The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 pushes endgame progression into Tier 6 and finally opens the path toward Illidan Stormrage. Black Temple and the Battle for Mount Hyjal lead the update, with fourteen raid bosses between them. Players also get Netherwing dailies, Epic Gems, Arena Season 3, and new reputation rewards. This TBC Anniversary Phase 3 Overview outlines the expected release date, raids, attunements, gear, and preparation requirements.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 Key Takeaways:
- A deleted Blizzard post listed August 13, 2026, as the TBC Anniversary Phase 3 release date.
- Blizzard has not formally confirmed that date, so guilds should treat it as a strong leak.
- Black Temple and Mount Hyjal introduce the first five pieces of the Tier 6 armor sets.
- Phase 3 adds Netherwing daily quests and six Netherwing Drake mount colors.
- Epic Gems, Arena Season 3, and new raid reputation rewards expand endgame progression.
- Blizzard also plans Phase 3 loot changes for Heroic dungeon bosses. Final details remain unknown.
4.9The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 Release Date
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 release date is set for August 13, 2026. This information was posted on Blizzard Support Discord; however, the post has since been deleted. Hence, the date is subject to change. Guild leaders can still plan around mid-August without locking every raid night yet.
📌 Phase 3 of The Burning Crusade Anniversary does not have an official release date yet.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 Features
Phase 3 of Burning Crusade Anniversary goes further beyond Tempest Keep and Serpentshrine Cavern and delves into the Tier 6 content of the expansion. Both raids are the main progression, but the patch brings much more than just raiding. There are new things for collectors, PvP players, Jewelcrafters, and questers who grind dailies. Here’s a list of The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 Features:
| Phase 3 Content | Type | What It Adds |
|---|---|---|
| Black Temple | 25-player raid | Nine bosses, Tier 6 tokens, Warglaives of Azzinoth, and Ashtongue Deathsworn reputation |
| Battle for Mount Hyjal | 25-player raid | Five bosses, Tier 6 tokens, and Scale of the Sands reputation |
| Tier 6 Armor | Raid gear | Five class-set pieces from Mount Hyjal and Black Temple |
| Netherwing | Reputation hub | Daily quests, repeatable egg turn-ins, and Netherwing Drake mounts |
| Epic Gems | Gear upgrade | New gem cuts and stronger socketed stats |
| Arena Season 3 | PvP season | Vengeful Gladiator gear and updates to older PvP sets |
| Heroic Loot Update | Dungeon change | Planned boss loot changes, with final details still pending |
The TBC Phase 3 content is identical to that provided in the Phase 3 release pack for the original Burning Crusade. Tuning and quantity of loot, along with the release schedule for the anniversary, may vary. Rolling in Phase 3 with Specific BiS Gear would be the easiest way to dominate the early phase gameplay.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 Raids
The TBC Anniversary Phase 3 raids have fourteen encounters in two contrasting zones. The Mount Hyjal raid involves boss fights along with enemy waves timed against each other, whereas Black Temple is a raid with a more conventional layout. Both TBC Anniversary raids in Phase 3 need 25 people to run them.
Black Temple
Black Temple in TBC Phase 3 is located in eastern Shadowmoon Valley and contains nine bosses. The run starts with High Warlord Naj’entus and ends with Illidan Stormrage above the temple. Between them, you face several coordination checks that punish bad positioning or weak resistance preparation. The full Black Temple boss list includes:
- High Warlord Naj’entus;
- Supremus;
- Shade of Akama;
- Teron Gorefiend;
- Gurtogg Bloodboil;
- Reliquary of Souls;
- Mother Shahraz;
- The Illidari Council;
- Illidan Stormrage.
The enemies of Black Temple provide you with Ashtongue Deathsworn reputation, and as a result, players obtain the class-specific Ashtongue Talisman trinket along with many profession recipes after reaching the Exalted status. This is the faction that you will encounter during the Black Temple Attunement sequence, which our team can complete for you.
Battle for Mount Hyjal
The Battle for Mount Hyjal in The Burning Crusade Anniversary is an encounter located in the Caverns of Time, located in Tanaris. The encounter is a remade version of the Defense of Mount Hyjal from Warcraft III that takes place against Archimonde and the Burning Legion. Mount Hyjal contains five bosses:
The first four wings of the raid feature eight waves of enemies leading into the bosses. A single mishap could have a cascading effect, especially when multiple enemies converge on the camp at once. The pattern becomes monotonous on farming runs, but efficient wave management greatly speeds up the run.
