WoW Classic Forever
Launch Nov 4
TALENTS
CLASSES
RACES
GUIDES
Language

Addons in WoW Forever: What Works and What’s Restricted

News

Blizzard says Forever runs modern WoW’s interface and addon API with the restrictions Midnight introduced: addons that automate combat are out, and addons made for Classic Era will likely need new versions.

Checked against the sources below. Last reviewed: .

What Blizzard and the developers have said

Every statement on addons in Forever so far; dates are in the sources
WhereWhat was saidHow we know
WoW UI DiscordForever shares modern WoW’s UI architecture and most of the APIs in patch 12.1.5. Midnight’s addon disarmament, secret values included, is active in Forever, and the 12.1.0 aura container changes are there too. Future UI changes are expected in both games.Blizzard’s words, quoted by Wowhead
Live Q&A, September 17Forever uses the modern client API. Its boss fights are much simpler, and sharing one API with modern WoW is easier.Blizzard, on the official stream
KotakuThe in-combat addon disarmament comes over: addons won’t do the calculations that automate marking or calling things out for players. Specifics weren’t confirmed.Developer interview (Mike Nuthals)
Massively OPAddon restrictions will be similar to retail’s, naming automatic communication and automatic marking.Developer interview
MMORPG.comAddons and the UI follow modern WoW, and a built-in damage meter is coming.Developer interview, summarized by Wowhead
Game InformerAddons are supported and kept in line with retail, but Blizzard doesn’t want them to take too much control of the game.Developer interview, summarized by Wowhead

What works and what’s restricted

Kinds of addon in Forever, and what each answer rests on
Kind of addonIn ForeverBased on
Addons that automate combat: marking targets, calling out for the groupRestricted, as in MidnightBlizzard (WoW UI Discord) and two developer interviews
Addons written for Classic EraWill likely need to be remade for the modern APIWowhead’s analysis
Addons already updated for MidnightLikely easier to port, since both games share one code familyWowhead’s analysis
WeakAurasNot expected: it stopped development before Midnight’s API changes, and Forever has the same onesWowhead’s analysis
Damage metersA built-in damage meter is plannedDeveloper interview (MMORPG.com)
Cooldown Manager (built in)In the beta, still being built and different from class to classBlizzard, beta known issues of September 18

The developers told MMORPG.com the Cooldown Manager probably wouldn’t be in the beta; Blizzard’s known issues a day later list it as in progress, so part of it is there.

Why Midnight’s rules apply to a Classic game

On the WoW UI Discord, Blizzard described Forever and Midnight as two game types in the same modern code family: Forever runs under the name Camelot, to be renamed before launch, and Midnight under Standard. That is why Forever gets modern WoW’s interface, its addon API and the restrictions that came with them, and why Blizzard expects later UI changes to reach both games.

Addon author Luckyone posted on September 16 that Forever is based on 12.1.5 with secret values and aura containers, matching what Blizzard said on Discord; he didn’t say where his confirmation came from.

What this means for you

  • Don’t expect your Classic Era addon folder to work. Addons written for Classic’s API will likely need new versions; watch for Forever or Midnight builds from their authors.
  • Plan combat without automation. Addons that mark targets or make calls for the group are restricted, so raid leading and interrupts go back to players; Blizzard says Forever’s boss fights are much simpler to begin with.
  • WeakAuras users need another plan. Wowhead doesn’t expect WeakAuras in Forever; look at what the game’s own interface offers, like the Cooldown Manager being built in the beta.
  • You may not need a meter addon. The developers told MMORPG.com a built-in damage meter is coming.
  • Expect addon updates after launch. Blizzard says UI changes will keep arriving in both Midnight and Forever.

Related WoW Forever guides

Still unknown

  • Which popular addons will have Forever versions at launch.
  • The exact list of APIs Forever restricts; Blizzard has only said it matches Midnight’s disarmament.
  • When the built-in damage meter arrives.
  • Whether the Cooldown Manager will be finished for every class at launch.

Sources

How we choose and check sources