So, you’re an adventurer of discerning taste. In a world full of epic armor and flashy weapons, you’ve set your sights on a true classic, an artifact that speaks volumes about its owner’s dedication. You’ve looked at the myriad cloaks Azeroth has to offer and found them… lacking. You don’t just want a cape; you want a statement piece, a conversation starter, a piece of wearable history that screams, “I have impeccable taste and the patience of a saint.” Well, my friend, you’ve come to the right place.
Even in 2025, taking on the entire questline for the legendary cloak is a rite of passage in this game. This journey through Mists of Pandaria is one of the most memorable parts of WoW’s past, a sprawling narrative told across multiple patches. This guide is your trusty companion through the raids, the reputation grinds, and the delightfully dramatic monologues that make up this epic quest chain.
The Legendary Questline at a Glance
| Chapter / Patch | Key Objectives | Major Reward |
| Chapter 1: The Trial | Reach Honored with The Black Prince. | Access to the main quest chain. |
| Chapter 2: Wrathion’s War | Collect 20 Sigils (10 Power, 10 Wisdom).Kill Sha of Fear.Earn 3,000 Valor Points. | Legendary Weapon Gem |
| Chapter 3: The Thunder King | Reach Revered.Collect 20 Secrets of the Empire & 40 Trillium Bars.Complete “The Thunder Forge” solo scenario.Collect 12 Titan Runestones.Kill Lei Shen. | Legendary Meta-Gem |
| Chapter 4: Celestial Blessings | Complete one of the four August Celestial solo challenges. | iLvl 600 Epic Cloak |
| Chapter 5: A Legend of Pandaria | Collect 5,000 Timeless Coins.Defeat the four August Celestials as world bosses. | iLvl 600 Legendary Cloak |
| Epilogue | Kill Garrosh Hellscream in Siege of Orgrimmar. | “Legend of Pandaria” Achievement |
Chapter 1: An Audience with the Black Prince
Your grand adventure kicks off the moment you ding level 90. A mysterious note will beckon you to the Tavern in the Mists, a cozy little joint tucked away in the Veiled Stair. It’s here you’ll meet him: Wrathion, the self-proclaimed last uncorrupted black dragon. He’s got the arrogance of a full-grown dragon packed into the form of a young man, a flair for the dramatic, and a grand plan to save Azeroth. Guess who he’s decided is the perfect champion to help him out? That’s right, you!
But before he spills the beans on his master plan, you’ve got to prove you’re worth his time. This is the first major stage of the quest chain and is mandatory for every character who wants the cloak. He needs to know you’re committed, so your first mission is to reach Honored with his exclusive fan club, The Black Prince. This is your first real test of patience.
Pro-Tips for Popularity:
- Your main source of rep will be slaying the level 90 Mogu and Mantid in Townlong Steppes and the Dread Wastes. Any person can figure out the best spots, but hotspots like the island of Shan’ze Dao off the coast of Townlong Steppes are great for this. Put on some music, find a good loop, and think of it as pest control with a purpose.
- While you can gain rep in Krasarang Wilds by fighting the opposition, that’s more useful for the push to Exalted later. For now, stick to the PVE mobs; it’s a more reliable grind.
Chapter 2: Sigils, Valor, and a Taste of Power
Once Wrathion deems you worthy, he’ll send you on a scavenger hunt to collect 10 Sigils of Power and 10 Sigils of Wisdom from the first Mists of Pandaria raids. Your main goal is to kill these raid bosses each week on any difficulty. This is where your patience will first be tested by the cruel, uncaring whims of RNG.
Your Sigil Strategy:
- Slow and Steady: Clearing the LFR versions each week is a solid, reliable, and socially-anxious-friendly strategy. You’ll want to check your quest log often. Post-clear, you just have to wait for the next weekly reset, giving you plenty of time to question your life choices.
- Faster, But Fiercer: Normal and Heroic versions have a higher drop chance. Don’t feel stupid if your group struggles; this content was tough in its day. If your progress feels blocked by bad luck, take heart: the “Gaze of the Black Prince” buff will eventually help increase drop rates for players who fall behind.
After you’ve pocketed all 20 sigils, you’ll tackle the quest “Fear Itself.” Your reward for this bravery is your first taste of legendary power: a legendary gem (like Crystallized Horror) to socket into a Sha-touched weapon. It’s a fantastic boost, especially for a caster character, and a sign of greater things to come.
