COSM-GAME World of Warcraft Classic Era
World of Warcraft Classic Era is a version of World of Warcraft built for players who want the original level-60 Azeroth experience to remain available instead of moving into later expansions. Players create an Alliance or Horde character, travel through the world completing quests and dungeons, and grow stronger through levels, equipment, professions, and talent choices. At level 60, long-term play centers on raids, player-versus-player battlegrounds, and other character goals. Unlike Classic progression realms, which continue into expansion content, Classic Era realms keep the original WoW Classic content available without progressing into a World of Warcraft expansion.
Game summary
On this page
Latest update
The most recent Classic Era client patch is Patch 1.15.9, deployed during regional maintenance in the week of July 19, 2026. It added Edit Mode, allowing players to reposition and customize interface elements, and updated player nameplates and raid frames. Blizzard also warned that addons interacting with those interface systems could require updates because of the underlying UI changes.
Release date and status
World of Warcraft Classic Era became a separate permanent branch on May 18, 2021, when Blizzard began deploying the Burning Crusade Classic pre-expansion patch and gave existing WoW Classic characters a choice between progressing into Burning Crusade Classic or moving to Classic Era realms. Classic Era realms preserve the original WoW Classic content and do not progress into World of Warcraft expansion content.
| Global release | May 18, 2021 |
| Platforms | |
| Global status | Released |
| Pricing model | Subscription |
| Availability | WoW SubscriptionBattle.net desktop app |
Platforms and availability
World of Warcraft Classic Era is available on PC (Windows) and Mac through Blizzard's Battle.net desktop app. Classic Era appears as a WoW Classic game version in Battle.net rather than being distributed through Steam or a console storefront. An active World of Warcraft subscription or game time is required to play.
Gameplay and setting
World of Warcraft Classic Era recreates the original level-60 World of Warcraft experience. Players choose one of eight playable races split between the Alliance and Horde, then select from nine classes: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, and Druid. Progression from level 1 to 60 centers on questing, exploration, five-player dungeons, equipment upgrades, professions, and talent choices.
At level 60, players can tackle raids including Molten Core, Onyxia's Lair, Blackwing Lair, Zul'Gurub, the Ruins and Temple of Ahn'Qiraj, and Naxxramas. Zul'Gurub and the Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj are 20-player raids, while the Temple of Ahn'Qiraj is a 40-player raid. PvP includes Alterac Valley, Warsong Gulch, Arathi Basin, open-world combat, and the Honor system. Blizzard has also added permanent quality-of-life features to Classic Era over time, including Dual Specialization and a Group Finder tool.
Trailer, screenshots, and media
The selected Blizzard video and gallery show the original World of Warcraft experience through classic Azeroth locations, playable characters, dungeon and raid encounters, and large-group combat.
Developer and publisher
World of Warcraft Classic Era is developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Blizzard Entertainment is part of Microsoft following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023.
| Developer | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Publisher | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Official website | World of Warcraft Classic Era |
| Support | World of Warcraft Classic Era Support |
Download and availability
World of Warcraft Classic Era is downloaded and launched through Blizzard's Battle.net desktop app on Windows and Mac. Access is included with an active World of Warcraft subscription or game time, so Classic Era does not require a separate game purchase.
System / Device Requirements
Blizzard's current World of Warcraft system information lists updated Windows and Mac hardware requirements relevant to the current Battle.net client environment.
| PC specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 64-bit (Service Pack 1) | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | 4 cores, 3.0 GHz; 4th Generation Intel Core Haswell or AMD Ryzen Zen | 6 cores, 3.5 GHz; 8th Generation Intel Core Coffee Lake or AMD Ryzen Zen 2 |
| GPU | DirectX 12 capable 3 GB GPU; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 900 series, AMD GCN 4th gen, or Intel Iris Xe Graphics | DirectX 12 capable 8 GB GPU; NVIDIA GeForce RTX, AMD RDNA 2, or Intel Arc 7 Graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB available space on an SSD | 128 GB available space on an SSD |
| Internet | Broadband internet connection | Broadband internet connection |
| Input | Keyboard and mouse required | Multi-button mouse with scroll wheel |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 minimum | 1280 x 720 minimum |
| Mac specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | macOS 10.13 (latest version) | macOS 11 (latest version) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-4670 or Apple M1 | Intel Core i7-6700K or Apple M1 Max or better |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2 GB, AMD Radeon R9 M290 2 GB, Intel UHD 630, or Apple M1 Metal capable GPU | AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 8 GB or Apple M1 Max or better |
| RAM | 4 GB (8 GB when using supported integrated graphics) | 8 GB |
| Storage | 100 GB available space on an SSD or HDD | 100 GB available space on an SSD |
| Internet | Broadband internet connection | Broadband internet connection |
| Input | Keyboard and mouse required | Multi-button mouse with scroll wheel |
| Resolution | 1024 x 768 minimum | 1024 x 768 minimum |