WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 Release Date Confirmed: How to Prepare for the New Raids and Factions?
Category: WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Posted: Jul 23, 2026 Views: 403
You have likely wrapped up most of the content from TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 by now. Just as you were aimlessly preparing for Phase 3, the development team suddenly announced the official launch date for this phase!
Even if you have played the original TBC or Classic servers, we are bringing you the ultimate overview of WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 to ensure you stay on top of potential changes and don't miss any nuanced adjustments.

Phase 3 release date confirmed
This phase was originally scheduled for release on August 13, but after that the date was shifted to August 27 at 3:00 PM PDT. It has to be said that this kind of back-and-forth scheduling makes it very easy to miss the actual launch - it is honestly quite annoying.
Counting back from August 27th, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 lasted approximately three months (excluding the pre-patch), and BCC Anniversary consists of five phases in total.
If each subsequent phase maintains this three-month duration, TBC Classic Anniversary should conclude around February of next year. Although this is slightly longer than the expected 8–10 months, the overall pace is still faster than that of the original Classic release.
Mount Hyjal Raid overview
Like Phase 2, the new content for TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 includes two raids: Black Temple and Mount Hyjal. Additionally, a new faction associated with each raid has been introduced.
Unlocking Black Temple requires not only completing its own attunement questline but also ensuring you have completed the attunement quests for Tempest Keep, Serpentshrine Cavern, and Mount Hyjal. Therefore, we will first introduce the unlock process and an overview of Mount Hyjal raid.
The attunement quest for this raid, Vials of Eternity, essentially requires you to defeat the final bosses of Tempest Keep and Serpentshrine Cavern raids: Kael'thas Sunstrider and Lady Vashj.
This is because the quest requires you to turn in two key items, Vashj's Vial Remnant and Kael's Vial Remnant, to a specific NPC; the method for obtaining these drops is self-explanatory.
If you haven't done this yet, it is best to complete it before Phase 3 launches to avoid falling behind. Additionally, you need to raise your Keepers of Time reputation to Revered to gain access to Hyjal Summit, the location of Mount Hyjal raid.
As for Mount Hyjal raid itself, it features five bosses: Rage Winterchill, Anetheron, Kaz'rogal, Azgalor, and Archimonde, all of which must be defeated; there are no optional encounters.
Azgalor and Archimonde drop tokens for gloves and helms, respectively, with the final bossArchimonde dropping loot of a higher item level.
It is also worth noting that while fighting within Hyjal Summit zone, waves of trash mobs will continuously spawn and advance on your group until the main boss appears.
Therefore, when assembling your Mount Hyjal raid team, you must consider not only general mob mechanics but also the specific abilities of various enemy types.
It is also advisable to buy WoW TBC Classic Anniversary gold on IGGM to redeem stat-boosting consumables, ensuring your group isn't worn down by trash mobs before even reaching the bosses.
Black Temple Raid overview
We have already briefly mentioned the attunement requirements for this raid. Following that, depending on whether you have joined The Aldor or The Scryers faction, you must complete a lengthy questline to obtain Medallion of Karabor, the item required to unlock the raid.
In fact, parts of this questline were made available during Phase 1 and 2, so you may have already completed some of the steps.
Notably, the seventh step of the questline involves defeating the boss Rage Winterchill, which is why we strongly recommend completing Mount Hyjal raid first.
Black Temple raid features nine bosses, all of which must be defeated to clear the raid:
- High Warlord Naj'entus
- Supremus
- Shade of Akama
- Teron Gorefiend
- Gurtogg Bloodboil
- Reliquary of the Lost
- Mother Shahraz
- The Illidari Council
- Illidan Stormrage
It is worth mentioning that the raid entrance is a crack in the wall along the path to Karabor Sewers; it is easily overlooked, so it is best to navigate to the coordinates /way 71, 46.
As for loot, Black Temple raid bosses drop Tier 6 tokens, and the final boss Illidan Stormrage also drops the rare gear Warglaive of Azzinoth.
Two new factions
The two new factions introduced in Phase 3, Ashtongue Deathsworn and Scale of the Sands, correspond to the two new raids and are unlocked as you progress through their respective attunement questlines.
You can earn reputation points and raise your standing with these factions by completing the raids themselves. Once you reach Exalted status with Ashtongue Deathsworn, you can trade for nine new items using gold.
Regarding Scale of the Sands, you receive a ring as a reward upon reaching Friendly status; this ring upgrades automatically as your reputation level increases.
Other updates
Phase 3 also introduces a new Netherwing daily quest hub, making it easier to build reputation with the faction; upon reaching Exalted status, you can unlock Netherwing Drake.
Additionally, Epic Gems will begin dropping in-game, and Scale of the Sands vendors will sell Epic Gem patterns, allowing you to craft them yourself by gathering the necessary materials.
The final update concerns PvP: Arena will officially enter Season 3. If you are looking for a more thrilling PvP experience and the associated rewards, be sure to prepare in advance!
That covers the details of BCC Anniversary Phase 3 update. If you still have unfinished content from Phases 1 and 2, you might want to prioritize the tasks that will help you experience the new Phase 3 raids! Good luck!
Recommended Article
-
14 Extra Days to Prepare: How to Dominate WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 in Week One?
-
Fast or Slow? The Great WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Pacing Paradox Explained: Don't Let the Toxic Community Atmosphere Sway You!
-
TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 2 Balance Druid Guide: Why Boomkin is Essential in Raids?
-
WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 Prep Checklist: Materials, Attunements, Consumables, and More
-
WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 Fury Warrior BiS Gear Recommended: Extreme Off-Pieces vs 4-Piece T6 Set | Which is the True DPS King?
-
WoW TBC Classic Anniversary Phase 3 Gold Investment Guide | What to stockpile before release?












