Even before the official release of World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Phase 2, many players on Reddit predicted an official announcement around late April to early May. Blizzard might only reveal the actual update date two weeks before then.
Until then, what can we know from the currently available information about Phase 2? Reportedly, Phase 2 is vastly different from Phase 1. If Phase 1 was an introductory training for beginners, then Phase 2 is a direct leap into real combat.
How should we cope with this huge leap? I will now list and explain the update changes and what preparations we should make to welcome the highly anticipated Phase 2.
Update Content
- New Raids: Serpentshrine Cavern, Tempest Keep - The Eye
- New Quests: Ogri'la Faction & Daily Quests, Sha'tari Skyguard Faction & Daily Quests
- New Skill Form: Druid Swift Flight Form
- New Season: Arena Season Two
The new raids, Tempest Keep - The Eye and Serpentshrine Cavern, are particularly challenging and demand a high level of teamwork.
Compared to the raids in WoW Classic TBC Anniversary Phase 1, these raids are significantly more difficult and require each member of the team to have a precise understanding and execution of complex combat mechanics. They test not only the team's overall coordination but also the individual skill of each member.
These raids represent the biggest challenge players will face in Phase 2.
Raid Overview
Serpentshrine Cavern
Serpentshrine Cavern is the first raid in TBC Anniversary Phase 2, located deep within Coilfang Reservoir in Zangarmarsh. It consists of 6 bosses and is a 25-player raid. This raid requires completing a questline to obtain Mark of Vashj for entry and resets weekly. Therefore, players are advised to complete the raid within a week of entering, otherwise all progress will be lost upon reset.
The raid drops level 128 non-set gear and level 133 Tier 5 set items. Tier 5 Tokens, which can be used to exchange for Tier 5 set items, are distributed between two raids.
Serpentshrine Cavern raid drops the leg armor, gloves, and helm. The remaining set pieces are found in another raid, Tempest Keep - The Eye.
The boss does not drop finished gear; instead, it drops Tier 5 Tokens, a universal TBC Classic currency used to exchange for set items. You can use these tokens at your faction's NPC in Shattrath City to exchange for Tier 5 set pieces for your class. This is a crucial and rare source of end-game gear introduced in Phase 2.
The six bosses in the raid are Hydross the Unstable, Lurker Below, Leotheras the Blind, Fathom-Lord Karathress, Morogrim Tidewalker, and Lady Vashj.
Lady Vashj, as the final boss, is a notorious raid killer. In WoW Classic TBC Anniversary Phase 2, four players need to precisely pass Corrupted Core to remove the boss's invulnerability shield.
The leg armor is from Fathom-Lord Karathress, the gloves from Leotheras the Blind, and the helm from the final boss, Lady Vashj.
Tempest Keep - The Eye
Tempest Keep - The Eye is also a 25-man raid located in the easternmost part of Netherstorm. Although it only has four bosses, the raid is extremely lengthy.
You need to complete a questline called Cipher of Damnation, starting with Hand of Gul'dan in Shadowmoon Valley as your first quest. This raid demands a high level of familiarity with the mechanics and procedures from the entire team, as well as strong overall combat capabilities.
The four bosses in this raid are Al'ar, Void Reaver, High Astromancer Solarian, and Kael'thas Sunstrider.
Defeating these bosses will not only drop Tier 5 Tokens (level 133), but also has a chance to drop the epic flying mount Ashes of Al'ar and TBC Classic Gold. The remaining shoulder and chest pieces from Tier 5 set will also drop here, on Void Reaver and Kael'thas Sunstrider, respectively.
Quest Content
Ogri'la Faction & Daily Quests
Ogri'la are a group of ogres in Blade's Edge Mountains. The only way to increase your reputation with Ogri'la is by completing daily quests, and you need to complete a series of questlines before you can begin your daily quests.
While questing in this area, killing monsters may drop Broken Gear, which can be infused with Paragon Crystals to craft other useful items. These items can also be sold for TBC Classic Gold.
Sha'tari Skyguard Faction & Daily Quests
In Phase 2, Sha'tari Skyguard will recruit you to join their faction and defend Shattrath City. This quest can be completed by finishing daily quests and killing monsters, and the reward is a Nether Ray Mount.
Druid Swift Flight Form is a surprise for Druids. They can summon Anzu in Sethekk Halls and also randomly obtain a mount. To use Druid Swift Flight Form, you will need to obtain an epic flying mount.
In summary, WoW Classic TBC Anniversary Phase 2 offers more challenges than before, featuring more complex multi-phase battles that emphasize teamwork. The items and rewards are also richer and more creative, no wonder players who were already somewhat tired of Phase 1 are eagerly anticipating it.
With this detailed update guide, you can jump right in when Phase 2 is released, as you already know all the information you need.