TBC Anniversary Phase 3 Attunements
All Phase 3 raids feature access chains known as The Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 Attunements. In TBC Anniversary realms, raid attunements are made account-wide. You will need to complete all of them on your main character before being able to run with alts.
| Raid | Main Attunement Requirements | Final Access Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Battle for Mount Hyjal | Reach Revered with Keepers of Time and complete The Vials of Eternity | Access to Hyjal Summit |
| Black Temple | Complete Akama’s questline, continue through SSC, and enter Mount Hyjal | Medallion of Karabor |
TBC Anniversary Phase 3 Rewards
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Tier 6 is the primary target for gearing during Phase 3. The first five pieces include the helm, shoulder, chest, gloves, and legs. Mount Hyjal provides two slots, and Black Temple provides the remaining three slots. Here’s a list of the TBC Anniversary Phase 3 Tier 6 Gear that you can get:
| Tier 6 Slot | Boss | Raid |
|---|---|---|
| Gloves | Azgalor | Battle for Mount Hyjal |
| Helm | Archimonde | Battle for Mount Hyjal |
| Shoulders | Mother Shahraz | Black Temple |
| Legs | The Illidari Council | Black Temple |
| Chest | Illidan Stormrage | Black Temple |
Each boss rewards tokens for Forgotten Conqueror, Protector, or Vanquisher sets depending on class types. You use these tokens with Tydormu at the entrance to Hyjal Summit. The bonuses for each set differ based on class. Thus, some specializations may retain their Tier 5 items in the initial stage of progression. However, Tier 6 Set will be one of the best gear options for any class, and our team can get it for you fast and easily.
📌 Three more Tier 6 sets can be obtained through Sunwell Plateau dungeon instances. In the Phase 3 of Black Temple raid dungeon instance, players can only acquire the five-piece set.
Warglaives of Azzinoth
The Warglaives of Azzinoth are the TBC Anniversary Phase 3 headline legendary weapons. Illidan can drop the main-hand and off-hand glaives separately, creating a long guild grind. Completing the pair gives its owner one of TBC Anniversary’s most recognizable weapon sets.
Read our How to Get Warglaives of Azzinoth guide to learn how to become an owner of the famous weapon set.
Ashtongue Deathsworn Rewards
Ashtongue Deathsworn reputation comes from Black Temple enemies. At Exalted, each class can purchase its own Ashtongue Talisman trinket. Some versions remain useful for a long time, while others serve narrower builds.
| Item | Reputation | Price |
|---|---|---|
 Ashtongue Talisman of Equilibrium | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Swiftness | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Insight | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Zeal | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Acumen | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Lethality | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Vision | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Shadows | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
 Ashtongue Talisman of Valor | Exalted | 28 Gold 81 Silver 56 Bronze |
The reputation grind happens naturally during weekly Black Temple runs in a raid group or with our raiding team. You do not need a separate outdoor farm or daily quest route. Progress still depends on regular clears, so early raid access pays off later.
Scale of the Sands Rewards
Scale of the Sands reputation comes from Mount Hyjal enemies and bosses. Players choose a Band of Eternity ring after reaching Friendly. Indormi upgrades that ring at Honored, Revered, and Exalted.
Pick the correct role path before accepting the first ring. Its later versions gain stronger stats and useful effects. Changing your mind after several upgrades creates an avoidable headache.
TBC Anniversary Netherwing Reputation
The Burning Crusade Phase 3 opens the Netherwing reputation grind in southeastern Shadowmoon Valley. Level 70 players begin with Mordenai before moving to Netherwing Ledge.
| Netherwing Step | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Starting Requirement | Expert Riding lets you begin the opening questline. |
| Full Reputation Grind | Artisan Riding is required to progress beyond Neutral. |
| Daily Quests | Tasks include gathering supplies, clearing mines, sabotage, and flying races. |
| Netherwing Eggs | Repeatable egg turn-ins speed up reputation progress. |
| Exalted Rewards | You receive one free Netherwing Drake and can purchase the other colors. |
Launch-week competition may slow several tasks, especially Netherwing Egg farming. Still, the final Drake reward makes this daily grind worth finishing, and our team can ensure that you get the Netherwing Drakes.
TBC Anniversary Arena Season 3
TBC Arena Season 3 introduces Vengeful Gladiator gear and another PvP progression reset. The new Phase 3 in The Burning Crusade Anniversary also brings the following updates:
- PvP Gear for the New Season: The Vengeful Gladiator gear set will form the new rewards for Arena players.
