WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Roadmap: What to Expect in Phase 5

The WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Roadmap continues to unfold, bringing exciting updates for players exploring Azeroth from the ground up. With Phase 5 just around the corner, adventurers on fresh realms can expect a major content shift — including the War Effort, Ahn'Qiraj raids, and large-scale community objectives. This phase marks a pivotal point in the anniversary cycle, challenging both guilds and solo players alike.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything coming in Phase 5, from raid openings to faction-wide collaborations, and show how it fits into the broader WoW Classic 20th Anniversary timeline.

Hardcore and Progression Rules in the 20th Anniversary

Hardcore Servers

Hardcore servers play a central role in the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition, offering the ultimate high-stakes challenge for adventurers. Players who choose this path must face the possibility of permanent character death, with only one dedicated Hardcore server active at launch. Additional servers may open if the demand grows.

These servers follow the same phase schedule as standard Classic realms but come with restrictions — Battlegrounds and Battlemaster access are disabled, and players can't use certain resurrection abilities or items like Soulstones. While they won’t progress to Burning Crusade Classic, players can opt to transfer their characters (dead or alive) to a Normal realm if they want to continue their journey into TBC content.

All original Hardcore rules remain intact, reinforcing the unforgiving nature of this experience. For more details on these limitations, check the dedicated guide on Hardcore mode.

Progression Servers

For standard realms, the 20th Anniversary journey will conclude in Winter 2025 or early Spring 2026, after which PvE and PvP realms will shift into a fresh version of Burning Crusade Classic. This transition ensures a seamless continuation for players who started from scratch in the Anniversary edition.

However, Hardcore servers will remain locked in Classic and won’t follow this progression. Players on Hardcore will have to migrate to another realm to participate in TBC content, preserving the unique identity of the Hardcore experience.

Looking for Group Tools

To accommodate the large server populations, Blizzard has implemented a Looking for Group (LFG) tool from the start of the 20th Anniversary Edition. This feature allows players to create, search for, and join parties more easily, eliminating the need for third-party solutions.

Additionally, a dedicated Services chat will be available for organizing portal requests, summons, and buff services. All interactions in this channel will still be subject to moderation and standard Blizzard enforcement rules.

PvP Server Balance

Blizzard has continued efforts to maintain faction balance on PvP realms, ensuring one side doesn't dominate the other due to population differences. If the balance tips too far, character creation on the dominant faction will be temporarily locked until equilibrium is restored.

This system, first introduced in the Season of Discovery, has proven effective in creating fairer PvP environments and is now a staple feature for the Anniversary servers.

Fresh Start Servers and What to Expect in Phase 5

The WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition brought a complete reset to the Classic experience, launching fresh realms on November 21, 2024. Players began their journey from scratch with just three server types—Normal, PvP, and Hardcore—each offering a different kind of challenge. Phase content was scheduled to roll out gradually throughout the year, with Phase 5 officially confirmed to go live on July 10th, 2025.

From launch, several quality-of-life improvements were included, such as instant mail between characters, graphics upgrades, and the removal of the old buff cap. Notably, dual spec was introduced right away in Phase 1, and the PvP Honor Ranking System is set to become active in Phase 2. Additionally, the Chronoboon Displacer is available, allowing players to preserve world buffs more efficiently.

With Phase 5 just around the corner, players can expect the introduction of key events like the Ahn'Qiraj War Effort and the opening of the Ruins and Temple of Ahn'Qiraj raids, depending on server progress. This phase is one of the most anticipated in the anniversary roadmap and sets the stage for the final content rollout before Phase 6.

Phase 5: The Gates of Ahn'Qiraj and the War Effort

Phase 5 of the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary roadmap launches on July 10, 2025, and brings one of the most iconic events in Azeroth’s history — the Gates of Ahn’Qiraj. This phase focuses on a massive, server-wide event requiring collaboration, preparation, and competition from both Horde and Alliance players.

