Blizzard has officially announced that the WoW: Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition launches globally on February 5 at 3:00 PM PST, bringing updated systems, new features, and the return of iconic Burning Crusade content.
You can read the full Blizzard blue post here: Official Blizzard Announcement
Pre-Patch Begins January 13
The Pre-Expansion Patch arrives January 13 after weekly regional maintenance. Before January 12, players must choose whether each character will progress into Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary or transfer to a Classic Era realm via free transfers.
After January 12, any character still on Anniversary Realms automatically advances into Burning Crusade Anniversary Edition.
- Blood Elves and Draenei become available
- Leveling cadence updates
- Guild Bank added immediately
- Level 58 Boost access on January 13
What’s New in Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition
Here’s what players gain access to once the expansion launches on February 5:
- Level cap increased to 70
- New playable races: Blood Elves & Draenei
- Flying mounts in Outland
- Jewelcrafting profession
- Guild Bank at launch
- Adjusted XP pacing
New Playable Races
Blood Elves
Survivors of the Sunwell’s corruption, joining the Horde to seek vengeance against the Burning Legion. Blood Elves can play as Mages, Hunters, Rogues, Priests, Warlocks, and Paladins.
Draenei
Exiled travelers fleeing the Legion, joining the Alliance. Draenei can play Warriors, Paladins, Priests, Mages, Hunters, and Shamans. Their Gem Cutting passive gives them a Jewelcrafting advantage, especially when paired with the new Jewelcrafting profession.
January 13: Level 58 Character Boost Available
The Level 58 Character Boost becomes available as a standalone purchase on January 13. The boost works on Blood Elf, Draenei, and existing Anniversary Realm characters.
Boosts are restricted to the WoW Classic Anniversary Edition account where they were purchased or redeemed.
February 17: Arena Season 1 Begins
Arena Season 1 begins February 17 with each region’s weekly reset. Competitors will battle in:
- Nagrand Ring of Trials
- Blade’s Edge Circle of Blood
- Ruins of Lordaeron
Expect gear, mounts, titles, and rewards—without the old Honor Rank maintenance.
February 19: First Raids Unlock
At 3 PM PST on February 19, three raids open simultaneously:
Karazhan
The cursed tower of Medivh, filled with spirits, secrets, and powerful loot. Check out my full Karazhan guide for boss strategies and loot breakdowns.
Gruul’s Lair
Gruul the Dragonkiller and his brutal ogre sons threaten the mountains of Outland, offering early-tier gear and short, focused boss encounters.
Magtheridon’s Lair
The imprisoned pit lord beneath Hellfire Citadel waits for challengers. This raid features coordinated cube-clicking mechanics and intense raid-wide damage.
Flying Mounts Arrive in Outland
With flying unlocked, players can explore floating islands, remote quest hubs, and high-altitude terrain. This becomes essential later in zones like Shadowmoon Valley.
Jewelcrafting Profession
Jewelcrafting debuts with socketed gems and crafted accessories, including rings, amulets, trinkets, figurines, and more.
Trainers are located at:
- Kalaen — Thrallmar (Horde)
- Tatiana — Honor Hold (Alliance)
Guild Bank Available at Launch
The Anniversary Edition includes the Guild Bank at launch, featuring 8 purchasable tabs with 98 slots each. Guild masters can configure permissions for each tab and deposit gold for guild use.
Free Transfers to Classic Era Realms (Until January 12)
From November 25 through January 12, players can move their Anniversary characters to Classic Era for free. After the deadline, remaining characters automatically progress into Burning Crusade Anniversary.
Final Thoughts
The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition brings back one of the most iconic eras in WoW history. Whether you’re preparing for Karazhan, gearing up for Gruul or Magtheridon, or exploring Outland for the first time, February marks a major milestone for the Classic community.