World of Warcraft Classic just revealed that the Phase 3 update is officially coming to the 20th Anniversary realms on March 20. Classic Fresh players can look forward to Blackwing Lair, level 50 class quests, and more once this update arrives on the retro World of Warcraft servers.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of World of Warcraft, Blizzard opened up brand-new Classic realms that would begin the storied journey through Vanilla WoW once more from the beginning. Since then, these WoW realms moved into Phase 2 on January 9 – and between OnlyFangs streamer guild drama in Dire Maul and Season of Discovery characters showing up in WoW Classic Fresh Battlegrounds, it was a rather eventful update.

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Now, World of Warcraft is getting ready to roll out Phase 3 in these realms. The biggest part of this update is undoubtedly Blackwing Lair, the stronghold atop Blackrock Mountain controlled by Nefarian, the eldest son of Deathwing. Once attuned to the instance, teams of 40 heroes will challenge the raid’s eight bosses to obtain items like the iconic Tier 2 sets, the Elementium Ore World of Warcraft characters needed to forge Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker, and the Head of Nefarian.

World of Warcraft Classic Fresh Phase 3 Release Dates

• March 20 – Phase 3
  • Blackwing Lair
  • Level 50 class quests
  • New Reputation rewards with Argent Dawn, Thorium Brotherhood, Timbermaw Hold, Silverwing Sentinels, and Warsong Outriders
  • Darkmoon Faire
• April 3 – PvP update
  • PvP Honor rank 11 cap removed
  • Arathi Basin Battleground
  • Battleground Bonus Weekends

Were that not exciting enough, Phase 3 also brings new reputation rewards available from many Classic factions, including the Argent Dawn, Thorium Brotherhood, and Timbermaw Hold, as well as the Silverwing Sentinels and Warsong Outriders associated with Warsong Gulch. Every playable class also gets exclusive questlines at level 50 that provide powerful rare items. Lastly, the Darkmoon Faire will officially arrive in World of Warcraft Classic Fresh, periodically setting up shop in Elwynn Forest and Mulgore to offer quests, buffs, and unique rewards.

Two weeks later on April 3, a handful of changes to PvP will also be implemented. The Honor cap at rank 11 will be removed, allowing characters to earn titles and rewards up to rank 14. Additionally, the 15 vs. 15 Arathi Basin Battleground opens, giving fans a new way to earn Honor and rewards. Lastly, every weekend from Thursday through Monday, one Battleground map will be featured in a Bonus Weekend event, granting opportunities to earn extra rewards for completing objectives, starting with Arathi Basin on April 4.

Classic Fresh will continue to power through the endgame World of Warcraft phases during 2025, with Phase 4 arriving in the summer, Phase 5 in the fall, and Phase 6 no later than winter. At this rate, the 20th Anniversary realms are expected to begin the transition into The Burning Crusade in late 2025 or early 2026.

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November 23, 2004

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