World of Warcraft Classic is currently in the midst of the third phase of its Season of Discovery, but fans of the throwback MMORPG have other, bigger updates to look forward to as well. Last November, Blizzard Entertainment announced that its next expansion, World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic, would be releasing sometime in 2024. Now, the developer has announced a firm release date.
World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic will launch on May 20. Prior to that, a pre-expansion patch will go live on April 20, adding mechanics and content to pave the way for the update’s full release. The pre-expansion patch will allow you to play as two new races – Goblin and Worgen – and choose new race and class combinations.
There will also be new talents, trees, spells, and more for classes, a new transmog collection, updated character and gear stats, and a new profession in the form of Archaeology. Notably, players will also be able to explore and play through changed landscapes in Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms from level 1 through 60.
When Cataclysm itself launches in full on May 20, it will bring seven new zones (Mount Hyjal, Vash’jir, Twilight Highlands, Uldum, Deepholm, Kezan, and Gilneas), nine new dungeons (Blackrock Caverns, Throne of the Tides, Vortex Pinnacle, The Stonecore, The Lost City of Tol’vir, The Halls of Origination, Grim Batol, Deadmines, and Shadowfang Keep), and three new raid dungeons (Throne of the Four Winds, Blackwing Descent, and Bastion of Twilight).
Cataclysm will also introduce the Tol Barad PvP zone, Darkmoon Island, the ability to fly in Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, a new boss-based Raid Lock system, and the dungeon journal.
2024 is also set to be a significant year for the main version of World of Warcraft. It recently introduced a new mode in the form of Plunderstom, while its next expansion, The War Within, will launch sometime later this year. It will kickstart a new trilogy of expansions, dubbed the Worldsoul Saga.
