What Is WoW Forever? Blizzard's Classic+ Explained

World of Warcraft: Forever is a new, permanent version of WoW built on the original 2004 world. It launched worldwide on November 4, 2026, and runs alongside modern WoW (currently the Midnight expansion) and WoW Classic. Blizzard keeps the level cap at 60 and adds new zones, quests, dungeons, raids, a new race and reworked classes instead of new expansions with higher levels. Many players have been calling this idea "Classic+" for years.

Last checked: November 9, 2026.

WoW Forever at a glance

How WoW Forever differs from WoW Classic

WoW Classic recreates the game as it was. Classic Era stays close to the final pre-Burning Crusade patch, and the other Classic versions replay later expansions or add seasonal twists. Forever starts from the same world but changes it on purpose.

So if you want a faithful 2004 experience, Classic Era is still there. If you want the old world with new things to discover, that's Forever.

What's new in WoW Forever

New and reworked zones

Blizzard says Forever adds more than 1,000 new quests across levels 1 to 60. The new or rebuilt areas named so far are:

• Zephras Isle, the level 1 to 12 starting zone for the new Skyborne race
• The Riverglades, a frontier region with more than 150 quests covering roughly the mid-30s to mid-40s
• Shen'dralas, a hidden area between Mulgore and Desolace tied to the Shen'dralar and Dire Maul
• Mount Hyjal, set after Archimonde's defeat, including Darkwhisper Gorge

Nine new dungeons

Nine five-player dungeons cover levels 13 to 60, from Hall of Thanes under Ironforge to Shaper's Terrace in Un'Goro Crater. Our WoW Forever dungeons guide lists all of them with level ranges and how to get in.

Three raids on December 9

Level 60 players get three raids on December 9: Barrow Deeps for 10 players, Hyjal Summit for 20 and Onyxia's Lair for 40. All three are planned to reset weekly. See our WoW Forever raids guide for boss counts and the Onyxia attunement.

A new race and new race-class combinations

The Skyborne are a new elven race that can join either faction. Horde Skyborne can be Shaman, Alliance Skyborne can be Mages, and both can be Druids, Hunters, Rogues and Warriors.

Six combinations that the original game didn't allow are now possible: Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman and Gnome Priest for the Alliance, and Orc Mage, Troll Warlock and Undead Paladin for the Horde. That means both factions now have access to all nine classes. The full chart is in our WoW Forever races and classes guide.

Reworked classes

Classes keep their original names and identities, but their talents and abilities have been redesigned. Blizzard's own example is the Hunter, who can use traps in combat and whose pets now scale with gear and have family-specific abilities. If you play modern WoW, don't expect your usual rotation to carry over.

The Legacy System

The Legacy System is account-wide progression. You complete Legacy Challenges, such as reaching level 60 on a class or skill 300 in a profession, and each one gives a Legacy Point. Every character can spend up to 16 points on perks such as cheaper flights or faster rested XP, and the account total unlocks cosmetic rewards. You don't need alts to hit the cap. Our Legacy System guide lists every challenge and perk.

Camping

The Cooking profession's fire becomes a Basic Campfire that other players can use. Up to three nearby players can each add one profession-made camp feature, such as a Blacksmithing Sharpening Wheel for Strength. Sit or craft at the camp for at least one minute to get the buffs. These buffs don't stack with the matching class buffs.

PvP changes

Honor and the old PvP ranks return, up to High Warlord and Grand Marshal. Rank progress has a weekly cap, and PvP seasons add weekly tasks. Honor buys a blue PvP set, which you can upgrade to epic quality with seals tied to your rank. There's also a new 15-versus-15 battleground, the Darkspear Islands, for levels 30 to 60.

Quality-of-life options

• Experience presets. On first login you pick Classic or Enhanced. Enhanced turns on quest objective markers, a single combined bag, transmog, strafe keys and HD models. Classic turns those off. You can change any setting later.
• HD or SD models. You choose this per character, and you can switch it at a Barbershop.
• Gamepad support. It's in beta and works with XInput controllers. You still need a keyboard for chat.
• Built-in tools. Advanced options include a Cooldown Manager and a Damage Meter.
• Two-part names. Every character has a first and a second name. The full combination has to be unique in your region.

How rulesets replace realms

Forever doesn't have a realm list. You choose a ruleset, and each one works as a single large community.

• Normal: PvP only when you choose it.
• PvP: You can be attacked in most of the open world, and you can only make characters for one faction.
• Roleplay: Like Normal, with stricter naming and behavior rules for roleplayers.
• Roleplay-PvP: Like PvP, with the same roleplay rules.
• Hardcore: Coming after launch. Death is permanent. Blizzard hasn't given a date yet.

You can only group, join guilds, run dungeons and raid with players on the same ruleset and faction. Battlegrounds can mix rulesets, except Hardcore. To play on a different ruleset, you have to make a new character there.

How much does WoW Forever cost?

There's no separate box price. Forever is included with an active WoW subscription or Game Time, the same one that covers modern WoW and every Classic version. Blizzard sells three optional upgrades:

The Warcraft Forever Collection is sold through January 11, 2027. Prices vary by region, so check the Battle.net Shop in your country. You only need a pack if you want the Skyborne or the cosmetics, because every other race and class is available without one.

How to start playing

1. Make sure your Battle.net account has an active subscription or Game Time.
2. Install the Battle.net desktop app, open World of Warcraft and choose WoW: Forever in the Game Version menu.
3. Pick an experience preset, then a ruleset, then create your character.

New players and returning players will find more detail in our WoW Forever beginner guide. If you're still deciding between Forever, Classic and modern WoW, see which WoW version to play.

Frequently asked questions

Is WoW Forever free?

No. You need an active World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time, but there's nothing extra to buy. The optional upgrade packs only add the Skyborne race, cosmetics and, in the bigger packs, 30 days of Game Time.

Is WoW Forever the same as WoW Classic?

No. Classic recreates the original game as closely as possible. Forever uses the same starting world but adds new zones, over 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, new raids, a new race and reworked classes. Both are included in the same subscription.

When did WoW Forever come out?

WoW Forever launched worldwide on November 4, 2026. Its first three raids open on December 9, and the Hardcore ruleset is planned for later.

What is the level cap in WoW Forever?

The level cap is 60, and Blizzard plans to keep it there. Future updates are meant to add new content and progression at level 60 instead of raising the cap the way modern WoW expansions do.

Do I need Midnight to play WoW Forever?

No. Midnight is only needed for modern WoW's latest content and features such as Housing. Forever only needs a subscription or Game Time. The Skyborne housing decor from the upgrade packs can only be used in modern WoW, where Housing requires Midnight.

Can you play WoW Forever with a controller?

Yes. Gamepad support is available in beta and works with XInput-compatible controllers, with Xbox and PlayStation button icons. You still need a keyboard for typing in chat.

Is there a Hardcore mode in WoW Forever?

Not yet. A Hardcore ruleset with permanent death is planned for after launch, but Blizzard hasn't set a date. If a Hardcore character dies, it can move to another ruleset.

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