Dual Specialization
Two talent builds let you switch roles. In Vanilla+, masteries are saved separately for each build.
WoW Kraken Systems
Classic and Vanilla+
Shared conveniences. Different world rules.
One account and dashboard connect two independent worlds. Their client files, characters, progression, and restrictions are kept separate.
Auctions and trading
AuctionBot supplements the selection and turnover of goods. Regular player-to-player trading remains the foundation of the economy.
Character appearances
Transmogrification changes appearance without changing stats. See available appearances and services in your chosen world's catalog.
Kraken companions
PartyBot and BattleBot
PartyBots help in PvE and are controlled through the addon. BattleBots fill battlegrounds; they are a separate system, not the player's personal companions.
Classic
Tanks, healers, and damage dealers fill out a group or raid according to the dungeon size and roster restrictions. Kraken PartyBot provides target, formation, and role controls.
Summoning, loading, and cloning PartyBots is forbidden during Hardcore.
Vanilla+ · first season
In the open world, you can have one companion without Premium; Premium plans can raise the limit to two, three or four. The limit is four in regular dungeons and two in enhanced dungeons. Individual raid and custom zones have their own restrictions.
The rule allowing one permanent companion belongs to a later stage starting with Season 2; it does not automatically begin with phase 2 of Season 1.
Bots use class rotations, equipment and roles. They do not replace real allies or give their owner a personal battleground squad. Vanilla+ uses its own versions of addons and client patches.
Choose a suitable companion roster and set out on your adventures. Hardcore uses its challenge rules.
A voluntary challenge
Hardcore — one life
Journey from level 1 to 60 without dying. Choose Standard Hardcore or add Vanilla+ challenges. The rules apply until you complete the journey.
Start: level 1Goal: level 60One attempt per character
Auction House unavailable
Active Hardcore characters cannot buy or sell at the Auction House. Player mail is allowed only between active Hardcore participants within 5 levels of one another. Mail is forbidden in the Self-Found challenge.
Maximum level difference: 5
Grouping, direct trading, healing, and buffs are allowed between active Hardcore characters no more than 5 levels apart. This limit is checked between group members, not just against the leader's level.
For example, levels 10 and 15 are compatible; levels 10 and 16 are not. The Self-Found challenge forbids trading entirely.
Choose your path
Modes and additional challenges
Standard Hardcore is available on Classic and Vanilla+. The additional challenges below are available on Vanilla+ and are selected before your journey begins.
Standard Hardcore
One life and the shared Hardcore rules. There are no additional restrictions on equipment quality or direct trading with eligible Hardcore players.
Classic and Vanilla+
Slow Path
Experience gained is halved again. For players who want to spend longer in each zone and prepare more carefully for dangerous battles.
Vanilla+ · can be combined with Hardcore
Self-Found
You cannot trade with players or use mail or the Auction House. Obtain equipment, materials, and consumables yourself, craft them through professions, or buy them from NPCs. Groups are allowed, with Hardcore's maximum level difference of 5 still in force.
Vanilla+ · can be combined with Hardcore
Wanderer
Only poor and common quality combat equipment may be worn. Uncommon items and higher are forbidden. This quality restriction does not apply to bags, quivers, consumables, or unequippable quest items.
Vanilla+ · can be combined with Hardcore
Challenges can be combined: for example, play Hardcore with Slow Path, Self-Found, and Wanderer together. Choose all your challenges at the start; the selection cannot be changed or canceled afterward.
The War Path is separate from Hardcore
Vanilla+ offers a challenge with world PvP permanently enabled. It is available while leveling normally and cannot be combined with Hardcore. Slow Path, Self-Found and Wanderer can also be selected without Hardcore; in that case, the one-life rule does not apply.
World differences
Classic and Vanilla+
Choose the client and rules for your world. Vanilla+ features do not automatically apply to Classic.
Classic
Hardcore without PartyBot: summoning, loading, and cloning companions is forbidden throughout the challenge. World PvP, battlegrounds, and duels are unavailable.
Player mail is allowed only between active Hardcore characters within 5 levels of one another; system mail is available. The additional Vanilla+ challenges do not apply on Classic.
Vanilla+
PartyBots are allowed only in normal non-raid dungeons. This exception does not apply in the open world, enhanced modes, raids, or battlegrounds. Experience gained is halved again when PartyBots participate in a normal dungeon.
LFG, Premium bonuses and the weekend experience bonus do not work during Hardcore. World PvP and battlegrounds are unavailable; regular duels are allowed.
Reaching the current phase's level cap does not complete the challenge. The goal remains level 60, once world progression makes it available.
Shared rules
What is allowed and unavailable
These restrictions apply while your character participates in Hardcore. Additional challenges can make the rules stricter.
