by top-tier guilds when recruiting members.

  Therefore, if you happen to be a more laid-back raid leader, it is entirely feasible to bring along three or four Rogues to your raids, provided you ensure that they understand their class mechanics and know how to utilize their unique strengths.

  Conversely, if you are a Rogue player looking to boost your chances of securing a raid spot, while simultaneously alleviating any fear of becoming a liability to the group, it's best to buy WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold from IGGM in advance.

  By doing so, you can upgrade your gear and acquire a variety of useful consumables via trade before the battle begins, enabling you to both protect yourself and provide valuable assistance to your teammates during the raid.

  However, it is worth noting that if you aren't fixated on clearing raids, preferring instead to farm solo or simply explore the world, Rogue's damage output capabilities are more than sufficient for your needs.

  The best classes for Phase 2

  Based on the analysis of Rogue, it is evident that in Phase 2, the primary metric for evaluating a class's worth depends largely on its damage output rankings within raids.

  Based on this criterion, the current top performer is Warrior, provided, of course, that you are aiming for overall damage output. If, however, your focus is specifically on single-target damage, Hunter will prove to be the superior choice.

  Furthermore, it is worth noting that once the 2-piece set bonus from Tier 5 set is acquired, Mage's standing on the single-target damage charts experiences a rapid and dramatic surge. Consequently, during the later stages of Phase 2, Mage is expected to outperform Hunter.

  This specific set bonus has the potential to elevate Mage's boss-kill speed to unprecedented levels, a capability that will prove invaluable for taking down the two ultimate bosses found in Phase 2 raids.

  

  Should you chase high Parse?

  Often cited by the majority of players as the primary benchmark for assessing class performance in WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2, and the term Parse is a specialized piece of jargon within WoW community.

  Specifically, it refers to your performance, measured in terms of DPS or HPS, during a boss encounter within a raid, expressed as a percentile ranking relative to every other player globally who plays the same class and specialization.

  For instance, achieving a 99 Parse in a boss fight signifies that your performance has surpassed that of 99% of all other players worldwide who share your specialization; this places you firmly within the elite tier of top-level players.

  Awkwardly enough, there has long been an ongoing debate within the community regarding whether players should actually prioritize chasing high Parse scores.

  A certain segment of the player base, driven by the desire to achieve high Parse values and dominate the damage meters, is obsessed with dealing the absolute maximum amount of damage possible.

  To this end, they spare no expense in optimizing their raid compositions and organizing Split Runs, employing every conceivable tactic and strategy at their disposal.

  While this approach may appear to accelerate the raid-clearing process for the entire group, it comes with significant drawbacks that cannot be ignored.

  Because maximizing damage output often necessitates the adoption of extreme measures, such as drastically reducing the number of healers in the raid, the process can become highly unstable.

  Ultimately, this instability can lead to volatile raid progression, resulting in a substantial increase in the frequency of wipes (total party defeats).

  While every team is free to choose its own combat strategies, the excessive obsession with Parse scores during TBC Anniversary Phase 2 has had a rather negative impact on the overall game environment.

  More specifically, consider the case of Rogues, who have been labeled as the worst class. In reality, the class itself suffers from no significant inherent disadvantages; it is simply cast aside because its Parse scores tend to be lower, a situation that is truly quite unfair.

  Classes prone to death

  Beyond the currently prevalent Parse-based filtering method, another criterion for class selection, one favored by more casual players, is the desire to be among the last to die during raids.

  Generally speaking, almost every Tank class ranks at the very top of the death leaderboard; after all, whenever a raid group wipes, the tanks are invariably the first to fall.

  Another class facing a high risk of death is Warlock. This is likely because Warlocks frequently utilize abilities during combat that inflict damage upon themselves.

  Of course, regarding the raid experience in Phase 2, the likelihood of dying is not solely determined by one's class; it also depends heavily on the specific mechanics of each boss encounter.

  In conclusion, there is no absolute best or worst class; these distinctions are constantly shifting alongside changes in the game environment and player strategies.

  If your priority is to form groups quickly and complete raids efficiently, you may find these observations useful; otherwise, feel free to simply play whichever class you enjoy the most!

• WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 Raid Crossroads: 50-Min Speedruns vs Endless Wipes

  Players, there's been a lot of debate lately about WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2, with vastly different experiences from different player groups, both in terms of difficulty and completion time. So what's really going on in the game?

  Raid Difficulty Polarization

  Since the release of TBC Anniversary Phase 2, the experience between top guilds and average groups has been drastically different.

  Some elite guilds have speedrunned Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep in just 50 minutes, with some even using parkour-style monster-skipping techniques to complete Tempest Keep in under 27 minutes. Meanwhile, many average guilds can't even defeat the second boss of Serpentshrine Cavern.

  This debate about whether the raid is too easy or extremely time-consuming is intensifying in the community.

