Adventurers and loot enthusiasts, brace yourselves for the latest scoop on World of Warcraft Classic's Season of Discovery Phase 3! We're here to give you a tantalizing preview of the new raid info, rune abilities, PVP updates, world event updates, profession updates and system updates that awaits you in its murky depths. This guide will equip you with all the knowledge you need before setting foot in Phase 3.

 

• New Raid Info
• Rune Abilities
• PvP Updates
• World Event Updates
• Profession Updates
• System Update

 

↖ New Raid Info

The Temple of Atal'Hakkar Boss:

As we venture into the heart of the Swamp of Sorrows, we uncover the Temple of Atal'Hakkar, also known as the Sunken Temple. This ancient edifice will serve as our first 20-player raid in Phase 3, challenging you with eight formidable bosses. Here's a sneak peek at what lies in store:

• Atal'arion: This colossal Berserker troll is not your average janitor. He's on cleanup duty with a voracious appetite, ready to sweep up any intruders who survive the fall into his domain.
• Festering Rot Slime: Beware the outer rings of the Sunken Temple, for this massive slime lurks there, eager to absorb any adventurer who crosses its path.
• Jammal'an and Ogom: A fanatical priest and his undead sidekick are hell-bent on resurrecting the blood God Hakkar. Expect a dynamic battle with these two as they deploy cunning tactics to thwart your progress.
• Eranikus: The mighty Green Dragon lies in slumber, but disturbing his dreams could spell disaster—or lead to remarkable rewards for those brave enough to face him.

 

Sunken Temple Loot:

The Sunken Temple is not just a battleground; it's a treasure trove waiting to be plundered. Here's a glimpse at some of the unique rewards:

• Drake Stone Variants: Spellcasters can look forward to a new Shadow Arcane spell damage variant of the iconic Drake Stone item.
• Axe Gun: Shamans and Paladins rejoice! This versatile weapon doubles as both an axe and a gun, providing a much-needed ranged option for these classes.
• Tier Tokens: To enhance loot distribution, we're introducing two different tier tokens with several classes on each. More tokens will drop per boss, reducing competition within the raid.

 

Epic Rewards:

For those who thrive on epic gear, Phase 3 won't disappoint. Here are some highlights:

• Embrace of the Serpent Robe: Healers can expect an upgraded version of this classic robe.
• Dragon's Call Sword: This weapon now features new glow effects, adding a touch of elegance to its deadly edge.
• Atal'ai Blood Ceremony: Engage in a lethal game with a companion where only one emerges victorious—a unique way to settle disputes.
• Unorthodox Hex Stick: Embrace your whimsical side by transforming into a critter, perfect for surprising—or horrifying—your comrades.

 

Raid Quest and Dungeon Loot:

We've heard your feedback and have revamped quest rewards to be more appealing. For instance:

• Vanguard Helm: This helm has been restated to better suit the classes that can equip it.
• Helm of Exile: Alongside quest rewards, we've also enhanced dungeon drops like princess Theradras' scepter.

 

↖ Rune Abilities

Druid Rune Preview

• Gore: Unleash the beast within! This rune gives Druids a ferocious edge by offering a chance to reset key Feral cooldowns and generate extra rage.
• Improved Barkskin: Be the guardian your allies deserve. This rune enhances Barkskin, allowing you to cast it on teammates without the usual penalties.

 

Hunter Rune Preview

• Landmine: Prepare for explosive tactics! Hunters can now set traps that grant a free, cooldown-free shot, perfect for a quick follow-up.
• Focus Fire: A boon for pet lovers. Your pet's frenzy now boosts its attack speed, and activating this rune transfers some of that frenetic energy to you while giving your pet focus.

 

Mage Rune Preview

• Deep Freeze: Ice in your veins, frost at your fingertips. This rune delivers a chilling 5-second stun or, if the target is immune, a hefty dose of damage.
• Balefire Bolt: Dance with danger for devastating effects. This high-risk rune offers powerful damage at the cost of your spirit—deplete it entirely, and it's game over.

 

Paladin Rune Preview

• Improved Sanctuary: Fortify your defenses. Paladins can expect increased damage blocking and retaliation with this rune.
• Wrath: Smite with holy fervor. Critical hits now apply to Consecration and amplify your holy spells, turning the tide in divine fashion.

 

Priest Rune Preview

• Pain and Suffering: Extend your torment. Priests can now keep Shadow Word: Pain active indefinitely with Mind Flay.
• Surge of Light: Embrace the light's swiftness. Critical strikes grant an instant-cast Smite or Flash Heal, ensuring you're always ready for what's next.

 

Rogue Rune Preview

• Honor Among Thieves: A rogue's pact. Gain a combo point each time a party member lands a critical hit.
• Cut to the Chase: Maintain your lethal edge. Eviscerate and Envenom now refresh Slice and Dice to its maximum duration.

 

Shaman Rune Preview

• Mental Dexterity: Channel the elements through sheer intellect. Melee attacks now benefit from your intellect, enhancing both attack power and spell potency.
• Riptide: A wave of relief. This fan-favorite instant heal not only soothes immediately but continues to restore health over time.

 

Warlock Rune Preview

• Pandemic: Overwhelm with creeping dread. Warlocks can now watch their damage-over-time spells critically strike, sowing chaos among foes.
• Felguard Summoning: Unleash demonic fury. Summon felguards to bolster your arsenal, capable of both tanking and dishing out punishment.