Ahn'Qiraj War Effort

The heart of Phase 5 is the War Effort, a large-scale community-driven event where players turn in thousands of crafted and gathered materials to open the gates of Ahn'Qiraj. Each faction must contribute:

• 🛡️ Bandages: Wool, Silk, and Runecloth
• 🥩 Food: Lean Wolf Steaks and Baked Salmon
• 🌿 Herbs: Firebloom and Purple Lotus
• 🔩 Bars: Copper, Iron, Mithril, Thorium, and Arcanite
• 👝 Leather: Light and Rugged

Once all objectives are met, a five-day countdown begins before the gates can be opened by a player ringing the Scarab Gong — earning them the Scarab Lord title and the legendary Black Qiraji Resonating Crystal.

AQ20 and AQ40 Raid Instances

With the gates open, two new raids become available:

• Ruins of Ahn’Qiraj (AQ20): A 20-player raid featuring mid-tier bosses and rewarding Cenarion Circle reputation and class-specific loot sets.
• Temple of Ahn’Qiraj (AQ40): A 40-player endgame raid where players face off against ancient Qiraji horrors and the Old God C’Thun. Victory yields Tier 2.5 armor sets, legendary weapons, and Brood of Nozdormu faction rings.

AQ40 also introduces several challenging mechanics and world-building lore moments that deepen the connection between the Qiraji and the Titans, making it one of the most memorable raid environments in Classic.

Reputation and Rewards

Players can grind Cenarion Circle reputation through AQ20 and questlines, earning rare enchants, nature resistance gear, and unique faction rewards. Meanwhile, progress in Brood of Nozdormu reputation from AQ40 opens access to powerful epic rings that scale with your standing.

Completing turn-ins for the War Effort also grants Commendation Signets, which can be traded for additional reputation and profession materials — encouraging players of all levels to contribute.

Why Phase 5 Matters

Phase 5 isn't just about unlocking raids — it’s a server-wide legacy moment that celebrates community effort, strategy, and prestige. Coordinated guilds must stockpile materials, prep raid teams, and compete for the honor of opening the gates. Casual players, too, can join in by gathering resources or participating in the epic events that unfold around Silithus.

This phase will likely see increased player activity, guild recruitment surges, and high server engagement — especially as players chase the elusive Scarab Lord title or prepare for AQ40 progression.

In summary, Phase 5 is a turning point in WoW Classic’s anniversary journey — one that blends large-scale collaboration, hardcore raiding, and nostalgic storytelling into a single unforgettable chapter.

Tips for Preparing for Phase 5

• 🧱 Start gathering materials early: Supply items like cloth, ore, leather, fish, and food will become scarce quickly. Stockpile before the war effort begins.
• 📦 Coordinate with a guild: Working as a team speeds up the supply turn-ins and gives you a better chance at earning the Scarab Lord title.
• ⚔️ Form raid-ready groups: AQ20 and AQ40 raids will open as soon as the gates unlock. Be sure your raid team is geared and prepared.
• 🗺️ Grind key reputations: Cenarion Circle and Brood of Nozdormu offer powerful rewards. Begin farming rep mobs and quests early.
• 🏆 Track server progress: Stay informed on war effort milestones and be ready to ring the gong for a shot at WoW Classic glory!

Conclusion

Phase 5 marks a pivotal point in the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Roadmap, bringing together years of content and preparation into one of the most exciting and challenging updates yet. With the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj opening, new items, quests, and faction events will give both veterans and fresh players a renewed sense of progression. This phase isn't just about the past — it's a celebration of WoW Classic's future, setting the stage for epic battles and server-wide cooperation.

Whether you're farming Scarabs, racing for world bosses, or stockpiling supplies for your faction, Phase 5 offers a rich experience that ties together community efforts and individual achievements. Make sure to stay informed, organize your guild, and prepare your character to take full advantage of everything this phase brings.

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• 08.07.2025 - WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Roadmap: What to Expect in Phase 5 published.