WoW: Forever pre-purchase explained: Heroic Pack, Epic Pack, Collection and Collector's Edition

Pre-purchases for World of Warcraft: Forever are open, with three digital upgrade tiers and a physical Collector’s Edition on offer. None of them is needed to play: Blizzard says the game is included with an active World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time when it launches on November 4, 2026. What you pay extra for is early access, the new Skyborne race and a stack of bonus items.

The three digital upgrades

All three are sold on the Battle.net Shop, and each tier contains everything in the one below it.

Skyborne Heroic Pack

• the Skyborne race and its Zephras Isle starting experience
• Early Name Reservation
• Cerulean Prideclaw ground mount (riding skill still has to be bought in game before you can use it)
• cosmetics and housing decor
• one Invite-A-Friend Launch Code

Skyborne Epic Pack adds:

• beta access
• 30 days of Game Time, starting November 4
• more cosmetics, plus pets and tabards
• three Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes in total

Warcraft Forever Collection (limited time) adds:

• Warcraft III: Reforged
• the new Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom campaign
• Forsaken and Human Figurine decor for Housing in modern WoW

Blizzard’s posts do not list prices, so check the shop for your region.

Dates to remember

• September 17 to October 21, 2026: beta, for Epic Pack and Collection owners
• From October 20: Invite-A-Friend codes start arriving by email
• October 27 to November 3: Early Name Reservation, with any upgrade
• November 4, 3:00 p.m. PST: global launch
• November 4 to November 11: launch-week window for invited friends

During name reservation you can create and customise as many as three characters. Names are handed out first-come, first-served, and Blizzard warns it cannot promise you will get the one you want.

Bringing a friend

Launch codes land in your inbox; you copy one and pass it directly to the person you want to invite. Blizzard says an eligible friend can redeem it through Battle.net and play Forever during launch week without a subscription or Game Time. Gift purchases do not count, and other restrictions apply.

The physical Collector’s Edition

The World of Warcraft: Forever Collector’s Edition is sold through the Blizzard Gear Store while supplies last. Blizzard describes it as a set of keepsake physical collectibles themed around early Azeroth, packaged with a digital code for the Warcraft Forever Collection. In other words, its in-game rewards match the top digital tier. Buyers in Australia and New Zealand are pointed to local retailers, including JB Hi-Fi and EB Games Australia.

The beta code in the box has conditions attached. It requires a WoW game account, can be redeemed only once per account, and will not work on an account that already has beta access. Redemption instructions are sent by email.

Own the box but want perks sooner?

If you ordered the physical edition and don’t want to wait, Blizzard suggests picking up the Collection or another Forever product on the Battle.net Shop now. Some of those purchases may later be refunded as Battle.net Balance credit, matching what you paid, once you redeem the Collector’s Edition code before the end of December 31, 2027. Certain credits apply automatically while others need a ticket with Customer Support, and some products and upgrade paths are not eligible at all. Blizzard recommends reading its support article before buying.

Forsaken Kingdom by itself

Strategy fans can also buy Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom on its own or bundled with Warcraft III: Reforged. The campaign tells the story of Lordaeron’s fall, the founding of the Undercity and the first Forsaken Paladin.

What it means for players

A subscription alone gets you into Forever on day one. The Heroic Pack is mainly for players who want the Skyborne and a shot at their favourite name. The Epic Pack is the lowest tier with a ticket to the roughly five-week beta, and the Collection only earns its place if you also want the Warcraft III content. Whichever route you take, name reservation opens October 27, so it pays to pick a class early. Our leveling guides are a good place to compare options before then.