WoW Forever

WoW Forever Hardcore: release, rules and how to prepare

Everything confirmed about WoW Forever Hardcore, the safest classes and races by our grades, your route on the map and a checklist to survive the road to 60.

Confirmed by Blizzard

What we know about Hardcore

Blizzard has not published the full rules or a date yet. This is everything announced so far; we will update this page with every announcement.

When: This winter, no date yet
Death: Permanent in Hardcore
If you die: The character can move to another ruleset
Realms: One mega-realm per ruleset and region

The safest classes for Hardcore

Sorted by the safety grade in our leveling tier list (a beta prediction, not a measurement). Suggested races come from each racial’s safety grade.

S
Paladin
Healing and defensive tools favor a patient, self-sufficient route.
Safest races:Undead SHuman ADwarf A
Talents →
S
Hunter
A pet and ranged attacks suit an independent questing route.
Safest races:Dwarf STauren SHuman A
Talents →
S
Priest
Healing and shields offer recovery options while following a damage route.
Safest races:Undead SHuman ADwarf A
Talents →
S
Warlock
A demon and resource tools give several ways to keep a solo route moving.
Safest races:Undead SHuman AGnome A
Talents →
S
Druid
Forms and healing let you adapt between fighting, travel and recovery.
Safest races:Tauren SNight Elf A
Talents →
A
Rogue
Stealth and control help choose encounters and reach quest objectives.
Safest races:Dwarf SUndead SHuman A
Talents →
A
Shaman
Weapon, spell, totem and healing options support varied questing approaches.
Safest races:Tauren SDwarf AOrc A
Talents →
A
Mage
Ranged spells and control offer a flexible pace when pulls are planned.
Safest races:Undead SHuman AGnome A
Talents →
B
Warrior
A weapon-focused route rewards gear planning and controlled pulls.
Safest races:Dwarf SUndead STauren S
Talents →

Your route without needless risk

Plan the road before you play

Check your faction’s zone route and the dungeons for each level bracket. Avoid crossing high-level zones on foot.

View zone route →

Checklist before you create your character

Our advice from Classic Hardcore; Forever’s rules may add or change things. Your ticks are saved in this browser.

Pick a class with good survival, or plan how you will escape with yours.
Always carry health potions and bandages: level First Aid from level 1.
Stay one or two levels above your zone’s quests before you move on.
Skip elite quests solo and avoid pulling more than two enemies.
Keep your escape ability ready and your Hearthstone off cooldown before any hard fight.
Learn your faction’s flight paths so you never cross high-level zones on foot.
Check the racials: some free you from stuns or fears.
Plan talents with early defensives before raw damage.

Questions

When does WoW Forever Hardcore launch?

Blizzard places it this winter, after the November 4 launch, but has not given a date yet.

What happens if I die in Hardcore?

Death is permanent in Hardcore. According to Blizzard, the character can move to another ruleset but does not continue in Hardcore.

What is the best class for Hardcore?

By our safety grades, Hunter, Warlock, Druid, Priest and Paladin are the safest for solo leveling. It is a beta prediction, not a measurement.

Can I prepare before it launches?

Yes: plan class, race and talents, check the zone route and level First Aid. Forever’s full rules may change some details.