WoW Classic Hardcore Anniversary

World of Warcraft · 2004–2026

Game versions

Azeroth changes with every expansion. Choose your version, explore its world and find races, classes and tools for your character.

Launch, races and classes

World of Warcraft expansions

From your first steps in Azeroth to each new chapter. Explore the world, races and classes of every expansion.

  1. WoW Vanilla · US

    Azeroth begins with eight races and nine classes.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. World of Warcraft arrives in Europe. (EU)

      Official information
    Overview
  2. The Burning Crusade · EU-US

    New races: Blood Elves for the Horde and Draenei for the Alliance.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Blood Elves join the Horde and Draenei join the Alliance. Paladins become available to the Horde and Shaman to the Alliance.

      Official information
    Overview
  3. Wrath of the Lich King · EU-US · Patch 3.3.5a

    The Death Knight debuts as the first hero class.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Death Knights debut as the first hero class, available to both factions.

      Official information
    Overview RacesClasses Talents
  4. Cataclysm · EU-US

    New races: Goblins and Worgen. Azeroth is reshaped.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Goblins join the Horde and Worgen join the Alliance.

      Official information
    Overview
  5. Mists of Pandaria · EU-US

    The new Pandaren race and Monk class arrive.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Pandaren choose between Alliance and Horde. Monks become a new class, also available to many existing races.

      Official information
    Overview
  6. Warlords of Draenor · EU-US

    A journey to Draenor, Garrisons and updated character models.

    Overview
  7. Legion · EU-US

    A new hero class: the Demon Hunter.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Eligible Legion pre-purchasers gain early access to Demon Hunters before the expansion launches. (EU)

      Official information
    Overview
  8. Battle for Azeroth · EU

    Allied Races arrive in waves across 2018–2020.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. BfA pre-purchase opens recruitment for the first four Allied Races: Highmountain Tauren, Nightborne, Lightforged Draenei and Void Elves.

      Official information

    2. Dark Iron Dwarves and Mag’har Orcs gain recruitment paths through the War Campaign. (EU)

      Official information

    3. Patch 8.1.5 adds unlockable Kul Tiran Humans and Zandalari Trolls.

      Official information

    4. Patch 8.3 adds Vulpera and Mechagnomes. Shadowlands pre-purchasers can create Pandaren and Allied Race Death Knights after meeting their requirements. (EU)

      Official information
    Overview
  9. Shadowlands · EU

    The realms of death, Covenants and a new stage of character progression.

    Overview
  10. Dragonflight · EU

    The new Dracthyr race and its Evoker class.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Dracthyr Evokers become playable in the second pre-expansion update phase, before the Dragon Isles open.

      Official information
    Overview
  11. The War Within · EU

    A new Allied Race: the Earthen, for either faction.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. The War Within introduces Earthen. Unlocking them involves the campaign and quests; characters can choose Alliance or Horde.

      Official information
    Overview
  12. Midnight · EU

    The Haranir join as a new Allied Race.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. The Harandar campaign unlocks the Haranir for either faction.

      Official information
    Overview
  13. The Last Titan Release date not announced

    An announced Worldsoul Saga chapter, awaiting a confirmed release date.

    Overview

WoW Classic

Return to earlier adventures. Choose Classic Era, Hardcore, a season or a reissued expansion.

  1. WoW Classic Era · EU

    The original eight races and nine classes return.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Before Burning Crusade Classic, players can choose to remain on Classic Era realms or progress onward.

      Official information
    Overview
  2. Burning Crusade Classic · EU

    Blood Elves and Draenei return in this Classic edition.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Blood Elves and Draenei become playable in the pre-expansion update, before this edition opens the Dark Portal.

      Official information
    Overview
  3. Season of Mastery · EU

    A season of faster progression and more challenging raids.

    Overview
  4. Wrath of the Lich King Classic · EU

    Death Knights join the progressing Classic branch.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Death Knights become available in the update preceding Wrath Classic’s launch.

      Official information
    Overview
  5. WoW Classic Hardcore · EU

    Original Azeroth with permanent character death.

    Overview
  6. Season of Discovery · EU

    Runes change the abilities and roles of existing classes.

    Overview
  7. Cataclysm Classic · EU

    Goblins and Worgen return as Azeroth is reshaped.

    Overview
  8. WoW Classic Hardcore Anniversary · EU

    A fresh Hardcore start on Anniversary realms.

    Overview
  9. WoW Classic 20th Anniversary · EU

    A fresh start celebrating 20 years of World of Warcraft.

    Overview
  10. Mists of Pandaria Classic · EU

    Pandaren and Monks join Classic.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Pandaren and Monks arrive in Classic with the pre-expansion patch, before Pandaria opens.

      Official information
    Overview
  11. Titan Reforged · CN

    A separate regional Classic experience for mainland China.

    Overview
  12. Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition · EU

    Blood Elves and Draenei return in this Classic edition.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Blood Elves and Draenei become playable in the pre-expansion update, before this edition opens the Dark Portal.

      Official information
    Overview

Modern WoW

The latest adventures and the current chapter of Azeroth’s story.

  1. Midnight Current game branch

    Modern WoW, currently in Midnight. A continuing game branch rather than a separate expansion.

    Overview

World of Warcraft: Forever

A separate journey through Azeroth, new paths of progression and a return to shared adventures.

  1. World of Warcraft: Forever · EU · Announced

    The new Skyborne race, nine reworked classes and the Legacy system.

    Launch, races and classes

    1. Skyborne have two variants: High Order for the Alliance and Windshaper for the Horde, with different racial abilities and class choices. Announced

      Official information

    2. The global launch is announced for November 4 at 23:00 UTC, which is November 5 at 00:00 in Poland (CET). Announced (EU)

      Official information
    Overview Talents RacesClasses

Launch dates refer to the named region. A month or year reflects the precision supported by the source. Early access and pre-expansion updates are listed separately; the selected client may come from a later expansion patch.

Sources and context

Edition registry 2026-10-30.1 · Sources verified: 2026-10-30