In Mists of Pandaria Classic, Challenge Modes have made a return and are as tough, intense, and satisfying as you remember. The main objective for most players is to achieve Gold times in all dungeons to earn those special animated transmog sets. But how exactly can you achieve this goal? And what do you need to be aware of before taking on the challenge? This guide will help you understand the important aspects of MoP Challenge Modes (often abbreviated as CM), how the timer system works, what rewards are on the line, and how to prepare your character for success.
What Are Mists of Pandaria Challenge Modes
Challenge Modes in MoP Classic are a timed version of dungeons with fixed item levels. Your gear is adjusted to a 463 ilvl, focusing more on skill rather than gear stats. There are nine Challenge Mode dungeons, one for each Pandaria dungeon, each with Bronze, Silver, and Gold time thresholds. To unlock Gold medal and get rewards, you must complete all nine dungeons within the gold timer.
Success here usually doesn’t come on the first try. It takes coordination, experience, and a patient team to make it through.
How Do Challenge Modes Work in Mists of Pandaria
Unlike standard dungeons, CMs are time-based, come with strict scaling rules, and aim to provide a consistent challenge regardless of your gear level. Let's explain how they operate:
- All gear is automatically scaled down to ilvl 463. Anything above this threshold loses stats temporarily, ensuring everyone is on an equal footing.
- Exceptions to scaling include trinkets above ilvl 463, which keep their effects and are actually preferred for their strong procs.
- Consumables, gems, enchants, and profession bonuses are not scaled down and remain at full power, making them essential for pushing top times.
- Disabled Bonuses: Tier set bonuses do not work in CM. Sha-touched gems are disabled during runs.
- If your spec is hit-capped before entering, you remain hit-capped after gear scaling.
- Mass resurrection spells (such as Mass Resurrection) are disabled. Each death impacts your time and strategy more heavily.
- To complete a run, a minimum number of trash mobs must be killed. Skipping entire packs of enemies is not allowed.
MoP Challenge Mode Timers
Every dungeon has three levels of completion: Gold, Silver, and Bronze, determined by how quickly you can clear it.
| Dungeon | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gate of the Setting Sun | 13:00 | 22:00 | 45:00 |
| Mogu'shan Palace | 12:00 | 24:00 | 45:00 |
| Scarlet Halls | 13:00 | 22:00 | 45:00 |
| Scarlet Monastery | 13:00 | 22:00 | 45:00 |
| Scholomance | 19:00 | 33:00 | 55:00 |
| Shado-Pan Monastery | 21:00 | 35:00 | 60:00 |
| Siege of Niuzao Temple | 17:30 | 30:00 | 50:00 |
| Stormstout Brewery | 12:00 | 21:00 | 45:00 |
| Temple of the Jade Serpent | 15:00 | 25:00 | 45:00 |
Earning a Gold Medal in all nine dungeons will grant you the special Challenge Mode transmog armor set, which is specifically designed for each class and cannot be obtained in any other way. More information on the rewards is provided below.
MoP Challenge Mode Rewards
In Challenge Modes, you can earn unique rewards. Different medals grant different rewards, with the best, of course, reserved for earning a Gold medal.
The best timer results in these dungeons will grant you access to exclusive MoP Challenge Mode sets, rare Phoenix mounts, and achievements that will no longer be obtainable once the expansion cycle ends. Below is a detailed breakdown of all the rewards you can earn.
CM Gold Medal Rewards
The main draw for most players is the MoP Challenge Mode sets, nine distinct transmog sets, one for each class. Each transmog set includes exclusive visual effects, animations, and glows that were created specifically for this mode.
These sets are instantly mailed to your character after earning the Challenge Conqueror: Gold achievement.
| Class | MoP Challenge Mode Set |
|---|---|
| Death Knight | Lich Lord Plate |
| Druid | Cycle Armor |
| Hunter | Howling Beast Set |
| Mage | Elemental Triad Regalia |
| Monk | Regal Lord Armor |
| Paladin | Holy Warrior Plate |
| Priest | Light Regalia |
| Rogue | Silent Assassin Armor |
| Shaman | Windfury Set |
| Warlock | Betrayer Regalia |
| Warrior | Golden King Plate |
Clearing any dungeon on Gold also unlocks a permanent teleport to that dungeon.
