HOME Mists of Pandaria Classic MoP Classic Phase 3 Overview

MoP Classic Phase 3 is the new chapter for all players wandering across Pandaria. In this overview, you will learn about the release date of Phase 3 in Mists of Pandaria Classic, all new features, and updates. You will learn about the new zones and raids, rares and world bosses, and even more.

MoP Classic Phase 3 Key Takeaways:

  • Phase 3 in MoP Classic releases on December 9, 2025.
  • In Phase 3, we expect the following updates: new raid, Isle of Thunder and Isle of Giants, new reputation, new world bosses, and rare mobs.
  • The new factions coming in MoP Classic Phase 3 are Kirin Tor Offensive, Sunreaver Onslaught and Shado-Pan Assault factions.
  • Thunderforged Gear is the new gear type, which serves as empowered Heroic gear.
  • New rares can spawn all around Pandaria in certain points in Jade Forest, Kun-Lai Summit, Townlong Steppes, Dread Wastes, Krasarang / Valley of the Four Winds.
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MoP Classic Phase 3 Overview 4.9

MoP Classic Phase 3 Release Date

MoP Classic Phase 3 Overview

Mists of Pandaria Classic Phase 3, titled “The Thunder King”, is scheduled for release on December 9, 2025. This phase marks the middle of MoP Classic content, with two more phases left.

MoP Classic Phase 3 Features

The Thunder King phase coming to Mists of Pandaria Classic brings lots of updates, including Throne of Thunder Raid, 2 Zones, 2 World Bosses, 3 Factions, and more. Here’s a full list of MoP Classic Phase 3 updates:

  • Legendary Questline — Chapter III: Two Princes;
  • New Zones — Isle of Thunder & Isle of Giants;
  • New Raid — Throne of Thunder;
  • New Factions — Kirin Tor Offensive (A), Sunreaver Onslaught (H), and Shado-Pan Assault;
  • New World Bosses — Nalak & Oondasta;
  • New Rares — Zandalari Warscout and Zandalari Warbringer.

MoP Classic Phase 3 Legendary Questline

MoP Classic Phase 3 Overview

In Mists of Pandaria Classic Phase 3, the legendary questline leading us to legendary cloaks continues with the new chapter, “Chapter III: Two Princes”. This time, the Black Prince shifts his attention to the ancient mogu and the Isle of Thunder rising above Pandaria, where the Thunder King has awakened.

To continue the story and get the cloak in the end, you must unlock access to the island, meet Wrathion at the Veiled Stair, and complete a series of reputation, raid, and storyline quests. Also, you can get Legendary Cloak with the help of our team, who will deal with the campaign for you.

Unlocking Isle of Thunder

To unlock access to the island and begin the Two Princes stage, complete your faction’s starting quests.

Alliance — Thunder Calls:

  • Task: Report to Scout Captain Elsia (Shado-Pan Garrison, Townlong Steppes).
  • Where to start: Lyalia.
  • /way 84.6 66.0 Shrine of Seven Stars.

Horde — Thunder Calls:

  • Task: Report to Vereesa Windrunner (Shado-Pan Garrison, Townlong Steppes).
  • Where to start: Sunwalker Dezco.
  • /way 61.0 22.6 Shrine of Two Moons.

After completing the chain, the island will be accessible, and you will be able to start taking legendary questline tasks. It starts with the Meet Me Upstairs quest.

Read more about all the Phase 3 quests in our MoP Classic Legendary Cloak Guide.

MoP Classic Phase 3 New Zones

In MoP Classic Phase 3, we will gain access to two new zones at once. Isle of Thunder becomes the main center of the plot and Wrathion’s campaign, as well as the home of the Throne of Thunder raid. At the same time, Isle of Giants turns into a huge farming area where you collect dinosaur bones for mounts, pets, and reputation. Both areas have a world boss, so there’s plenty to do.

MoP Classic Isle of Thunder

The return of the Thunder King is the key event of Phase 3. Now you land on the Isle of Thunder, help your faction build fortifications, and prevent Lei Shen from conquering Pandaria again. What awaits on the Isle of Thunder in Mists of Pandaria Classic:

  • A campaign that develops as the territory is opened up.
  • Daily quests and strengthening your faction’s base:
    • Kirin Tor Offensive (Alliance);
    • Sunreaver Onslaught (Horde).
  • Scenarios and in-game events on the island.
  • World boss Nalak is one of the key encounters in Phase 3.

Additionally, in this zone, you can progress through the content related to the Throne of Thunder raid and the Shado-Pan Assault faction. How the Isle of Thunder campaign begins in Phase 3 of MoP Classic:

The initial quest appears automatically, but if it does not, you can pick it up manually.

