As the 20th Anniversary servers draw closer to their transition and the launch of The Burning Crusade Classic (TBC) looms on the horizon, players are asking the critical question: What should I be doing right now to make the most of this final phase? Understanding the current economy, prepping for the next phase, and knowing what to invest in—or what to leave behind—can make or break your long-term progress.
Here's your complete play‑book for the remainder of the Anniversary phase: what to farm, what to clear, what to shift into, and how to position yourself for the next era.
1. Evaluate Your Current Investment: Time, Gold & Gear
Before diving into fresh activities, take a moment to assess your assets: character development, in-game gold, professions, raid progression, and reputation. Many players have poured hours and thousands of WoW 20th Anniversary gold into the realm, so knowing what carries forward into TBC is more important than ever.
● Can your character transfer or progress into TBC servers?
If the server is splitting or restarting, you may face a reset, so investing heavily now in trivial upgrades may not pay off.
● Is your gear strong enough to carry into the next phase?
If your meta setup or main build is already nearing its ceiling, it may be wiser to shift focus.
● What’s your profession & gold position?
With end-phase inflation creeping in and gold sinking minimally, rushing to craft end-tier items may leave you burned out or over‑exposed.
According to player reports: "inflation will continue… no gold sinks in the game to remove gold from our economy."
In other words, don't chase every upgrade just because you can. Instead, concentrate on assets that will still matter in the TBC: high-demand reagents, raid consumables, and reputation that carries forward.
2. Priority Activities: What to Farm & Clear Now
With the phase closing, focus shifts from long-haul progression to efficient final pushes and strategic farming. Here's what to prioritise:
• Raid / End‑game Clears
Knock out remaining raids and boss content while gear is still easy to obtain and competition is lighter. Getting one more full clear or achieving that last top-tier piece gives you leverage heading into the next era.
• High‑Value Consumables & Materials
Because gold sinks are weak and inflation is real, consumables like flasks, raid buffs, world‑buff reagents, and high-tier herbs are skyrocketing. One player noted: "Currently, to raid, I either have to spend the equivalent of a full-time job hours each week to prep raid consumes…"
Shop these materials now—either for personal use or as speculation.
• Auction House Flipping & Liquidation
With the next phase looming, many players will exit or liquidate assets. Monitor the Auction House for undervalued items, bulk herb stacks, crafting mats, and raid consumables. Supply–demand imbalances are active hotspots.
• Profession Preparation
If your profession can craft items that will be in demand in the early TBC phase, now's the time to level up, stock reagents, and craft patterns. Low-cost crafting on the tail end of Anniversary can yield a high return early in TBC.
• Clear‑Up Old Characters / Alternate Alts
If you have multiple characters or alts, consider finalising them. Gear assignments, profession tags, and reputation grinds—wrap these up. The next era may bring restrictions or migrations.
3. Know the Risks: Inflation, Economy & Where Value Lies
The economy in Anniversary realms is already showing signs of strain. Players report severe inflation, botting influx, and lack of meaningful gold‑sinks. For example:
"Our economy is in shambles on Anniversary servers… either I farm full‑time or buy gold."
"Inflation will continue … there are virtually no gold sinks in the game."
Key take‑aways:
Gold is less safe as a store of value. Holding gold without purpose may expose you to inflation losses.
Gear markets may crash post-phase if migrating mechanics reset demand.
Herb and reagent markets are volatile—vacations or drops in player count can send prices slipping fast.
Beware last-minute dumping: When many players begin winding down, mass sell-offs can collapse markets.
Thus, focus on liquid assets and transition-relevant goods rather than simply stocking up more gold.
4. Positioning for TBC: Transition Smartly
If the Anniversary realm is indeed transitioning into TBC—or you plan to transfer to a new phase—your strategy must shift now.
• Keep Builds and Gear Flexible
If your current build is maxed for vanilla or Anniversary content, but won't translate well into TBC meta, consider shifting to a build that scales. Example: gear for high Aspiring‑level raid gear may be less useful than gearing for early Hellfire Peninsula exploits.
• Invest in TBC‑Relevant Professions & Materials
TBC introduces new mats, recipes, and profession demand (e.g., Netherweave, Felcloth, TBC enchants). Stock up on reagents that will remain in demand.
• Build Guild/Team Relationships
In the TBC, raid leadership, guild logistics, and crafting networks matter more than raw farm time. Start or join a guild now with the future in mind.
• Decide: Stay or Jump
If you expect your realm not to progress into TBC and will instead reset, you need to decide: Do I invest in this realm now (to wrap things up) or hold back until launch?
Player discussion suggests this uncertainty is the biggest current concern.
5. Play Sustainably & Avoid Burnout
The "end phase" of a realm often has the highest burnout risk: farm fatigue, inflated gear loops, and the grind becomes less fun. To avoid that:
Set realistic goals for the last weeks—maybe finish one more raid, stock 2000 herbs, finish profession max.
Diversify activities—switch between group raids, solo farm, AH flipping, and alt profession work.
Back up critical assets—take screenshots, guild rosters, trade logs.
Start budgeting for next phase—treat the next era as your "main event", and see Anniversary as the warm‑up.
6. Don't Ignore the Fun & Community
Yes, strategy matters—but at its heart, this game is about the community and enjoyment. Some players report that the social experience is being eroded by economic pressures.
So:
Join a friendly guild with cross-phase ambitions.
Participate in end‑game events, achievements, and mount hunts—even if the meta is done.
Help newer players gear up or mentor alts. Your legacy here matters.
7. Final Wrap‑Up: What To Do
Here's a quick checklist for your last stretch on the Anniversary realm:
Clear remaining raids/boss content you've been delaying.
Stockpile high-demand consumables and reagents (herbs, flasks, buffs).
Flip items on the AH—look for undervalued stacks, reagents, and crafting mats.
Profession prep: crafting recipes, leveled crafters, and materials.
Ensure your build and gear pathway works for TBC (or the next era).
Coordinate with your guild: future plans, transfer decisions, and roles.
Back up key info: mounts, guild progress, and alt status.
Stay flexible—if the server resets, finish strong and move on.
If you're still behind on pre-raid gear, reputation grinds, or character levels, don't wait for TBC to fix it. Now is your last real window to get caught up. Many players are turning to WoW Anniversary boost options to shave hours off tedious grinding and maximize efficiency before the server resets.
In Summary
The 20th Anniversary realm may be winding down, but played smart, it offers a golden opportunity: a low-key farm window, a chance to prep for TBC, and a final chance to build assets before the next chapter. Focus your time and gold on what carries forward, not what merely glitters today. With the right moves, you'll enter the next phase from a position of strength rather than scrambling.
Related Links:
No Gold, No Raid: Why Phase 6 Is the Most Ruthless Chapter in WoW Anniversary
WoW Anniversary Phase 6 Gold Farming Guide: Best Class and Spots