- Previous Gear Sets: Earlier seasons could see a discount on their gear, along with reduced rating requirements.
- Catch-Up in Honor System: Old gear from the Arena might shift to Honor vendors and no longer require Battleground Mark to purchase.
- Gear Exchange: Tier 5 tokens might be exchangeable for old PvP gear, but this is unconfirmed.
For now, it’s best to continue earning your Arena Points and keep a few Tier 5 tokens for when the PvP schedule for Phase 3 becomes available. Also, don’t forget to get an Arena Set to be fully prepared for PvP.
How to Prepare for TBC Anniversary Phase 3
The Burning Crusade Phase 3 preparation starts with attunements. Finish The Vials of Eternity and push the Akama chain as far as possible. Also, check every regular raider before your final Phase 2 lockouts. Use this TBC Anniversary Phase 3 preparation checklist:
- Defeat Lady Vashj and Kael’thas for The Vials of Eternity.
- Complete the available Black Temple attunement quests in Shadowmoon Valley.
- Reach Revered with the Keepers of Time.
- Prepare Shadow Resistance gear for Mother Shahraz.
- Save raid consumables, repair gold, and common resistance items.
- Reach 375 Mining if your raid plans to gather Epic Gems.
- Raise The Sha’tar and Cenarion Expedition to Exalted.
- Reach Exalted with either the Aldor or Scryers.
- Purchase Artisan Riding before starting the full Netherwing reputation grind.
- Review your guild’s Tier 6 token and Warglaives priority.
- Update raid frames, threat tools, boss mods, and loot addons before launch.
Shadow Resistance
Shadow Resistance in TBC Classic Anniversary must be taken into consideration since Mother Shahraz inflicts significant amounts of Shadow Damage on the group. At this moment, it is recommended that 174 resistance be obtained from gear for all players other than tanks. Prayer of Shadow Resistance provides an additional 70 resistance.
Marks of the Illidari
Marks of the Illidari support cheaper raid flasks during Phase 3. Their vendors require Exalted status with three Outland factions. These are the Sha’tar, Cenarion Expedition, and either the Aldor or Scryers.
The special flasks only work inside 25-player raids. They still cut regular flask spending during progression and repeated farm clears. Finish those older reputation grinds now, before every unfinished task piles up at once.
TBC Anniversary Phase 3 FAQ
You can find the most frequently asked questions related to the Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 in the section below.
When Is TBC Anniversary Phase 3 Coming Out?
A leaked official message listed August 13, 2026, as the TBC Anniversary Phase 3 release date. Blizzard has not formally confirmed the date through a public announcement.
What Raids Are in TBC Anniversary Phase 3?
Phase 3 adds Black Temple and the Battle for Mount Hyjal. Black Temple has nine bosses, while Mount Hyjal has five.
Does TBC Phase 3 Add Tier 6 Gear?
Yes, Black Temple and Mount Hyjal introduce the first five Tier 6 armor pieces. The later Sunwell phase adds belts, boots, and bracers.
Do You Need Attunement for Black Temple?
Yes, one character must finish the Akama questline and receive the Medallion of Karabor. Anniversary account-wide attunements then open raid access for eligible alts.
Do You Need Attunement for Mount Hyjal?
Yes, complete The Vials of Eternity after reaching Revered with the Keepers of Time. The quest requires drops from Lady Vashj and Kael’thas Sunstrider.
How Do You Unlock Netherwing Daily Quests?
Start Mordenai’s questline in the Netherwing Fields at level 70. You need Artisan Riding to continue the main reputation grind beyond Neutral.
What Mounts Come with TBC Phase 3?
The Netherwing faction offers six Netherwing Drake colors at Exalted. Players receive their first choice free after completing the final quest.
Does Arena Season 3 Start with Phase 3?
Arena Season 3 belongs to the Phase 3 content cycle. Blizzard has not confirmed whether it starts before, during, or after the raid launch.
Will Phase 3 Change Heroic Dungeon Loot?
Yes, Blizzard plans Phase 3 loot changes for Heroic dungeon bosses. The company has not explained the new loot system yet.
4.9All in all, the Burning Crusade Anniversary Phase 3 is the point where Outland’s endgame hits full speed. Black Temple, Mount Hyjal, and Tier 6 give raiders a packed progression route. Netherwing, Epic Gems, and Arena Season 3 also keep other players busy. For now, finish attunements, arrange resistance gear, and settle loot rules before Illidan opens his doors.
