Scepter of the Shifting Sands: The AQ Opening Quest and Black Qiraji Battle Tank
Vanilla WoW Classic 1.12 · x5 realm · wowx5.ruScepter of the Shifting Sands is the legendary quest tied to opening Ahn'Qiraj. It is the only way to earn the Black Qiraji Battle Tank — Vanilla's rarest mount — and to write yourself into server history. On WoW x5 the war effort is gathered faster, but the event is still a server-wide marathon.
How the event works
Opening Ahn'Qiraj is a two-part event:
1. War Effort — the entire server faction turns in thousands of resources (ore, cloth, herbs, leather, meat) at camps in Silithus. 2. Scepter chain — a personal quest for a chosen player, granting the right to ring the Scarab Gong.
Step 1. The personal quest chain
The Scepter quest is a long chain running through:
- Trials in Silithus with the bronze dragons (Anachronos);
- Fighting and looting items in Blackwing Lair;
- Tasks inside Ahn'Qiraj (AQ40) — see the AQ40 guide.
Step 2. Ring the Gong
After finishing the Scepter, the player first rings the Scarab Gong — starting a 10-hour war at the gates across the whole server. As a reward they receive the unique Black Qiraji Battle Tank.
About the reward
| Item | Condition |
|---|---|
| Scepter of the Shifting Sands | Finish the chain before the gates open |
| Black Qiraji Battle Tank | Only in the first 10 hours after the gong |
| "Conqueror of Ahn'Qiraj" title | For active event participants |
After the gates open the Scepter quest is closed forever — a truly exclusive reward.
Tips for x5
- Start grinding resources for the war effort early — x5 farms fast, but the volumes are huge.
- Coordinate with server guilds on who carries the Scepter chain.
- Watch server news about the AQ opening so you don't miss the gong.
Common mistakes
- Missing the gong window. The Black Qiraji Battle Tank is available for only 10 hours after ringing — watch the server news.
- Underestimating the war effort. The resource totals are huge; start farming early as a whole faction.
- Duplicating Scepter carriers. Agree who runs the chain so effort isn't wasted.
Quick checklist
1. Turn in War Effort resources in Silithus as a faction. 2. Complete the personal Scepter chain (Silithus, BWL, AQ40). 3. Be the first to ring the Scarab Gong and claim the Qiraji tank.
Register on WoW x5 and take part in opening Ahn'Qiraj.
FAQ
What does ringing the Scarab Gong do?
The player who finishes the Scepter quest and first rings the Scarab Gong triggers the server-wide opening of the AQ gates and receives the unique Black Qiraji Battle Tank.
Can I get the Black Qiraji Battle Tank after the gates open?
No. The mount is only available in the first 10 hours after the gong is rung. After that the Scepter quest is closed forever.
Do I need a raid for the Scepter?
Yes. The chain requires fights in Blackwing Lair and Ahn'Qiraj, plus a massive server-faction war effort of resources.