Guides

Temple of Ahn'Qiraj (AQ40): Complete Raid Guide

Vanilla WoW Classic 1.12 · x5 realm · wowx5.ru

The Temple of Ahn'Qiraj (AQ40) is the penultimate 40-man raid of classic WoW and one of the hardest in the game. It drops Tier 2.5, silithid idols and legendary components. The final boss, C'Thun the Old God, takes many guilds weeks to master. The raid opens after the server-wide "Gates of Ahn'Qiraj" event is completed.

Silithus wastes
Silithus wastes
C'Thun the Old God
C'Thun the Old God
Add tanks
Add tanks

Entry Requirements for AQ40

ParameterMinimumRecommended
Level6060
GearTier 1/2Tier 2 + BWL BiS
Nature Resistance0150+ (Huhuran, Twins)
Roster40 players5–6 tanks, 12–14 healers, 20 DPS
Tip

On x5 rates guilds gear up in BWL faster, so AQ40 becomes accessible within a few weeks of starting progression. Farm Nature Resistance early — it is critical for two bosses.

How to Enter AQ40

The Temple entrance is in the southern part of Silithus, at the great Gates of Ahn'Qiraj. For the gates to open, guilds must complete the server-wide "Opening of Ahn'Qiraj" campaign (Scepter of the Shifting Sands). After the opening, entry is free for all raids.

Nature Resistance

Two fights require a set of Nature Resistance:

BossRecommended NR
Princess Huhuran150–200 (whole raid)
Twin Emperors100+ (melee)

The set comes from enchants, potions and leatherworker/tailor items.

Bosses of the Temple

AQ40 has 9 bosses. The order is mostly linear with some branches.

1. The Prophet Skeram

First boss. Spawns mirror images and teleports the raid. Split the raid across the platforms. Only the real Skeram must be killed.

Detailed tactics: Skeram

2. Battleguard Sartura

Charges around with Whirlwind. Stuns reduce her damage. Tank the boss and her guards separately.

Detailed tactics: Sartura

3. Fankriss the Unyielding

Summons worm adds and teleports random players. Kill spawns quickly, rescue the teleported.

Detailed tactics: Fankriss

4. Princess Huhuran

A Nature Resistance check. Noxious Poison and Frenzy at 30% — the whole raid needs ~200 NR and high burst during the frenzy phase.

Detailed tactics: Huhuran

5. Twin Emperors

Vek'lor and Vek'nilash must die within 15 seconds of each other or they heal each other. The twins teleport and swap places. Two synchronized raid "wings" are needed.

Detailed tactics: Twin Emperors

6. Ouro (optional)

A giant worm that burrows and casts Sand Blast. The tank holds the boss while the raid spreads from the burrows.

Detailed tactics: Ouro

7. C'Thun — final boss

One of the hardest fights in Vanilla. Two phases:

  • Phase 1: the eye casts Eye Beam (a bouncing beam — stay spread out) and green beams. Tentacles appear.
  • Phase 2: C'Thun's body, the stomach mechanic (Digestive Acid), internal tentacles — the raid kills eye tentacles to avoid stuns.

Detailed tactics: C'Thun

Loot and Tier 2.5

AQ40 drops Tier 2.5 class sets, plus idols, rings and weapons with silithid effects. Key drops: Ring of the Godslayer, C'Thun weapons, and part of the components for the druid legendary staff "Atiesh".

FAQ

Do I need a key to enter AQ40?

No. After the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj are opened server-wide, entry is free for all raids.

How much Nature Resistance is needed?

For a comfortable Huhuran kill aim for ~200 NR across the raid. For other bosses NR is helpful but not mandatory.

How is AQ40 different from AQ20?

AQ40 is a 40-man raid with Tier 2.5 and the Old God C'Thun. AQ20 (Ruins) is an easier 20-man raid with a separate entrance nearby.

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