been announced
World of Warcraft: Forever launches worldwide on November 4, 2026. Rather than simply recreating classic WoW, Forever expands the original Azeroth with new questlines, zones, dungeons, and raids while keeping the familiar level 1–60 progression experience.
At launch, WoW Forever will introduce 9 new dungeons ranging from around level 13 to level 60. These new instances will join classic dungeons such as Deadmines, Scarlet Monastery, and Blackrock Depths as part of the leveling route.
Forever also changes dungeon experience, loot, and group rules, which may affect which dungeons are worth running while leveling. This Forever Dungeons Guide covers the levels, locations, and story background of all 9 new WoW Forever dungeons, along with key rule changes, leveling recommendations, and related World of Warcraft products and services.
How Many New Dungeons Are in WoW Forever?
WoW Forever launches with 9 brand-new dungeons, all available from day one on November 4, 2026. There is no phased dungeon unlock schedule.
These new dungeons span roughly levels 13 to 60, so they are spread throughout the leveling journey rather than being concentrated only at endgame.
The level ranges above are based on currently available information. WoW Forever is still in beta, so boss tuning, quests, and loot may change before launch. The final details should be confirmed with the November 4 release build.
According to third-party roadmap summaries, Blizzard is also expected to add two more dungeons in spring 2027 and another two in summer 2027. Their names have not yet been announced.
How Are WoW Forever Dungeons Different from Classic WoW?
Before planning your dungeon route, it is important to understand a few rule changes. These systems make dungeon progression in WoW Forever very different from Classic WoW.
Experience: Complete Dungeon Quests Once, Then Return to Questing
The experience system in WoW Forever can be summarized in three points: the level 1–60 XP curve remains similar to Classic WoW, experience from killing dungeon mobs has been reduced, and dungeon quest XP is increased the first time you complete them.
In practice, the best approach is to pick up all available dungeon quests before entering, clear the dungeon once, turn in the quests, and then return to open-world leveling. Second and third runs are mainly worthwhile if you are targeting specific blue gear or blueprints, as the XP gain is much lower.
This means repeatedly farming dungeons such as Scarlet Monastery all the way to level 60, a common strategy in Classic WoW, is far less efficient in Forever.
Loot: Boss Drops Are Upgraded to Blue Quality
Blizzard has reworked dungeon boss loot across both new and classic dungeons. Boss-specific items are now upgraded to rare, blue-quality gear, while many new items have been added and weaker existing rewards have been improved. Open-world quest rewards have also received updates.
Two additional changes are worth noting:
- Blueprints: Dungeon bosses can drop blueprint recipes used to unlock advanced camp items that provide one-hour buffs. This gives level 60 players a reason to return to lower-level dungeons.
- Transmog appearances: Green and blue bind-on-pickup gear dropped by dungeon bosses can unlock appearances for all eligible party members, so players do not need to compete for an item purely for its appearance. Healing gear also includes additional damage stats, making solo questing easier for healers wearing dungeon equipment.
Combat: Crowd Control and Threat Matter More
According to Blizzard's design notes, dungeons do not use level scaling, so each dungeon keeps the difficulty associated with its intended level range.
Combat is more tactical, with crowd-control abilities such as Polymorph, Banish, roots, and traps playing a larger role. Tanks can generally hold threat on only around three to four enemies at a time, making large pulls less practical. The overall pace of dungeon combat is also slightly slower.
Because of this, groups benefit from bringing classes with reliable crowd control, such as Mages, Rogues, Warlocks, and Hunters. It is also worth discussing target priority before each pull. Party-size limits for the new dungeons have not yet been officially confirmed.
Grouping: No Random Dungeon Finder
WoW Forever does not include a random Dungeon Finder. Players need to form groups manually in the open world, major cities, or around campfires.
Blizzard also does not allow grouping across different rulesets or factions. As a result, server communities, guilds, and friends lists are more important than they are in modern WoW. Tanks and healers are still likely to have the easiest time finding groups.
New and Classic Dungeons by Level Range
WoW Forever keeps all of the classic dungeons. The new dungeons are added alongside them rather than replacing existing content.
The table below follows third-party Forever leveling route summaries and places each new dungeon next to classic dungeons from a similar level range. Recommended levels for classic dungeons can vary slightly between sources, so they are grouped here by general leveling bracket rather than exact requirements.
Based on the current level ranges, there are no new Forever dungeons covering roughly levels 20–24, 33–35, 45–48, or 53–55. Classic dungeons can help fill these gaps.
Combined with Forever's updated XP rules, a practical leveling route is to complete each relevant new and classic dungeon once for quest XP and important gear, then return to open-world questing instead of repeatedly farming the same instance.