But wait, there’s more! Wrathion will then slap you with “A Test of Valor.” This request requires you to earn a cool 3,000 Valor Points. Given the weekly cap, this is a guaranteed three-week-long homework assignment. At this point in the game, you might start to doubt your sanity, but push through! Do your dailies, run dungeons, and just be an active participant in Pandaria’s endgame.
Chapter 3: The Thunder King’s Secrets and a Dazzling Gem
Feeling accomplished? Don’t get too comfortable. Your journey then takes you to the Isle of the Thunder King, a perpetually stormy, oppressive island that feels a world away from the tranquil farms of Pandaria. Wrathion wants you to collect 20 Secrets of the Empire from the Throne of Thunder raid and gather up 40 Trillium Bars (time to hit the Auction House or call your Miner friend).
With your bags full of secrets and ore, it’s time to prove your personal prowess in “The Thunder Forge,” a solo scenario that’s a true challenge for one character to complete alone. This is Wrathion’s way of asking, “You’re good with a group, but how are you on your own?” Then, you’ll need to confront Nalak, the Storm Lord, using a special lance to survive his onslaught (best done with a group).
Your reward for all this trouble is a legendary meta-gem. But the chapter isn’t over. Your next task is to collect 12 Titan Runestones from the later raid bosses in Throne of Thunder. Once you have them, you must face the final boss himself, the Thunder King Lei Shen, and bring his heart back to Wrathion. Once this difficult stage is complete, you’ll have access to the next part of the journey.
Chapter 4: The Solo Challenge and the World Boss Gauntlet
This is a two-part chapter involving the August Celestials. Pay close attention, as you’ll face them in two very different ways.
Part One: The Celestial Blessing (A Solo Trial)
First, Wrathion seeks the blessings of Pandaria’s divine guardians. You must choose one of the four Celestials and undertake their personal trial—alone. This is a solo scenario where you cannot bring friends. Failure is part of the process; each attempt teaches you more about your own class.
- The Trial of the Black Ox: As a tank, you’ll face Niuzao in a stubborn test of survival, proving your fortitude against his powerful knockbacks and relentless assault.
- The Trial of the Jade Serpent: As a caster, you’ll visit the temple in the beautiful Jade Forest only to prove your wisdom in a deadly dance, navigating the lethal waves of fire and energy summoned by Yu’lon.
- The Trial of the White Tiger: As a melee DPS, you’ll prove your strength and restraint in a frantic burst of survival against the ferocious, lightning-fast attacks of Xuen that can trigger a quick failure.
- The Trial of the Red Crane: As a healer, you’ll prove your boundless hope by completing the unique challenge of healing Chi-Ji’s spectral allies amidst chaos, a true test of triage and mana management.
Completing this solo challenge rewards you with a high-level epic cloak. This is the precursor to your legendary, but its special visual appearance is not yet unlocked.
Part Two: The Timeless Isle (A Group Effort)
The final leg of the journey unfolds on the Timeless Isle. Here you must collect 5,000 Timeless Coins and, for the quest “The Emperor’s Way,” you must defeat all four August Celestials in their world boss forms. This time, you absolutely need a group. This is about community and epic scale. Join the chaos of a 40-player raid as you take down the Black Ox, Jade Serpent, White Tiger, and Red Crane.
The Grand Finale: Your Legendary Cloak MOP and Mists of Pandaria Masterpiece
After completing these five chapters of the game, you’ll meet Wrathion for one last dramatic monologue. After his request is fulfilled, you’ll finally receive an item to upgrade your epic cloak into its final form: a magnificent iLvl 600 legendary cloak MOP (which can be upgraded further)! This amazing appearance is finally unlocked once the cloak has been obtained.
The cloak features a stunning, role-specific visual proc—an appearance that will turn heads. Imagine, in the heat of battle, a pair of ethereal, shimmering wings bursting from your back. It’s a true badge of honor for any character in WoW.
But wait, there’s one last thing! The story isn’t officially over until you complete “Judgment of the Black Prince.” To see the final curtain call for this story, you must enter the Siege of Orgrimmar and kill Garrosh Hellscream.
