At Gamescom Opening Evening Reside, we simply obtained a take a look at the opening cinematic for the subsequent World of Warcraft growth: Midnight. And with it, we obtained a style of what to anticipate at the point of interest of the growth’s begin: Quel’Thalas, and the Blood Elf metropolis of Silvermoon.
For those who’re a WoW veteran, you most likely know Quel’Thalas. It was launched to World of Warcraft in the first growth, The Burning Campaign, alongside the introduction of the Blood Elves. At present in the recreation, in consists of Silvermoon Metropolis and the surrounding Eversong Woods, in addition to the northern Isle of Quel’Danas and The Ghostlands to the south. Although it is largely populated by Blood Elves, it is also dwelling to Zul’Aman, the dwelling of the Amani Trolls. Because it stands now, Silvermoon and every little thing to the south serves as a beginning zone for low-level Blood Elves (although it is also largely been made out of date due to the addition of the ubiquitous new participant expertise, Exile’s Attain), whereas Quel’Danas was an endgame zone in patch 2.4 that is largely ineffective now if you do not have a very particular purpose to be there.
All that’s about to change. As we noticed in the cinematic, Midnight opens with void menace and complete baddie Xal’atath attacking the Sunwell, a magical energy fountain in Quel’Danas that is sacred to the Blood Elves. We’re headed there at the begin of Midnight to defend it (alongside the thankfully-not-dead Blood Elf chief, Lor’themar Theron), which implies that complete space is getting an overhaul. Midnight begins with 4 zones: a reworked Eversong Woods (which additionally looks like it’s going to embrace no less than some of Ghostlands), a reworked Zul’Aman (now upgraded from a raid to a full zone), and two new areas: the rootlands of Harandar, and Voidstorm, which appears to be situated in a completely different world fully. Players will begin in Eversong Woods and finish in Voidstorm, with Zul’Aman and Harandar in a position to be accomplished interchangeably.
Apologies to the Draenei, although. Burning Campaign’s equal Alliance class beginning zones, Azuremyst and Bloodmyst Isle, and the Draenei hub The Exodar, do not seem to be getting any particular remedy.
In contrast to current expansions, Midnight will open with not one, however three raids: The Voidspire (six bosses), The Dreamrift (one boss), and March on Quel’Danas (two bosses). World of Warcraft hasn’t had a number of raids working without delay for a number of expansions now, so having three without delay at launch is a massive deal. The growth additionally launches with eight new dungeons (together with a reworked Magister’s Terrace), seven new delves, and a new PvP battleground. There’s additionally a model new function referred to as “Prey” the place gamers hunt highly effective targets throughout completely different world zones, with the potential to be ambushed whereas on the hunt.
As for characters, we’re not getting any model new courses. A brand new allied race, Haranir, will probably be obtainable, alongside a new mid-range Demon Hunter specialization and Void Elves now additionally in a position to change into Demon Hunters. There are additionally some overhauls to the new participant expertise together with new story mode raids for Dragonflight and another catch-up options. They usually’re simplifying skyriding, together with (thank goodness) getting rid of the vigor bar.
Lastly, the largest and most fun function of Midnight is one we already learn about: participant housing. We have already heard and seen a lot about what to anticipate from housing, however Blizzard has re-confirmed that we’re getting absolutely customizable participant houses, with 3D placement instruments, dyes to recolor furnishings, all kinds of decor gadgets obtainable to be earned via all completely different sorts of content material, and personal and public neighborhoods. No preventing over plots like in Remaining Fantasy 14, both!
We’re anticipating to hear extra particulars about what we’ll see in Midnight all through Gamescom, so keep tuned to IGN for extra on World of Warcraft’s newest. Midnight launches in 2026. You possibly can atone for every little thing introduced at Gamescom Opening Evening Reside proper right here.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You will discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Acquired a story tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.