WoW Forever Beta: How to Get Access and Whether Your Character Carries Over

The WoW Forever beta is open, but not to everyone, and nothing you do in it carries over to launch. Here is how access works, what you can play right now, and what happens to your character when the test ends. Details are current as of 16 October 2026.

Key dates

Blizzard has not reconciled the 21 and 22 October dates, so plan for the earlier one. For launch times in your region, see WoW Forever launch time by timezone.

How to get beta access

• Guaranteed: the Skyborne Epic Pack, the Warcraft Forever Collection or the physical Collector's Edition. Digital purchases flag your account automatically. The physical edition sends a beta code by email.
• A chance only: opting in on Blizzard's site gives you a chance at an invite, not a guarantee.
• Free route: Blizzard has planned a Server Slam that would open the servers to anyone for several hours. No date has been announced.
• Not enough on its own: the Heroic Pack is not on Blizzard's guaranteed list, and a subscription or game time alone does not grant access.

Not sure which edition to buy? Our launch checklist compares them.

What you can play

The level cap is 30. Zone content started with Skyborne and Zephras Isle plus everything up to level 20, and dungeons have been added in waves, including Razorfen Downs, Uldaman and a new Dalaran dungeon. Cooldown Manager, a new interface feature, is testable on several classes. See our Cooldown Manager guide.

The beta installs through the Battle.net desktop app. Blizzard customer support does not give technical help with the beta client, so install problems go to the beta forums.

Does beta progress carry over?

No. When the test ends, all characters are deleted and all progress is wiped: levels, gold, gear, professions and Legacy Points. Everyone starts at level 1 at launch.

Blizzard has not published an exception, a level catch-up mechanic or a paid level 60 boost. Treat the beta as a chance to learn the game, not to get ahead.

Reserving your names

If you own an eligible pack, you can reserve names from 27 October to 3 November. Only names are reserved, not characters or levels, and it does not give early access. Reservations are first come, first served, and names follow Forever's two-part format. See rulesets and names explained.

What to do with the time left

• Try your class early, because class choice is easier to judge once you have played it.
• Read about the Legacy system, which is account-wide, even though your beta Legacy Points will not survive.
• Test the leveling routes you plan to use at launch.