WoW: Forever’s First Raids Open December 9, With Nine New Dungeons at Launch

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Blizzard has outlined the first raid tier and dungeon lineup for World of Warcraft: Forever, which launches November 4, 2026. The three launch raids won’t open right away, though. Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit, and Onyxia’s Lair unlock on December 9 for level 60 players.

The raid sizes are split across 10, 20, and 40 players. Barrow Deeps is a 10-player raid beneath Mount Hyjal with eight bosses and entrances tied to Mount Hyjal, Winterspring, and Blackmaw Hold. Hyjal Summit is a 20-player raid near Nordrassil with 13 bosses and multiple routes through the mountain. Onyxia’s Lair returns as a 40-player raid in Dustwallow Marsh, with players needing the Drakefire Amulet in their inventory to enter.

That Onyxia attunement is faction-specific and sends players through a longer classic-style quest chain, including trips into Blackrock Depths, Lower Blackrock Spire, and Upper Blackrock Spire depending on faction. Blizzard also says the three raids are currently planned to reset weekly.

Forever will also launch with nine new five-player dungeons spread across Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, covering level 13 through level 60:

  • Hall of Thanes, level 13 to 18, beneath Ironforge in Dun Morogh
  • Ruins of Lordaeron, level 15 to 20, above the Undercity in Tirisfal Glades
  • Excavation Site, level 24 to 29, near Whelgar’s Excavation in Wetlands
  • City of Dalaran, level 28 to 33, in Alterac Mountains, with an attunement questline
  • The Drowned City, level 35 to 40, off the coast of Stranglethorn Vale
  • Krol’dok Stronghold, level 40 to 45, in Riverglades
  • Alcaz Prison, level 48 to 53, on Alcaz Island in Dustwallow Marsh
  • Blackmaw Hold, level 55 to 60, in Azshara
  • Shaper’s Terrace, level 58 to 60, in Un’Goro Crater

A few of the dungeons are especially tied to faction travel. Alliance players can reach Hall of Thanes more easily, while Horde players have the easier route into Ruins of Lordaeron. City of Dalaran also requires players to start an attunement chain from Southshore on Alliance or Tarren Mill on Horde.

The dungeon spread gives players a leveling path before the December raid opening, with the final three dungeons aimed at late-game groups getting ready for level 60 content.

Further reading: Official World of Warcraft: Forever raid overview