NewsFrom official notesAnnouncement · September 21, 2026
Ruleset Ecosystems Replace Traditional Realms
World of Warcraft: Forever is transitioning from individual realms to broad ruleset ecosystems including Normal, PvP, Roleplaying, and Hardcore options.
13 changes in 1 sections
SystemsPvPRaidsDungeons
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- Traditional realm selection has been replaced by four distinct ruleset categories: Normal, PvP, Roleplaying, and Hardcore.
- The Hardcore ruleset is scheduled for a post-launch release date.
- Grouping, dungeon runs, and raiding are restricted to players within the same ruleset; cross-ruleset grouping is disabled.
- Battleground matchmaking will draw from multiple rulesets, excluding Hardcore which remains isolated.
- Faction restrictions remain in place, preventing Horde and Alliance players from grouping together.
- Character transfers between rulesets are restricted, requiring a new character to change playstyles.
- Upon death, Hardcore characters are eligible for a one-way transfer to other rulesets, including PvP.
- Account-wide Collections and Legacy Points function across all rulesets, though progress cannot flow from other rulesets into Hardcore.
- A new 'Preferred Online Language' setting has been added under System > Options > Languages and Social.
- The language preference setting is account-wide and subject to a 24-hour cooldown once changed.
- Faction balance systems will be active on PvP rulesets, potentially limiting character creation for the overpopulated faction.
- On the PvP ruleset, players are restricted to a single faction (Horde or Alliance) per account.
- Normal, Roleplaying, and Hardcore rulesets permit the creation of characters from both factions on one account.