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| The Devourer Demon Hunter from World of Warcraft’s Midnight pre-expansion update, launching January 20. |
By Maggie Scarr
World of Warcraft is preparing to move into its next chapter with the Midnight pre-expansion update, arriving on January 20. The update transitions the live game to version 12.0 and opens early access to major gameplay changes, class updates, and interface improvements tied to the upcoming expansion.
This pre-expansion update introduces a new Demon Hunter specialization, wide-ranging class combat changes, long-requested interface improvements, and the foundation for upcoming in-game events. While Midnight itself is still ahead, this update gives players a chance to see how Azeroth is beginning to change.
A New Demon Hunter Path Opens
One of the biggest additions in the January 20 update is the Devourer Demon Hunter, a new specialization that draws power from the Void instead of Fel. Devourer operates at mid-range and blends spellcasting with the agility and movement Demon Hunters are known for.
The specialization introduces new Hero Talent options, including the Annihilator tree, which is shared with Vengeance Demon Hunters. Devourer also works with the Scarred Hero Talent tree, expanding build choices and allowing more flexibility in how the class plays.
Blizzard is also adding a new Void Elf Demon Hunter race and class combination. This becomes available through a short questline included in the pre-expansion update. Void Elf Demon Hunters feature new metamorphosis visuals, Void-themed tattoos, and access to the Void Elf racial trait Spatial Rift.
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| Void Elf Demon Hunters bring new Void-infused visuals to World of Warcraft’s Midnight pre-expansion update. |
Combat Updates Across All Classes
The Midnight pre-expansion update includes combat design updates for every class in World of Warcraft. Talent trees have been rebuilt to reduce mandatory filler points and create clearer paths for different playstyles.
The goal of these changes is to strengthen class identity and make talent choices feel more deliberate. For many players, this will be the first chance to test how their main class feels heading into Midnight.
Stat and Item Squish Explained
As part of the update, World of Warcraft is receiving another stat and item squish. Blizzard says the intent is clarity rather than reducing player power. Health, damage, and item numbers will be smaller and easier to read, while overall effectiveness against enemies remains the same.
This kind of change tends to be most noticeable in group content, where cleaner numbers can make combat feedback easier to follow.
User Interface and Transmog Improvements
Several User Interface updates are arriving with the January 20 patch. These include expanded customization options, improved raid frames, better display scaling, and built-in tools for tracking information like damage meters and alerts without relying on third-party add-ons.
The transmogrification system is also being updated. Players will be able to unlock and save full outfit sets across characters, swap outfits without visiting a transmog vendor, and assign outfits directly to action bars. Unlocking outfit slots costs gold, but switching between saved outfits will be free once unlocked.
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| Player housing becomes available during World of Warcraft’s Midnight pre-expansion update. |
PvP Training Grounds and What Comes Next
Blizzard is introducing PvP Training Grounds, a new permanent mode designed to help players learn Player vs. Player combat in a lower-pressure environment. Training Grounds place players against game-controlled opponents in Arathi Basin, Silvershard Mines, and Battle for Gilneas, allowing them to learn battleground flow and class roles before jumping into standard PvP matches.
A pre-expansion in-game event is scheduled to begin the week of January 27, bringing back the Winds of Mysterious Fortune buff. This buff grants bonus experience from levels 10 to 79, making it a good opportunity to level alts or catch up before Midnight arrives.
World of Warcraft: Midnight launches worldwide on March 2, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. PST.
Getting Ready for Midnight
As someone who has spent years playing across different classes and expansions, this pre-expansion update feels like a meaningful checkpoint before Midnight fully arrives. The Devourer Demon Hunter has me curious, especially with how different it sounds from the Fel-focused playstyle Demon Hunters are known for. The UI and transmog changes also stand out as quality-of-life updates that should quietly make everyday play feel smoother.
The Winds of Mysterious Fortune returning later in January is a nice excuse to log back in, clear out unfinished goals, and get characters ready for what’s next. Midnight still feels a little ways off, but January 20 looks like the point where things really start to shift.