Patch 12.1.5 arrives on October 13 with weekly maintenance, bringing a new single-boss raid, a nine-chamber Labyrinth, the Season 2 mid-season refresh, and a class tuning pass. If you are coming back after a break, the most useful thing you can do is start the Nebulous Voidcore quest chain during the week of October 6 so you are not behind when the patch goes live. The update also adds catch-up mechanics to Prey renown specifically aimed at returning players.
What arrives on October 13
The Unbinding of Kith'ix is a single-boss raid with Story Mode, Normal, Heroic, and Mythic difficulties, and on Mythic you face Kith'ix with a flexible group of 15–25 players. The Labyrinth of Kindo'jan is a nine-chamber, Delve-like gauntlet with a Tier 11 solo challenge, Mythic gear, cosmetics, and titles. A new story campaign, "The Promise of Tomorrow," returns you to Quel'Thalas and Zul'Aman. Aqir Invasions are new zone-wide public events in Eversong or Zul'Aman that run for ten minutes each hour, with six scenario types and eight possible combat affixes.
Start the Voidcore chain before the patch
During realm maintenance the week of October 6, Orin Straylight begins offering one additional Nebulous Voidcore a week to bonus roll for loot. Accept "In the Catalyst's Shadow" from Decimus in Voidstorm, then pick up "Prismatic Potential" from Orin Straylight in Silvermoon City, and complete both before weekly maintenance during the week of October 6. Turning in "Prismatic Potential" starts Orin's research, after which he offers "Umbral Blessings of the Catalyst," unlocking the ability to trade gold, Voidlight Marl, or Veteran Mistcrests for one extra Nebulous Voidcore a week.
How to raise your item level
During maintenance the week of October 13, Orin offers "Ancient Depths, Ancient Venom," and after his research completes during the week of October 20 he offers "Ascending with Venomstones". That quest unlocks Ascendant Venomstones, which drop from every Heroic or Mythic raid boss, Mythic+ Keystone dungeons at +10 and above, Tier 11 Bountiful Delves, and Nightmare Prey Hunt Champion gear chests. Collect 10 of them and use them near the Catalyst in Silvermoon City to raise the item level of a fully upgraded Season 2 Hero, Myth, or maximum-quality Tidal Crafted weapon, trinket, or necklace. The crest cap is lifted the week of October 20 as well.
Prey catch-up and warband reputation
Prey gets catch-up mechanics to increase renown gains: players below rank 4 receive 4000 Journey progress (a full rank) per hunt, taking precedence over the Journey progress from your first four hunts a week, while players between ranks 4 and 9 receive 2000 Journey progress from each of their first four hunts a week. Afflicted and Tormented Souls can no longer be used while a hunt is active and must be used between hunts. Legion and Battle for Azeroth reputations are now shared across the warband.
Class changes to know
Devourer Demon Hunter gets the largest pass. Collapsing Star now has increased range after it starts casting, no longer goes on cooldown for 5 seconds when its cast is cancelled, and only slows Fury drain during its cast for a limited time. Voidpurge now reduces the cooldown of Void Ray during Void Metamorphosis by 2.5 seconds, up from 2. Many Devourer talents have changed positions, with The Hunt and Eradicate moving to the middle gate. For Void-Scarred, Demonic Intensity now causes Collapsing Star to reset the cooldown of The Hunt, its empower effect for The Hunt increases damage by 30%, and Violent Transformation resets the cooldown of Soul Immolation. Restoration gets a redesigned Nature's Bounty: Regrowth heals up to 3 allies with Rejuvenation active for 15% of its healing, prioritizing the lowest-health allies.
Mythic+ and achievements
Keystone Myth returns in 12.1.5, and the "Midnight Keystone Myth: Season 2" achievement requires a Mythic+ rating of at least 3600, rewarding "the Venomous Contender" title and a Timelost Saddle. Targeted dungeon tuning adjustments come with it to address difficulty outliers. Snake Eyes, Snake Eater, and Good Night, Sweet Prince are no longer required for Glory of the Wartorn Hero.
If you want to skip the resource gathering for your professions while you re-gear, the WoW Midnight Professions Kits Boost supplies the materials and instructions to take a chosen profession to level 100.
What changed in Season 2 before you left
Patch 12.1, Curse of Ula'tek, launched nine weeks before 12.1.5 and introduced The Coiled Isle, Midnight's Season 2, a new Mythic+ dungeon pool, and the Venomous Abyss raid. Players can no longer be knocked back while feared or disoriented.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does patch 12.1.5 go live?
October 13, following weekly maintenance.
What is the Labyrinth of Kindo’jan?
A massive nine-chamber, Delve-like gauntlet with a Tier 11 solo challenge, Mythic gear, cosmetics, and titles, played with Valeera Sanguinar as your companion.
Do I need to do anything before October 13?
Complete "In the Catalyst's Shadow" and "Prismatic Potential" before weekly maintenance during the week of October 6 to get an early start on the Nebulous Voidcore chain.
Which classes get changes in 12.1.5?
Devourer and Void-Scarred Demon Hunter get the largest pass, with Hunters and Rogues getting less, plus a Restoration redesign.
