Hardcore is one of Forever's rulesets. Death has lasting consequences on it: the character leaves Hardcore, though it can transfer to another ruleset. It won't be available on 4 November. Blizzard says it comes some time after launch.
Confirmed
- Hardcore is a ruleset, alongside Normal, PvP, Roleplay and Roleplay-PvP. It arrives some time after launch. Confirmed
- A character that dies can transfer to another ruleset, including PvP. Confirmed
- It's a closed ecosystem: no grouping with other rulesets, and battlegrounds that mix rulesets leave it out. Confirmed
- Progress, collections and rewards from Hardcore can become available elsewhere, but progress from other rulesets doesn't flow back in. It's left out of account-wide collections and Legacy Points. Confirmed
- You can create characters for both factions on Hardcore, unlike the PvP ruleset. Confirmed
Source: Blizzard: Choose Your Ruleset · checked 2 Nov 2026
Source: Blizzard: Forever panel recap · checked 2 Nov 2026
Not announced yet
- The date. Blizzard only says after launch. Unverified
- Whether trading or the auction house work differently on Hardcore. Unverified
- The exact rules for moving a dead character and what it keeps. Unverified
Which classes suit Hardcore
This is our opinion, from how the classes play, and it changes once the rules are out:
- Hunter and Warlock: a pet takes the hits and you control the distance.
- Paladin: plate, heals and an emergency shield.
- Mage: crowd control and escape, but little health. Strong if you play carefully.
- Classes that rely on a group, like a healer at low levels, are harder solo. See Which class? and the tier lists.
Habits that keep you alive (any ruleset)
- Pull one enemy at a time and know your exit before you pull.
- Keep a healing potion, bandages and your class's escape on your action bars.
- Treat dungeons above your level as a risk, and talk through pulls with your group.
Comments
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