Preparing for Future Phases: What’s Next in Season of Discovery

The themed rollout of World of Warcraft Classic’s Season of Discovery (SoD) content by phases, along with new runes and overhauled raids have swept the communities. From casual adventurers to die-hard players, the phases change to keep you on your toes. We’re fully entrenched in Phase 2, with Gnomeregan illuminating the endgame, but the horizon offers even more features—new level caps, tougher challenges and juicy new discoveries. So, how are you going to be ahead of the curve? To succeed in this new twist on Classic WoW, preparation for future phases is critical. In this guide, we’ll dive into what’s next for Season of Discovery and equip you with things to know to conquer Azeroth’s next chapters.

Overview of Season of Discovery Phases

Season of Discovery adds a new take to WoW Classic: a phased progression system that continually updates the game. Every phase increases the level cap, and adds new content along with some surprises like runes — game-changing abilities that redefine class roles. Here’s what we’ve passed and where we’re going in early 2025:

• Phase 1 (Level 25): Released with Blackfathom Deeps as 10-player raid and introduced runes, shaking-up of builds (Warrior healers, Mage tanks). Players had previously given their thoughts on the PvP: Outlands Blood Moon event in Stranglethorn Vale.
• Phase 2 (Level 40): Live now — Gnomeregan becomes a raid, there are more runes, and the Discoverer’s Delight XP buff to grant every player the chance to level up more quickly. Players are grinding away at reputations, gearing up for fighter fights.

Here’s what’s next, according to Blizzard’s roadmap:

• Phase 3 (Level 50): Coming soon, this phase will probably introduce the Sunken Temple (Temple of Atal’Hakkar) as a raid, with additional runes and potentially Nightmare Incursions—a world event related to the Emerald Dream.
• Phase 4 (Level 60): The big kahuna. Molten Core is a 20-player raid with heat-based mechanics, as well as a separate endgame PvP events and Tier 1 sets. Perhaps this is the start of SoD’s end game.
• Next: There are rumors around Phases 5-7, possibly adding Blackwing Lair into the mix, Zul’Gurub and even Naxxramas, complete with SoD’s signature changes.

But the phased approach means that preparation is key. Stockpiling resources now will put you in a better position when the level cap increases and new challenges arrive. Let’s look ahead and see what’s in the making.

What’s Next: Predictions for Future Phases

So what’s on the horizon for Season of Discovery? Blizzard has kept some cards close to its collective chest, but updates from the developer, datamined information, and community buzz paint a good picture. So what can we expect in the upcoming phases?

Phase 3: Sunken Temple and Beyond

Phase 3 will bring with it a level cap increase to 50 and the Sunken Temple raid. Imagine that, but for troll-themed dungeons like the head of the Avatar of Hakkar in Swamp of Sorrows, where you slap back in the face of SoD bosses with brand new mechanics—rune mechanics for the avatar, scaled encounters for bosses. Nightmare Incursions might launch as well, whereby players orchestrate group quests to undertake in zones such as Ashenvale or Feralas rewarding the party with items or reputation associated with the Green Dragonflight. Runes will be new and are a guaranteed addition, maybe new roles like Rogue tanks or a Priest DPS class.

Phase 4: Molten Core and Endgame Kickoff

This is where SoD starts to heat up—literally—Phase 4. With redesigned loot and a “heat level” system all its own, the iconic 40-man raid from Classic gets itself a 20-player reissue, featuring 10 bosses in Molten Core. Got to have that fire proof gear? Start farming it now. Ragnaros may have learned new tricks, while Tier 1 sets may enjoy a rune-flavored glow-up. Events in the world such as Blackrock Eruption in Searing Gorge, and a level 60 cap that unlocks full professions and epic mounts.

