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.
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WoW VanillaAzeroth begins with eight races and nine classes.
Launch, races and classes
World of Warcraft arrives in Europe. (EU)
Official information
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The Burning CrusadeNew races: Blood Elves for the Horde and Draenei for the Alliance.
Launch, races and classes
Blood Elves join the Horde and Draenei join the Alliance. Paladins become available to the Horde and Shaman to the Alliance.
Official information
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Wrath of the Lich KingThe Death Knight debuts as the first hero class.
Launch, races and classes
Death Knights debut as the first hero class, available to both factions.
Official information
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CataclysmNew races: Goblins and Worgen. Azeroth is reshaped.
Launch, races and classes
Goblins join the Horde and Worgen join the Alliance.
Official information
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Mists of PandariaThe new Pandaren race and Monk class arrive.
Launch, races and classes
Pandaren choose between Alliance and Horde. Monks become a new class, also available to many existing races.
Official information
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Warlords of DraenorA journey to Draenor, Garrisons and updated character models.
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LegionA new hero class: the Demon Hunter.
Launch, races and classes
Eligible Legion pre-purchasers gain early access to Demon Hunters before the expansion launches. (EU)
Official information
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Battle for AzerothAllied Races arrive in waves across 2018–2020.
Launch, races and classes
BfA pre-purchase opens recruitment for the first four Allied Races: Highmountain Tauren, Nightborne, Lightforged Draenei and Void Elves.
Official informationDark Iron Dwarves and Mag’har Orcs gain recruitment paths through the War Campaign. (EU)
Official informationPatch 8.1.5 adds unlockable Kul Tiran Humans and Zandalari Trolls.
Official informationPatch 8.3 adds Vulpera and Mechagnomes. Shadowlands pre-purchasers can create Pandaren and Allied Race Death Knights after meeting their requirements. (EU)
Official information
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ShadowlandsThe realms of death, Covenants and a new stage of character progression.
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DragonflightThe new Dracthyr race and its Evoker class.
Launch, races and classes
Dracthyr Evokers become playable in the second pre-expansion update phase, before the Dragon Isles open.
Official information
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The War WithinA new Allied Race: the Earthen, for either faction.
Launch, races and classes
The War Within introduces Earthen. Unlocking them involves the campaign and quests; characters can choose Alliance or Horde.
Official information
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MidnightThe Haranir join as a new Allied Race.
Launch, races and classes
The Harandar campaign unlocks the Haranir for either faction.
Official information
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The Last TitanAn announced Worldsoul Saga chapter, awaiting a confirmed release date.
WoW Classic
Return to earlier adventures. Choose Classic Era, Hardcore, a season or a reissued expansion.
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WoW Classic Era
The original eight races and nine classes return.
Launch, races and classes
Before Burning Crusade Classic, players can choose to remain on Classic Era realms or progress onward.
Official information
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Burning Crusade Classic
Blood Elves and Draenei return in this Classic edition.
Launch, races and classes
Blood Elves and Draenei become playable in the pre-expansion update, before this edition opens the Dark Portal.
Official information
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Season of Mastery
A season of faster progression and more challenging raids.
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Wrath of the Lich King Classic
Death Knights join the progressing Classic branch.
Launch, races and classes
Death Knights become available in the update preceding Wrath Classic’s launch.
Official information
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WoW Classic Hardcore
Original Azeroth with permanent character death.
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Season of Discovery
Runes change the abilities and roles of existing classes.
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Cataclysm Classic
Goblins and Worgen return as Azeroth is reshaped.
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WoW Classic Hardcore Anniversary
A fresh Hardcore start on Anniversary realms.
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WoW Classic 20th Anniversary
A fresh start celebrating 20 years of World of Warcraft.
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Mists of Pandaria Classic
Pandaren and Monks join Classic.
Launch, races and classes
Pandaren and Monks arrive in Classic with the pre-expansion patch, before Pandaria opens.
Official information
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Titan Reforged
A separate regional Classic experience for mainland China.
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Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition
Blood Elves and Draenei return in this Classic edition.
Launch, races and classes
Blood Elves and Draenei become playable in the pre-expansion update, before this edition opens the Dark Portal.
Official information
Modern WoW
The latest adventures and the current chapter of Azeroth’s story.
World of Warcraft: Forever
A separate journey through Azeroth, new paths of progression and a return to shared adventures.
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World of Warcraft: ForeverThe new Skyborne race, nine reworked classes and the Legacy system.
Launch, races and classes
Skyborne have two variants: High Order for the Alliance and Windshaper for the Horde, with different racial abilities and class choices. Announced
Official informationThe 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
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