World of Warcraft: Darkest Night – Version 12.0 Launches Globally on March 3, 2026, Including in China

Heroic and Epic Edition Buyers Gain Early Access to the Housing System; Void-Themed Mounts and Transmogrification Sets Revealed

Blizzard Entertainment announced today that World of Warcraft’s twelfth expansion, “Darkest Night,” will launch globally on March 3, 2026, at 7:00 AM (Beijing Time). For the first time, players in China will experience new content simultaneously with the global community. Those who purchase the Heroic or Epic Edition will also gain early access to the housing system starting December 4, 2025, allowing them to begin customizing their personal homesteads in Azeroth ahead of the full release.

Early Access to the Housing System

With the release of the pre-patch content update “Chime of the Phantom World,” players who own the Heroic or Epic Edition can join residential districts, select a home, and start personalizing their spaces. Those who have not purchased these editions can still begin collecting housing items through in-game achievements, events, and vendors, preparing for their future homes in Azeroth.

Digital Edition Highlights

Heroic Edition: Includes early housing system access, a Level 80 Character Boost with upgraded gear and reputation, the Lightwing Dragonhawk mount, the Lightstrider Transmog Set, and 1,000 Trader’s Tender.

Epic Edition: Adds the Void-Light Surger mount (featuring dynamic color-shifting effects), the Voidstrider Transmog Set, a “Darkest Night” housing decoration bundle, 2,000 Trader’s Tender, and three days of early game access.

Exclusive Rewards: Void-themed fountains, platforms, character paintings, and dynamic-effect mounts have also been unveiled.

Expansion Highlights

New Story and Zones

Players will confront the void army leader Herald Xal’atath across four new and updated zones: the visually enhanced Eversong Forest, the troll capital Zul’Aman, the fungal jungle Hara’nidal, and the void-scarred Umbral Storm. The level cap will increase to 90.

New Allied Race and Class Updates

• The Hara’nil join as a new Allied Race, able to align with either the Horde or Alliance, featuring customizable bioluminescent markings.
• Demon Hunters gain the Devourer specialization, the class’s first ranged option, harnessing void powers.

End-Game Content Expansion

• 10 new Adventure Modes including a challenging Adversary Mode, with legendary blood elf rogue Valeera Sanguinar as a new companion.
• 8 thematically diverse dungeons and 3 new raids (Spire of Shadows, Dreamrift, and Assault on Quel’Thalas) for Season 1.
• A new 40v40 epic battleground, Slaughterer’s Highlands, a PvP Proving Grounds tutorial, and the revamped faction hub of Silvermoon City.

System Innovations

• Expanded Talent Trees: Introducing powerful new skills and capstone talents.
• Hunting System: Track and defeat powerful targets across three difficulty tiers with progressive rewards.
• Arcane Sanctuary: A cross-faction social space serving as a narrative and quest hub.

Transmogrification 2.0: Save appearances directly from inventory and assign outfits by context (e.g., dungeons, home, exploration).

Darkest Night marks the beginning of a new Warcraft trilogy, and the synchronized launch in China underscores Blizzard’s commitment to the region. Players can now pre-purchase digital editions through official channels to prepare for this epic conflict between light and shadow.