The CN beta for WoW: Forever opened up on the morning of October 6. On launch day, most problems come not from slow fingers but from not knowing the rules. Here are the eight things most likely to trip you up — read this before you log in and save yourself half a day.
Scope notes: the schedule, wipe rules and login limits come from the official test guide (10-05); opening-day reports come from NGA and community posts (10-06 morning); the queue estimate is an inference from the international launch (9-18 to 9-22) — CN reality on the day governs.
1. One WoW sub-account per Battle.net
The official test guide is explicit: a Battle.net with beta access can only log one WoW sub-account at a time. A second login usually fails to kick the online character and triggers a short login cooldown. Log out properly before switching devices or accounts; after a disconnect, wait a moment instead of hammering reconnect.
2. Queues can top an hour, and a drop sends you to the back
During the international launch week (9-18 to 9-22) peak queues exceeded an hour, and a disconnect put you back at the end of the line. The CN launch likely looks similar (inferred). Off-peak helps: the opening rush and the after-dinner window are the two peaks.
3. Can't create a character? Wait it out
NGA's opening-day report (10-06 06:12): early on, both Horde and Alliance briefly could not create characters — server pressure or a temporary limit. Retry later or create off-peak; your access is fine. The test client version tracks the international build in real time (launcher showing 1.60.1.70178 or higher is normal).
4. The wipe: beta ends October 26, characters deleted
The CN beta runs October 6 through 26 (10-26 is the last full test day per the official guide) with a level-30 cap, and every character is wiped at the end. So: this test is about learning routes and feel — don't hoard, don't fret over gear. The full 1-60 route waits for the live game on November 5, 07:00 Beijing time; our leveling page already has the per-level sheets ready.
5. Buying or selling gold is the hard line
Blizzard comes down hard on real-money gold trading: buying or selling gold can mean a permanent ban. The beta even cut wand vendor prices to 1 copper (from 15,000) to starve farming scripts — enforcement is real. Skip GDKP and boosting during the launch window too, and never accept gold from strangers.
6. Three official events: bug reports earn raffle entries
The launch window has three official activities [confirmed]: Infinite Insight (10-06 to 10-26, submit bugs for a chance at the Dwarf Hunter & Bear statue), Infinite Vanguard (Douyu livestream duels, sightseeing runs and siege events), and Infinite Journey (share scenery and highlights, opens in week two). The key part: the wipe does not affect bug-ticket counts or raffle eligibility — keep reporting bugs; it's a free lottery.
7. Addons: test first, automation never
Preload the client and refresh your addon library before prime time. On launch day, smoke-test addons on a throwaway lowbie before logging your real character. Two red lines: install only builds marked Forever / 1.60.1 compatible, and never touch auto-combat, auto-gathering or one-button-rotation tools (ban risk — details in our addons & macros cheat sheet).
8. The first things to do in game
In value order: bind your hearthstone (you'll return to the capital constantly), grab the flight point, pick up skinning + mining in the starter zone (the early-game economy), and at level 10 return to learn skills and start your class quest (the warlock voidwalker is the levelling pet; rogues get their blade). Then follow our per-level route sheets — Horde rallying at the Crossroads at 12 and Alliance hitting the Hall of Thanes at 13 are the tested efficient nodes.
Timeline for reference
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| 10-06 to 10-26 | CN wiped beta, level-30 cap (10-26 is the last full test day) |
| From 10-27 | Character name reservation opens (pre-purchase earlier — see the roadmap) |
| 11-05 07:00 | Live launch, level cap 60 |
| Dec 10 | First raids unlock: Hyjal Summit (20-player) + Barrow Deeps (10-player max-level challenge) |
The beta's job is simple: get 1-30 smooth and understand your class. For build comparisons and talent questions, search the Tavern Q&A first — most answers are already there.