  

  Time is the Real Challenge

  In reality, for most non-top guilds, the difficulty of BCC Phase 2 isn't the boss mechanics themselves, but rather the need for a long, consistent investment of time - that's what makes it so challenging for them.

  Many teams are forced to dedicate two nights a week, four hours each night, to raiding. This means that if you have multiple characters, you might need to put your alts in temporary PUGs on Mondays, aiming only for a small amount of gear, rather than necessarily completing every dungeon.

  Players can adjust their expectations based on their own circumstances, appropriately reducing the pursuit of full progress for all characters.

  Data Reveals the Real Barrier

  In fact, very few guilds actually clear all 10 bosses; a large number of teams get stuck on specific bosses. Currently, only about 300 guilds across all servers have completed all ten bosses in Phase 2.

  Interestingly, the number of teams stuck on three bosses is almost equal to the number of teams that have cleared the dungeon, reflecting that Fathom-Lord Karathress is indeed a significant hurdle in SSC.

  And the vast majority of Tinker teams stop at Kael'thas Sunstrider; this data is highly valuable for PUGs to develop soft reserve strategies.

  If you focus your soft reserve on early bosses, your chances of getting gear will be higher. Focusing on Lady Vashj or Kael'thas Sunstrider might just be a waste of opportunities.

  Pre-group Investigation

  TBC Phase 2 raids are no longer the simple Gruul's Lair raid of the past. Players should reverse-check raid leaders, just as raid leaders check themselves.

  If a raid group hard-reserves all the best gear but can't clear it, you're just being ripped off. Conversely, a group that doesn't reserve anything might lack confidence, leading to disbanding after only half a boss fight and wasting raid cooldowns. Everyone should be wary of this potential trap.

  Furthermore, ninja looting incidents have recently been prevalent with Tailoring Patterns, especially tradable ones, such as boot patterns worth thousands of TBC Classic Anniversary gold. Nether Vortex, on the other hand, is completely untradable and cannot be transferred to others once picked up, so extra caution is needed.

  Gear Allocation Bias Sparks Controversy

  Currently, almost all top guilds are prioritizing Phase 2 loot for their Protection Paladins, arguing that high Spell Power significantly increases threat generation, preventing frequent deaths for classes like Warlocks.In fact, three of the five highest item level characters on the server are Protection Paladins. 

  However, this practice has sparked controversy among players. Should Enhancement Shamans and Rogues, who also use the same tier token, be sacrificed?

  Here's a more extreme case: one Protection Paladin not only monopolized all priority loot but also took the Ashes of Al'ar from the first week's drop.

  While tanks taking gear can be justified by threat crafting, monopolizing even purely cosmetic mounts undoubtedly damages raid morale, even though some argue this player may have been undertaking the most organization and carry work.

  Hunters Have Become the Star Class in Phase 2

  In the damage statistics for SSC and TK, 9 out of the top 20 are Hunters, surpassing Mages and Warlocks.

  Hunters not only provide stable buffs to melee classes, but they can also safely output damage throughout fights like Void Reaver, with almost no chance of dying. They also consistently deal damage in Kael'thas Sunstrider fight.

  Therefore, Hunters are highly recommended for raid groups. However, as the raid progresses further, Warlock will become more valuable because of its efficiency in clearing mobs.

  Meanwhile, Arcane Mages with two Tier 5 pieces will see a significant increase in damage; players have already tested this playstyle and found it extremely powerful and fun.

  Attunements Severely Hinder Raid Participation

  Although Phase 2 has nearly 300,000 active players, the number of players who have actually completed attunements and do not yet have a fixed raid group is extremely small, making it exceptionally difficult to find members for PUGs.

  While attunement is a feature of BCC and won't be removed, this mechanism significantly reduces raid participation. Many players will never experience Phase 2 content because they're too lazy to do the quests.

  The negative effects of attunement are already quite evident, and it has become a major reason for player churn.

  So, can your guild speedrun SSC and TK in Phase 2? Hopefully, everyone can have a smoother experience in TBC!

• WoW TBC Anniversary Phase 2 Speedrun Tricks You Didn't Know | How to Despawn Murlocs & Clear SSC/TK?

  With Phase 2 of WoW TBC Anniversary live for a week, many players have already noticed that after the official adjustments, Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep have become remarkably straightforward. Almost every guild now clears these raids with very little effort.

  What follows, therefore, is not about handling the mechanics of Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep. Instead, it's a collection of tricks to shorten your kill times and boost overall efficiency - especially for dealing with those irritating trash packs.

  

  Serpentshrine Cavern

  The Entrance

  You can skip the 5 groups of trash right at the entrance, though some raids may still decide to clear them while gathering Nether Vortex.

  Have your melee group stack tightly together and your ranged group stack as well, placing a Hunter behind the ranged clump. The reason is that Coilfang Hate-Screamers cast a silence effect; if the entire raid were piled up carelessly, that silence could easily lead to deaths.