So, was it all worth it? Unquestionably. This entire questline is a long road, but it’s an unforgettable adventure. In 2025, you’re not just earning a transmog; you’re experiencing one of the best storylines Blizzard has put into a game. Once this final reward is obtained, your character will be the envy of all. You’ve earned the right to post about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start the legendary cloak questline?
Your epic journey begins automatically the moment you reach level 90 in Mists of Pandaria. You don’t need to go searching for a quest giver in a capital city; the quest will find you. You’ll receive a mysterious note in your inventory that starts the quest “Stranger in a Strange Land.” This note guides you to a secluded and cozy tavern called the Tavern in the Mists, located in the Veiled Stair. It’s there that you’ll meet the enigmatic Wrathion, who will serve as your quest giver, patron, and occasional dramatic monologuist for the entire storyline.
What’s the very first thing I actually have to do?
Before Wrathion will even consider you a worthy champion for his grand designs, you must first prove your dedication and prowess. Your very first task is a classic reputation grind. You are required to reach Honored with his personal faction, The Black Prince. This is his way of vetting you, ensuring you’re not just some passing adventurer but someone who is committed to the cause in Pandaria. Think of it as the entry fee for one of the most memorable questlines in the game.
Where are the best places to grind Black Prince reputation?
The most efficient and straightforward path to Honored reputation is by systematically eliminating the level 90 Mogu and Mantid forces that plague Pandaria. The highest concentration of these mobs can be found in Townlong Steppes and the Dread Wastes. A particularly famous and effective farming spot is the island of Shan’ze Dao, located off the northwestern coast of Townlong Steppes. The enemies there are plentiful and respawn quickly, making it an ideal place to settle in, put on some music, and get to grinding.
How many Sigils of Power and Wisdom do I need, and where do they drop?
You will need to collect a total of 20 Sigils: 10 Sigils of Power and 10 Sigils of Wisdom. This is your first major raid-based collection quest. These items drop from the bosses inside the first three Mists of Pandaria raids: Mogu’shan Vaults, Heart of Fear, and Terrace of Endless Spring. They can drop on any difficulty, including Looking for Raid (LFR), so you have multiple avenues to collect them each week. Be prepared for a test of patience, as the drops are subject to RNG.
Do I need to save up Valor Points for the “A Test of Valor” quest?
No, absolutely not! This is a very important point that trips up many players. The quest tracker for “A Test of Valor” will only begin counting the Valor Points you earn after you have officially accepted the quest from Wrathion. Any Valor you may have accumulated or saved up beforehand will not count towards the 3,000-point goal. So, feel free to spend your Valor freely until the moment you pick up the quest.
What’s the reward for the first part of the questline?
After successfully collecting all 20 Sigils and proving your bravery by defeating the Sha of Fear in the Terrace of Endless Spring, Wrathion will grant you your first taste of truly legendary power. You will be rewarded with a powerful legendary gem, such as the Crystallized Horror. This gem has a significant primary stat bonus and can be socketed into a specific “Sha-touched” weapon from that raid tier, providing a massive boost to your character’s performance.
What materials do I need for the Thunder King part of the quest?
When the questline takes you to the Isle of Thunder, you will be tasked with another large collection quest. For this stage, you will need to gather two things: 20 Secrets of the Empire, which drop from the bosses inside the Throne of Thunder raid, and 40 Trillium Bars. The Trillium Bars are created by Miners and Blacksmiths, so unless you have those professions, you will likely need to purchase them from the Auction House. It’s wise to start saving up gold or materials early.
How many Titan Runestones do I need? I’ve heard different numbers.
The correct number you need to collect is 12 Titan Runestones. There is a common misconception that the number is 50, but that is incorrect for this stage of the quest. These 12 Runestones are part of the chapter focusing on the Throne of Thunder and drop from the later bosses within that specific raid. This is the second major raid-based collection quest, and like the Sigils before it, the drops are based on RNG.
What is “The Thunder Forge”?
“The Thunder Forge” is a special solo scenario that serves as a personal skill check from Wrathion. After you’ve proven you can handle yourself in a raid group, he wants to see how you perform alone. You will be transported to a unique location on the Isle of Thunder where you must survive waves of enemies and complete objectives without any outside help. This challenge will test your knowledge of your class’s abilities, defensive cooldowns, and crowd control.
Do I fight the August Celestials with a group?
