Destruction rains down upon Azeroth. Demons of the Burning Legion surge into our realm, heralding the return of the dark titan Sargeras, Ravager of Worlds. As doom comes for the Alliance and the Horde, Azeroth’s heroes must seek salvation among the ruins of the Broken Isles, doomed center of ancient night elf civilization and birthplace of myths dating back to the world’s creation. There, they’ll harness legendary and forbidden powers to hunt unspeakable nightmares and unstoppable fel armies—and save their world from falling under an endless burning shadow.

In the face of hopeless odds, Azeroth’s champions must summon the strength to wield fabled Artifacts, powerful weapons of lore that hold the potential to bring down the Legion. They’ll also strike an infernal pact with the Demon Huntersof the Illidari, an ancient elven order of fel-tainted assassins . . . and accursed followers of the infamous Illidan the Betrayer.

After yesterday's Overwatch leak, it seems Blizzard has sprung yet another one as a (quickly removed) advertisement on the official WoW website revealed that World of Warcraft: Legion is scheduled for release on, or before, Sept. 21, 2016.

Players who pre-purchase World of Warcraft: Legion digitally can immediately boost one character of their choosing to level 100. In addition, those who pre-purchase will get early access to the brand-new hero class coming with Legion, the Demon Hunter, prior to the expansion's release.

"World of Warcraft: Legion is one of the most intense chapters in the Warcraft saga yet, filled with features and content that will push new and veteran heroes to their limits," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment. "Whether players want to boost a new character or get a head start on mastering a Demon Hunter, they'll be primed and ready to battle the Burning Legion when the expansion launches next summer."

World of Warcraft: Legion will be available in a Standard Edition (physical and digital versions available; SRP $49.99), which players can pre-purchase digitally now. Players also have the option to upgrade their pre-purchase to the Digital Deluxe Edition (SRP $69.99), which contains the following in-game bonuses for World of Warcraft and other Blizzard games (available upon or before the expansion's launch):

• World of Warcraft - Illidari Felstalker Mount and Nibbles Pet—Stalk the invading demonic forces atop one of the Burning Legion's own twisted hounds of war, and summon a delightfully demented companion to keep you warm by the fel fire—both available immediately upon pre-purchase.
• Heroes of the Storm -Felstalker Mount—Charge down the lanes of the Nexus and wreak havoc on the opposing team astride this fierce fanged terror.
• StarCraft II - Fel Protoss Portraits—Take back Aiur in infernal style with psionic-infused StarCraft II portraits of Illidan and Gul'dan.
• Diablo III - Wings of the Betrayer—Equip your hero with Illidan's wings and strike terror into the hearts of Sanctuary's demons.

Players who pre-purchase either the digital Standard Edition or Digital Deluxe Edition of Legion will be able to immediatelyboost one character to level 100, allowing them to experience the latest World of Warcraft content alongside their friends††. Players who wish to prepare multiple characters for battle against the Burning Legion also now have the option to purchase additional level-100 character boosts directly through the game at $60 each. Further details on character boosts, including information on the gear, skills, and Garrison upgrades boosted level-100 characters will receive, can be found at the official website.

Pre-purchasing Legion will also grant early access to the Demon Hunter prior to the expansion's release.† This dexterous and deadly new hero class turns the twisted power of the Burning Legion against them; drawing on fel forces to fuel their attacks, Demon Hunters pursue their prey with uncanny agility, unleash pent-up fury in the form of devastating attacks, and metamorphose into terrifying demonic forms. As a hero class, Demon Hunters begin their journey at a higher level than other World of Warcraft classes. During the pre-launch early-access period, players will be able to complete the Demon Hunter's unique starting experience and achieve level 100—leaving them fully prepared to join their allies on the Broken Isles the moment the expansion launches. Further details on the Demon Hunter upcoming early-access period, including the timing and duration, will be announced at a later date.

World of Warcraft: Legion will also be available in a retail-only Collector's Edition (SRP $89.99), which includes the digital bonuses from the Digital Deluxe Edition along with a full-color hardcover art book, a behind-the-scenes two-disc Blu-ray/DVD set, a CD soundtrack, and a Legion mouse pad. Supplies are limited; players should check with their local retailer for pre-order details and availability.

