Guide ·
WoW Forever Editions and Pricing: What You Need to Buy
You do not have to buy an edition to play WoW Forever. You need a World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time; the upgrade packs add extras on top. The packs matter mainly if you want to play the new Skyborne race, reserve names early or take part in the beta. Blizzard's announcement lists no prices, so check the Battle.net Shop for current costs.
Quick answer: Forever launches November 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST and is included with a subscription or Game Time. The Skyborne Heroic Pack is the cheapest way to unlock the Skyborne race. The Epic Pack adds beta access and 30 days of Game Time. The Warcraft Forever Collection adds the Warcraft III games.
What you need to play
Forever is part of World of Warcraft, so it needs an active subscription or Game Time. Blizzard says access is included, which means a standard player with a subscription can log in on launch day without buying anything else.
The packs are optional upgrades sold on the Battle.net Shop. Two things are easy to mix up:
- Game access comes from your subscription or Game Time.
- Skyborne, the new playable race, is a separate unlock that comes with a pack.
If you only want the existing races and classes, a subscription is enough. If you want a Skyborne character, you need at least the Heroic Pack. See the race and class guide for who the Skyborne can be.
The three packs
Skyborne Heroic Pack
- Access to the Skyborne race and their Zephras Isle starting experience
- Early name reservation
- Cerulean Prideclaw ground mount (you still buy the riding skill in game)
- Shen'dorei Skyseer's Garb, Veteran Adventurer's Rucksack and the Shen'dorei Windwell toy
- Skyborne housing decor
- One Invite-A-Friend launch code
Skyborne Epic Pack includes everything in the Heroic Pack, plus:
- Beta access (the beta ran September 17 to October 21, 2026)
- 30 days of Game Time, added to your account from November 4
- More cosmetics inspired by the Veteran Adventurer set, tabards and pets for the Forever collection
- Three Invite-A-Friend launch codes in total
Warcraft Forever Collection is a limited-time bundle available through January 11, 2027. It includes everything in the Epic Pack, plus Warcraft III: Reforged, the Forsaken Kingdom campaign and Forsaken and Human figurine decor for housing.
Blizzard's page also mentions a Collector's Edition but gives no details, so there is nothing reliable to say about it yet.
Dates that matter
- October 27 to November 3, 2026: early name reservation, included with any pack. You can set up to three characters. Names are first come, first served and Blizzard does not guarantee them.
- November 4, 2026: launch. Epic Pack Game Time starts.
- November 4 to 11, 2026: the Invite-A-Friend window. Invited friends can play without a subscription during launch week. Codes were emailed starting October 20 and do not include beta access.
- December 9, 2026: the first new raids open, according to the roadmap.
Which one should you buy?
Work through these questions in order:
- Do you want to play a Skyborne? If not, you can skip every pack.
- Do you care about reserving a name before launch? Any pack gives you the name reservation window.
- Do you want the extra Game Time, pets and tabards? The Epic Pack is the middle option, but its beta access no longer matters, because the beta has ended.
- Do you want Warcraft III: Reforged and its Forsaken Kingdom campaign? That is the only reason to look at the Collection. The campaign covers the fall of Lordaeron and the founding of the Undercity, which also connects to the lore of Forever's era.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a pack replaces a subscription. Only the Epic Pack and the Collection include Game Time, and only 30 days.
- Buying the Epic Pack for the beta. The beta ended October 21.
- Waiting too long on names. Reservation closes November 3.
- Expecting more from Invite-A-Friend codes. They cover launch week only, do not include beta access and exclude gift purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy WoW Forever?
No. Forever launches as part of World of Warcraft and is included with a subscription or Game Time. The upgrade packs are optional.
What does the Skyborne Heroic Pack include?
It unlocks the Skyborne race and their Zephras Isle start, early name reservation, the Cerulean Prideclaw mount, cosmetics, a toy, housing decor and one Invite-A-Friend launch code.
Is beta access still available?
The beta ran from September 17 to October 21, 2026 and was included with the Epic Pack and the Collection. It has ended.
How much does WoW Forever cost?
Blizzard's announcement lists no prices for the packs. The Epic Pack and the Collection include 30 days of Game Time, and further play needs a subscription or more Game Time.
Does Lore Forever need an edition?
No. The Lore Forever add-on is free and works with the game, not with a pack.
Sources
Reviewed October 22, 2026. Pack contents and dates come from Blizzard's pre-purchase announcement and may change; check the Battle.net Shop before you buy. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.