Blizzard confirmed that the first wave of raids in World of Warcraft: Forever will unlock on December 9, 2026. Following the game's release on November 4, 2026, max-level characters have just over a month to hit level 60 and organize rosters for three separate instances. This initial tier introduces two brand-new instances alongside a classic 40-player encounter, catering to a mix of raid sizes right at the start of endgame.
Three raids opening December 9
The December 9 launch opens Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit, and Onyxia's Lair for level 60 adventurers. Blizzard currently plans for all three raids to reset on a standard weekly schedule.
Onyxia. Image: Blizzard.
| Raid | Player Count | Boss Count | Location |
| Barrow Deeps | 10 players | 8 bosses | Mount Hyjal, Winterspring, and Blackmaw Hold entrances |
| Hyjal Summit | 20 players | 13 bosses | Mount Hyjal near Nordrassil |
| Onyxia's Lair | 40 players | 1 boss (3 phases) | Dustwallow Marsh |
Barrow Deeps sends 10-man groups into the subterranean barrow prison that once held Illidan Stormrage for 10,000 years, featuring multiple entrances across northern Kalimdor. Hyjal Summit requires 20 players to scale the mountain peak, initiating combat with an ancient guardian before branching into multiple underground and surface paths. Hyjal Summit also contains a legendary questline.
Onyxia's Lair returns as a 40-player challenge in Dustwallow Marsh, where Onyxia unleashes fire abilities across three distinct encounter phases. Raid mechanics also receive global adjustments: world buffs no longer function inside raid instances, while rare, powerful chase items have been added to raid bosses to sustain long-term interest. Chase items in older tiers are a sensible way to keep runs relevant for gearing alts, say some players.
How to prepare before the unlock
The five-week window between the November 4 launch and the December 9 unlock gives players time to reach the permanent level 60 cap, gather fire resistance gear, and sort out group rosters.
Entering Onyxia's Lair requires every raid member to hold a Drakefire Amulet in their inventory, though the item does not need to be equipped to pass through the portal. The attunement questline splits by faction and requires running multiple high-level dungeons:
- Alliance Attunement: Helendis Riverhorn starts the chain in Burning Steppes with Dragonkin Menace, progressing into the multi-part The True Masters. Marshal Maxwell then directs players to Blackrock Depths for Marshal Windsor and Abandoned Hope. Inside Blackrock Depths, players must loot A Crumpled Up Note from dungeon enemies, retrieve lost documents during A Shred of Hope, and free Windsor via Jail Break!. Windsor then travels to Stormwind for Stormwind Rendezvous and The Great Masquerade, leading Highlord Bolvar Fordragon to assign The Dragon's Eye. The final step requires killing General Drakkisath in Upper Blackrock Spire to claim Blood of the Black Dragon Champion.
- Horde Attunement: Warlord Goretooth starts the journey in Kargath with Blood and Thunder and Warlord's Command, requiring runs through Lower Blackrock Spire. Players then locate Rexxar along the roads of Desolace during The Champion of the Horde, take his testament to Myranda the Hag in Western Plaguelands, and collect dragon eyes in Oculus Illusions. Using the Amulet of Draconic Subversion, players confront Emberstrife in Dustwallow Marsh to complete the Test of Skulls against Scryer, Somnus, Chronalis, and Axtroz. Returning the Dull Drakefire Amulet to Rexxar sends players to defeat General Drakkisath in Upper Blackrock Spire for the Blood of the Black Dragon Champion to complete the amulet.
If you want to clear these instances right as lockouts open, an organized WoW Forever Raids group can carry you through the encounters to claim early loot. To catch up on surrounding release details before leveling begins, read the breakdown on the WoW Forever Release Date: November 4, 2026 Launch Time.
Screenshot: Uncas on YouTube.
The schedule feels rushed to many players: "They should have given us 4-6 weeks to level then another 4 weeks or so to work on prebis." said one player regarding the launch window. Even so, no actual rush exists because the instances remain permanently in the game, note fans who plan to level at their own pace.
What comes next on the schedule
Following the initial unlock, the December 9 raid tier kicks off the ongoing endgame progression across Azeroth. The game's broader roadmap includes further additions arriving in later patches, featuring two new dungeons and two new 10- and 20-player raids in spring, followed by another raid, two dungeons, and a revamped iconic raid in summer.