World of Warcraft: Legion Features

World of Warcraft: Legion is filled with features and content that will transform Azeroth's heroes into Legion-slaying avatars of vengeance, including:

• New Hero Class: Demon Hunter—Unleash the demon within as an all-new melee hero class gifted with preternatural mobility—and the ability to metamorphose into hellish new forms.
• New Feature: Artifact Weapons—Smite the Legion with class-specific weapons of lore. Unlock awesome abilities and traits, and customize your weapon to suit your needs.
• New Continent: The Broken Isles—Discover the fate of a lost night elf civilization, confront twisted fragments of the Emerald Nightmare, and hunt agents of the Legion in all-new zones.
• Boost to Level 100—Come fully prepared to battle the Legion with a level-100 character boost, and fight alongside your friends in this epic new chapter of World of Warcraft—available immediately upon pre-purchase†.
• New Feature: Order Hall—Unite fellow NPC members of your class's order to carry out missions at your command.
• New PvP Honor System—Fight for fame, glory, and a range of new PvP-specific powers as you face the opposing faction in Arenas and Battlegrounds.

World of Warcraft: Legion sends players on a forbidden journey to the ruins of the Broken Isles in search of the mythic Pillars of Creation—powerful titan relics said to have shaped Azeroth, and last hope for the world’s salvation. Once the magnificent seat of an ancient night elf civilization, the Broken Isles are now haunted by twisted elven aberrations, horrors from the Emerald Nightmare, and other grim remnants of legends long forgotten. Among the Isles, players will face the armies of the Legion and other dark forces across an array of all-new zones, dungeons, raids, and more on the way to the new level cap of 110.

With the Horde and the Alliance in disarray, players must seek out and bring together other like-minded champions to stand against the demonic hordes. In Legion, each player will take charge of an Order Hall—a site of great power linked closely to a character’s class and cause. The Order Hall will serve as each hero’s base of operations—and a bastion of hope—during their journey to the Broken Isles. From there, players will send NPC followers on missions to help defend Azeroth from the demonic incursion . . . and forge their Artifact into a Legion-felling force to be reckoned with.

For those seeking glory in Arenas and Battlegrounds, Legion also features a new Honor system that provides an entirely new PvP progression path. As players dominate the enemy faction, they’ll unlock PvP-specific spells and abilities that open up a range of new tactical possibilities, and earn prestigious new titles and rewards.

To help the heroes of Azeroth prepare for the coming invasion, World of Warcraft: Legion will allow players to boost one character to level 100, including a newly created character, quickly getting them primed and ready to battle the Burning Legion alongside their friends.

The expansion is loaded with features and content that will transform players into Azeroth’s elite vanguard against the shadow, including:

• Turn the tainted power of the Legion against them as an all-new hero class—the vengeful Demon Hunter. As a damage dealer or tank, pursue and evade your targets with preternatural agility; draw upon your demonic fury to fuel devastating attacks; and strike fear into your foes by metamorphosing into hellish new forms.
•  Build a battle-forged bond with your own Artifact—a legendary class-specific weapon that transforms and grows in power as you battle the Legion. Customize your Artifact with personalized traits, tempering—or twisting—it into a form that suits your character.
• Seek your world’s salvation among the forbidden ruins of the Broken Isles—mythic seat of night elf civilization, gateway to the Emerald Nightmare, and hiding place of the titan relics used to shape Azeroth.
• Find refuge from the felstorm at your Order Hall, a site of great power linked closely to your character’s class and cause. Whether you follow the code of the paladin or the dark ways of the warlock, unite fellow members of your order to carry out class-specific missions and defend against annihilation.
• Prepare to face the invading armies of the Legion with a level-100 character boost, and experience this night-shrouded new chapter of World of Warcraft alongside your friends.
• Dominate the enemy faction in Battlegrounds and Arenas to progress through the all-new Honor system. Unlock PvP-specific spells and abilities that open up a range of new tactical possibilities, and earn prestigious titles and rewards.
• . . . And More: Take on a wide array of Dungeons, Raids, Battlegrounds, Challenge Modes, and more on the way to the new level cap of 110—no matter what kind of adventures you seek, endless possibilities await.