Phase 5 Overview for Season of Discovery (SoD)

Season of Discovery is the current seasonal version of Classic WoW. This season features phased content releases that overhaul all of Vanilla WoW’s content, with a little bit of new content added to the mix.

There is no more leveling to be done in Phase 5 and beyond. Phase 4 raised the level cap to 60, which is the max level in Vanilla WoW. Talents and skills are now at their maximum as well. From here on out, the focus will be on endgame content and progression via new gear and items.

For Phase 5, that endgame content comes primarily in the form of two newly revamped raids: Blackwing Lair and Zul’Gurub.

Runes & Discoveries

There aren’t any new rune slots added to the game for Phase 5, and we’ll only see two new runes to discover – Healing Specialization and Meditation Specialization for the ring slot, offering healers viable options for the slot at last.

Existing rune discoveries will be simplified and streamlined to make it easier to level and play alts. Some runes that are discovered through shared methods will be purchasable with Bind-on-Account tokens once you have completed their quest chain for the first time:

• Emblem of Dishonor (Leyline Conflux Runes)
• Emblem of the Worldcore (Illari Duskfeather Runes)
• Emblem of the Violet Eye (Dark Rider Runes)
• Emblem of the Wild Gods (Wild Gods Runes)

In place of runes, every class will have an epic item to discover this phase. Most of these items are weapons and many of them have a swappable function similar to Benediction/Anathema:

• Gla’sir/Rae’lar (Druid)
• Kestrel & Peregrine (Hunter)
• Staff of Order/Staff of Inferno/Staff of Rime (Mage)
• Truthbearer (Paladin)
• Cassandra’s Tome (Priest)
• Dream Eater (Rogue)
• Terrestris (Shaman)
• Scythe of Chaos (Warlock)
• Suzerain, Defender of the Dragonflights (Warrior)

Class Abilities

Characters have already unlocked all of their endgame abilities at level 60, but Phase 5 is adding a few new spells via new skill books and one epic item:

• Astral Form for Druids
• Aspect of the Falcon for Hunters
• Conjure Water (rank 8) for Mages
• Horn of Lordaeron for Paladins

Professions

No doubt there will be new recipes added to the game for professions in Phase 5, as there have been in every other phase. We’ll also have access to all of the recipes that are unlocked through the Zandalar Tribe, the faction that is associated with the Zul’Gurub raid.

Dungeons

The Demon Fall Canyon dungeon that was added to the game in Phase 4 will have a new boss added to it for Phase 5. There have also been three possible new dungeons seen in datamining. Existing level 60 dungeons will remain relevant as well through the Tarnished Undermine Real currency, which will be used to purchase some of the new gear items, including Tier 2 bracer tokens.

Raids & World Bosses

This phase adds two more revamped level 60 raids to the game, Blackwing Lair and Zul’Gurub, as well as a new instanced world boss.

Blackwing Lair has been redesigned for a group of 20 players, although up to 40 will be able to enter together. The raid will feature five new challenge modes based on the five dragonflights. All of the raid’s loot has been revamped as well, including all-new Tier 2 sets for every specialization.

Blackwing Lair Raid Guide

BWL Attunement

Blackwing Lair Loot (SoD)

Razorgore the Untamed

Vaelastrasz the Corrupt

Broodlord Lashlayer

Firemaw, Ebonroc, Flamegor

Chromaggus

Nefarian

Zul’Gurub has been overhauled for a group of 10 players, with up to 20 allowed inside. There are new blessings to be gained from each of the Priest bosses when they are killed. Hakkar offers additional challenge and rewards when you face him without killing the Priests first. Players will also be able to choose the Edge of Madness boss that is summoned each reset.

Zul’Gurub Raid Guide

Zul’Gurub Loot (SoD)

Zandalar Tribe Reputation

The Crystal Vale Raid is a newly instanced version of the Prince Thunderaan boss fight. Previously, the only time you would ever see this boss was if someone was completing the Thunderfury questline. There is now a portal in the northwest corner of Silithus where he would normally spawn. This is an instanced world boss similar to Azuregos and Lord Kazzak. The fight is designed for 20 players, but up to 40 are allowed inside. No one needs to be on the Thunderfury questline to summon him, although the boss will still be required to complete the weapon. He’ll also drop new loot for every class and specialization.

Legendary Weapons

Players will be able to complete the legendary Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker at last with the addition of Blackwing Lair and the Prince Thunderaan boss.

Druids who have acquired Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros will be able to acquire an item called Refined Eye of Sulfuras from Rix Xizzix in Booty Bay. This item will allow them to shapeshift into their flaming Cat Form even if they do not have the weapon equipped.

Player Versus Player

Blizzard is buffing the Marks of Honor that are gained from losses in Warsong Gulch and Arathi Basin to entice PvPers to queue for those rather than just farming Alterac Valley.