World of Warcraft: Forever launches worldwide on November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST and is included with an active World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time. Blizzard describes it as a permanent new home for World of Warcraft, separate from both Modern WoW and WoW Classic, with a level 60 cap, reimagined versions of Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms, new zones, quests, dungeons, raids, progression systems and rulesets.
The core game does not require an additional box purchase. Blizzard is also selling optional Skyborne upgrade packs with cosmetic items and extra benefits. Below is a complete, dated guide to the launch time, access requirements, US pack prices, beta and stress test, name reservation, Invite-A-Friend codes, platforms, content and currently unanswered questions.
Last updated October 17, 2026. Blizzard can still change beta details, class tuning and launch plans before release.
World of Warcraft: Forever quick facts
| Question | Confirmed answer |
|---|---|
| Release date | November 4, 2026 |
| Global launch time | 3:00 p.m. PST, 6:00 p.m. EST, 23:00 UTC |
| Access | Included with an active WoW Subscription or Game Time |
| Platforms | Windows PC and Mac through the Battle.net desktop app |
| Level cap | 60 |
| Beta | September 17 through October 21, with selection-based opt-in access or guaranteed access through eligible packs |
| Open stress test | October 21, with no subscription, Game Time, invitation or beta access required |
| Early name reservation | October 27 through November 3 for accounts with any paid Forever upgrade |
| Launch rulesets | Normal, PvP and Roleplaying; Hardcore is planned after launch |
| Flying and level scaling | No flying mounts and no level scaling |
When does World of Warcraft: Forever launch?
Blizzard’s launch announcement confirms a simultaneous global release on November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST. That converts to 6:00 p.m. EST and 23:00 UTC. Players in regions east of UTC may see the game go live on November 5 locally.
Blizzard has also scheduled the first new raids, the 20-player Hyjal Summit and the 10-player Barrow Deeps, to unlock on December 9. The company has not yet published a complete post-launch calendar.
Is World of Warcraft: Forever included with a WoW subscription?
Yes. An active World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time includes access to Forever at launch. A separate base game purchase is not required. Blizzard’s optional paid upgrades add cosmetics and account benefits, but they are not required to play the core game.
Forever sits alongside Modern World of Warcraft and WoW Classic. It is not a limited seasonal server, a Classic progression realm or an expansion for Modern WoW. Blizzard calls it a permanent new home with its own characters, progression and design direction.
World of Warcraft: Forever upgrade packs and US prices
The official Battle.net store lists three digital upgrades in the United States. Prices can vary by region and currency.
| Pack | US price | Major additions |
|---|---|---|
| Skyborne Heroic | $29.99 | Skyborne starting experience, core cosmetic bundle, early name reservation and one Invite-A-Friend code |
| Skyborne Epic | $59.99 | Everything in Heroic, guaranteed beta access, extra mount and cosmetics, 30 days of Game Time and three Invite-A-Friend codes total |
| Warcraft Forever Collection | $79.99 | Everything in Epic, plus Warcraft III: Reforged, the Forsaken Kingdom campaign and themed housing decor |
All three packs include the Skyborne and their Zephras starting experience, the Cerulean Prideclaw ground mount, Shen’dorei Skyseer’s Garb transmog, Veteran Adventurer’s Rucksack back transmog, Shen’dorei Windwell toy and Skyborne housing decor. The Epic tier adds the Veteran Adventurer’s Loyal Companion mount, Outdoor Wear transmog, four pets and Lordaeron and Shen’dorei tabards.
The Epic and Collection tiers add 30 days of Game Time to the purchaser’s account at launch. Some items are shared with Modern WoW, while the pets and tabards are for Forever. Blizzard says none of the pack items apply to WoW Classic. Housing decor is used in Modern WoW and requires the Midnight expansion’s housing feature.
The digital Warcraft Forever Collection is available through January 11, 2027. Blizzard also offered a $150 physical Collector’s Edition through the Blizzard Gear Store, although availability can change and it was sold out when this guide was checked.
How do Invite-A-Friend codes work?
Skyborne Heroic includes one code. Skyborne Epic and the Warcraft Forever Collection include three codes each. Blizzard says eligible purchasers will begin receiving the codes by email on October 20. Gift orders do not qualify.
Each code gives an eligible friend access to Forever from November 4 through November 11 without an active subscription. It does not provide Game Time, beta access, Skyborne access or access to other World of Warcraft versions. A code can be redeemed on one WoW account through November 11, and an account that has purchased any Forever upgrade cannot redeem one.
