Launch guide

Launch time around the world

The same moment in different cities. Your own time zone is shown in the countdown above.

• 03:00 PMLos AngelesWed, Nov 4
• 06:00 PMNew YorkWed, Nov 4
• 05:00 PMMexico CityWed, Nov 4
• 06:00 PMBogotá / LimaWed, Nov 4
• 08:00 PMSantiago de ChileWed, Nov 4
• 08:00 PMBuenos AiresWed, Nov 4
• 08:00 PMSão PauloWed, Nov 4
• 11:00 PMLondonWed, Nov 4
• 12:00 AMMadridThu, Nov 5
• 11:00 PMCanary IslandsWed, Nov 4
• 10:00 AMSydneyThu, Nov 5

Rulesets instead of realms

There is no realm list. When you create a character you pick a ruleset, and everyone on that ruleset in your region shares one world. You cannot move a character to another ruleset later (except Hardcore characters after they die), so choose with your friends.

• 

  PvP (ES: JcJ; LATAM: JcJ)ESJcJLATAMJcJ

  At launch

  How the game describes it

  This ruleset allows you to focus on player versus player combat; you are almost always at risk of being attacked by opposing players.

• 

  Normal

  At launch

  How the game describes it

  This ruleset allows you to focus on adventuring and fighting monsters while allowing you to fight other players at your own discretion.

• 

  Roleplay (ES: Juego de rol; LATAM: Juego de rol)ESJuego de rolLATAMJuego de rol

  At launch

  How the game describes it

  This ruleset has strict naming conventions and behavior rules for players interested in immersing themselves as a character in a fantasy-based world.

• 

  Hardcore (LATAM: Extremo)LATAMExtremo

  After launch

  How the game describes it

  This challenging ruleset features permanent player character death. Dead characters may transfer to other rulesets to be resurrected.

Side by side

Side by side	PvP	Normal	Roleplay	Hardcore
Available	At launch	At launch	At launch	After launch
Open-world PvP	Always on	Only if you choose	Only if you choose	Not announced
Factions per account	/One faction only	Both	Both	Both
Groups, dungeons and raids	Same ruleset only	Same ruleset only	Same ruleset only	Same ruleset only
Battlegrounds	Mixed with other rulesets	Mixed with other rulesets	Mixed with other rulesets	Hardcore only
Auction house and mailReported	One per ruleset, faction and region	One per ruleset, faction and region	One per ruleset, faction and region	One per ruleset, faction and region
Collections and Legacy points	Shared account-wide	Shared account-wide	Shared account-wide	Hardcore → others only
Death	Resurrect as usual	Resurrect as usual	Resurrect as usual	Permanent (can transfer out)

Reported by Icy Veins; not yet stated in a Blizzard article.

On the PvP ruleset Blizzard may temporarily limit character creation for one faction to keep populations balanced, as in Season of Discovery.

Preferred online language

Game Menu (Esc) → Options → System: Languages and Social → Preferred Online Language. It applies to your whole account and has a 24-hour cooldown. It decides which players you meet, not the language of your client.

SourcesBlizzardSep 21: Choose Your Ruleset in World of Warcraft: ForeverBlizzardSep 13: World of Warcraft: Forever Deep Dive Panel RecapThird partySep 17: Icy Veins — WoW Forever realms and rulesets guide

Names and surnames

Every character has a first name and a second name. What must be unique is the full combination, across your whole region.

1. 1Two characters can share a first name if their second names differ — “Asha Brightvale” and “Asha Stormwind” can both exist.
2. 2Names are unique across your whole region, whatever the ruleset.
3. 3The naming rules can check both parts together: splitting a banned word across the two names may still get it rejected.
4. 4Hide your second name in the world: Options → Nameplates → “My Secondary Name”. It still shows in chat.
5. 5Early reservation, 27 October – 3 November: up to three characters, first come first served, with any edition.

Name translator Looking for a name that works in English and Spanish? Try the name translator.

SourcesBlizzardSep 21: Create a Name of Your Own in WoW: ForeverBlizzardSep 12: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades and Begin Your Next Journey in Azeroth

Editions and prices

You do not need to buy anything to play: Forever is included with a World of Warcraft subscription or game time. The packs add the Skyborne race and extras.

You still need to buy the riding skill in the game. Prices read on the Battle.net Shop (US and EU) on 23 September 2026. Euro prices include VAT; your region’s price may differ.

SourcesBlizzardSep 12: Pre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades and Begin Your Next Journey in AzerothBattle.net ShopSep 23: Battle.net Shop — World of Warcraft: Forever (prices and system requirements)

System requirements

From the Battle.net Shop listing. An SSD is required.

Mac: the Shop lists macOS 12 as the minimum and macOS 15 as recommended.

SourcesBattle.net ShopSep 23: Battle.net Shop — World of Warcraft: Forever (prices and system requirements)BlizzardSep 17: World of Warcraft: Forever GPU Requirements

Sources for this page

• BlizzardPre-Purchase World of Warcraft: Forever Upgrades and Begin Your Next Journey in AzerothSep 12, 2026
• BlizzardWorld of Warcraft: Forever What’s Next Panel RecapSep 12, 2026
• BlizzardThe World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now LiveSep 17, 2026
• BlizzardChoose Your Ruleset in World of Warcraft: ForeverSep 21, 2026
• BlizzardCreate a Name of Your Own in WoW: ForeverSep 21, 2026
• BlizzardWorld of Warcraft: Forever Deep Dive Panel RecapSep 13, 2026
• BlizzardWorld of Warcraft: Forever GPU RequirementsSep 17, 2026
• Blizzard forumsOfficial 2026 | 2027 roadmap (Community Manager post)Sep 12, 2026
• Battle.net ShopBattle.net Shop — World of Warcraft: Forever (prices and system requirements)Sep 23, 2026
• Third partyIcy Veins — WoW Forever realms and rulesets guideSep 17, 2026