Blizzard has finally set a date for the World of Warcraft: Forever beta, and it starts tomorrow. The company announced today that the month-long test begins Thursday, September 17 on PC, with a live Q&A stream running before the servers open. Anyone who has preordered the Skyborne Epic Pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection gets immediate access when the beta goes live. For everyone else, signing up is as simple as clicking a button on the WoW: Forever website. The beta runs through October 21, which means players have about a month to try the new content before the test wraps. That gives testers plenty of room to explore the changes Blizzard has made to the classic game.
The Launch Order
The beta starts with a live Q&A at 10:30 am PT. Blizzard has not confirmed how long the stream will run, but the company expects it to last around 30 minutes. After that, the servers open. The exact moment depends on the stream’s length, so players should plan accordingly.
The stream times vary by region:
- 10:30 am PDT (Los Angeles)
- 1:30 pm EDT (New York)
- 6:30 pm BST (London)
- 7:30 pm CEST (Berlin)
- 3:30 am August 29 AEST (Sydney)
- 5:30 am August 29 NZST (Auckland)
That schedule covers the major time zones around the world, so players in different regions know exactly when the stream starts locally. The company has not said how long the stream will last beyond its estimate of roughly half an hour.
How To Get In
There are two paths into the beta. The first requires money. The Skyborne Epic Pack costs $59.99 and the Warcraft Forever Collection costs $79.99, and both grant access as soon as the servers open. The second path is free: anyone can sign up on the WoW: Forever website by clicking the “Beta Opt-in” button at the top of the page.
To check if you have access, open the Battle.net launcher dropdown menu under World of Warcraft and select “World of Warcraft: Forever.” That screen tells you whether your account is ready to log in when the servers go live. Players who have preordered either pack should see their status reflected there immediately. Those who signed up through the website may need to wait for confirmation from Blizzard.
What Is In The Beta
The WoW: Forever beta is not a full release. It is a test of a version of the game that will never move past the original content. That means the beta is capped at level 20 for the first two weeks, then jumps to level 30 for the final stretch. The level cap stays at 30 until the beta ends on October 21.
Here is how each phase breaks down:
Phase 1 (September 17)
- Level 20 cap
- New class abilities and talents
- New Profession items
- New dungeons: Hall of Thanes, Ruins of Lordaeron
- Legacy system
Phase 2 (~October 8)
- Level 30 cap
- New class abilities and talents
- New Profession items
- New dungeon: Excavation Site: Wetlands
- Legacy system
The beta moves through two distinct stages, each with its own set of features and content. The level cap increases mid-beta, which means players who reach level 20 early can continue leveling past that point once the cap lifts.
The Skyborne Elves
One of the biggest additions is the Skyborne elves, a new playable race that appears only if you preorder the Skyborne Epic Pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection. They join every other race in the game, and Blizzard says all races and classes will be available to play during the beta. The Skyborne elves are exclusive to players who purchase one of the premium packs, so they do not show up for those who sign up through the free opt-in button.
The Dungeons And Professions
The beta brings two new dungeons to Phase 1: the Hall of Thanes and the Ruins of Lordaeron. The new Profession items are also part of both phases, giving crafters something to work toward throughout the beta.
In Phase 2, the Excavation Site: Wetlands joins the roster. That adds a fresh dungeon to the mix when the level cap rises to 30. The profession items carry over across both phases, so crafters have a steady supply of new gear and materials to chase.
Signing Up Without Paying
The opt-in button is the simplest way to get into the beta. Just click it and wait. Whether you get in depends on how many spots Blizzard has opened up. There is no word on how many slots are available, and the company has not said whether the signup list fills fast.
If you do not get in through the website, you can still try the beta by buying one of the premium packs. That route guarantees access, but it comes with a price tag. The Skyborne Epic Pack costs $59.99 and the Warcraft Forever Collection costs $79.99. Both include the beta, plus additional content and bonuses.
What Comes Next
The beta ends on October 21. After that, the full release of WoW: Forever drops in November. The month-long test is meant to find bugs, balance classes, and smooth out the new content before the game goes live.
The Bottom Line
The WoW: Forever beta is a solid test for a game that is trying something new. It is a classic-era MMO with new content layered on top, and the beta gives players a month to see how it works. The preorder requirement for the Skyborne elves is a mild inconvenience, but the free opt-in path means most players can get in without spending a cent.
The beta runs through October 21, and the full release follows in November. That is a long road ahead for a game that has been in development for years. The beta is the first step, and it is a step that anyone can take.
Key Facts Box
- Beta launch: Thursday, September 17, 10:30 am PT after Q&A
- Beta end: October 21
- Full release: November
- Skyborne Epic Pack: $59.99
- Warcraft Forever Collection: $79.99
- Level cap: 20 for the first two weeks, then 30
- New dungeons: Hall of Thanes, Ruins of Lordaeron (Phase 1); Excavation Site: Wetlands (Phase 2)
- New races: Skyborne elves (preorder only)
- Stream times: 10:30 am PDT (Los Angeles), 1:30 pm EDT (New York), 6:30 pm BST (London), 7:30 pm CEST (Berlin), 3:30 am August 29 AEST (Sydney), 5:30 am August 29 NZST (Auckland)
The beta is a chance to see what Blizzard has built. It is also a chance to see whether the company can deliver a classic-era MMO that feels both familiar and new at the same time. The test begins tomorrow, and the verdict will come by the end of October.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.