The Blizzard Gear Store Collector’s Edition includes three codes. A player who also buys an eligible digital edition can receive up to six in total. Blizzard’s official Invite-A-Friend support page contains the full eligibility rules and regional exceptions.
How does beta access work?
The closed beta began on September 17 and runs through October 21, which Blizzard calls the last full day of testing. Players can opt in through Battle.net, but an opt-in does not guarantee selection. Skyborne Epic and the Warcraft Forever Collection include guaranteed beta access. Skyborne Heroic does not.
Blizzard has also moved the separate open stress test to October 21. Anyone can join without a subscription, Game Time, invitation or prior beta access. The official stress test schedule lists 2:00 p.m. PDT for North America, 19:00 CEST for Europe, 06:00 KST on October 22 for Korea and 05:00 CST on October 22 for Taiwan.
Stress test characters, names and guilds will be wiped. Blizzard expects the regular beta to go offline shortly before the test and return shortly afterward.
When is early name reservation?
Early name reservation runs from October 27 through November 3 for accounts that purchased any paid Forever upgrade. Names are first come, first served and are not guaranteed. The benefit applies only to the specific WoW account that owns the upgrade.
How is World of Warcraft: Forever different from Modern WoW and Classic?
Forever returns to the level 60 structure and the original continents, but it is not a museum version of 2004 World of Warcraft. Blizzard is rebuilding and expanding Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms with new stories, zones, quests, dungeons, raids, class designs, visual options and account-wide systems.
The game has no flying mounts and no level scaling. The world is designed around grounded travel and zones with intended level ranges. At the same time, players can choose updated graphics, modern conveniences and official gamepad support. Optional transmog is available, and Blizzard is offering visual presets that let players choose between updated and more classic-looking presentation, including HD or SD character models.
The story takes place after Warcraft III: Reforged‘s Forsaken Kingdom campaign and before the original World of Warcraft raid on Molten Core. That placement lets Blizzard revisit familiar conflicts while introducing a different path through Azeroth.
For a wider look at everything announced at the event, see our BlizzCon 2026 opening ceremony roundup.
What zones, quests, dungeons and raids are included?
Blizzard says Forever includes reimagined versions of the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor plus newly explorable areas. Confirmed additions include Mount Hyjal, Shen’dralas, the Riverglades and Zephras Isle.
Zephras is the Skyborne starting experience for levels 1 through 12. The Riverglades is a new midgame region aimed roughly at the mid-30s through the mid-40s, with more than 150 quests. Across the full game, Blizzard says it has created more than 1,000 new quests.
Confirmed new dungeons
- Hall of Thanes
- Ruins of Lordaeron
- A new site above Whelgar’s Excavation
- City of Dalaran
- Blackmaw Hold
- Drowned City
- Krol’dok Stronghold
- Alcaz Prison
- Shaper’s Terrace
The launch-era raid plan includes Hyjal Summit, a 20-player raid, and Barrow Deeps, a 10-player max-level raid. Both are scheduled to open on December 9. Blizzard’s longer roadmap also promises more raids, dungeons, quests, world content, PvP additions, Hardcore support and a revamped iconic raid, but most of those additions do not yet have dates.
What is the Skyborne race?
The Skyborne are an optional paired race with two faction-aligned societies: the Horde’s Windshaper and the Alliance’s High Order. Access requires Skyborne Heroic or a higher upgrade.
Both sides can be Warriors, Hunters, Rogues or Druids. Windshapers can also be Shamans, while High Order characters can be Mages. Their dedicated Zephras experience covers levels 1 through 12.
Forever also expands familiar race and class combinations. Examples confirmed by Blizzard include Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, Undead Paladin, Human Hunter, Gnome Priest and Dwarf Shaman. The game launches with nine playable classes.
What is the Legacy system?
Legacy is Forever’s account-wide progression layer. Players complete challenges to earn Legacy Points across the account, then each character spends those points independently in three trees: Professions, Adventure and Resourcefulness.
At launch, each character can activate up to 16 points’ worth of benefits. Blizzard says as many as 65 Legacy Points can be earned, and progress beyond the active character cap feeds a cosmetic and prestige reward track rather than granting a competitive advantage. The system is intended to expand over time.
Blizzard’s Legacy system overview is the best source for the current tree examples and account-wide rules.
How are classes, professions and progression changing?
