WoW Forever: Everything We Know
WoW Forever is a new, permanent edition of vanilla-era WoW built by the Classic team. Level cap stays 60 forever. It adds new zones, 1,000+ quests, 9 dungeons, 2 raids and the Skyborne race. Beta runs Sept 17–Oct 21; launch is Nov 4, 2026.
Source: Blizzard: Everything announced at BlizzCon 2026 ↗ · Verified Sept 13What is Forever?
Forever is a new edition of vanilla-era World of Warcraft, built by the WoW Classic team and living alongside existing Classic realms. The pillars from the stage: level cap 60 permanently, no flying, no level scaling, "the world is a main character" and "the journey matters more than the destination."
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.
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, 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
More: WoW Forever editions detailed.
New zones
Four regions were presented on stage. Blizzard's official copy says "three new zones + overhauled zones" — we label the discrepancy unconfirmed.
| Zone | Levels | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zephras Isle | 1–12 | Skywall (elemental realm) | Skyborne starting zone |
| Shen'dralas | TBA | Between Mulgore, Desolace, Feralas | Shen'dralar lore, Gelkis & Magram centaurs |
| The Riverglades | 35–45 | Eastern Kingdoms | 150+ quests, neutral goblin port |
| Mount Hyjal | Endgame | Kalimdor | Hyjal Summit raid; Barrow Deeps entrance |
Dungeons & raids
Nine new dungeons span 13–60, plus two raids: Barrow Deeps (10-player, entered via Blackmaw Hold / Mount Hyjal) and Hyjal Summit (20-player, "largest in the game", legendary quest teased); raids unlock on Dec 9, 2026. Battleground: Darkspear Islands, 15v15, Eye of the Storm-style rules. Classic battlegrounds also return.
| Name | Levels | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hall of Thanes | 13–18 | Beneath Ironforge |
| Ruins of Lordaeron | 15–20 | Tirisfal (Horde-leaning) |
| Excavation Site | 24–29 | Wetlands |
| City of Dalaran | 28–30 | Alterac region |
| The Drowned City | 35–40 | Stranglethorn coast |
| Krol'dok Stronghold | 40–55 | The Riverglades |
| Alcaz Island Prison | 48–53 | Dustwallow coast |
| Blackmaw Hold | 55–60 | Felwood / Hyjal furbolg city |
| Shaper's Terrace | 58–60 | Un'Goro Crater |
Skyborne
A neutral elven race descended from Highborne exiles who made a pact with Skywall's wind spirits. The spirits have vanished, and the Skyborne are split into three camps. Starting zone: Zephras Isle (1–12).
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. The race requires the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher. confirmed
Skyborne racials differ slightly by faction: see WoW Forever racial abilities.
Source: Blizzard: What's Next panel recap ↗ · Verified Sept 13Systems — Forever vs Classic
- Reworked talents "in the 2005 spirit" — e.g. Paladins get a tanking seal and light group healing.
- New race/class combos: six reported so far, including Undead Paladin and Dwarf Shaman (full tables). reported
- Game-wide SD/HD model toggle with classic animations kept; visual upgrade that keeps the classic art style.
- Opt-in transmog, with a toggle to see other players' real gear.
- Hundreds of new items with on-use/on-equip effects.
- Legacy system: challenges during each 1–60 run unlock perks for alts (details).
- Camping: craftable campsites that give a group buff.
- Official gamepad support.
- New reputations and account-wide perks.
A community survey of 35,305 players on new classes: 47.3% said yes in some form. Blizzard said "nothing is off the table."
Hardcore
Hardcore is on Forever's post-launch roadmap, with no date yet (see the roadmap). 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
- Realm types and regions
- Transfers from Classic Era or Anniversary
- Dates for updates after the Dec 9 raid unlock
- 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 really staying at 60?
Yes — "forever" is the point. Confirmed on stage.