WoW SoD Phase 3 Prep Guide: Gear Up, Best Investments, Prequest, PvP Preparations

With Phase 3 of WoW Season of Discovery (SoD) launching on April 4th, it's time to get ready to take on the new epic 20-man Sunken Temple raid and dominate in PvP at the level 50 bracket. This WoW SoD Phase 3 Preparation guide will cover everything you need to prepare your character, from gearing up to prequests to the best gold investments. Let's dive in!

1. Plan Your Class and Spec for SoD Phase 3

The first step is deciding on your class and specialization for phase 3. Consider what role you want to play in the raid and PvP. For example, priests may want to prioritize a healing spec and set if they plan to heal in dungeons and raids. Make a level 60 upgrades template on a site like Sixty Upgrades to get an idea of the pre-raid BiS gear to aim for.

2. Gear Up for SoD Phase 3

Let's take a closer look at how to gear up efficiently for Phase 3 of SoD, particularly in the Gnomeregan raid.

Pre-Raid Best in Slot (BiS) Gear:

Before stepping into Gnomeregan, you'll want to acquire as much pre-raid BiS gear as possible. This will typically come from world drops, crafted items, reputation rewards, and end-game dungeons like Scarlet Monastery and Razorfen Downs.

Here are some key pieces to look out for:

• Helm of Fire (Mage, Warlock)

• Demolition Charge (Physical DPS)

• Darkweave Breeches (Priest, Warlock)

• Sword of Omen (Melee DPS)

• Bonecaster's Touch (Healer)

Refer to class-specific pre-raid BiS lists to ensure you're targeting the right items. Getting as close to full pre-raid BiS as possible will make your Gnomeregan runs much smoother.

Gnomeregan Loot:

Gnomeregan drops some of the most powerful loot available in Phase 2, and much of it will remain BiS in Phase 3. The most sought-after items include:

• Leather of Chromatic Resistance (Melee DPS)

• Charged Scale of Tidelord (Shaman)

• Infernal Tome (Warlock)

• Libram of Justice (Paladin)

• Acidic Membrane (Hunter)

• Pendulum of Plasteel (Warrior)

• Mantle of Vivification (Priest)

Each class has multiple BiS items that drop from bosses like Thermaplugg and Techbot, so refer to your class's loot priority guide.

PUG Gearing Strategies:

Pugging Gnomeregan can be challenging, but it's doable with the right strategies. Here are some tips for each boss:

Grubbis:

• Assign hunters to kite Slasher and Pounder

• Use nature protection potions to mitigate damage

• Priests focus on dispelling Petrify

Viscous Fallout:

• Kill adds quickly to avoid Radioactive Fallout

• Mages can AoE slow adds

• Off-tanks pick up Rotron and Sludgebelcher

• Crowd Pummeler:

• Designate a ranged DPS to bait Pummeler's charge

• Melee DPS stay behind boss to avoid Knock Away

Electrocutioner 6000:

• Split into 2-3 groups spread out to minimize Static Shock damage

• Move away from boss during Electrical Field

• Focus down adds quickly

Mekgineer Thermaplugg:

• Tanks kite boss in Phase 1 to avoid Explosive Attacks

• All DPS use Free Action Potions in Phase 2

• Assign Bomb Dispellers and Buttonpushers

• Save Bloodlust/Heroism for final phase burn

In all cases, having competent tanks and a good mix of DPS and healers is key. Communicating mechanics and using consumables will help even an average pug succeed.

Alternative Gearing Options:

If you're struggling to find Gnomeregan groups, don't fret. You can still acquire good catch-up gear from other sources like:

World Bosses (Avalanchion, Drek'Gar)

Alterac Valley rep rewards

BoE dungeon drops (Stockade Pauldrons)

Quest chains (Ormer's Revenge, Bring the Light)

The Sunken Temple raid itself will also drop starter gear for fresh 50s, allowing you to gear up rapidly.

3. Prequests and Leveling for SoD Phase 3

Plan out your prequest route using a guide to knock out high XP quests right when phase 3 hits. After that, the meta seems to be spamming Scarlet Monastery and ZF in dungeon cleave groups to power level to 50. Don't forget to do gnomeregan for great XP and loot too. Organize your groups early so you're not scrambling on launch day.

Prequesting is one of the most efficient ways to get a head start on leveling when Phase 3 launches. Horde players can take advantage of the comprehensive prequest guide posted by Reddit user Colax-947. This step-by-step route covers all the key quests to knock out for maximum XP gains.

Key prequest zones to focus on include:

• Booty Bay

• Hinterlands

• Arathi Highlands

• Tanaris

• Feralas

• Blasted Lands

Load up on as many quests as you can, especially any dungeon quests, so you can turn them in for a huge chunk of XP once you hit level 41.

Class Quests:

Don't forget to do your class quests as well, as these often reward powerful weapons and armor. However, since Sunken Temple is the new level-up raid, some of the class quests may change, so keep an eye out for any updates on those.

Leveling Routes:

Once you have your prequests done, it's time to start powerleveling to 50. Here are the most efficient routes:

Dungeon Cleave:

If you have a dedicated group, spamming dungeons is the fastest way to level. Aim for the following progression:

• Scarlet Monastery Cathedral (40-44)

• Zul'Farrak (44-47)

• Gnomeregan (47-50)

AoE mob farming with a shaman tank or warlock in ZF is particularly effective. SM Cath and gnomer should have very fast clear times in a coordinated group as well.

Questing:

If you prefer to solo level, there are several zones with high concentrations of quests and good mob density:

• Arathi Highlands

• Tanaris

• Feralas

• Blasted Lands

Nightmare Dragons World Boss:

One wildcard for leveling in Phase 3 are the new world bosses, the Nightmare Dragons. While the XP rates are unknown, if they are at all decent, tagging them while questing could provide a nice XP boost. Plus you have a shot at some great loot.

Combining Methods:

A common approach is to start with your prequests, then transition into dungeon grinding with a group. If you start falling behind the curve, you can break off to solo quest for a bit. Don't be afraid to mix and match methods depending on your preferences and what groups you can find.

Regardless of your route, the key is to be as efficient as possible with your time. Minimize travel, turn in quests in large batches, and focus on large mob pulls if you can handle them. And don't forget to use those XP-boosting consumables like Elixir of the Rapid Mind.

With the right prequest route and leveling plan, you'll be able to hit 50 quickly and be ready to take on the new challenges in Sunken Temple and beyond. Best of luck on your journey!

4. Gold and Investment Tips for SoD Phase 3

Aim to have at least 300g going into phase 3 for new epic crafting, BoEs, and profession skill-ups. Here are some top investment ideas:

• Runecloth Bolts and Rugged Leather for new crafted gear

• Edgemasters, Freezing Band and other bis BoE items

• Elemental Earth, Ichor, other key crafting materials

• Limited supply recipes like Major Healing Potion and Flask of Titans

• Large Radiant Shards and other enchanting mats for new enchants

5. PvP Preparation for SoD Phase 3

PvP will be a major source of powerful gear in phase 3. Get a head start by:

• Pushing your PvP rank as high as possible, as it doesn't decay

• Hitting Revered/Exalted with Warsong for access to new weapons and armor pieces

• Grabbing Arathi Basin rep items at Friendly for minor speed boots and more

• Stocking up on consumables like Free Action Potions

By following this preparation guide, you'll be fully optimized and ready to go on day one of phase 3 in SoD. Prioritize gearing up, planning your PvP, prequest, and leveling routes, and making smart investment plays. Stay tuned for more phase 3 tips and guides, and best of luck in the new Sunken Temple raid!