ClassicQuesterWoW Forever: Everything We Know
WoW Forever is a third World of Warcraft experience, alongside modern WoW and Classic, set in the original Azeroth with an adventure to level 60. It adds new zones, more than 1,000 new quests, 9 dungeons, 2 raids and the Skyborne race. Beta runs Sept 17–Oct 21; launch is Nov 4, 2026.
Source: Blizzard: pre-purchase post ↗ · Verified Sept 13Source: Blizzard: Everything announced at BlizzCon 2026 ↗ · Verified Sept 13What is Forever?
Forever is a third World of Warcraft experience alongside modern WoW and Classic. It revisits the original Azeroth with an adventure to level 60, new zones and more than 1,000 new quests, then keeps growing with major updates after launch. Blizzard's panel put it plainly: "This is not a mode, a season, or a new version of Classic."
Release & beta
Announced on Saturday, Sept 12, 2026 at BlizzCon. The beta runs from Thursday, Sept 17 to Oct 21, 2026, and Forever launches globally on Nov 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST. New raids unlock on Dec 9.
Beta characters are capped at level 20 when it opens, and the cap rises to 30 a couple of weeks later and stays there. Clay Stone said so in an interview with the creator Destin; Icy Veins first reported it. reported Upgrade pack owners get Early Name Reservation from Oct 27 through Nov 3, 2026 (PST), for up to three characters on a first-come, first-served basis. confirmed
Price
- Base Forever access is included with a WoW subscription or Game Time. confirmed
- Skyborne Heroic Pack: the Skyborne race and their Zephras Isle starting zone, early name reservation (Oct 27–Nov 3), a mount and cosmetics. confirmed
- Skyborne Epic Pack: everything in the Heroic Pack, plus beta access (Sept 17–Oct 21) and 30 days of Game Time. confirmed
- Warcraft Forever Collection: everything in the Epic Pack, plus Warcraft III: Reforged, the Forsaken Kingdom campaign and housing figurines. On sale until Jan 11, 2027. confirmed
- Battle.net Shop prices: Heroic $29.99 · Epic $59.99 · Collection $79.99. reported
Full comparison: WoW Forever price, editions and subscription.
New zones
Blizzard's opening post counts three new zones, while the What's Next panel described four areas. Levels and notes come from the panel recap; the Riverglades goblin port and Mount Hyjal's raids from Warcraft Tavern.
| Zone | Levels | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zephras Isle | 1–12 | Skyborne starting zone | Elemental, skybound; architecture inspired by Skywall |
| Shen'dralas | TBA | Between Mulgore and Desolace | Shen'dralar, Eldre'Thalas, Dire Maul and the region's centaur tribes |
| The Riverglades | Mid-30s–mid-40s | Eastern Kingdoms | More than 150 new quests; neutral goblin port |
| Mount Hyjal | Endgame | Kalimdor, via Darkwhisper Gorge | Aftermath of Archimonde's defeat; home of both raids |
Dungeons & raids
Nine new dungeons span levels 13–60. Two raids come with Mount Hyjal: Barrow Deeps (10-player), reached through Blackmaw Hold, and Hyjal Summit (20-player); new raids unlock on Dec 9, 2026 and a legendary reward is teased. The new Darkspear Islands battleground is 15v15, mixing control points with Arathi Basin-style flag captures.
| Name | Levels | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hall of Thanes | 13–18 | Beneath Ironforge |
| Ruins of Lordaeron | 15–20 | Tirisfal Glades (Horde-side) |
| Excavation Site | 24–29 | Wetlands |
| City of Dalaran | 28–30 | Alterac Mountains |
| The Drowned City | 35–40 | Off the Stranglethorn coast |
| Krol'dok Stronghold | 40–55 | The Riverglades |
| Alcaz Prison | 48–53 | Alcaz Island, Dustwallow Marsh |
| Blackmaw Hold | 55–60 | Leads to Barrow Deeps |
| Shaper's Terrace | 58–60 | Un'Goro Crater |
Skyborne
The Skyborne are Forever's new playable race. Players pick Horde or Alliance at character creation: both can be Warrior, Hunter, Rogue or Druid (with new Skyborne forms), Horde adds Shaman and Alliance adds Mage. They start on Zephras Isle and need the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher. confirmed
Classes, racials and how to unlock them: WoW Forever Skyborne race guide.
Systems — Forever vs Classic
- New abilities, talent updates and new race/class combos: six combos reported so far, including Undead Paladin and Dwarf Shaman (full tables). reported
- Racial abilities reworked for every race (all racials). reported
- Legacy system: challenges during each 1–60 run earn points and perks for your alts (details). In the BlizzCon demo, each challenge is worth one point, spent on account-wide perks in three trees: Professions, Adventure and Resourcefulness. Demo details may change. reported
- First Aid overhaul: in the BlizzCon demo, First Aid also makes healing potions and items that cure bleeds, diseases and poisons, plus a First Aid Kit for camps that grants a buff matching Power Word: Fortitude. Demo details may change. reported
- Camping: craft campfires in the world that other players can visit, contribute to with professions, and share campsite buffs from.
- Opt-in transmog.
- High-definition and standard-definition character models, with restored Classic animations.
- Official gamepad support.
Hardcore
Hardcore is on Forever's post-launch roadmap, with no date yet (how Hardcore works). confirmed
Source: Blizzard: What's Next panel recap ↗ · Verified Sept 13Still unknown
- Exact beta start time and NDA
- Final racial values (demo numbers may change)
- The other class changes
- Profession changes beyond First Aid
- Realm types and regions
- Transfers from Classic Era or Anniversary
- Exact dates for 2027 updates (the roadmap slide only names spring and summer)
- Shen'dralas level range
FAQ
Do I need to buy anything to play at launch?
No. Base access is included with a WoW subscription or Game Time. The packs add the Skyborne race, beta access and cosmetics.
Will my Classic Era characters transfer?
Unknown. Blizzard hasn't addressed transfers.
Is the level cap 60?
Yes. Blizzard describes Forever as an adventure to level 60, followed by new stories, experiences and updates. The beta is reported to open with a level 20 cap, rising to 30 a couple of weeks in.