 

Warrior Rune Preview

• Taste for Blood: Savor the fight. Rend damage now allows Warriors to use Overpower more frequently.
• Sword and Board: Embrace the warrior's way. Devastate and Revenge have a chance to reset Shield Slam's cooldown and eliminate its rage cost.
• Gladiator Stance (Bonus Rune): Live out your gladiator dreams. Increase damage while wielding a shield and gain access to abilities from other stances at a survivability trade-off.

 

↖ PvP Updates

PvP Item Updates:

• New Level 50 PvP Set: Get ready to don your battle gear with the introduction of a brand-new level 50 PvP set. This six-piece ensemble is tailored for ranks 5 through 7 and comes with bonuses that'll make you a formidable foe in the arena.
• Starter Set from Emerald Wardens: A fresh faction is on the scene—the Emerald Wardens. They're offering a starter PvP set that's sure to pique your interest. Stay tuned for more juicy details on this later.

 

Blood Moon Updates:

• Level 50 Rewards: The Blood Moon event is leveling up with new rewards for those at level 50. Prepare to collect Massacre coins, which you'll earn by defeating higher-level players.
• Currency Changes: The Blood Stained commendations are making their exit, replaced by these shiny new Massacre coins. Use them quickly though; they've got a two-week shelf life post-patch.
• New Consumables: To keep things spicy, there's a fresh honor consumable token for level 50 players, exchangeable with the new currency.

 

↖ World Event Updates

Nightmare Incursions:

• Emerald Portal Adventure: The four Emerald portals across Azeroth are stirring with dark forces. Dare to step inside, and you'll find yourself in a corrupted realm filled with dragons and madness.
• Levels 25-50 Content: These incursions offer repeatable PvE content for a wide range of levels. Plus, you can earn reputation with the new Emerald Wardens faction.
• Rewarding Bravery: Fighting off corruption has its perks. The Emerald Wardens are offering new items as tokens of their gratitude.

 

The Nightmare Comes

• Trinkets and Rings: The Nightmare Siphon trinket is perfect for lower-level alts, while the Roar of the Dream ring boasts a spell damage proc that's quite unique.
• PvP Set at Honor: A level 50 PvP set will be available for honor with the Emerald Wardens, providing a stepping stone to even better loot down the road.

 

↖ Profession Updates

New Crafting Recipes:

• Nightmare Armaments: A quest chain will unlock new crafting recipes for Nightmare armaments, adding a twist to your gear.
• Affordable Learning: The cost of accessing and purchasing recipes is taking a nosedive—your gold stash will thank you.

 

Specializations and Leveling:

• Reach New Heights: You can now specialize and level up to 300 in each profession, opening doors to new crafting possibilities.
• Potion Perks: Unlock additional outputs for potions, elixirs, and flasks through a special quest—your efforts will be rewarded.

 

Crafted Items Sneak Peek:

• Unique Effects: Look forward to interesting unequip effects under The Nightmare's influence. For those who prefer sanity, items like the Void Powered Slayer's Vambraces offer fear immunity.

 

↖ System Update

World Buffs:

• Continuing from previous phases, you can use prior world buffs up to the current max level.
• Sunken Temple, the new raid, includes a fresh world buff.
• Powerful consumables can be exchanged at an NPC using materials from Sunken Temple, akin to Zanza Elixirs from Zul'Gurub.

 

XP Turn-in Quests:

• Bankable, repeatable turn-in items won't expedite leveling from 40 to 50.
• This includes Marks of Honor, Wastewander Water Pouches, and Troll Necklaces from the Hinterlands.

 

Leveling Updates:

• From levels 40 to 49, you'll enjoy a 50% XP increase from all sources as soon as Phase 3 launches.
• The existing 100% buff from levels 1 through 39 remains unchanged.
• Gnomeregan will offer substantial XP for each boss defeat.

 

Raid Release Schedule:

• Sunken Temple will adopt a weekly lockout available immediately with Phase 3's release.
• Players have five days to reach Level 50 to participate in the first raid lockout.
• The raid will reset weekly on Tuesdays or your regional lockout day.

 

Level 60 Endgame Preview:

• Standardized weekly raid lockouts for level 50 and beyond are planned.
• Itemization updates will ensure early raid items remain relevant longer.
• Upper Black Rock Spire remains a 10-player dungeon without a lockout.

 

Raid Lockouts:

• A consistent raid schedule is essential with the increase to 20-player raids.
• Generous loot drops will compensate for the shift to weekly lockouts.

 

Weapon Skill:

• Weapon skill bonuses can be swapped at level 60.
• This system allows customization of weapon proficiencies without stacking with racial bonuses.

 

Priest Racial Spells:

• Priests will be able to unlock spells unique to other races at level 60.
• The method of unlocking these spells is tied to discoveries.

 

Level 60 Preview - Itemization:

• Tier sets will be revamped to support various specs and roles.
• Non-set dungeon and raid items at level 60 will be updated, with new crafting options introduced.
• Changing profession specializations will be more flexible but may incur a cost.

 

In conclusion, these updates are designed to enhance your journey through Azeroth, whether you're battling through raids or leveling up your newest character. The WoW Classic team is excited to roll out these changes, and we're grateful for your continued passion and feedback. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the release of Phase 3.