Blizzard has revisited every class and specialization for Forever. Talents begin at level 10, with familiar milestone rows at levels 11, 21 and 31 plus a new 16-point milestone. Dual specialization becomes available at level 40. Class details remain subject to beta tuning.
Professions are also more deeply connected to travel and preparation. Blizzard says there are more than 600 new recipes. The Basic Campfire grows into a shared campsite system where crafted objects can provide services such as vendors, repairs, workspaces and buffs. Each profession contributes different campsite options.
Players can choose between updated and Classic-inspired visuals, restore Classic animations while using HD models, opt into transmog and use official gamepad support. Blizzard is also updating lighting and environmental rendering, including water, mist and moonlight.
How do rulesets, Honor and PvP work?
Forever launches with Normal, PvP and Roleplaying rulesets. Hardcore is planned for a later update. Blizzard’s ruleset guide says each ruleset operates as a large, realmless ecosystem, and players cannot group across rulesets.
Horde and Alliance characters cannot group together. On the PvP ruleset, each player chooses one faction for that ruleset. Normal, Roleplaying and Hardcore allow both factions on the same account. Battleground matchmaking may cross rulesets, except for Hardcore.
Legacy progress and collections are generally account-wide across rulesets. Hardcore has a one-way exception: a dead Hardcore character can transfer to another ruleset, including PvP, but characters cannot transfer into Hardcore.
The new Darkspear Islands battleground supports 15 players per faction from levels 30 through 60. Teams fight over four control points and a central flag, with the first side to reach 2,000 points winning. Its progression includes reputation tracks, Marks of Honor quests and themed rewards. Blizzard is still revealing the wider PvP and Honor reward structure in stages before launch.
What PC, Mac and account requirements are confirmed?
Forever is confirmed for Windows PC and Mac through the Battle.net desktop app. An internet connection and Battle.net account are required. Blizzard has not announced a console version.
The company has published a hardware architecture floor for graphics support: AMD GCN 1 from 2012 or newer, NVIDIA Maxwell from 2014 or newer, and Intel Skylake from 2015 or newer. Blizzard stresses that these are only architecture cutoffs and are still below the complete minimum system requirements needed for a good experience.
Players should therefore wait for a final Forever-specific requirements table before treating the GPU floor as a full specification. Blizzard has not yet confirmed the final download size or storage requirement for the live client.
How does Warcraft III: Reforged connect to Forever?
Forever’s story begins after the events of Warcraft III: Reforged‘s Forsaken Kingdom campaign and before Molten Core. The $79.99 Warcraft Forever Collection packages Warcraft III: Reforged and Forsaken Kingdom with the Epic-tier Forever benefits, making it the most direct route for players who want the full narrative setup.
The connection is story context, not a requirement to launch Forever. A subscription or Game Time remains enough to play Forever itself.
What remains unconfirmed?
- A preload date for the live client has not been announced.
- The final Forever-specific download size and complete system requirements are not yet public.
- Hardcore is confirmed for after launch, but it does not have a release date.
- Most post-launch updates beyond the December 9 raid opening do not have firm dates.
- Class balance, beta content and some system details can still change before launch.
- No console version has been confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy World of Warcraft: Forever?
No. The core game is included with an active WoW Subscription or Game Time. The Skyborne packs are optional upgrades.
Is World of Warcraft: Forever the same as WoW Classic?
No. Forever is a separate permanent version with a level 60 structure, rebuilt and expanded continents, new content and modernized systems. It is not a Classic season or progression realm.
What is the World of Warcraft: Forever level cap?
The level cap is 60.
Does World of Warcraft: Forever have flying or level scaling?
No. Blizzard has confirmed no flying mounts and no level scaling.
Can everyone join the October 21 stress test?
Yes. Blizzard says the open stress test does not require a subscription, Game Time, an invitation or beta access.
Which pack guarantees beta access?
Skyborne Epic and the Warcraft Forever Collection guarantee beta access. Skyborne Heroic does not.
Can I reserve a character name early?
Yes, if the specific WoW account has purchased any paid Forever upgrade. The reservation period is October 27 through November 3, and names are not guaranteed.
Is World of Warcraft: Forever coming to consoles?
Blizzard has only confirmed Windows PC and Mac through Battle.net. No console edition has been announced.
This FAQ reflects official information available on October 17, 2026 and will be updated as Blizzard confirms launch-client requirements, preload timing, Hardcore scheduling and other outstanding details.
Which part of Forever’s rebuilt Azeroth are you most interested in exploring first?
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