Launch day · checked 31 October 2026
Launch-day checklist
WoW: Forever opens on 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST, 23:00 UTCBlizzard. Below: Blizzard’s login time for each region, what to set up before you log in, and what is and is not known about queues and layering.
Launch countdown · 4 November, 3:00 p.m. PST
Official
Login time by region
| Region | Servers open |
|---|---|
| Americas (Pacific) | Wed 4 November, 3:00 p.m. PST |
| Brazil | Wed 4 November, 20:00 BRT |
| UK and Ireland | Wed 4 November, 23:00 GMT |
| Central Europe | Thu 5 November, 00:00 CET |
| Taiwan | Thu 5 November, 07:00 |
| Korea | Thu 5 November, 08:00 KST |
| Australia (east) | Thu 5 November, 10:00 AEDT |
| UTC | Wed 4 November, 23:00 |
From Blizzard’s launch article of 29 OctoberBlizzard. US daylight saving has ended by then, so the US launch time is in PST. Every time zone: launch time and servers.
Checklist
Before you log in
- Step 1
Patch before 3:00 p.m. PST
Update the Battle.net app and the game ahead of time, and update addons to builds that list WoW Forever as supported. A launch-night download competes with everyone else’s.
- Step 2
Agree on ruleset and faction with friendsBlizzard
Grouping, guilds and raids only work within the same ruleset and the same faction. Pick both together before anyone creates a character.
- Step 3
Oceania: Roleplay characters firstBlue post
A bug on Oceanic (Australian) servers: create any Roleplay or Roleplay-PvP characters before Normal or PvP ones. If a Normal or PvP character comes first, the Roleplay rulesets become unavailable for later characters. Blizzard says a fix is being worked on.
- Step 4
Choose Classic or Enhanced at first loginBlizzard
The first time you log in, the game asks for a Classic or an Enhanced preset. HD or SD character models can be set per character.
- Step 5
Name refused?Blue post
Blizzard acknowledged that the name filter rejected too many valid names and said the fix goes in at the next realm restart. If a name was refused, try it again after that restart.
- Step 6
Playing on a controllerBlizzard
Controller support is available; Blizzard’s starter guide labels it “in beta”.
What to expect
Queues, layering and the first weeks
- Queues: Blizzard has not announced queue limits or population caps. If you get a queue, keep the client open and stop the PC from sleeping; see login errors and queue fixes.
- Layering: fewer forced world refreshes; when you join a group, a pop-up gives you a time window instead of moving you at once; zone layering stays. Developer statement on the official podcast, as reportedCommunity. More in our layering explainer.
- The world: more than 1,000 new quests and four new zones, Shen’dralas among themBlizzard.
- Raids: Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia’s Lair unlock together on 9 December; Onyxia needs an attunementBlizzard.
- Hardcore: “sometime after launch”, no dateBlizzard.
- Specs: dual spec is in from launch; no swapping talents on the fly (developer interview)Community.
Known issues and open questions
- Oceania: create Roleplay characters first (Blue post)Blue postA bug on Oceanic (Australian) servers: create any Roleplay or Roleplay-PvP characters before Normal or PvP ones. If a Normal or PvP character comes first, the Roleplay rulesets become unavailable for later characters. Blizzard says a fix is being worked on.
- Name check too strict (Blue post)Blue postBlizzard acknowledged that the name filter rejected too many valid names and said the fix goes in at the next realm restart. If a name was refused, try it again after that restart.
- Oceanic day and night cycle (Open question)Whether Oceanic servers get a day and night cycle that matches local time came up on the official WoW Forever Podcast; it was described as undecided.
Login errors and queues
Fixes for launch-night errors, WOW51900319 and more.
Launch time and servers
Every time zone, rulesets, Oceania, names.
New player guide
Packs, rulesets, names, presets and dual spec.
Answers
Launch day FAQ
What time can I log in to WoW Forever?
At launch, 4 November 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST, which is 23:00 UTC. Blizzard’s table: 20:00 BRT and 23:00 GMT on 4 November; 00:00 CET, 07:00 in Taiwan, 08:00 KST and 10:00 AEDT on 5 November.
Can I play with friends on another ruleset or faction?
No. Blizzard’s starter guide says grouping, guilds and raids work only within the same ruleset and the same faction. Battlegrounds are the exception that mixes rulesets (except Hardcore).
Why can’t I create a Roleplay character on Oceanic servers?
A bug Blizzard acknowledged on 27 October: on Oceanic servers, create Roleplay or Roleplay-PvP characters before any Normal or PvP character. Creating a Normal or PvP character first makes the Roleplay rulesets unavailable for later characters. A fix is being worked on.
Will there be login queues on launch day?
Blizzard has not announced queue limits or population caps. The developers have described layering: fewer forced world refreshes, and a pop-up with a time window when you join a group instead of an instant move. If you do get a queue, keep the client open.
Do I have to use the modern graphics?
No. On first login you choose a Classic or an Enhanced preset, and HD or SD character models can be set per character.
When do raids and Hardcore open?
All three raids, Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia’s Lair, unlock on 9 December 2026; Onyxia needs an attunement. Hardcore comes “sometime after launch”, with no date.
Facts checked: 31 October 2026 · Sources: WoW: Forever launch: login times by region and what to expect, WoW: Forever starter guide, Blue post: name reservation issue for Oceanic players, Blue post: overly restrictive name check, fix incoming, Wowhead: Blizzard working on top layering issues (WoW Forever Podcast, episode 6), IGN: WoW Forever launch interview with Blizzard (developer interview)
Launch day · 4 November
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