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Auction House | Unavailable: you cannot list items, bid, or buy out auctions. |
| In-game mail | In both worlds, player mail is allowed only between active Hardcore participants within 5 levels of one another. System mail is available. On Vanilla+, Self-Found completely forbids mail. |
| Grouping and trading | Only with active Hardcore characters, with no more than 5 levels between participants. Self-Found forbids trading entirely. |
| Healing and buffs | Other players must have compatible Hardcore status and be within 5 levels of you. Normal characters cannot heal or buff challenge participants. A separate exception applies to permitted PartyBots in normal Vanilla+ dungeons. |
| Combat assistance | Interference by outside players may remove kill rewards. Do not rely on being escorted by a normal high-level character. |
| Summoning and travel | Summoning and teleportation by another player, and meeting stones, are unavailable. |
| Premium and services | Premium grants no gameplay bonuses and does not bypass Hardcore restrictions. Character services are also subject to challenge restrictions. |
| Death and resurrection | Death ends the attempt. Normal resurrection, Soulstone, and Reincarnation do not return the character to the challenge. |
The journey begins
How to enable Hardcore
Choose your mode immediately after creating the character, before questing, training, or changing the starting equipment.
1. Prepare a new hero
You need a living level 1 character who is out of combat, with no group, invitations or open trade. For Vanilla+, keep your starting items and money: do not accept quests, learn new abilities or receive items, gold or mail from others.
2. Choose a mode
For Standard Hardcore, enter .hc enable, then .hc confirm within 60 seconds.
On Vanilla+, select additional challenges at the Keeper of Challenges in the starting zones: “Hardcore: one life” → “Hardcore with additional challenges”. Select the options you want and confirm the entire set. For this path, start by making your selection at the Keeper before using the command to enable regular Hardcore.
3. Check your status
Enter .hc status. You can check the additional challenges you selected under My Status at the Keeper. Once confirmed, you cannot abandon the active attempt or choose a different combination.
Useful commands
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
.hc enable | Request Standard Hardcore activation |
.hc confirm | Confirm the start within 60 seconds |
.hc status | Check character status |
.hc top | Living heroes ranking |
.hc fallen | Chronicle of the fallen |
.hc winners | Heroes who completed the journey |
The price of victory
Completion and rewards
The challenge ends at level 60. Once you complete it successfully, Hardcore restrictions are removed; the additional Vanilla+ challenges also cover the journey to level 60. The Hardcore reward is an epic mount, a tabard, four 20-slot bags and 150 gold. Class firsts in the Hall of Fame are tracked separately.
What happens after death?
The Hardcore attempt ends, and your hero's record remains in the chronicle of the fallen. Normal resurrection cannot continue the same attempt.
On Vanilla+, you can confirm your decision to leave Hardcore at the spirit healer and continue playing normally with the same character. This does not restore your participation or allow the same hero to start Hardcore again.
Do I need a new character for a different challenge combination?
Yes. Your choice is confirmed at the beginning and cannot be changed while leveling. Create a new hero for a different combination.
Can I play with a friend who is not in Hardcore?
To group, trade, heal, or buff one another, your friend must also be an active Hardcore participant and no more than 5 levels apart from you. Anyone who has completed the challenge is no longer an active Hardcore participant.
Three steps
Start playing
One account for both worlds. Separate client folders and updates.
Create an account
Register on the website. If you already have a Kraken account, use your existing details.
Install the launcher
Choose Classic or Vanilla+. Vanilla+ requires its own client and update channel.
Check files and play
Wait for verification to finish. After patches are installed, restart the game client completely.
New player help
Frequently asked questions
How do Classic and Vanilla+ differ?
Classic retains classic content with Kraken progression and systems. Vanilla+ adds masteries, new class roles, races, crafted sets and seasonal PvE. Characters and client updates are separate for each realm.
Do I need a separate account for each realm?
No. One account is used for Classic, Vanilla+ and the website. Choose your realm in the launcher before starting.
Which client does Vanilla+ use?
Vanilla+ requires the Kraken client and its patches. It builds on the classic 1.12 foundation and is not compatible with arbitrary third-party clients. Do not mix Classic and Vanilla+ files.
What is new in professions?
Blacksmithing, Leatherworking and Tailoring have 380 new recipes: 76 role-specific sets for levels 15, 40, 50 and 60. Learn the recipes from regular trainers for the corresponding profession.
Can I play with companions?
Yes. PartyBots help in PvE. The number of companions depends on the realm, content, progression stage and active Premium. Hardcore has separate restrictions.
Is Hardcore mandatory?
No. It is an optional one-life challenge enabled on a new level-1 character. Read the rules for your realm before confirming.
How do personal achievements differ from the Hall of Fame?
Personal achievements are available to every character. In the Hall of Fame, each realm-first achievement has one winner per realm.
Do I need to update the game?
Wait for the launcher to finish checking files before starting. After installing patches, fully close and restart the client.