Phase 3 MoP Classic Overview - Release Date, Throne of Thunder Raid & More

Phase 3 is the turning point of MoP Classic: the moment where the expansion shifts into high-end progression, build-defining items, and the most memorable ToT raid of the entire era.

The Thunder King patch brings new PvE layers, new gearing paths, and some of the strongest trinkets and set bonuses in the game.

If you want to step into Throne of Thunder and actually succeed in Phase 3 from day one, with gear in place, the campaign unlocked, island progression completed, reputations handled, and your raid prep ready - our The Thunder King Boosts cover the entire patch from top to bottom.

MoP Classic Phase 3 Release Date

Mists of Pandaria Classic Phase 3 arrives on December 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM PST, bringing the Thunder King patch, the Isle of Thunder campaign, new factions, and both world bosses to all regions at the same time.

Two days later, the centerpiece of the phase: the Throne of Thunder raid opens its doors on December 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM PST on Normal and Heroic.

If you’re following the expansion’s roadmap, Phase 3 marks the midpoint of MoP Classic’s lifecycle. Phase 1 handled the launch raids, Phase 2 set up Wrathion’s legendary arc, and now Phase 3 delivers the big progression push: a new raid tier, a new gearing curve, and the content that originally defined Patch 5.2.

What’s New in MoP Classic Phase 3

Phase 3 is the point where Mists of Pandaria Classic moves from early-tier gearing into a true endgame structure. The patch adds two islands that shape your weekly routine, introduces Throne of Thunder as the central raid of the expansion, brings back world bosses that matter for gearing, and unlocks several progression systems tied directly to reputations, story quests, and raid drops.

Every piece of content in this phase feeds into another: your time on the islands affects your raid prep, your raid kills fuel your reputations, and both zones provide mounts, pets, gear, and items that continue to matter into Phase 4.

Isle of Thunder

The Isle of Thunder is the pillar of Phase 3. It functions as a multi-stage war campaign where players slowly break through Lei Shen’s defenses. As the community advances, new areas of the island unlock: additional assault points, more aggressive enemy patrols, new quest hubs for both factions, and eventually the path to the Throne of Thunder raid itself.

Alliance players work with the Kirin Tor Offensive, while Horde players support the Sunreaver Onslaught. Both factions offer a full daily quest loop that builds your reputation, unlocks 496–522 gear, and grants access to the island’s advanced vendors. This reputation grind is intended to operate in parallel with your weekly raid progression, giving you steady gear upgrades even if drops are slow.

The island also houses elite Zandalari strike teams and rare mobs with the chance to drop crafting materials, scenario keys, and reputation items. Many players run these for the Key to the Palace of Lei Shen, which unlocks the solo treasure-run scenario Troves of the Thunder King.

The island culminates in the raid itself and the outdoor world boss Nalak, the Storm Lord, who drops Tier 15 legs/gloves and a variety of PvP and ilvl 522 items. For many classes, Nalak is a weekly upgrade target and part of the fastest gearing route going into early ToT progression.

Isle of Giants

The Isle of Giants is the opposite experience: no campaign, no daily structure, just a massive open-world hunt filled entirely with elite dinosaurs. Nearly every creature on the island drops Giant Dinosaur Bones, a currency you trade to Ku’ma for cosmetic rewards. The grind scales from modest to extreme, with the final milestone unlocking the Reins of the Bone-White Primal Raptor, one of the most iconic mounts of MoP.

Elite dinosaurs also drop the Primal Egg, which hatches after three days into one of three raptor mounts, making the island one of the most mount-heavy pieces of content in the expansion. Zandalari Dinomancers on the island drop additional pets and the Hunter-exclusive Ancient Tome of Dinomancy, which unlocks Direhorn taming.

The island’s world boss, Oondasta, is a major source of 522 gear and is known for extremely high-damage mechanics that encourage large cross-realm groups. While the loot isn’t unique in effect, it provides Normal-level raid gear without requiring a raid lockout, making it a valuable weekly target for alts and fresh characters.

Throne of Thunder in Phase 3

Throne of Thunder is the centerpiece of MoP Classic Phase 3 and the tier that reshapes almost every class once gearing begins. All 13 encounters are here exactly as players remember them, including Ra-den as a Heroic-only boss with restricted attempts and guaranteed Thunderforged rewards. The raid sits at the top of the Phase 3 power curve and defines the meta the moment it opens.

