The World of Warcraft: Forever beta has been open since September 17 and runs until October 21, its last full day of testing. There are two ways in: sign up and hope to be selected, or buy the Skyborne Epic Pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection, which include beta access. The level cap is 20 for now and will rise to 30. Here is how to join, what you can play and what is coming, from Blizzard's announcements.
How to get into the beta
- Sign up. Beta sign-ups are open on Blizzard's WoW Forever page. Players who opt in can be selected, and invitations go out regularly throughout the test. If you are selected, you get an email and your Battle.net account is already flagged for access.
- Buy a bundle that includes it. The Skyborne Epic Pack and the limited-time Warcraft Forever Collection include beta access. It can take up to 30 minutes to appear, and the Battle.net launcher may need a restart. The Skyborne Heroic Pack does not include the beta.
- Blizzard's own invitations. Blizzard also invites community veterans, press, fansites, friends and family.
Watch out for phishing: if you're unsure an invitation email is genuine, log in to your Battle.net account and check for a World of Warcraft: Forever beta license under Your Game Accounts.
How to install it
- Update your graphics drivers.
- Open the Battle.net desktop app and let it update.
- Select World of Warcraft in the list of games.
- In the Game Version drop-down above the Play button, choose World of Warcraft: Forever Beta, under In Development, then click Install.
- Click Play, pick a test realm and create a new character.
What you can play
The beta opened with a level cap of 20, which Blizzard will raise to 30 later in the test. Week 1 brought:
- the Skyborne race and their starting zone, Zephras Isle;
- two new dungeons: the Hall of Thanes, for levels 13 to 18 in Blizzard's announcement (13 to 20 in the client's Group Finder), and the Ruins of Lordaeron, 15 to 20 (15 to 22 in the Group Finder);
- all zone content up to level 20.
More zones, dungeons and the new battleground will open as the beta goes on. Later in the test, Blizzard will also open the servers to everyone for several hours, for a "Server Slam"; it has not given a date yet.
What the September 24 build changed
Blizzard's development notes for the September 24 build list, among many fixes:
- a temporary 1-silver respec for testers: after a first reset the cost climbs, then drops back to 1 silver after an hour;
- a Cooldown Manager, off by default and switched on in the options under Gameplay Enhancement, testable for Druids, Mages, Priests, Warriors and Warlocks;
- campfire buffs that can now be picked up while sitting, lying down or kneeling, and while crafting or casting;
- Druid changes, such as Wrath's base damage raised by about 50%.
Blizzard has also forced name changes and removed beta access from some testers whose character names were far outside its Code of Conduct.
After the beta
The beta closes on October 21. From October 27 to November 3 (Pacific time), any upgrade purchase gives Early Name Reservation, to create characters and reserve their names before the launch on November 4. Until then, cheap respecs make the beta a good place to try builds; our talent planner lets you plan them outside the game, and our release guide covers editions and prices.
