What does a launch code actually do?
Normally you need an active WoW subscription or Game Time to play Forever. A launch code skips that for launch week: your friend gets Forever access from November 4 through November 11, 2026, no sub required.
Launch is November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST (23:00 UTC). November 11 is also the last day a code can be redeemed, so there’s no sitting on one for later.
How many codes do you get?
| Purchase | Price (US / EU) | Launch codes |
|---|---|---|
| Skyborne Heroic Pack | $29.99 / €29.99 | 1 |
| Skyborne Epic Pack | $59.99 / €59.99 | 3 |
| Warcraft Forever Collection | $79.99 / €79.99 | 3 |
| Upgrade from Heroic to Epic or Collection | Check the shop | +2 (3 total) |
| Upgrade from Epic to Collection | Check the shop | +0 |
| Collector’s Edition (Blizzard Gear Store) | $150 (US) | +3 extra (up to 6 total) |
Launch code timeline
- October 20, 2026 (PST): codes start going out by email.
- November 4, 2026, 3:00 p.m. PST: Forever launches and invited friends can log in.
- November 11, 2026: last day to redeem a code, and the end of the free access window.
What launch codes don’t do
- They don’t unlock the Skyborne race or the Zephras Isle starting zone. Those need the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher.
- They aren’t Game Time. Your friend gets a week of Forever access, not subscription time on their account.
- They can’t be used on an account that already bought a Forever upgrade.
Source / rights
Image / usage information: (c) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Official World of Warcraft: Forever media from Blizzard announcement pages (downloaded 16 Sep 2026); shown with source link, no ownership asserted. · Image source ↗
Who should you send one to?
The friend who’s curious about Forever but hasn’t spent anything on it yet. If they’ve already bought a pack, the code won’t work on their account, so pass it to someone else.
Tell them to redeem it before November 11. The window is launch week and nothing more.
FAQ
What happens to my friend’s character after November 11?
Blizzard hasn’t said. What we do know is that continuing in Forever takes an active WoW subscription or Game Time, same as everyone else.
I bought the Collector’s Edition in Australia. Do I get codes?
No. Collector’s Editions bought from local retailers in Korea, Australia and New Zealand don’t include Invite-A-Friend codes. The 3 extra codes only apply to the box from the Blizzard Gear Store.
If I buy a pack as a gift, do codes come with it?
No. Gift purchases are excluded from the launch code offer.
Can a launch code get my friend into the beta?
No. The beta runs September 17 to October 21, 2026, and launch codes only cover November 4–11. Guaranteed beta access comes with the Skyborne Epic Pack, the Warcraft Forever Collection or the physical Collector’s Edition.
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