9 New WoW Forever Dungeons Explained
The Hall of Thanes (Levels 13–18): Dwarven Royal Tombs
- Location: Beneath Ironforge
- Recommended Level: 13–18
- Faction: Alliance-focused story, but Horde players can also enter
Story Background: The Hall of Thanes is a sacred dwarven burial site hidden deep beneath Ironforge. Rumors suggest the tombs have been disturbed, with Dark Iron dwarves infiltrating the ancient halls while ghosts and undead roam the corridors.
Faction and Access: This dungeon is tied to an Alliance-focused storyline, and its entrance is located in Ironforge, making it easy for Alliance players to reach. Horde groups will need to sneak in or fight their way through the city.
Leveling Advice: The Hall of Thanes is one of the earliest new dungeons available in WoW Forever. Its level 13–18 range lines up with the point where players are leaving their starting zones and finishing their first low-level quest hubs.
For dwarves and gnomes leveling through Dun Morogh, the dungeon fits naturally into the route. It is best to pick up all available Ironforge quests and run it early rather than returning after you have outleveled the content, when the quest XP will be much less valuable.
It also gives Alliance players another early-game dungeon option in a level range close to The Stockade, helping fill a gap in the early leveling route.
Ruins of Lordaeron (Levels 15–20): The Forsaken Reclaim Their Capital
- Location: Tirisfal Glades
- Recommended Level: 15–20
- Faction: Horde-focused story, but Alliance players can also enter
Story Background: Ruins of Lordaeron follows the Forsaken as they attempt to reclaim their former capital. Remnants of the Scourge still occupy parts of the ruins.
Faction and Access: Horde players fight alongside the Forsaken during this storyline, while Alliance players will need to find their own way into the area.
Leveling Advice: Ruins of Lordaeron works as a Horde-side counterpart to The Hall of Thanes. For undead characters leveling through Tirisfal Glades, it is much more convenient than making the long trip to Ragefire Chasm in Orgrimmar.
With a recommended range up to level 20, two levels higher than The Hall of Thanes, it also fits well as the final new dungeon to clear before moving beyond the early leveling brackets.
Excavation Site: Wetlands (Levels 24–29): Mystery of the Titan Constructs
Excavation Site: Wetlands is located near Whelgar's Excavation Site in the Wetlands and is recommended for players around levels 24–29.
- Location: Wetlands, above Whelgar's Excavation
- Recommended Level: 24–29
Story Background: A strange mist is spreading down from the mountains, while flashes of light can occasionally be seen on the horizon. Titan constructs guard something hidden in the highlands, setting up the mystery at the heart of this dungeon.
Leveling Advice: This is the first new dungeon available after level 20 and the first Titan-themed stop in the WoW Forever dungeon route. Shaper's Terrace later returns to the same broader Titan theme.
For Alliance players, the Wetlands already sits along the natural route from Dun Morogh and Loch Modan toward Arathi, making this dungeon easy to fit into normal leveling. Horde players may need to weigh the travel time before making the trip.
The level 24–29 bracket also has several classic dungeon options, including Shadowfang Keep and Blackfathom Deeps. Depending on where you are leveling, you can choose the most convenient one or complete both once for quests and gear.
City of Dalaran (Levels 28–33): An Entire City Turned Into a Dungeon
Location: Dalaran in the Alterac Mountains
- Recommended Level: 28–33
Dalaran Overview: Located in the Alterac Mountains, Dalaran is a recommended area for players around levels 28–33. After the Third War, the Kirin Tor sealed the city behind a powerful magical barrier while reconstruction was underway. With the barrier now gone, Dalaran has become increasingly dangerous as unstable enchantments, hostile arcane constructs, and demonic energy spread throughout the city.
Dungeon Features: This dungeon turns the entire city of Dalaran into a large-scale dungeon zone. Blizzard has also said that players will be able to explore more open sections of the city, so the route may be longer and more complex than a typical low-level dungeon.
Dungeon Tips: On your first run, give your group plenty of time and focus on completing every available quest instead of treating it like a quick farm. Against arcane constructs and demon-type enemies, Warlock Banish and Mage crowd control can be especially useful. Since the recommended level range overlaps with the early sections of Scarlet Monastery, Dalaran can also serve as a strong alternative dungeon for players leveling around level 30.
The Drowned City (Level 35–40): A Troll City Rising from the Sea
Location: Off the coast of Stranglethorn Vale
Recommended Level: 35–40
Story Background: The Drowned City is a newly emerged troll city rising from the waters off the coast of Stranglethorn Vale. The area is now occupied by trolls and naga, while a pirate ship has crashed directly into the city, adding another layer of danger and chaos to the dungeon.
Dungeon Features: The Drowned City was available as a playable dungeon demo at BlizzCon, making it one of the new dungeons with more hands-on information currently available.
