Beta guide: Difference between revisions
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|source_url=https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24304160/the-world-of-warcraft-forever-beta-now-live | |source_url=https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24304160/the-world-of-warcraft-forever-beta-now-live | ||
|game_version=Forever beta | |game_version=Forever beta access and testing review (2026-10-08) | ||
|verification_status=Source checked | |verification_status=Source checked | ||
|reviewed_on=2026- | |reviewed_on=2026-10-08 | ||
}} | }} | ||
<div class="fw-notice">'''Beta guide · reviewed | <div class="fw-notice">'''Beta guide · reviewed 8 October 2026.''' Start with the [[Beta update (October 1, 2026)|October 1 update]] and [[Beta known issues]] before planning a test.</div> | ||
'''The Forever beta | '''The Forever beta opened on September 17 with a level 20 cap.''' Its launch testing scope included [[Skyborne]], [[Zephras Isle]], [[Hall of Thanes]] (13–18), [[Ruins of Lordaeron]] (15–20), and zone content through level 20. The launch announcement planned a later level 30 phase and a public Server Slam without a date. October 21 is the last full testing day.<ref name="beta">Blizzard Entertainment, [https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24304160/the-world-of-warcraft-forever-beta-now-live The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live], 17 September 2026. Rechecked 20 September 2026.</ref> | ||
The [[Beta update (October 1, 2026)|October 1 update]] raised the cap to 30. | |||
<div class="fw-notice">For the later developer announcement, see [[Beta update (October 8, 2026)]]. Earlier testing plans below retain their original dates.</div> | |||
== Install the correct version == | == Install the correct version == | ||
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For XP comparisons, use [[Leveling and experience]] to distinguish developer intentions, perk descriptions, and measured results. | For XP comparisons, use [[Leveling and experience]] to distinguish developer intentions, perk descriptions, and measured results. | ||
For dated changes after the launch announcement, see [[Beta changes]] and the [[Beta update (September 24, 2026)|September 24 update reference]]. Before comparing different talent allocations, check its respec guidance. | |||
== Planned Legacy testing grant == | |||
On October 1, Blizzard announced plans to give every tester '''16 Legacy Points''' during a future beta week and retain the grant through testing. The post supplies no activation date or promise of launch carryover.<ref>Kaivax, [https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/legacy-points-for-beta-testing/2368776 Legacy testing plan], 1 October 2026 at 21:54 UTC; checked 8 October.</ref> See [[Legacy system]] for normal progression. Player replies claiming receipt do not confirm the timing for every account. | |||
== Plan a useful session == | == Plan a useful session == | ||
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Use [[Game access]] for entitlement checks and [[Beta known issues#Community troubleshooting reports|community troubleshooting reports]] for dated reports with their limitations. A report that an error occurred yesterday is not a live server-status check. | Use [[Game access]] for entitlement checks and [[Beta known issues#Community troubleshooting reports|community troubleshooting reports]] for dated reports with their limitations. A report that an error occurred yesterday is not a live server-status check. | ||
The [[Beta known issues#September 27 queue correction|September 27 queue correction]] covers a specific queue-filling fault. Keep fresh connection reports separate from that dated resolution. | |||
== September 28 gold-trading clarification == | |||
Blizzard reiterated that real-money gold transactions are prohibited in Forever's beta and after launch. Its September 28 statement describes action against buyers as well as sellers, including removing illicit gold and potentially closing accounts. Recipients may also face action when they knew, or should have known, that transferred gold was illegitimate.<ref>Kaivax, [https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/gold-buying-rules/2364933/43 Gold buying rules, post 43], 28 September 2026 at 20:06 UTC. Original Blizzard post and public JSON reviewed 30 September 2026.</ref> The reply does not establish a penalty for any particular player. | |||
=== October 1 follow-up === | |||
Blizzard subsequently reported action against beta botting, gold purchasing, and knowing receipt of illicit gold, and announced a forthcoming warning for trades with strangers.<ref>Kaivax, [https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/actions-taken-against-botting-and-rmt/2368705 Actions taken against botting and RMT], 1 October 2026 at 21:05 UTC; checked 8 October.</ref> This announcement does not identify a penalty for a named player or establish when the warning became visible. | |||
== Share evidence == | == Share evidence == | ||
Latest revision as of 23:38, 8 October 2026
The Forever beta opened on September 17 with a level 20 cap. Its launch testing scope included Skyborne, Zephras Isle, Hall of Thanes (13–18), Ruins of Lordaeron (15–20), and zone content through level 20. The launch announcement planned a later level 30 phase and a public Server Slam without a date. October 21 is the last full testing day.[1]
The October 1 update raised the cap to 30.
