Can a world get both darker and brighter at the same time? 

World Of Warcraft: Midnight continues this epic tale as the Champions of Azeroth are reeling from the schemes of the harbinger of the Void, Xal’atath, who left them vulnerable in the wake of taking down Dimensius, the All-Devouring during the events of The War Within. But this duality extends beyond just the conflict between Light and Void. It also examines the dichotomy of destruction and creation. As the forces of the Void threaten to destroy Azeroth, players now have the freedom to create something for which they’ve long requested…a home. 

After diving deep into the heart of Azeroth in the current expansion The War Within, Midnight brings us back to the surface (mostly), where the Void is rising and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The expansion kicks off with a desperate defense of the Sunwell, as Xal’atath’s forces descend on Silvermoon. From there, you’ll journey through four major zones.

The encroaching forces of the Void, led by a newly empowered Xal’atath, will soon begin making their way to Azeroth when the pre-expansion update goes live on January 20!

The update will officially transition the modern World of Warcraft client to 12.0 bringing with it advanced access to some of Midnight’s exciting features and system changes.

These include:

• New Class Specialization: Devourer Demon Hunter
  • Dive in and out with this new mid-ranged caster specialization harnessing the power of the Void to wield it against its own champions threatening Azeroth
  • New Class/Race Combo: Void Elf Demon Hunter
• Stat & Item Squish
  • Same player power, more manageable numbers
• User Interface Updates
  • Powerful new features, improved customization options, cleaner raid frames, expanding display-scaling controls and more
  • Learn more about some of the changes and updates to Nameplates, Damage Meters, Boss Alerts, and more in our previously published article.
• Transmogrification system updates
  • Unlock and save full outfit sets across characters for any occasion and more
• Player vs. Player Training Grounds
  • The current Comp Stomp brawl expands to a new permanent PVP game mode aimed to smooth the onboarding process of WoW’s PVP gameplay, or provide a place to learn a new class and specialization in a versus-player environment
  • Three total battlegrounds will be included: Arathi Basin, Silvershard Mines, and Battle for Gilneas

Coming on January 27

Pre-expansion in-game events will kick off with more details about what this entails coming at a later date. These events will include the return of the Winds of Mysterious Fortune buff, with experience boosts from levels 10-79.

The Midnight Pre-Expansion Content Update Goes Live January 20!

The first shadows of the Void fall upon Azeroth as the Midnight Pre-Expansion Content Update goes live January 20. Players can explore the new User Interface (UI) updates, experiment with new combat design changes across all classes, walk the path of the Demon Hunter Devourer, and more.

Demon Hunter Devourer Specialization and Void Elf Demon Hunters

Introducing the Devourer Demon Hunter, a third specialization that utilizes the power of the Void instead of Fel, like other Demon Hunters. This glaive-wielding, soul-harvesting, and planet-crushing spellcaster operates from mid-range with the full suite of mobility you'd expect from Demon Hunters. Use specialization and Hero Talents to augment your playstyle, enabling you to dive into melee and unleash devastating combo attacks.

With the introduction of a new specialization, Demon Hunters also gain a new Hero Talent tree—Annihilator. This new tree is shared between Devourer and Vengeance Demon Hunters. Devourer Demon Hunters will also gain access to the Scarred Hero Talent tree (formerly called Fel Scarred).

Players will also gain access to the new Void Elf Demon Hunter combination through a short quest line as a part of the Midnight pre-expansion content update, along with the Devourer specialization. Demon Hunter Void Elves include new metamorphosis visuals, thematic tattoos full of Void energy, and the Void Elf racial Trait: Spatial Rift.

Class Combat Design Updates

Every class in World of Warcraft receives major combat design updates. This means new rotations, stronger class identities, and fresh talent choices. 

Across all of the classes, talent trees have been rebuilt with fewer mandatory filler points and more paths that support specific playstyles, letting you tailor your character to the gameplay that you enjoy the most. 

Stat and Item Squish

Numbers across the game are being reduced to improve clarity and readability. As always, your power level relative to that of your enemies will remain the same, there will simply be more relatable numbers on your screen.

User Interface Updates

The User Interface is introducing powerful new features, improved customization options, cleaner raid frames, expanding display-scaling controls and more. You’ll be able to configure how information and damage meters appear within the base UI and customize them to fit your personal play style without the need to download additional add-ons.

Learn more about some of the changes and updates to Nameplates, Damage Meters, Boss Alerts, and more in our previously published article.

Transmogrification Updates

Take your transmog game further with the ability to unlock and save full outfit sets across characters for any occasion. The updated transmog system also provides an additional opportunity for adding more customization and self-expression. You’ll be able to unlock and save dozens of outfits. Unlocking outfit slots will cost gold, but once they are unlocked, switching between saved outfits is free.

Each outfit can be added to your action bar, allowing you to manually update your look any time you want without having to visit a transmog vendor. Whether you’re fighting in a dungeon, exploring a new area, or taking a rest in your house, you’ll be able to dress for the moment. Learn more from our previously published article.

Player vs. Player Training Grounds

For players new to Player vs. Player (PvP) combat, you can learn the PvP ropes in the Training Grounds. Players will join a battle against smart game-controlled opponents in Arathi Basin, Silvershard Mines, and Battle for Gilneas. You’ll become more comfortable with how these battlegrounds work and how classes can work within them, gaining confidence and opening the door to more PvP experiences in the game. While you can expect more victories than losses, the game-controlled opponents will not be pushovers. Skill and coordination will be required to achieve those victories!

