Note: this lead was originally published on October 20, 2026 by Wowhead, relaying Blizzard's official raid preview in full.
Blizzard has detailed WoW: Forever's first raid tier: three raids unlock on December 9 for level-60 players, all planned on weekly resets. Sizes cover 10, 20 and 40 players — there is a slot for fixed small groups and classic mega-raid rosters alike.
The quick facts
| Raid | Location | Size | Bosses |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Barrow Deeps | Within Mount Hyjal | 10 | 8 |
| Hyjal Summit | Summit of Mount Hyjal, near Nordrassil | 20 | 13 |
| Onyxia's Lair | Dustwallow Marsh | 40 | Three phases |
The Barrow Deeps: a 10,000-year prison
A max-level 10-player raid hidden beneath Kalimdor, with three entrances connected through Mount Hyjal, Winterspring and Blackmaw Hold. The prison once held Illidan Stormrage for 10,000 years; now players descend to learn what became of those left behind — and how the wardens plan to contain the danger below. Eight bosses across the depths.
Hyjal Summit: thirteen bosses, many paths
At the peak near the World Tree Nordrassil, this 20-player raid opens with a battle against an ancient guardian, then branches into multiple routes across ruins above and below ground. Route choice and raid coordination matter in a 20-player format.
Onyxia's Lair: the classic 40-player fire test
Deep in Dustwallow Marsh, Onyxia — of the Black Dragonflight, Nefarian's younger sister — guards her brood while working to manipulate Azeroth's mortal races. The three-phase encounter punishes unprepared raids with heavy fire damage: Blizzard explicitly recommends building fire resistance before entering and staying ready to reposition.
The attunement: every raider needs a Drakefire Amulet
Entering the Lair requires each member to carry the Drakefire Amulet in their inventory (no need to equip). It comes from faction-specific questlines: Alliance start in the Burning Steppes with "Dragonkin Menace", run the Marshal Windsor chain through Blackrock Depths (including the classic "Jail Break!"), the Stormwind masquerade, and finish in Upper Blackrock Spire against General Drakkisath; Horde start in Kargath with "Blood and Thunder", run the Rend Blackhand and Rexxar chains, face Emberstrife's four trials in Dustwallow Marsh, and also finish with Drakkisath's blood. Blizzard's advice: start early, bring friends for the elite quests, and leave time for several dungeon trips.
December 9 leaves time after launch to reach 60 and organize; weekly resets let fixed groups settle into a schedule. We will keep the raids section updated as details land.
Source: Wowhead (full official preview relayed, official), originally published October 20, 2026: Learn More About the WoW: Forever Raids and Attunements.
Further reading: the raids section, the launch timeline in the roadmap, and group preparation in the checklist.