If you're the first group in your realm to complete all nine dungeons with Gold, you’ll also receive the Realm First! Challenge Conqueror: Gold achievement.
Lastly, guilds that complete all Gold runs as a guild group will unlock Challenge Conquerors: Gold - Guild Edition will receive the Thundering Serpent Hatchling pet as a reward for the entire guild, serving as a charming yet esteemed symbol of honor.
Don't overlook the difficulty of obtaining these MoP Challenge Mode rewards. To unlock them, you must finish all 9 dungeons within specific time constraints, which can range from 12 to 21 minutes depending on the dungeon. This requires careful planning of your route, flawless execution of each encounter, and the ability to minimize mistakes while under time pressure. That’s why many players choose to skip the trial-and-error grind and secure their Challenge Mode rewards through a trusted MoP CM Boost.
CM Silver Medal Rewards
Completing all 9 dungeons with a Silver timer will unlock the Challenge Conqueror: Silver achievement and allow you to visit a special vendor named “Kai Featherfall” in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. At this vendor, you can select from four different Pandaren Phoenix mounts: Ashen, Crimson, Emerald, or Violet.
CM Bronze Medal Rewards
Completing all 9 dungeons within the Bronze timer earns you the Challenge Conqueror: Bronze achievement and the permanent title of “Undaunted.” Although it may not be as visually impressive as the sets or mounts, it serves as a strong testament to your abilities and commitment to completing timed dungeon challenges.
Preparing for MoP Challenge Modes
Despite the fact that gear is reduced to ilvl 463, the effects of gems, enchants, and buffs remain unchanged. This means that proper preparation is crucial for achieving success in Challenge Mode dungeons. Here is a detailed guide on what items and factors you should take into account before entering your first CM dungeon.
Professions
| Profession | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Engineering | • CM-specific goggles (meta + cogwheel) • Nitro Boosts (belt) • Invisibility Field (swap belt) • Goblin Glider, Landshark rockets |
| Alchemy | • Reusable 2-hour primary stat flask • Bonus alchemy trinket |
| Leatherworking | • Exclusive bracer & leg enchants • Crafts Drums of Speed |
| Tailoring | • Embersilk Nets, quick, ranged crowd control |
| Jewelcrafting | • Equip two JC-only gems — major stat boost |
| Inscription | • Unique shoulder enchants • Crafts Runescrolls and Darkmoon trinkets |
| Blacksmithing | • Add extra sockets to gloves and bracers for additional stats |
Essential Consumables
Consumables are essential for your preparation. Here is a list of items you will need and the reasons why they are important.
| Purpose | Consumables |
|---|---|
| Mana Regen | Restorative Amber (best-in-slot for healers; Honored with Klaxxi) |
| Invisibility | Venerable Invisibility Potions, Invisibility Field (Engineering) |
| Buffs | Flasks, Main Stat Food, Drums of Forgotten Kings, Runescroll of Fortitude III |
| Movement | Drums of Speed, Goblin Glider, Rocket Boots |
| Utility/CC | Rod of Ambershaping (hard CC), Battle Horn (tank pulls), Salyin Banner (reset) |
| Damage | G91 Landshark, Synapse Springs, Polyformic Acid |
Tips for CMs
Tanks should focus on managing big groups of enemies, keeping them close together, and staying alive without relying on healers too much.
Healers need to be careful with their mana usage and make sure to use Restorative Amber effectively. They won't have time to stop and replenish their mana.
DPS players should concentrate on dealing high damage in short bursts to multiple enemies, using abilities that hit multiple targets, and coordinating their cooldowns. Knowing the best routes to take is more important than just focusing on dealing damage.
Final Thoughts
In a game where top gear often defines power and helps dominate in raids, MoP Challenge Modes flip the rules, scaling strips you down to the basics, leaving only raw player skill, class knowledge, and good teamwork.
But failures happen. And the truth is, not everyone has the time to perfect strategies, plan routes, or prepare consumables. That’s where our Challenge Mode Boosting Services come in. We provide guaranteed results without the stress.