  • AllianceThunder Calls from Lyalia, Shrine of Seven Stars;
  • HordeThunder Calls from Sunwalker Dezco, Shrine of Two Moons.

Both chains lead to the opening of Isle of Thunder and include the first story steps related to the Zandalari invasion.

MoP Classic Isle of Giants

If Isle of Thunder is all about story and raids, Isle of Giants is pure grind. The island is populated by giant dinosaurs, and almost every mob here drops Giant Dinosaur Bones. These bones from the Isle of Giants are used to obtain unique mounts and pets, including the legendary Bone-White Primal Raptor. What’s available on the Isle of Giants in Mists of Pandaria Classic:

  • Farm dinosaur bones from elite creatures.
  • Exchange materials with NPCs for mounts and cosmetics.
  • World boss Oondasta is one of the most dangerous and popular bosses in MoP Classic.

MoP Classic Phase 3 New Raid

MoP Classic Phase 3 Overview

Phase 3 of MoP Classic brings us to one of the most massive raids in Mists of Pandaria. Throne of Thunder is the fortress and throne room of Lei Shen, the ruler of the Mogu, whom the Zandalari brought back to life on the Isle of Thunder.

📌 Throne of Thunder offers a full raid campaign, with 13 bosses + 1 sectret boss in Heroic mode, which will be available on December 11th at 3:00 pm PST.

Since it’s one of the biggest MoP Classic raids, you need to be well-prepared to enter it and defeat all bosses. It’s also recommended to have an experienced party for the Throne of Thunder raid to ensure everything goes smoothly. Our team is ready to assist you with raiding, just ask anytime.

MoP Classic Thunderforged Gear

One of the main features of the Throne of Thunder raid in Mists of Pandaria Classic is the Thunderforged system. Any item that drops from bosses in Phase 3 can appear in an enhanced version with:

  • +6 item levels;
  • Improved stats;
  • The same appearance and drop table.
HeroicThunderforged
Greatsword of Frozen HellsGreatsword of Frozen Hells
ilvl 535ilvl 541
18,506 – 27,760 Damage Speed 3.60
(6,426 damage per second)
+1,679 Strength
+2,639 Stamina
+1,070 Critical Strike
+1,161 Haste
19,571 – 29,357 Damage Speed 3.60
(6,796 damage per second)
+1,780 Strength
+2,790 Stamina
+1,132 Critical Strike
+1,231 Haste

📌 Thunderforged is a version of the same sword, but with a noticeable increase in all characteristics.

Thunderforged gear in Mists of Pandaria Classic Throne of Thunder can drop:

  • directly from the boss;
  • from a bonus roll via the Mogu Rune of Fate;
  • all Ra-den Thunderforged items by default (ilvl 541).

MoP Classic Phase 3 Factions

With the release of Mists of Pandaria Classic Phase 3, three new factions appear — Kirin Tor Offensive, Sunreaver Onslaught, and the Shado-Pan Assault. All three of them are connected to the Isle of Thunder campaign, and gaining reputation with them becomes part of the daily routine. Alliance players will be able to get good relations with the Kirin Tor Offensive, while Horde players will deal with the Sunreaver Onslaught leveling.

You will have to complete dailies, story stages, and, of course, enter the Throne of Thunder to gradually unlock access to powerful rewards — from Epic gear to unique dinosaur mounts.

Kirin Tor Offensive and Sunreaver Onslaught

On the Isle of Thunder, two MoP Classic Phase 3 factions form your main base for the campaign:

  • Kirin Tor Offensive — for the Alliance;
  • Sunreaver Onslaught — for the Horde.

Their assault camps become the center of all daily quests, and campaign progress unlocks new areas of the island. How to increase reputation with these factions:

  • Daily quests on Isle of Thunder;
  • Story campaigns that advance the invasion;
  • Small in-game events on the island.

Leveling up Kirin Tor Offensive and Sunreaver Onslaught is especially important. Each new reputation level unlocks access to useful items, including Epic gear, cosmetics, and special mounts:

  • Alliance: Reins of the Golden Primal Direhorn;
  • Horde: Reins of the Crimson Primal Direhorn.

Shado-Pan Assault

Unlike other factions, Shado-Pan Assault in Mists of Pandaria Classic Phase 3 can only be leveled up in Throne of Thunder. This faction accompanies players in the assault on Lei Shen’s fortress and rewards reputation for:

  • Killing trash mobs;
  • Defeating bosses;
  • Several additional quests inside the raid.

✏️ The Shado-Pan Assault Insignia speeds up leveling and helps you reach reputation thresholds much faster.

This is one of the most profitable factions in Phase 3 because the rewards for leveling Shado-Pan Assault reputation include:

  • Many Epic items for different roles;
  • Unique set and single items for early and mid raid progress;
  • The ability to quickly strengthen your character without long-term token farming.

