With Phase 5 now fully live in WoW Classic 20th Anniversary servers, players are diving into the most anticipated raid content of the update: the Temple of Ahn'Qiraj (AQ40). This sprawling raid brings powerful loot, challenging mechanics, and a new DPS meta driven by recent balance changes—including the removal of the buff/debuff limit.
This guide covers everything you need to succeed in AQ40: top-performing DPS specs, best-in-slot gear, boss strategies, consumables, and group setup tips.
🗺️ What is AQ40?
Temple of Ahn'Qiraj (AQ40) is a 40-player raid located in Silithus. Unlocked via a server-wide War Effort and the Scepter of the Shifting Sands questline, AQ40 marks a significant leap in difficulty compared to Molten Core, Blackwing Lair, or Zul'Gurub.
It features 9 bosses—including The Twin Emperors and the Old God, C'Thun—alongside elite trash mobs with complex mechanics. Its gear is tuned for the toughest PvE content in Classic so far, making it essential for both PvE and PvP players.
🏹 Top DPS Specs for Phase 5 AQ40
With the buff/debuff cap removed, DoT-heavy classes are finally viable. Here's how the DPS meta shakes out:
🔥 Tier S DPS
Affliction Warlock: The biggest winner this phase. Now able to apply multiple DoTs without worrying about the cap, Affliction locks top damage meters with Corruption, Curse of Agony, and Drain Soul executes.
Shadow Priest: Formerly considered utility, Shadow Priests now pump strong sustained damage with Shadow Word: Pain and Mind Flay. Mana-intensive but highly effective.
Fury Warrior: Still a top-tier melee DPS with high scaling and strong synergy with gear and world buffs.
🧊 Tier A DPS
Fire Mage: Excellent cleave, strong burst, and easy to play. Loses some ground on longer fights compared to Affliction.
Combat Rogue: Fast, consistent DPS with reliable energy regeneration and strong single-target output.
Hunter (Survival/Marksman Hybrid): Solid mid-tier ranged DPS; Survival offers strong traps and debuffs for utility while MM provides steady damage.
⚔️ Tier B and Below
Elemental Shaman / Balance Druid: Both see minor improvements from the cap removal, but still struggle with mana and long-term throughput.
Enhancement Shaman: Buff bot first, DPS second. It is fun in 5-mans, but it is less competitive in AQ40.
Ret Paladin / Feral Druid: Better than before, but still often used more for utility and off-tanking.
💎 Best-in-Slot Loot (DPS Focus)
AQ40 drops some of the most powerful items in the game. Here's a breakdown by armor type and key weapon drops for DPS players.
🧥 Cloth
Warlocks & Shadow Priests
Dark Storm Gauntlets – High spell power and hit.
Nerubian Slavemaker (Bow) – Yes, even casters want this for wand slot stats.
The Prophet Skeram's Bindings – Shoulders with great spell damage.
Mages
Mana-Infused Leggings – Intellect and hit, perfect for fire builds.
Boots of Epiphany – Spell hit and haste.
🛡️ Leather
Rogues
Deathdealer's Vest – High agility and AP.
Dagger of Veiled Shadows – Set bonus is excellent for energy regen.
Silithid Claw – Fast main-hand for optimal poison uptime.
Feral Druids (Off-DPS)
Idol of Brutality – Boosts maul damage.
Gloves of the Redeemed Prophecy – Not BiS but decent for hybrid roles.
Hunters
Barb of the Sand Reaver – This is a high-DPS weapon with good stats.
Hive Defiler Wristguards – Perfect for maxing out hit cap.
Scaled Sand Reaver Leggings – Critical strike and agility focused.
⚔️ Plate
Warriors
Leggings of the Immortal Night – Massive strength and crit.
Ancient Qiraji Ripper – Top-tier offhand for dual-wield builds.
Imperial Qiraji Regalia – Use with turn-in tokens for various BiS items.
🧠 Boss Tips & Mechanics
Here's a quick overview of how to handle the most notable AQ40 bosses:
🌀 The Prophet Skeram
Mechanics: Splits into 3 illusions. Mind Control random targets.
Tip: Assign interrupts. Have off-tanks taunt MC'd players. Use positioning to minimize AoE risk.
🐜 Battleguard Sartura
Mechanics: Spinning knockbacks and adds.
Tip: Spread out. Stun her often. AoE control is critical to avoid group wipe.
🐍 Princess Huhuran
Mechanics: Poison volleys and frenzy.
Tip: Hunters with Tranquilizing Shot are essential. Nature Resistance gear helps a lot.
👯 The Twin Emperors, Vek'lor & Vek'nilash
Mechanics: Must be tanked separately by physical and spell tanks. Teleport and heal each other if close.
Tip: Assign a Warlock or Shadow Priest to tank Vek'lor. Coordinate teleport swaps.
👁️ C'Thun – Final Boss
Mechanics: Eye Beam, Stomach Phase, Tentacle Spawns.
Tip: Spread out to avoid the chain Eye Beam. Kill eye tentacles quickly. Melee must focus during the stomach phase to prevent regen.
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🍲 Consumables & Preparation
Preparing for AQ40 can be resource-intensive, making it crucial to have enough WoW Classic Anniversary gold on hand for consumables, enchants, repairs, and resistance gear.
To succeed in AQ40, especially in the anniversary realms with limited gear at the start, proper preparation is key.
🧪 Must-Have Consumables:
Flask of Supreme Power / Titans – +70 Spell Power or +1200 HP.
Greater Fire Protection Potion / Nature Protection Potion – Especially for Huhuran.
Elixir of the Mongoose / Arcane Elixir – Boost crit/attack/spell power.
Major Mana / Health Potions – Self-explanatory.
🥩 Buff Food:
Smoked Desert Dumplings – +20 Strength (melee).
Nightfin Soup – +8 MP5.
Grilled Squid – +10 Agility (rogues/hunters).
🧑🤝🧑 Ideal Raid Composition
For AQ40, a balanced setup is essential:
Melee DPS: 6–8 (Fury Warriors, Rogues)
Ranged DPS: 10–12 (Warlocks, Mages, Shadow Priests, Hunters)
Healers: 10–12 (Priests, Druids, Paladins, Shamans)
Tanks: 4–6 (Warrior main tanks, off-tank Druids or Paladins)
Include at least:
1–2 Shadow Priests for mana regen and damage
2–3 Warlocks for optimal DoT stacking
1 Hunter with Tranquilizing Shot
Nature Resistance tanks/healers for Princess Huhuran
🔚 Final Tips
Guild Coordination: AQ40 is not pug-friendly. Organize voice comms, assignments, and progression paths clearly.
Token Turn-ins: Don't forget to complete Qiraji token quests for powerful gear upgrades.
Resistance Gear: Nature Resistance sets are vital for certain fights. Plan farming ahead.
Use Addons: BigWigs, KTM Threat Meter, and Decursive are essential for smooth raiding.
📝 Conclusion
The AQ40 raid marks the peak of difficulty and loot potential in WoW Classic's 20th Anniversary. With key meta changes, new DPS kings (hello Affliction), and raid-wide strategy requirements, now's the time to prepare your group, optimize your gear, and face down C'Thun.
Whether you're chasing BiS loot, helping your guild progress, or simply enjoying Classic's most ambitious raid yet, this guide should give you the edge you need to conquer AQ40 and rise in the DPS ranks.
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