Install the correct version
In Battle.net, select World of Warcraft, then World of Warcraft: Forever Beta under In Development in the version menu. Install, launch, and create a test character. Eligible digital purchases can take up to 30 minutes to appear; restart the launcher.[1] Game access covers eligibility, while System requirements covers hardware.
For XP comparisons, use Leveling and experience to distinguish developer intentions, perk descriptions, and measured results.
For dated changes after the launch announcement, see Beta changes and the September 24 update reference. Before comparing different talent allocations, check its respec guidance.
Planned Legacy testing grant
On October 1, Blizzard announced plans to give every tester 16 Legacy Points during a future beta week and retain the grant through testing. The post supplies no activation date or promise of launch carryover.[2] See Legacy system for normal progression. Player replies claiming receipt do not confirm the timing for every account.
Plan a useful session
- Read Beta known issues before comparing class behavior. A listed bug can explain a surprising result without establishing an intended design change.
- Choose one question and record the client build, date, character level, faction, equipment, and allocated talents.
- For a dungeon visit, capture your route to the entrance and the actual entry result. Separate recommended levels from observed restrictions.
- For a quest, record its exact title, giver, objectives, prerequisites, and reward screen. Keep those records together so another contributor can repeat the steps.
- For a talent, compare the appropriate rank on its reference page. Keep tooltip text separate from observed combat behavior.
A client can contain high-level spells, future zones, or unused records beyond currently playable content. An imported tooltip does not prove that its maximum rank can be tested today. Follow the dated availability announcement before planning a high-level test.
Identify where a connection problem occurs
Record whether the failure happens before the version appears in Battle.net, when pressing Play, after authentication, at gameplay-style selection, or when entering the world. Keep the error code and installed build with that stage. An access problem, an update problem, and a world-entry failure need different evidence.
Use Game access for entitlement checks and community troubleshooting reports for dated reports with their limitations. A report that an error occurred yesterday is not a live server-status check.
The September 27 queue correction covers a specific queue-filling fault. Keep fresh connection reports separate from that dated resolution.
September 28 gold-trading clarification
Blizzard reiterated that real-money gold transactions are prohibited in Forever's beta and after launch. Its September 28 statement describes action against buyers as well as sellers, including removing illicit gold and potentially closing accounts. Recipients may also face action when they knew, or should have known, that transferred gold was illegitimate.[3] The reply does not establish a penalty for any particular player.
October 1 follow-up
Blizzard subsequently reported action against beta botting, gold purchasing, and knowing receipt of illicit gold, and announced a forthcoming warning for trades with strangers.[4] This announcement does not identify a penalty for a named player or establish when the warning became visible.
Use the template at Project:Beta verification and attach the source to the affected article. A useful report identifies both the expected result and the actual result, including whether the same steps reproduce the issue. Cite an official correction separately from your own test.
When testing a possible fix, record the new build and repeat the same conditions. Do not label a planned fix as resolved merely because a client update appeared. Beta changes records the source dates behind wiki updates.
Related references
Beginner guide · Beta known issues · Project:Research tasks · Release roadmap
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Blizzard Entertainment, The World of Warcraft: Forever Beta Now Live, 17 September 2026. Rechecked 20 September 2026.
- ↑ Kaivax, Legacy testing plan, 1 October 2026 at 21:54 UTC; checked 8 October.
- ↑ Kaivax, Gold buying rules, post 43, 28 September 2026 at 20:06 UTC. Original Blizzard post and public JSON reviewed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Kaivax, Actions taken against botting and RMT, 1 October 2026 at 21:05 UTC; checked 8 October.