TBC Anniversary Phase 3 launched on August 27, 2026, and it is the current phase of the Anniversary realms. It brought Black Temple and the Battle for Mount Hyjal, Tier 6 armor sets (Blizzard added extra tier token drops in this version), the Warglaives of Azzinoth, epic gems, and the Netherwing faction with its Netherdrake mounts. Arena Season 3 began at the next weekly reset.
Phase 3 at a glance
| Release date | August 27, 2026 |
| New raids | Black Temple, Battle for Mount Hyjal |
| Gear tier | Tier 6, with extra tier token drops in this version |
| Iconic loot | Warglaives of Azzinoth (Illidan Stormrage, Black Temple) |
| Crafting | Epic gems for Jewelcrafting |
| Reputation | Netherwing faction and its Netherdrake mounts |
| PvP | Arena Season 3, from the weekly reset after launch |
How the Anniversary timeline got here
- January 13, 2026: the pre-expansion patch. Blood Elves, Draenei and Jewelcrafting arrived.
- February 5, 2026: The Burning Crusade launched on the Anniversary realms. Karazhan, Gruul's Lair and Magtheridon's Lair opened on February 19.
- May 14, 2026 (Phase 2): Serpentshrine Cavern, Tempest Keep: The Eye, Arena Season 2, Ogri'la and Sha'tari Skyguard.
- August 27, 2026 (Phase 3): Black Temple, Hyjal, Tier 6, Netherwing and Arena Season 3.
Do you need an attunement for Black Temple?
In the original Burning Crusade, you entered Black Temple through the Medallion of Karabor questline in Shadowmoon Valley. Hyjal was gated behind progress in Serpentshrine Cavern and The Eye. Blizzard has not confirmed whether those attunements still apply in the Anniversary version or will be removed later. Blizzard's development notes do make attunements account-wide in this version, so one character's chain unlocks a raid for the whole account. Check the quest log in game before planning your raid week around them.
What drops Tier 6, and why is it easier to get this time?
Tier 6 tokens drop in Black Temple and Mount Hyjal. Blizzard's announcement says this version adds extra tier token drops, so a guild should finish its sets faster than in 2007. The Warglaives of Azzinoth still come from Illidan, the last boss of Black Temple, and they're still the phase's prestige drop.
What is Netherwing and why does it matter in Phase 3?
Netherwing is a reputation faction based on Netherwing Ledge in Shadowmoon Valley. You raise it mostly through daily quests, and reaching the top unlocks the Netherdrake flying mounts. It takes a long time, so most players chip away at it beside raiding rather than doing it all at once.
When is Phase 4, Zul'Aman or Sunwell?
Nobody knows yet. Blizzard hasn't announced dates for Zul'Aman, Sunwell Plateau, the Isle of Quel'Danas or Magisters' Terrace on the Anniversary realms. Ignore any specific date you see until Blizzard posts it.
Getting through Phase 3 with help
If you want a vetted, experienced player to help with progression, PewPewShop offers coaching and play-together help for TBC Anniversary. Black Temple Attunement help starts from EUR 280 and TBC raid clears start from EUR 18. Our team plays by hand with no bots and no cheats.