Launch checklist

Beta window

The beta started on 2026-09-17 and runs through 2026-10-21, "the last full day of testing" in Blizzard's words. According to the general community the window ends on October 22, one day later.

Confirmed Blizzard: The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live Reported the general community: WoW Forever Roadmap See Beta overview

Beta opt-in

Opt-in on the WoW Forever site; invitations go out regularly and are not guaranteed.

Confirmed Blizzard: The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live Confirmed Blizzard: World of Warcraft: Forever See Beta overview

Beta access by bundle

The Skyborne Epic Pack ($59.99) and the Warcraft Forever Collection ($79.99) include beta access. The $29.99 Skyborne Heroic Pack does not.

Confirmed Blizzard: The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live Confirmed Blizzard: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades See Editions and pricing

Server Slam

A limited-time event with broader beta access.

Coming soon Server Slam dates. Blizzard's beta post gives none.

Confirmed Blizzard: The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live See Beta overview

Beta content and level cap

Level cap 20 at the start, raised to 30 later in the beta. Week one: Skyborne and Zephras Isle, Hall of Thanes (13 to 18), Ruins of Lordaeron (15 to 20) and all zone content to level 20. According to the general community the cap goes to 30 "after a couple of weeks".

Confirmed Blizzard: The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live Reported the general community: The WoW Forever Beta Starts at Level 20 Cap See Dungeons

Name reservation window

October 27 to November 3, 2026. According to the general community' roadmap, the same date.

Confirmed Blizzard: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades Reported the general community: WoW Forever Roadmap See Roadmap

Early Name Reservation

Pre-purchasers of the Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection get Early Name Reservation, starting October 27, 2026.

Confirmed Blizzard: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades See Editions and pricing

Two-part character names

Names are unique account-wide, so characters use a two-part naming convention.

Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap See What is WoW Forever

Ruleset

No named realms: the ruleset is picked at character creation. Normal, PvP, Roleplaying, or Hardcore. Blizzard lists Hardcore among the post-launch additions. According to the general community the Hardcore ruleset arrives in Winter 2026.

Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap Confirmed Blizzard: What's Next Panel Recap Reported the general community: WoW Forever Roadmap See Roadmap

Race: Skyborne

Skyborne are a neutral race open to both factions: Warrior, Hunter, Rogue and Druid on either side, Shaman for Horde, Mage for Alliance. According to the general community the Skyborne race costs $29.99 to unlock.

Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap Reported the general community: Skyborne Race Costs $29.99 to Unlock See Races

New race and class combinations

Six new combinations: Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, Undead Paladin.

Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap See Races

Class talent trees

Seven rows, one-point milestone talents at 11, 16, 21 and 31 points; the 16-point milestone is new. According to the general community the total is 51 class talent points.

Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap Reported the general community: Legacy System Overview See Talent calculator

Legacy System

Account-wide Legacy Points from challenges, up to 65 obtainable at launch; each character spends up to 16.

In the game, build 1.60.1.70009: "This feature becomes available when your first character reaches level 25."

Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap See Legacy System

Subscription and editions

A WoW Subscription or Game Time covers access. The three packs ($29.99, $59.99, $79.99) are optional.

Confirmed Blizzard: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades See Editions and pricing

Launch time

November 4, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Pacific, the same moment worldwide. Level cap 60.

Confirmed Blizzard: World of Warcraft: Forever Confirmed Blizzard: Carve a New Path with World of Warcraft: Forever See Roadmap

Raid unlock

New raids unlock on December 9, 2026: Barrow Deeps (10 players) and Hyjal Summit (20 players). According to the general community, Onyxia's Lair (40 players) opens the same day.

Confirmed Blizzard: What's Next Panel Recap Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap Reported the general community: WoW Forever Roadmap See Raids

Legacy challenges

Legacy Points come from achievement-like challenges and are earned account-wide.

65 challenges in the game, build 1.60.1.70009.

Confirmed Blizzard: Deep Dive Panel Recap See Legacy challenges

Warcraft Forever Collection end date

The Warcraft Forever Collection is a limited-time bundle, available through January 11, 2027.

Confirmed Blizzard: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades See Editions and pricing