Dungeon Tips: Levels 35–40 are a key part of the leveling journey in Stranglethorn Vale, and players from both factions are likely to pass through the zone. This gives The Drowned City the potential to become one of the more active mid-level group dungeons during the early launch period. With trolls, naga, and pirates all involved, expect a wider mix of enemy types than usual. Prioritize interrupts against spellcasting naga and troll enemies to keep pulls under control.
Krol'dok Stronghold (Level 40–45): An Open-World Ogre Stronghold in Riverglades
Location: Riverglades, a new zone introduced in Forever
Recommended Level: 40–45
Story Background: Krol'dok Stronghold is an open-world dungeon located in Riverglades. The area is controlled by an ogre clan known for abducting travelers and raiding nearby settlements. Strange chanting can also be heard from the stronghold at night, hinting that something more dangerous may be happening inside.
Dungeon Features: Unlike traditional enclosed dungeons, Krol'dok Stronghold is an open-world dungeon. Blizzard has described it as an alternative for players who want a break from repeatedly running Scarlet Monastery.
Dungeon Tips: After level 40, dungeon gear tends to stay useful for longer, so this is a good place to fill important equipment gaps. If your weapon is several levels behind, or if your Tank or Healer is starting to struggle in dungeons, prioritize upgrades here. Since Riverglades is a new zone, keep an eye on the local questline as well, because some dungeon quests may be tied directly to the surrounding area.
Alcaz Prison (Level 48–53): The Legendary Island Prison Finally Opens
Location: Alcaz Island, northeast of Dustwallow Marsh
Recommended Level: 48–53
Story Background: Alcaz Prison is an island prison once used by the Defias Brotherhood to hold nobles for ransom. The prison is now caught in a conflict between the Defias and the naga, and players can finally enter the area. Alcaz Island is also tied to the long-running story surrounding Varian Wrynn’s captivity, making it especially interesting for longtime Alliance players.
Dungeon Tips: From level 48 onward, dungeon runs become more important for preparing gear before reaching max level. When choosing upgrades from Alcaz Prison, look beyond immediate stat gains and consider whether key items can remain useful through level 55 and beyond, especially weapons, shields, and class-specific trinkets. Since bosses can also drop profession recipes, Alcaz Prison may still be worth farming even after you reach level 60.
Blackmaw Hold (Level 55–60): A Furbolg City Leading Toward the Raid
Location: Northern Azshara
Recommended Level: 55–60
Story Background: Blackmaw Hold lies behind the long-sealed gate in northern Azshara that players could never enter in classic WoW. Beyond it is a hidden furbolg city, where the inhabitants are struggling against corruption. Beneath the stronghold, a network of tunnels runs deep into the mountain and eventually connects to the Barrow Deeps.
Dungeon Features: Blackmaw Hold is directly connected to the Barrow Deeps raid in the story, making it an important stepping stone into endgame PvE content.
Dungeon Tips: At this level, dungeon runs become less about leveling and more about preparing for level 60 content. The raids are scheduled to open on December 9, five weeks after launch, and all require level 60. The two new level 55–60 dungeons give freshly capped characters a place to collect their first pieces of blue gear before raid progression begins. If you want to be ready before the first raid unlocks, Blackmaw Hold should be one of your main gearing priorities.
Shaper's Terrace (Level 58–60): The Final Stop Before Raiding
Location: Un'Goro Crater
Recommended Level: 58–60
Story Background: Shaper's Terrace is a Titan ruin hidden among the hills of Un'Goro Crater. The area is filled with ancient Titan structures, powerful energy crystals, and roaming wildlife, creating a dangerous endgame environment for players approaching level 60.
Dungeon Features: Shaper's Terrace is one of the final dungeons players can tackle before moving into raid content, and it is also among the highest-level new dungeons currently available.
Dungeon Tips: From level 58 onward, start planning your level 60 gearing path. Look for items that can serve as Pre-Raid Gear, identify which bosses are worth farming repeatedly, and focus on the key stats your class still needs. Since Shaper's Terrace overlaps with Blackmaw Hold in level range, the two can be alternated after level 58. Together with classic endgame dungeons such as Blackrock Depths, Scholomance, and Stratholme, they form an important part of the early level 60 gearing route.
Leveling Route: When Should You Run Dungeons?
When Should New Players Start Running Dungeons?
You can start trying the first new dungeons at around level 13. For new players, the best time to enter a dungeon is when you have reached the lower end of its recommended level range, already picked up the related dungeon quests, and are leveling in a nearby zone.
Do not worry too much about learning the route in advance. During the early launch period, most players will be entering these new dungeons for the first time. Since Forever places more emphasis on crowd control and threat management, steady pulls and learning boss mechanics are more important than rushing for the fastest clear.