  Hydross the Unstable

  When facing Hydross, the tank needs Frost Resistance gear or a Paladin's Frost Resistance Aura. Beyond that, using Petrified Scarab from AQ40 is highly recommended, as it simplifies this encounter immensely.

  Activate the trinket roughly one minute into the fight, when the fourth Mark of Hydros lands on the tank, to grant an extra 100 resistance. Although the trinket loses 10 resistance each time a hostile spell hits its bearer, Hydross himself deals only melee damage to the tank - only the marks count as spells.

  With the right totem and trinket combination, the tank can comfortably soak the boss's damage while the rest of the raid goes all out. It becomes entirely possible to defeat Hydross in Phase 1, skipping Nature phase altogether.

  The Lurker Below

  During Phase 2, never let the entire raid leave the platform, or the boss will simply despawn. Keep a handful of players on the platform at all times - this may well be a bug that awaits an official fix.

  The boss's submerge can actually be delayed. Normally he goes down around the 1:30 mark, but occasionally, when Spout is available, he will cast it first, granting your raid an extra 20 seconds of damage time.

  Morogrim Tidewalker

  Before fully engaging Morogrim Tidewalker, activate the boss with an Eye of Kilrogg, a Rogue's Vanish, or a Hunter's Feign Death. Doing so causes the patrolling Murloc packs, as well as Shatterers and Coilfang Fathom-Witches in the corridor leading to Fathom-Lord Karathress, to despawn entirely.

  Once the fight begins, the entire raid should focus all damage on the boss. While mages enjoy clearing Murlocs with Arcane Explosion, it's more effective to let them die naturally to melee cleaves. The more time you direct at the boss, the faster the kill.

  Fathom-Lord Karathress

  The simplest approach to this fight is to clear every add. If speed is your goal, however, kill Tidalvess and Sharkis first, then drag Caribdis far away - beyond his healing range - and have a Restoration Shaman tank him while the rest of the raid focuses on Karathress.

  The downside to this strategy is that with Caribdis still alive, the boss gains Blessing of the Tides (65% increased damage) and Beast Within (30% increased damage), making his Cataclysmic Bolt utterly lethal and capable of nearly one-shotting players.

  For this reason, you must not be stingy with your WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Gold. Besides stocking up on Shadow Resistance potions, equipping resistance gear is strongly advised. Ranged players can position themselves farther back, watch for the target of Cataclysmic Bolt, and apply protective abilities like Blessing of Protection in time.

  Leotheras the Blind

  Two small tricks help here. Before the pull, pre-spread your raid and begin pre-casting on the adds. There's no need to handle them separately; simply group them together and wipe them out with area burst damage - the adds fall very quickly.

  During Leotheras's Demon phase, when the boss summons Inner Demons, Paladins can use Exorcism on these adds, relieving pressure on the DPS.

  Lady Vashj

  In Lady Vashj encounter, you can move along a straight line and have the entire raid stacked behind a pillar, maximising your damage uptime on the boss.

  During Phase 3, Thornlings from Dire Maul or Goblin Landmines can be used to bait the boss into using her poison ability, reducing Vashj's movement as well as the likelihood of your raid being rooted or poisoned.

  Tempest Keep

  Trash

  The trash in Tempest Keep doesn't require overly complicated handling. For Bloodwarder Legionnaires, simply tank them where they are clear of Whirlwind but still subject to Cleave.

  Phoenix-Hawks in the room need not be dragged to the corner by the entrance. Instead, have a Protection Paladin stand on the ramp, positioned as far away from Dragonhawk on the ground as possible. Once engaged, cast Judgment on Dragonhawk - because of the maximum distance, it will attempt to charge Paladin, but line-of-sight issues prevent the charge from executing, completely disabling that mechanic.

  Void Reaver

  Don't let your tank sit idle on the platform during this fight. Assign a Bear Druid as the tank; they can use Sprint and Feral Charge to move swiftly between platforms and pick up the boss. Taking some fire damage while jumping from Platform 2 to Platform 3 is possible, but it isn't fatal. In addition, on the first platform, the ground tank can initially come up and deal damage before returning to the ground, effectively reducing the overall fight duration.

  Kael'thas Sunstrider

  When handling the 4 advisors, quickly eliminate the first advisor in Phase 1, then move on to Sanguinar on the left. After Sanguinar falls and before Caprician appears, the entire raid should stack to the left to avoid the disorient effect. When engaging Telonicus, stand at maximum melee range to avoid his bombs.

  In Phase 2, the tank simply holds the axe. During Phase 3, prioritise killing Telonicus, have ranged focus down Caprician, and let melee cleave the other two advisors while remaining stacked throughout. Phase 4 splits the raid into a melee stack and a ranged stack; since everyone stays tightly grouped, Mind Control can be broken almost instantly.

  These are the tips and tricks that can make a difference inside Serpentshrine Cavern and Tempest Keep - may they help your team push forward.