WoW ForeverWhat's New

What's New in WoW Forever

Last changed Nov 4, 2026: 48 talents and 31 abilities. The cards below count everything WoW Forever adds to the original game.

Updated for the Nov 4, 2026 beta build (1.60.1.70790). See every build

What WoW Forever changes

New races and class options

2 new races, 16 new race and class pairs and 14 new racial ability names; most original races also changed or lost a racial. Point at any icon on this page, or tap it, for its tooltip.

New races

  • High Order SkyborneNew in ForeverAlliance · 5 classes
    ✦ New 4
  • Windshaper SkyborneNew in ForeverHorde · 5 classes
    ✦ New 4

New race and class pairs (16)

Racial abilities, race by race

The eight original races, each with the racials it gained, changed or lost.

  • 9 new on original races
  • 17 changed
  • 12 gone
  • HumanAlliance
    ✦ New 1
    ● Changed 2
    ✕ Gone 2
  • OrcHorde
    ✦ New 1
    ● Changed 2
    ✕ Gone 1
  • DwarfAlliance
    ✦ New 2
    ● Changed 2
    ✕ Gone 2
  • Night ElfAlliance
    ✦ New 1
    ● Changed 3
    ✕ Gone 1
  • UndeadHorde
    ✦ New 1
    ● Changed 2
    ✕ Gone 1
  • TaurenHorde
    ✦ New 1
    ● Changed 1
    ✕ Gone 1
  • GnomeAlliance
    ✦ New 1
    ● Changed 3
    ✕ Gone 1
  • TrollHorde
    ✦ New 1
    ● Changed 2
    ✕ Gone 3

Changed racials, original game beside WoW Forever (16)

  • Ruthless● Changed was Sword SpecializationHuman racial
    Original game

    Skill with Swords and Two-Handed Swords increased by 5.

    WoW Forever

    Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1%.

  • The Human Spirit● ChangedHuman racial
    Original game

    Spirit increased by 5%.

    WoW Forever

    Spirit increased by 10%.

  • Blood Fury● ChangedOrc racial
    WoW Forever

    Increases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec.

  • Hardiness● ChangedOrc racial
    Original game

    Chance to resist Stun effects increased by an additional 25%.

    WoW Forever

    Duration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%.

Show all 16 changed racialsShow fewer
  • Find Treasure● ChangedDwarf racial
    WoW Forever

    Allows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap and sometimes increase treasure found. Lasts until cancelled.

  • Stoneform● ChangedDwarf racial
    WoW Forever

    Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.

  • Quickness● ChangedNight Elf racial
    Original game

    Dodge chance increased by 1%.

    WoW Forever

    Dodge chance increased by 1% and movement speed increased by 2%. Night Elf Rogues and Druids are harder to detect in Stealth as if they were 1 level higher.

  • Shadowmeld● ChangedNight Elf racial
    Original game

    Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Night Elf Rogues and Druids with Shadowmeld are more difficult to detect while stealthed or prowling.

    WoW Forever

    Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Using this ability in combat discourages enemies from attacking you, but increases the cooldown to 2 min.

  • Wisp Spirit● ChangedNight Elf racial
    WoW Forever

    Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing movement speed by 75%.

  • Cannibalize● ChangedUndead racial
    WoW Forever

    When activated, regenerates 7% of total Health and 7% of total Mana every 2 sec for 10 sec. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yds. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.

  • Will of the Forsaken● ChangedUndead racial
    WoW Forever

    Instantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.

  • Cultivation● ChangedTauren racial
    Original game

    Herbalism skill increased by 15.

    WoW Forever

    Cultivate a nearby herb, growing a duplicate you can harvest without requiring Herbalism skill. Each herb may only be cultivated once.

  • Engineering Specialization● ChangedGnome racial
    Original game

    Engineering skill increased by 15.

    WoW Forever

    Your gnomish ingenuity reduces the rate of engineering devices failing or backfiring when you use them by 20%.

  • Escape Artist● ChangedGnome racial
    Original game

    Escape the effects of any immobilization or movement speed reduction effect.

    WoW Forever

    Instantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec.

  • Expansive Mind● ChangedGnome racial
    Original game

    Intelligence increased by 5%.

    WoW Forever

    Maximum Mana increased by 5%.

  • Regeneration● ChangedTroll racial
    Original game

    Health regeneration rate increased by 10%. 10% of total Health regeneration may continue during combat.

    WoW Forever

    Health regeneration rate increased by 20%. In addition, 20% of total Health regeneration will continue during combat.

Class changes, class by class

Every class with its new abilities and its buffs and nerfs since the first beta build. The class name opens that class on the talents page.

