World of Warcraft: Classic 20th Anniversary Edition
 World of Warcraft Classic: 20th Anniversary Edition | ||||
| Developer(s) |
Blizzard Entertainment Portion of Team 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Blizzard Entertainment | |||
| Platforms | Microsoft Windows, macOS | |||
| Release |
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| Latest release | 1.15.8 | |||
| Genre(s) | MMORPG | |||
| Format | Realm set (for Classic) | |||
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer | |||
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World of Warcraft: Classic 20th Anniversary Edition is a server option for World of Warcraft: Classic. Anniversary introduced fresh realms based on the original 2019 debut of Classic, along with some new quality-of-life improvements. Anniversary realms launched on 21 November 2024 in celebration of World of Warcraft's 20th anniversary, and are confirmed to progress to Burning Crusade Classic in 2026.[1] Hardcore Anniversary servers were also launched at the same time.
The 20th Anniversary Edition was designed to offer a streamlined entry point for new and returning players, combining the original Classic experience with modern infrastructure and select quality-of-life updates. Unlike seasonal formats such as Season of Mastery and Season of Discovery, the normal Anniversary realms are part of the long-term Classic progression path. The launch was well-received by players seeking a fresh start without experimental mechanics.[2]
Release
There are only 1 realm for each ruleset: Normal (PvE), PvP, and Hardcore, all launched on 21 November 2024.[3] Additional realms may be open depending on player demand. The Hardcore realm, for the first time, progressed through the phases below (minus PvP content).
Phases unlock every couple of months in a 12-month period. The first phase has been pushed back for a couple of weeks, compared to the original 2019 experience.
- Launch (November 21, 2024): Level 1-60
- Phase 1 (December 12, 2024):[3] Molten Core and Onyxia's Lair
- Phase 2 (January 9, 2025):[4] Dire Maul, Honor System & PvP Ranking, World bosses, Warsong Gulch & Alterac Valley battlegrounds
- Phase 3 (March 20, 2025):[5] Blackwing Lair raid, Darkmoon Faire
- Phase 4 (May 1, 2025):[6] Zul'Gurub raid, Dragons of Nightmare world bosses, Arathi Basin battleground
- Phase 5 (July 10, 2025):[7] Gates of Ahn'Qiraj, Temple of Ahn'Qiraj and Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj raids
- Phase 6 (October 2, 2025):[8] Scourge Invasion, Naxxramas raid, Silithus World PvP
The Normal and PvP realms progressed to Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition on 13 January 2026.[9] The Hardcore realm will remain in the pre-expansion era.[10] Non-Hardcore players who wished to remain in the pre-expansion era were given the option to transfer for free to the Classic Era branch prior to the start of maintenance for the pre-patch.[11]
Changes
The following changes will be available right at the start for these realms:
- Reporting system improvements
- Dethroning system for transferring guild leadership
[Chronoboon Displacer]- Improved PvP Honor Ranking system
- Graphics improvements
- GDKP policy applies currently for the realms in NA and EU regions
User interface will see some changes, particularly in regards to the Looking for Group and Guild interfaces. The Looking for Group interface will be available in addition to a new Services chat channel which can be used to advertise services such as portals, summons, and tribute buffs. In addition to the retail Guild interface, the classic Guild interface will be available allowing those to choose between the two.
The PvP realms will have an enforced faction balance, meaning the population of Horde and Alliance characters will remain almost 1:1. If the balance ever starts the lean too far in one direction, the character creation for the faction it is leaning towards will be disabled.
As part of WoW's 21st Anniversary, players saw the 
[Unrelenting Rallying Cry of the Dragonslayer] buff that lasted for a week through 17-24 November 2025 and applied to both the normal and Hardcore realms. It was a copy of the regular 
[Rallying Cry of the Dragonslayer], but it did not stack with it and couldn't be chronobooned.
Gallery
Another 20th Anniversary Edition Key art
In-game logo for the Anniversary Hardcore realm.
References
- ^ Roadmap: November 2024 Roadmap - Classic
- ^ Nick Nijland 2024-11-26. World of Warcraft: Classic 20th Anniversary Edition proves that WoW is unending - Opinion. IGN. Archived from the original on 2024-12-02.
- ^ a b
Kaivax 2024-11-13. WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms Information. Blizzard Entertainment.
- ^ WoW Classic: 20th Anniversary Edition Phase 2 Battlegrounds Now Live!. Blizzard Entertainment (2025-01-16).
- ^ WoW 20th Anniversary Edition Phase 3 Honor Cap, Arathi Basin, and More Now Live!. Blizzard Entertainment (2025-04-03).
- ^ WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition Phase 4 Now Live. Blizzard Entertainment (2025-05-01).
- ^ WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition Phase 5 Now Live. Blizzard Entertainment (2025-06-10).
- ^ WoW Anniversary Edition: Brave the Shadow of the Necropolis. Blizzard Entertainment (2025-10-02).
- ^ WoW®: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition Pre-Patch Arrives January 13. Blizzard Entertainment (2025-11-18).
- ^ Populartopular 2025-11-19. Blizzard Confirms - Hardcore Servers Will NOT Progress Into The Burning Crusade. Wowhead.
- ^ = Kaivax 2026-01-07. Update Schedule for Anniversary Realms. “Free character transfers from Anniversary Realms to Classic Era realms will close when Anniversary Realms are taken offline for maintenance.”
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