The “One Full Clear” Rule
Based on Forever's leveling and experience system, a simple and efficient approach is:
- Before entering: Pick up all available dungeon quests from capital cities and nearby quest hubs.
- First clear: Complete one full run, finish every quest you can, and collect the maximum quest experience.
- After the run: Turn in your quests and return to outdoor leveling.
- Repeat runs: Come back only if a specific boss drops an item, recipe, or upgrade you actually need.
A simple way to decide whether a dungeon is worth running is to look at travel time and quest count. If the dungeon is close to your current leveling zone and you have three to five related quests, one full clear can provide excellent value. If you need to travel across half the map just for one average drop, continuing with normal quests may be more efficient.
Dungeon Priorities by Level Range
- Levels 13–30: Focus on dungeon quests and convenient runs while leveling. Most gear upgrades will be replaced quickly.
- Levels 30–45: Start paying more attention to class stats and weapon upgrades, as dungeon gear remains useful for longer.
- Levels 45–60: Prepare for endgame by prioritizing longer-lasting upgrades and collecting useful profession recipes.
- Level 60 to December 9: Focus on Blackmaw Hold, Shaper's Terrace, and classic endgame dungeons to build your first raid-ready gear set before raid content opens.
WoW Forever Dungeon Preparation Guide
What to Prepare Before Entering a Dungeon
Pick up all available dungeon quests. This is one of the most important steps in WoW Forever, because the experience from completing dungeon quests is much more valuable than relying on mob kills alone.
Confirm party roles and crowd control before pulling. The Tank should control the pace and avoid pulling more enemies than the group can safely handle. The Healer needs to balance party survival with mana management, while DPS players should help with interrupts, crowd control, and priority targets. Assigning crowd control targets before combat can greatly reduce the chance of a wipe.
Bring enough supplies. Carry food, water, and recovery items, especially at lower levels when Healers have fewer abilities and more limited resources. Against spellcasters, well-timed interrupts and Line of Sight tactics are often safer than trying to brute-force every pull.
What You Can Do Before the November 4 Launch
World of Warcraft: Forever is scheduled to launch globally on November 4, 2026, and will be included with an active World of Warcraft subscription or game time. The Beta runs from September 17 to October 21. Its level cap begins at 20 and later increases to 30, allowing players to test Hall of Thanes, Ruins of Lordaeron, Excavation Site, and the opening section of the City of Dalaran. Beta progress will not carry over to the November 4 release.
Choose your faction, class, and role in advance. Since there is no Dungeon Finder, Tanks and Healers may have an easier time forming groups than they do in modern WoW. Classes with reliable crowd control should also be valuable in Forever's more methodical dungeon design.
Choose your server and coordinate with friends early. Players cannot group across factions or different server rulesets, so being on the same server and faction as your friends will make dungeon grouping much easier.
Plan your leveling route. Knowing when your journey will take you through Ironforge, Tirisfal Glades, Wetlands, Alterac Mountains, Stranglethorn Vale, Riverglades, Dustwallow Marsh, Azshara, and Un'Goro can help reduce unnecessary travel time.
Do not lock in a BiS list yet. Boss tuning, loot tables, and class balance may still change. It is safer to finalize Best-in-Slot priorities after the live version has stabilized.
If you plan to begin a new journey through Azeroth on November 4, you can also keep an eye on upcoming World of Warcraft products and services on GamsGo. Final products, pricing, and regional availability will depend on the live product pages after launch.
FAQ
Does WoW Forever Have a Random Dungeon Finder?
No. Players need to form groups manually in the open world, capital cities, or around campfires. Cross-faction grouping and grouping across different server rulesets are not available.
Is Repeated Dungeon Grinding Still Worth It in WoW Forever?
Not as much as before. Dungeon mob experience has been reduced, while first-clear quest experience has been increased. The better approach is to complete each dungeon once for its quests, then return only when you need specific gear, recipes, or other valuable drops.
How Has Dungeon Loot Changed in WoW Forever?
All dungeon bosses now have exclusive blue-quality drops, along with new profession recipes and a wider selection of gear. Bind-on-pickup boss items can also unlock their transmog appearance for all eligible party members.
Are Classic Dungeons Still Available in WoW Forever?
Yes. The nine new dungeons are being added alongside the existing dungeon lineup rather than replacing it. Classic dungeons such as Deadmines, Wailing Caverns, Scarlet Monastery, Uldaman, Zul'Farrak, and Blackrock Depths will still be available.
Which WoW Forever Dungeons Are Best for Pre-Raid Gear?
Blackmaw Hold and Shaper's Terrace are the main level 55–60 dungeons to focus on before raids open on December 9. Both are strong sources of blue-quality gear for players approaching or reaching level 60. Blackmaw Hold is also directly connected to the Barrow Deeps raid through the story.
