WoW The Midnight Expansion: All New Feature Details

The World of Warcraft community is buzzing with excitement as Blizzard Entertainment pulled back the curtain on The Midnight, the second chapter of the Worldsoul Saga, at Gamescom 2025 on August 19. Set to launch in early 2026, this expansion takes players back to the iconic Quel'Thalas, introduces groundbreaking features like player housing, and sets the stage for an epic clash between Light and Void.

A Revamped Quel'Thalas Awaits

Midnight brings players back to Quel'Thalas, the Blood Elf homeland introduced in The Burning Crusade. Blizzard is giving this region a complete overhaul, transforming it into a vibrant, modernized landscape while preserving its nostalgic charm. The expansion kicks off with Xal'atath, the Void's harbinger, launching an assault on the Sunwell, setting the tone for a high-stakes story.

New Zones to Explore

Midnight introduces four distinct zones, each offering unique environments and challenges:

• Eversong Woods: Rebuilt from the ground up, this zone has healed from the Scourge's devastation and now teems with life. Players will face Void forces, magical Lightbloom overgrowth, Amani trolls, and Void-serving cultists. The updated graphics promise a visually stunning experience.

• Zul'Aman: Expanded from the classic raid into a full zone, this area features ancient troll ziggurats, crypts, and new leaders Zul'jara and Zul'jan, grandchildren of Zul'jin. Expect deep lore tied to the Amani trolls and their Loa.

• Harandar: The homeland of the Haranir, a primordial fungal jungle with bioluminescent wildlife, moss bridges, and fungal towers. This organic, nature-driven zone offers a fresh aesthetic.

• Voidstorm: A chaotic, Void-drenched world with low gravity, storm fields, and massive nexus points. This zone promises intense encounters with creatures battling for dominance.

The new level cap is set at 90, giving players 10 levels to explore these breathtaking zones.

Player Housing: A Long-Awaited Feature

For the first time in World of Warcraft's history, players can create and customize their own homes. Available in Q4 2025 as a pre-patch feature, the housing system allows for real-time editing of walls, floors, ceilings, and decor, with options inspired by racial themes like Blood Elf spires or Night Elf treetop sanctuaries. Decor items can be earned through dungeons, raids, quests, crafting, holidays, and the auction house. Neighborhoods, supporting up to 50 players, offer public or private zones with monthly Endeavors for progression and themed rewards. Attendees at Gamescom 2025 can try this feature hands-on at Blizzard's booth in Hall 8.

New Playable Race: Haranir

The Haranir, introduced briefly in The War Within, become a playable allied race for both Horde and Alliance. Available classes include Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, Monk, and Druid (with unique Druid forms). Unlocking them requires completing Midnight's main story, similar to the Earthen in The War Within. Their homeland, Harandar, adds rich lore to this fan-favorite race.

Demon Hunter's New Devourer Spec

Demon Hunters gain a third specialization called Devourer, a mid-range DPS spec that harnesses Void and cosmic magic. Key abilities include:

• Void Metamorphosis: A transformation fueled by soul harvesting.

• Collapsing Star: A powerful finisher.

• Void Ray: A piercing beam of Void energy.

• Reap: A scythe attack consuming soul fragments.

• Void Blade and Hungering Slash: A melee combo with a retreat.

Additionally, Void Elves can now become Demon Hunters, with new customization options teased in The War Within. These updates are expected in the Midnight pre-patch (12.0).

The Prey System: Outdoor Challenges

Midnight introduces the Prey system, an opt-in hunting mechanic based in Murder Row, Silvermoon City, led by Aston Bloodsworn. This system offers three difficulty tiers—Normal, Hard, and Nightmare—for thrilling outdoor gameplay. Rewards include cosmetics, mounts, titles, and housing items. It's likened to world tiers, expanding on systems seen in The War Within's upcoming Legion Remix.

Dungeons and Delves

Midnight launches with eight new dungeons across its zones:

• Eversong Woods: Windrunner Spire, Magister's Terrace (revamped), Murder Row.

• Zul'Aman: Den of Nalorakk, Maisara Caverns.

• Harandar: Blinding Vale.

• Voidstorm: Voidscar Arena, Nexus Point Xenas.

Seven delves are also included: Parhelion Plaza, Collegiate Calamity, Shadow Enclave (Eversong Woods), Den of Echoes (Harandar), and Shadowguard Point, Sunkiller Sanctum, and Torment's Rise (Voidstorm, with Torment's Rise as the Delve Nemesis).

Raids: A New Approach

Midnight breaks tradition by launching with three raids totaling nine bosses:

• The Voidspire: A six-boss raid in Voidstorm, Xal'atath's stronghold.

• The Dreamrift: A single-boss raid where dreams and reality blur.

• March on Quel'Danas: A two-boss raid with story spoilers kept under wraps.

The release schedule for these raids remains unclear, but they promise diverse encounters.

PvP Updates

PvP fans get Slayer's Rise, a new epic battleground in Voidstorm inspired by Alterac Valley and Isle of Conquest. Players must conquer enemy bases before facing a D'mana commander. Additionally, Comp Stomp becomes a permanent feature renamed Training Grounds, with Silvershard Mines and Battle for Gilneas added to the rotation.

Enhanced Player Experience

Midnight refines the new and returning player experience. Exile's Reach flows seamlessly into Dragonflight, with story mode versions of raids like Raszageth, Sarkareth, and Fyrakk. Skyriding is simplified with shared charges for Surge Forward and Skyward Ascent, removing Vigor. A new Arathi Highlands tour offers returning players a quick catch-up, while the Lorewalking system expands with new stories from past expansions. A shortened The War Within questline prepares players for Midnight's story.

Pre-Order and Release Details

Midnight is slated for an early 2026 release, likely February or March, following Blizzard's 18-month expansion cadence. Pre-orders are available in Base ($50), Heroic ($70), and Epic ($90) editions, each including a Level 80 character skip. The pre-expansion novel Blood Ties, releasing in November 2025, will explore the Windrunner family dynamics and key story elements.

FAQs About World of Warcraft: The Midnight

When does World of Warcraft: Midnight release?

Midnight is expected to launch in early 2026, likely February or March, though an exact date will be confirmed at Gamescom 2025.

What is the new level cap in Midnight?

The level cap will increase to 90, adding 10 levels from The War Within.

How does the player housing system work?

Players can customize homes with racial-themed decor, earned through various activities. Neighborhoods support up to 50 players with monthly Endeavors for progression. Early access begins in Q4 2025.

What is the Prey system in Midnight?

Prey is an opt-in hunting system with three difficulty tiers (Normal, Hard, Nightmare), offering cosmetics, mounts, titles, and housing items for challenging outdoor hunts.

Who are the Haranir, and how do I unlock them?

The Haranir are a new allied race playable by both factions, unlocked by completing Midnight's main story. Available classes include Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, Monk, and Druid.

Thanks for Reading

World of Warcraft: Midnight promises to be a transformative chapter in the Worldsoul Saga, blending nostalgia with innovative features like player housing and the Prey system. With its early 2026 release on the horizon, there's plenty to look forward to. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for the latest updates as we approach the alpha and beyond.s as we approach the alpha and beyond.