This is a crucial two-part process where you interact with the Celestials in very different ways.
- Part 1: The Solo Challenge: First, for the “Celestial Blessing” quest, you must complete a solo trial. You choose one of the four Celestials and enter a special scenario designed just for you. You cannot bring friends to this; it is a personal test of skill.
- Part 2: The World Bosses: Later, on the Timeless Isle, you will be tasked with defeating all four August Celestials in their full-power world boss forms. For this, you absolutely need a large raid group, as they are formidable enemies.
When do I actually get a cloak?
You receive your very first cloak as a reward after you successfully complete your personal solo challenge against one of the August Celestials. This will be a powerful iLvl 600 epic cloak, tailored with stats appropriate for the role whose challenge you completed. Think of this epic cloak as the foundation upon which you will build your final legendary.
And when does that cloak become legendary?
Your epic cloak is upgraded to its final, coveted legendary form only after you complete the entire series of quests on the Timeless Isle. This involves a significant grind where you must collect 5,000 Timeless Coins and successfully defeat all four of the August Celestial world bosses with a raid group. Upon completing these tasks, Wrathion will give you an item that imbues your epic cloak with its final legendary power.
When do the cool “wings” appear on the cloak?
The iconic, stunning visual effect of celestial wings unfurling from your back is exclusive to the legendary version of the cloak. Your epic cloak will look nice, but it does not have the special visual proc. The moment you upgrade your epic cloak to legendary status, the wing effect is unlocked and can trigger in combat, serving as the ultimate visual reward for your long journey.
How much stuff do I need to collect on the Timeless Isle?
The Timeless Isle serves as the backdrop for your final grind. You will need to complete two main objectives here. The first is to collect 5,000 Timeless Coins, which can be gathered by killing the island’s many powerful creatures and looting its hidden treasures. The second, more challenging objective is to defeat all four of the August Celestials in their world boss encounters at the Celestial Court.
Is the questline over once I get the legendary cloak?
Almost, but not quite! Obtaining the legendary cloak is the climax of your journey, but there is a short epilogue quest to officially conclude the story. To complete “Judgment of the Black Prince,” you must enter the final raid, the Siege of Orgrimmar, and defeat the final boss, Garrosh Hellscream. This will trigger a final cinematic with Wrathion and award you the “Legend of Pandaria” achievement, providing a narrative conclusion to your adventure.
What’s the final reward for the entire questline?
The primary reward is, of course, the magnificent iLvl 600 (and upgradeable) legendary cloak, complete with top-tier stats and its famous, role-specific visual proc. In addition to this powerful piece of gear, completing the entire storyline by killing Garrosh Hellscream will award you the “Legend of Pandaria” Feat of Strength achievement, a permanent testament on your character’s record that you completed this monumental task.
Can I choose which cloak I get?
Yes, you have complete freedom of choice. Although the solo Celestial challenges are themed for specific roles (e.g., the healer challenge is for healers), when you complete one, you are presented with the full list of available epic cloaks. This allows you to pick the one with the stat allocation that best suits your main spec, your off-spec, or even just your personal preference.
Can I do this quest on more than one character?
You absolutely can, but be warned: it is a massive undertaking each time. There are no account-wide skips for the major steps of this questline. Each character must complete the entire journey from start to finish, including all the reputation grinds, item collections, and raid progression. Committing to this quest on an alt means you are signing up for the full marathon all over again.
How long will this whole thing take?
Set your expectations for a marathon, not a sprint. Due to several built-in time gates, the questline will take a significant amount of time. The “A Test of Valor” quest alone requires a minimum of three weeks to complete due to the weekly Valor Point cap. Furthermore, the collection of Sigils, Secrets, and Runestones is entirely dependent on raid lockouts and RNG, which can easily add several more weeks or even months to your journey.
Why is this questline so famous? Is it really worth it?
Absolutely. The fame of this questline comes not just from its powerful reward but from the journey itself. It is a masterfully crafted storyline that guides you through the entirety of the Mists of Pandaria endgame, involving every single raid tier. It forces you to engage in solo challenges, group content, world exploration, and community-driven world boss fights. Completing it is a true badge of honor, and the legendary cloak is more than just a piece of gear; it is a trophy that represents your dedication and mastery over a whole expansion’s worth of content.