Phases 5-7: The Speculated Endgame

So far, Blizzard has yet to confirm how far SoD will go, but Phases 5-7 could finalize the journey. Phase 5 could then feature Blackwing Lair (for the continued Level 60 game) and Nefarian’s brood and then followed up by Zul’Gurub in Phase 6 for a lighter 20-player (at a level for some less grinding) raid. Phase 7 whispers have suggested Naxxramas as the concluding challenge, although we can assume its 40-man scale will be scaled down toward SoD’s arrangement. All of these would be augmented over the phases by new runes, world bosses (see: Kazzak or Azuregos), and PvP alterations such as ranked battlegrounds.

But the SoD is where the magic happens, and the beauty of SoD is the surprise — Blizzard’s background tuning of Classic content to keep us on our toes.

Preparation Tips for Future Phases

Smart prep is key to success in future phases. So whether you’re leveling up, farming gold or chasing runes, here’s how to get there fast. Let’s break it down:

Leveling Strategies

Level caps hot by next levels gives you the edge. In Phase 2, Get the buff Discoverer’s Delight (50% bonus XP) this stacks with rested XP from being logged out in inns. You can let the zones do the work for you, meshing with Thousand Needles or Desolace and turning questing into a grind. Dungeon spam at Level 40 works like a blue-moon too—Scarlet Monastery and Razorfen Downs are goldmines. For Phase 3, stockpile Level 40-50 quests now (e.g., Feralas or Searing Gorge) to blitz to 50 when it drops.

• Tip: Save your high-XP turn-ins for the phase launch to maximize your gains.

Gold Farming Techniques

Gold is king in SoD—never mind mounts, gear and consumables aren’t cheap. Once you hit Level 40 you can start farming humanoid mobs at the south of the map for cloth/silver drops (Southshore guards), and Stranglethorn Vale’s gorillas for vendor trash. The auction house is your friend—sell herbs such as Fadeleaf or skinning from Feralas beasts. Phase 4’s epic mount (1000g) — start saving now. Early on, Skinning and Herbalism thrive, allowing steady profits as demand surges ahead of every phase.

• For instance: Run Zul’Farrak for the mageweave and a chance at rare BoEs such as the Sul’thraze the Lasher pattern.

Profession Mastery

Professions fuel your prep. Tailoring and Blacksmithing make pre-raid gear (ex: Shadoweave set or Nightfall axe), Alchemy chugs out flasks for Molten Core. Gain Rep: Level them now—Phase 2’s Gnomeregan drops recipes like the Mithril Coif. Focus on gathering professions first (Mining, Herbalism) to gather raw materials all at once, then switch to crafting when recipes become available. Don’t sleep on Fishing—Stranglethorn’s pools are home to Stonescale Eels, needed for future Fire Resistance pots.

• Tip: 225 skill pre-Phase 3 opens up high end recipes fast.

Rune Hunting

Runes define SoD’s meta. Phase 2 gives you gems like Warrior’s Devastate or Mage’s Frostfire Bolt — track them down through quests, world drops, or secrets (look to Wowhead for coords). Phase 3 Runes will occur in Sunken Temple or Nightmare Incursions. Stockpile mats like Nightmare Seeds or troll relics now though, they may unlock new abilities. Try builds out—flexing is better than min-maxing when runes flip the meta.

• For instance, grab Quick Draw for Rogues in Gnomeregan to get herself ready for PvP domination.

Gear Preparation

You need good gear for upcoming raids. Gnomeregan on Phase 2 drops epics like the Electromagnetic Gigaflux Reactivator—do it weekly. Phase 3 — farm Pre-raid BiS farm Uldaman (Pendulum of Doom) / Maraudon There are blues awarded from PvP ranks, like the Sergeant’s Cloak—grind Blood Moon events to earn honor. Sear your boils pick up stock fire resist gear (e.g., Hydralick Armor from Steamvault) for the heat levels of Molten Core. Vendors don’t have greens — disenchant for mats.

• Tip: Save 10-slot bags as you get them in quest rewards to be able to use as extra inventory.