MoP Classic Phase 3 World Bosses

In Mists of Pandaria Classic Phase 3, both new islands received a world boss. On the Isle of Thunder, you will encounter Nalak, who is part of the Lei Shen campaign and gives out valuable rewards: Normal Tier 15 Legs and Gloves, as well as a set of PvP items. This is a quick way to fill in the missing set slots without going to Throne of Thunder.

The Isle of Giants is home to Oondasta, a Zandalari experiment and one of the most dangerous world bosses in MoP. He drops Epic gear with an ilvl of 522, exclusive to this encounter, making him a useful source of Normal-level gear to prepare for the raid. By the way, with Hourly Driving you can farm the world bosses’ rewards without lifting a finger.

MoP Classic Phase 3 Rares

In MoP Classic Phase 3, new Zandalari rare mobs began appearing throughout Pandaria: Zandalari Warscouts and Zandalari Warbringers. They are associated with the Trolls and Mogu alliance and are a great way to farm reputation tokens, materials, and mounts.

  • Warscouts are weaker opponents, but they are still useful for earning reputation tokens.
  • Warbringers are elites that have a chance to drop one of three new Primordial Direhorn mounts:
Warbringer Mount ColorDropped Mount
Amber DirehornReins of the Amber Primordial Direhorn
Jade DirehornReins of the Jade Primordial Direhorn
Slate DirehornReins of the Slate Primordial Direhorn

Each type of rare appears at five fixed locations in different areas of Pandaria. The map shows locations in:

  • Jade Forest;
  • Kun-Lai Summit;
  • Townlong Steppes;
  • Dread Wastes;
  • Krasarang / Valley of the Four Winds.

📌 These rare mobs are a good daily activity, especially if you want to quickly earn Pandaaria faction reputation tokens or try to get a Direhorn mount.

Mists of Pandaria Classic Phase 3 FAQ

If you have any questions concerning MoP Classic Phase 3, check our FAQ section. We have gathered the most popular questions about the current phase and answered them all.

How to Unlock the Isle of Thunder in MoP Classic?

There are several requirements to unlock the Isle of Thunder. You need to complete Quest#32679 for the Alliance or Quest#32678 for the Horde. These quests both begin in your capital in Pandaria and lead to the whole mission in the Isle of Thunder.

What Are the New Zones in MoP Classic Phase 3?

In phase 3, the “Isle of Thunder” becomes the main story hub, and the “Isle of Giants” becomes the farming zone for “Giant Dinosaur Bones” and “Oondasta,” the world boss.

How to Start Legendary Questline in Phase 3?

Go to Wrathion in Tavern in the Mists (Meet Me Upstairs). Next, carry out reputation farming, Secrets of the Empire, Thunder Forge, and the final tasks related to Lei Shen.

Which Factions Are Added in MoP Classic Phase 3?

Three new reputations emerge: Kirin Tor Offensive, Sunreaver Onslaught, and Shado-Pan Assault. The latter two are related to daily quests, while the last one is found in raid activity.

How to Farm Reputation With the New Factions?

Kirin Tor Offensive and Sunreaver Onslaught rep can be obtained through dailies and campaign quests in the Isle of Thunder. Shado-Pan Assault rep can only be obtained in the Throne of Thunder.

What Rewards Can I Get From the New Phase 3 Factions?

It offers Epic gear, reputation tokens, and two faction mounts named Golden Primal Direhorn (Alliance) and Crimson Primal Direhorn (Horde). Additionally, there is raid-level gear from Shado-Pan Assault.

What Is Throne of Thunder in MoP Classic Phase 3?

It’s the new 13-boss raid zone that takes place in Isle of Thunder, and hosts such bosses as Jin’rokh, Ji-Kun, Durumu, Dark Animus, Lei Shen, and Heroic-only boss Ra-den.

What Is Thunderforged Gear in Throne of Thunder?

Thunderforged gear has +6 additional item levels. Boss drops, lucky bonuses from Mogu Rune of Fate, and all pieces from Ra-den can come Thunderforged by default.

Is Farming the New Rares Worth It in Phase 3?

Yes, reputation tokens from the Warscouts, and mount drops and good secondary loot from the Warbringers make these a big part of your regular or weekly routine.

Should I Do the Legendary Questline in Phase 3?

Yes. The meta gem reward and the chapters in between offer very good character upgrades, and the storylines are still one of the highlights of MoP.

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MoP Classic Phase 3 Overview 4.9

To sum up, MoP Classic Phase 3 is the new beginning, not only for new zones and quests, but for the legendary questline and new raid. You’ll be able to experience the most exciting raid battles and world boss encounters, gaining valuable rewards. Additionally, you have a chance to loot rare items or even empowered Thunderforged gear.

Changelog

28 Nov. 2025 Guide added.

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