Difficulty & Item Levels

Thunderforged items sit 6 item levels higher than the base version, and bonus rolls can proc them as well. Ra-den skips RNG — every drop he gives is Thunderforged by default.

Thunderforged Gear

Thunderforged returns in MoP Classic Phase 3 exactly as players remember it from original MoP, but with the Classic upgrade system layered on top. The result is a gearing model where every boss kill has real upgrade potential without locking you out if RNG isn’t on your side.

• Any Throne of Thunder boss can drop Thunderforged versions of their normal and Heroic loot.
• Thunderforged pieces are always +6 item levels over the base version.
• Normal: 522 - 528
• Heroic: 535 - 541
• Non-Thunderforged items can be upgraded twice using Valor (+3 ilvl each, total +6).
• All loot from Ra-den is guaranteed Thunderforged.

Because Ra-den loot is guaranteed +6 ilvl, his weapons, rings, and trinkets instantly become some of the highest-value items in Phase 3, and a major incentive for guilds to push Heroic Lei Shen as early as possible.

Wrathion Legendary Questline in Phase 3

Phase 3 continues Wrathion’s legendary storyline, shifting the focus to the Thunder King and tying the entire progression path directly into Throne of Thunder. This chapter is where characters gain access to Legendary Meta Gems, some of the strongest single-slot items of the expansion.

The new steps revolve around two tasks:

Farming Secrets of the Empire

• These items drop only inside Throne of Thunder.
• Both Normal and Heroic difficulties count.
• You need a large amount to progress.

Reaching Exalted with The Black Prince

• Rep gains now extend onto the Isle of Thunder and inside the raid.
• This is usually finished naturally while farming Secrets.

Once both steps are complete, Wrathion awards a Legendary Meta Gem that fits only into Throne of Thunder helms.

Legendary Meta Gems

New Phase 3 Factions

Phase 3 adds three factions, each with a distinct purpose. Two drive progression on the Isle of Thunder, while the third directly affects raid gearing.

Kirin Tor Offensive (Alliance) & Sunreaver Onslaught (Horde)

These factions mirror each other and serve as the backbone of the Isle of Thunder campaign.

What they provide:

• multi-stage zone progression
• daily storyline quests
• scenario access, treasure rooms, key loops
• elite patrols and rare spawns
• epic gear vendor
• Direhorn mounts unique per faction

Shado-Pan Assault

The Shado-Pan Assault faction is the true gearing powerhouse of Patch 5.2. Its reputation comes only from killing bosses and trash inside Throne of Thunder.

They offer:

• high-ilvl 522 gear
• early Friendly/Honored items ideal for Week 1–2 progression
• excellent filler stat pieces
• strong DPS, healer, and tank options

World Bosses in MoP Classic Phase 3

Both Phase 3 world bosses serve as major gearing pillars, especially before your first Throne of Thunder clears.

Nalak - The Storm Lord

Nalak stands outside the entrance to Throne of Thunder and drops:

• Tier 15 Gloves & Legs
• PvP gear
• ilvl 522 epics
• bonus-roll eligible with Mogu Rune of Fate

A fast weekly kill that smooths out early gearing.

Oondasta - Isle of Giants

Oondasta remains as deadly as ever. Huge AoE damage, strict positioning, and enormous hitboxes — but the loot is worth it:

• exclusive 522 items
• excellent early gearing stats
• ideal for alts or catch-up weeks

Rare Spawns in Phase 3 - Warscouts & Warbringers

Zandalari Warscouts

Designed to be soloable but dangerous. Great for:

• reputation tokens
• Zandalari Insignias
• early currencies
• occasional rare gear

Zandalari Warbringers

Mounted rares with some of the most desirable collectibles of MoP.

• drop Primordial Direhorn mounts (Amber, Jade, Slate)
• drop faction rep tokens
• drop high-value crafting mats
• hit extremely hard; early kills require groups

Final Thoughts

Phase 3 is where MoP Classic finally clicks into place. The Isle of Thunder marks the point where your character starts progressing through meaningful upgrades again.

Throne of Thunder adds the pressure and payoff expected from a real raid tier: build-changing Tier 15 bonuses, spec-redefining trinkets, and Thunderforged gear that accelerates your power curve dramatically compared to anything available before.