  • Warrior
    • 11 new talents
    • 3 new abilities
    • 10 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 2 buffs

  • Paladin
    • 20 new talents
    • 9 new abilities
    • 13 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 3 buffs · 5 nerfs

  • Hunter
    • 14 new talents
    • 13 new abilities
    • 10 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 7 buffs · 3 nerfs

  • Rogue
    • 9 new talents
    • 4 new abilities
    • 7 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 1 buff

  • Priest
    • 14 new talents
    • 8 new abilities
    • 9 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 2 buffs · 4 nerfs · 3 mixed

  • Shaman
    • 11 new talents
    • 5 new abilities
    • 7 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 9 buffs · 5 mixed

  • Mage
    • 6 new talents
    • 5 new abilities
    • 2 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 1 nerf · 4 mixed

  • Warlock
    • 17 new talents
    • 3 new abilities
    • 15 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 3 buffs · 1 nerf · 1 mixed

  • Druid
    • 14 new talents
    • 6 new abilities
    • 9 talents removed
    New abilities

    Since beta started: 11 buffs · 2 nerfs · 2 mixed

What Blizzard announced

Blizzard's own words.

  • BlizzardWorld of Warcraft: Forever What’s Next Panel Recap

    “World of Warcraft: Forever launches globally on November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST, with beta beginning September 17.”

    “You’ll help restore Hyjal, uncover forgotten history in Shen'dralas, build a future on the Riverglades frontier, and take your first steps through Zephras Isle.”

    “Azeroth has no shortage of danger waiting for you, including nine new dungeons that bring long-discussed places in the original world to life. You’ll venture into the Hall of Thanes beneath Ironforge, the Ruins of Lordaeron, a mysterious excavation site above Whelgar’s Excavation, the chaotic City of Dalaran, Blackmaw Hold, the Drowned City, Krol’dok Stronghold, Alcaz Prison, and the Shaper’s Terrace.”

    Show all 7 quotesShow fewer

    “The Barrow Deeps is planned as a maximum-level 10-player challenge, while Hyjal Summit will bring 20-player raid encounters to one of Warcraft’s most important locations.”

    “Your adventure begins across the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor with new and reimagined regions, unfinished corners of the original world, and more than a thousand new quests woven throughout the level 1–60 journey.”

    “You’ll feel that philosophy throughout the world: no flying mounts, no level scaling, and a continued focus on challenge, preparation, communication, and cooperation.”

    RankedBoostHow we read this

    From Blizzard's panel recap: WoW Forever has no flying mounts and no level scaling. Blizzard lists both beside a continued focus on challenge, preparation, communication and cooperation, as parts of the same philosophy felt throughout the world.

    “New raids unlock on December 9, followed by more raids, dungeons, PvP updates, world content, additional quests throughout the level 1–60 journey, Hardcore, a revamped iconic raid, and major updates that will keep expanding this evergreen version of Azeroth over time.”

  • BlizzardCarve a New Path with World of Warcraft: Forever

    “The Skyborne Heroic Pack includes access to the new Skyborne race and Zephras Isle starting experience, Early Name Reservation, the Cerulean Prideclaw ground mount (players will need to purchase the riding skill in-game to access and use this mount), cosmetics, housing decor, and one Invite-A-Friend Launch Code.”

    “When World of Warcraft: Forever launches globally on November 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST, access will be included with your World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time.”

    “Set after the events of Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom and before Molten Core, players will return to the original continents, adventure to level 60, and continue progressing through new stories, experiences, and updates inspired by years of player passion and feedback.”

    RankedBoostHow we read this

    Blizzard's announcement says players return to the original continents and adventure to level 60. Class abilities point the same way: the highest level any of them is taught at is 60. Neither calls 60 the level cap.

  • BlizzardWoW Forever beta development notes

    • Dwarf: Earth Fury (2% increased critical strike damage and healing) removed.
    • Dwarf: Added: Artisan’s Precision - Increases hit chance with spells and attacks by 1%.
    • Human: Ruthless now increases critical chance by 1% (was 2%).
    • Human: Human Spirit now increases Spirit by 10% (was 5%).
    • Orc: Savage removed (1% increased critical strike chance).
    • Orc: Command re-added, increasing Warlock and Hunter pet damage by 5%.

    14 more lines from this post in the patch notes

Show all 10 Blizzard postsShow fewer
  • BlizzardWoW Forever beta development notes

    • Gnome: Corrected an issue and now Contingency Plan can land critical hits.
    • Gnome: Confounding Flash now has a cast visual. The casting visual is now more Holy oriented than Arcane and the sounds have been updated to match.
    • Night Elf: Starshards now correctly gains resistance to spell pushback from the Twilight Focus talent.
    • Undead: Dark Sacrifice no longer breaks Crowd Control that breaks on damage.
    • Undead: Dark Sacrifice’s tooltip now correctly displays that the Mana gained from the ability scales with Spirit.
    • Gnome: Changed Eureka on every class to a 10% discount on Mana, Rage, or Energy abilities.

