An unofficial fan guide

WoW Forever, for returning players

You played years ago. You have a job, a family, maybe a bad knee. You still want Azeroth. This site gives you one clear answer per question, in plain words, with a link to where Blizzard said it.

Start hereBest class for returning players
60Level cap
Nov 4Launch day
Includedwith a WoW sub or Game Time

The basics: World of Warcraft: Forever is a new, permanent version of WoW set in a reimagined original Azeroth, with a level cap of 60. [source] It launches November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST (6:00 p.m. ET). [source] Access comes with a normal WoW subscription or Game Time; the paid packs are optional. [source]

Six questions, six answers

Pick your question

01Start here if you're coming backWhat to do first, and which ruleset to pick. 02Best class for returning playersThe one class we'd pick to come back with. 03Legacy builds for 1–2 charactersWhere to spend your first Legacy Points. 04A profession you won't regretOne pick for each class. 05Addons that work this weekThe honest answer for launch week. 06What changed since ClassicThe changes you'll notice first.

Mark your calendar

Dates you can plan around

  1. Oct 21
    Stress Test: Wednesday, October 21, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. ET (2:00 to 6:00 p.m. PDT). Open to anyone with a WoW account; no subscription or beta access needed. Characters and names are deleted afterward. [source]
  2. Oct 23
    Beta closes for good: Friday, October 23, 10:00 a.m. PDT (1:00 p.m. ET). It reopens after the Stress Test until then. [source]
  3. Oct 27
    Early name reservations: October 27 at 1:00 p.m. PDT (4:00 p.m. ET) through November 3, up to three characters. Only for players who bought the Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack, or Warcraft Forever Collection. Everyone else picks names at launch. [source]
  4. Nov 4
    Launch: November 4, 3:00 p.m. PST (6:00 p.m. ET). [source] (One Blizzard article says "PDT" for the same time. Daylight saving ends before November 4, so PST is the one that matches the date.)
  5. Dec 9
    First new raids unlock: December 9. [source]

Sources

Last checked against these sources: October 21, 2026. WoW: Forever is in beta, and Blizzard says classes and talents may still change.

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