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 12.0.1 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. We have details on popular addons that haven’t been updated, as well as some suggested replacements.
• 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.
• New Player Housing features, including neighborhood-wide Endeavor events and Elven housing styles for both Alliance and Horde.

The pre-patch will also include a pre-expansion event, in which we will be fighting the Twilight Cult yet again. The event is pretty typical, and runs every 10 minutes so it will be easy to run. 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. Look for plenty of cosmetics to collect, as well as the “definitely not a cultist” title, the sort of title you would only use if you were really, definitely not a cultist.

The event launches a week after pre-patch, on January 27. That gives Blizzard some time to shake out any inevitable post-patch issues before the event begins. We hope.

Originally published December 18, 2025; updated January 14, 2026.