World of Warcraft Classic Era Hardcore Era Realms means dead players stay dead (and become a ghost)

Blizzard has a new challenge for World of Warcraft players looking for a “challenging and perilous journey” – Classic Hardcore Realms.

Features include safeguards and class changes, Mak’gora and PVP changes, and permadeath – those who die cannot return to their bodies but will instead “remain as a ghost” to “close out their remaining business on the realm”.

“It’s official, Hardcore realms are coming to World of Warcraft,” Blizzard teases. “Players will – to engage with Azeroth, its denizens, and their fellow players… to survive.”

This means you’ll get one chance to participate in dangerous activities like the Molten Core raid, although if you shake off your mortal coil and decide not to live on as a spectre, you’ll be able to transfer to a non-Hardcore Classic Era server for free.

As for those PVP changes? Blizzard says Battleground queuing will not be enabled on Hardcore Realms, but “pre-organised Wargames will still be available for groups choosing to engage in such deadly combat”.

“Those wishing to truly test their mettle against others can initiate a duel-to-the-death mode by typing “/makgora”. This will prompt the receiving player to acknowledge and accept the high-stakes duel,” the team explains. “A new tracking aura will visually communicate how many duels a player has completed and survived.”