The World of Warcraft Midnight pre-patch launches January 20 with void-fueled Demon Hunters and transmog updates

Get ready to roll those Void Elf Demon Hunters, because the Midnight pre-patch launches on January 20, 2026, immediately after Legion Remix ends. WoW patch 12.0 will bring major Midnight systems changes to the game, though we’ll have to wait until Midnight’s March 2 release date to explore new zones, dungeons, and delves. The new Haranir race is also not included in the pre-patch, so you can’t get a head start with the latest Allied Race.

Here’s what’s in the Midnight pre-patch:

• New Devourer Demon Hunter specialization, giving Demon Hunters a mid-range specialization that can dive in and out of melee. It’s gotten mixed reviews on the beta, but has great void aesthetics.
• New Void Elf Demon Hunter race/class combo, the only new combination announced for Midnight (other than classes available to the new Haranir race).
• A major stat squish, in which you’ll see much lower numbers on your gear and character pane, but player power should feel the same. Expect some sticker shock when you check your item level, but don’t panic.
• Big UI changes that add nameplate customization, damage meters, boss alerts, and more useful customizations to the default UI. These changes also strip addons of the ability to access combat data, so some of your favorite addons will not work starting in the Midnight pre-patch. WeakAuras is a major one, as its developers have said they will not update the addon for Midnight.
• A brand new transmog system, which ties your appearance to an item’s slot rather than an item itself, so changing gear will not change how you look. The new system will also allow you to set conditions in which your appearance will automatically change, such as when you enter a raid or when you walk into your home. The new transmog system is not free, though it will save you some gold if you like to set a look and keep it. (Unfortunately, it’s a lot more expensive if you like create new looks regularly.)
• PVP Training Grounds, a Comp Stomp-style system that allows you to play against AI opponents in Arathi Basin, Silvershard Mines, and Battle for Gilneas. Unlike Comp Stomp, which came and went, Training Grounds is a permanent game addition and will always be available to play.
• Class changes for all classes, which are too many and varied to summarize. Check the Midnight beta forums for the latest patch notes to see what’s presently slated to change for your preferred class and spec.

It’s possible some additional housing features will go live with the pre-patch also, like Elven-style housing exteriors or neighborhood Endeavor events, but Blizzard has not specifically promised any new housing features for the pre-patch. I’m always going to be living in hope for new housing additions, but none of us should hold our breath… though I do think Elven housing is likely to be in the pre-patch.

The pre-patch will also include a pre-expansion event, though we don’t know exactly what the event will be like. Usually these events give you some pre-expansion story and are a great way to level alts or boost undergeared characters… if you have any under-level alts left after Legion Remix. Blizzard promises this will event will include the Winds of Mysterious Fortune buff, which is a substantial XP boost for levels 10 to 79, but there will be more going on. I expect we’ll see the beginnings of the void invasion that’s well underway in the Midnight trailer, which would be a good way to make use of that XP boost — as well as collect the gear, cosmetics, and toys that typically come with these events.

Blizzard hasn’t given us any more information on the event, but it will launch on January 27, a week after the pre-patch, so there’s some time to shake out any inevitable post-patch issues before the event begins.