    3 more lines from this post in the patch notes

  • BlizzardWoW Forever beta development notes

    • Human: Ruthless now increases critical chance by 1% (was 2%).
    • Human: Human Spirit now increases Spirit by 10% (was 5%).
    • Dwarf: Earth Fury (2% increased critical strike damage and healing) removed.
    • Dwarf: Added: Artisan’s Precision - Increases hit chance with spells and attacks by 1%.
    • Tauren: Plainsrunning now grants 2% movement speed per stack (was 1%), for a total max increase of 60% (was 30%).
    • Tauren: Plainsrunning no longer increases mounted movement speed.

    11 more lines from this post in the patch notes

  • BlizzardWoW Forever Beta Development Notes: Updated October 8Kaivax

    “Now available for testing: the new City of Dalaran dungeon.”

    More from this post

    • Undead: Fixed an issue where Will of the Forsaken could sometimes not be used while asleep or charmed.
  • BlizzardWorld of Warcraft: Forever Class Deep Dives: Mage and Shaman

    “Comprehension: This new Mage-specific minor tradeskill allow Mages to read and decipher scrolls dropped by creatures in the world.”

    “Dual Specialization also becomes available at level 40.”

  • BlizzardBattle for the Darkspear Islands in World of Warcraft: Forever

    “In this 15v15 battleground, the Darkspear Raiders and Theramore Expeditionary Force clash for control of strategic footholds, a central flag, and the rewards waiting for those willing to fight for their faction.”

    “Player Levels: 30-60”

  • BlizzardWoW Forever beta development notes

    • Gnome: Eureka! no longer benefits periodic effects at all. Channeled spells do not count as periodics.
    • Undead: Cannibalize cannot be used if the caster is immune to Physical damage.
  • BlizzardChoose Your Ruleset in World of Warcraft: Forever

    “Hardcore: For players seeking the ultimate challenge, where every decision matters and death carries lasting consequences. (Hardcore will be available sometime after launch.)”

    “On the PvP ruleset, players can only create characters for one faction.”

    “In World of Warcraft: Forever, we’re changing how that journey begins by moving away from the traditional realm-selection screen and introducing rulesets instead.”

Beta builds and patch notes

Largest number changes in the beta

The three biggest buffs and nerfs since the first beta build.

  • Chain Lightning▲ BuffShaman ability · Rank 4 · changed Nov 4, 2026

    Base damage

    123 to 510

  • Lightning Overload▲ BuffShaman talent · changed Nov 4, 2026

    Values per rank (effect 1)

    3 / 7 / 10% to 10 / 20 / 30%

  • Flame Shock▲ BuffShaman ability · Rank 3 · changed Nov 4, 2026

    Base damage

    43 to 95

  • Portal of Summoning▼ NerfWarlock ability · changed Oct 16, 2026

    Cooldown

    2 min to 1 hr

  • Dismember▼ NerfHunter ability · Ranks 1 to 5 · changed Oct 16, 2026

    Cooldown

    6 sec to 15 sec

  • Riptide▼ NerfShaman ability · Ranks 1 to 3 · changed Nov 4, 2026

    Shared cooldown

    6 sec to 12 sec

Compare any two builds

Pick two beta builds to add up the talent, ability and racial changes recorded between them.

Read the newer build in the patch notes

Build by build, newest first

Each card lists what changed against the build before it. In a tooltip, Before is the build before it and Now is that build.

  1. 48 talents and 31 abilities changed.

    • 26 buffs
    • 44 other changes
    • 8 new
    • 1 removed
    Classes touched
    Changed
  2. 76 talents, 21 abilities and 13 racials changed.

    • 4 buffs
    • 3 nerfs
    • 78 other changes
    • 12 new
    • 13 removed
    Classes touched
    Changed
  3. 11 talents, 8 abilities, 2 racials and 11 systems changed.

    • 1 buff
    • 20 other changes
    • 10 new
    • 1 removed
    Classes touched
    Changed
  4. No talent, ability or racial changed in this build. Its other file changes are technical and not listed.

  5. 20 talents, 8 abilities, 1 racial and 1 system (Bountiful Harvest) changed.

    • 1 buff
    • 2 nerfs
    • 26 other changes
    • 1 removed
    Classes touched
    Changed
  6. 62 talents, 40 abilities and 15 racials changed.

    • 10 buffs
    • 9 nerfs
    • 87 other changes
    • 7 new
    • 4 removed
    Classes touched
    Changed
  7. No talent, ability or racial changed in this build. Its other file changes are technical and not listed.

  8. 38 talents, 24 abilities, 1 racial and 1 system (Root diminishing returns) changed.

    • 4 nerfs
    • 53 other changes
    • 3 new
    • 4 removed
    Classes touched
    Changed
  9. 55 talents, 44 abilities, 2 racials and 6 systems changed.

    • 4 buffs
    • 4 nerfs
    • 89 other changes
    • 6 new
    • 4 removed
    Classes touched
    Changed
  10. The earliest beta build listed here. Each later build shows what changed from the one before it.

Sources: the WoW Forever beta game files, compared with the original game, and Blizzard's written posts up to November 4, 2026. Item changes are on the items page.