This is a simple guide for the new WoW Classic 20th Anniversary realms. The realms open on November 21 at 2:00 p.m. PST.
| Feature | PvE Realm | PvP Realm | Hardcore Realm |
| Progresses to Burning Crusade | Yes | Yes | No |
| LFG Tool | Available | Available | Available |
| PvP Battlegrounds | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled |
| Self-Found Character | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Faction Balance | No | Yes | No |
| Transfers | Only to same type realms | Only to same type realms | To Normal if dead/alive |
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – Release Date and Time
The WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms will open on November 21 at 2:00 p.m. PST. Here’s when the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms will launch in different time zones, so players worldwide can be ready to join.
| Time Zone | Local Time for WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms Launch |
| PST (Pacific) | November 21, 2:00 p.m. |
| MST (Mountain) | November 21, 3:00 p.m. |
| CST (Central) | November 21, 4:00 p.m. |
| EST (Eastern) | November 21, 5:00 p.m. |
| GMT (Greenwich) | November 21, 10:00 p.m. |
| CET (Central Europe) | November 21, 11:00 p.m. |
| IST (India) | November 22, 3:30 a.m. |
| CST (China) | November 22, 6:00 a.m. |
| JST (Japan) | November 22, 7:00 a.m. |
| AEDT (Australia) | November 22, 9:00 a.m. |
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – Realm Options
There are three types of WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms to choose from, each with its own set of rules.
- Normal (PvE) Realm — A relaxed realm where players don’t compete directly.
- PvP Realm — Players can fight each other here.
- Hardcore Realm — A high-difficulty realm focused only on levels 1-60, with no progression to expansions.
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – Key Changes and Features
Blizzard has added some new features and made rule changes to improve the experience on WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms.
- Realm Capacity — Realms can hold many players, but there may be waiting lines at first.
- Looking for Group (LFG) Tool — Players can create and join groups manually using this tool.
- Services Chat Channel — A special channel only for advertising things like portals and buffs (all ads must be posted here).
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – Game Progression and Rulesets
Each type of WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realm follows certain progression rules, based on the realm type.
- Burning Crusade Progression — Normal and PvP realms will eventually move to the Burning Crusade expansion.
- Hardcore Rules —
- PvP battlegrounds are disabled in Hardcore mode.
- You can create a Self-Found character, meaning no trading with other players.
- Hardcore mode has special restrictions (e.g., Paladins cannot “bubble hearth,” Shamans cannot reincarnate).
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – Molten Core & Onyxia
On the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms, these popular raids won’t open right away; they’re set to launch later.
- Unlock Date — December 12 PST for both raids.
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – Character Transfers
Character transfers are limited on WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms to keep the experience fair and balanced.
- No Transfers — Characters cannot be transferred between different realm types, except in some cases from Hardcore to Normal if your character dies.
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – PvP Realm Faction Balance
Blizzard wants to keep the number of Horde and Alliance players equal on WoW Classic 20th Anniversary PvP Realms.
- Faction Lock — Character creation on the larger faction may pause if one side becomes too dominant.
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms – GDKP (Gold Dragon Kill Points) Policy
To keep the game fair, Blizzard won’t allow GDKP runs in some regions on WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms.
- Not Allowed in NA/EU — This policy applies only to Anniversary realms in North America and Europe. It helps protect traditional guild play.
Conclusion for WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms
The WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms offer a new chance to experience classic gameplay with fresh starts and unique options. There are three types of realms: PvE, PvP, and Hardcore, each with different rules and features. Players can join groups through the new LFG tool, enjoy balanced PvP on dedicated realms, and take on content at different phases. With Burning Crusade progression for PvE and PvP realms and special Hardcore challenges, there’s something for everyone. Be ready to dive into the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Realms when they launch on November 21!