Housing Early Access

Players who have purchased any edition of the Midnight expansion can join a neighborhood, claim a house, and start customizing their new home now with Housing Early Access! If you don’t have Midnight yet, don’t worry. You’ll still be able to begin adding to your Housing collection through a variety of activities and achievements, or by purchasing them from vendors throughout Azeroth. Housing opens up a world of creativity and camaraderie: personalize your sanctuary and invite allies for gatherings, roleplay, and unforgettable memories. Adventure begins at home. Learn more in our Housing Early Access article.

Pre-Expansion Event & Winds of Mysterious Fortune Buff

The week of January 27, the pre-expansion event gets underway making it the perfect time to try out the new class changes. The Winds of Mysterious Fortune buff also returns, offering all adventurers a chance to reap bonus experience from level 10-79. Catch up on your alts, finish missed content and unlocks, and prepare for the launch of Midnight.

Starting today, players can now pre-order Midnight and begin preparing for the looming battles ahead. In Midnight, players can enjoy a ton of new content, explore new or rebuilt and reimagined lands, take part in hunts, gain new power and allies, and more.

Check out a few things coming in Midnight:

• New Expansion Hub: Silvermoon City
  • Rebuilt Silvermoon City includes new areas like the Sanctum of Light and Memorial Garden, and areas that remain accessible by Horde players only.
• New & Updated Zones:
  • Eversong Woods: Lands that have healed in the years following the Scourge invasion now facing new threats in the mysterious lightbloom as well cultists serving the Void.
  • Zul’Aman: Explore beyond the confines of the original raid space to discover what lies in the surrounding forests and aid the Zul’Amani Trolls as they work to reconnect with their lost Loa.
  • Harandar: Return to the depths of the world to behold the convergence of the roots of Azeroth’s world trees in this primordial, fungal jungle. 
  • The Voidstorm: the chaotic beauty is both wondrous and deadly as the forces of the Void break through from this land to invade Azeroth.
• New System Feature: Prey
  • Opt-in hunting system led by Astalor Bloodsworn, based in Murder Row of Silvermoon City. This system adds an extra layer of outdoor world gameplay for players seeking more thrill and challenge as they adventure across Midnight’s zones.
• New Allied Race: Haranir
  • Ancient hunters of a hidden land with glowing bioluminescent features, whom players first met in The War Within as they worked alongside Orweyna who sought to discover what was happening on the surface that was impacting the home of her people.
  • Available classes: Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, Monk, Druid. 
• New Demon Hunter Specialization: Devourer
  • A mid-ranged DPS specialization that forsakes the Fel energies that fuel the other specializations and instead embraces the Void as a source of power. 
  • This comes with a new race/class combination as Void Elves can join the ranks of the Illidari as Demon Hunters. 
• New PVP Content
  • Slayer’s Rise: a portion of the Voidstorm will serve as a new world PVP hotspot as well as a new epic battleground, inspired by Alertac Valley and Isle of Conquest.
  • Training Grounds: The current Comp Stomp brawl expands to two new battlegrounds, Silvershard Mines and Battle for Gilneas, as players face non-player combatants in this mode that will now be permanently available. 
• New Feature: Player Housing
  • After more than 20 years of thwarting world-ending threats, the Champions of Azeroth will now (finally) get a piece of Azeroth to call their own. 
  • This robust evergreen system puts player creativity at the forefront with a potential for thousands of décor items that can be used to build the home players have dreamt of in Azeroth (much of which will be earned through natural gameplay).

And so much more including expansion staples such as new raids, dungeons, delves and quality of life updates. 

Quality-of-Life Overhaul

Midnight also brings a ton of UI and gameplay improvements:

• Transmog 2.0: Save outfits, swap them for free, and set automatic changes based on context—think wearing your battle-ready best for raiding, then automatically switching into your murloc onsie when you walk in the door of your house to rest.
• Cooldown Manager: Track auras, debuffs, and external defensives with customizable profiles and sound alerts.
• Combat Assistant: Smarter logic, better highlights, and single-button rotation support.
• Nameplate and HUD Updates: More clarity, more customization, less clutter.

New and Returning Player Experience

Whether you’re brand new to World of Warcraft or haven’t logged in since Wrath, Midnight makes it easy to jump in:

• Streamlined Leveling: Exile’s Reach flows into Dragonflight, with a complete story arc and Story Mode raids.
• Catch-Up Gear and Tour: Returning players get gear and a guided tour with Jaina or Thrall.
• Speedrun Part One of the Trilogy: Catch up on part one of the Worldsoul Saga, The War Within, in just a few hours!
• Lorewalking: Relive key moments from past expansions through curated, playable storylines.

Midnight Is Just the Beginning

This expansion is more than the second chapter of the Worldsoul Saga—it’s a turning point. A reimagining of what it means to live in Azeroth. Whether you’re storming the Voidspire or dyeing your curtains to match your dog, Midnight is about making this world yours.

Information about the Midnight expansion digital Base, Heroic and Epic Editions can be found in the Battle.net shop, including perks and pricing. 

World Of Warcraft: Midnight is coming to PC on March 2, 2026.