TBC Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch is the first step into the Burning Crusade expansion. During the pre-patch, you have an opportunity to prepare yourself for a full TBC release, level up characters, including new races, start training a new profession, and get used to updated systems. In this guide, we will tell you about the TBC Classic Anniversary pre-patch features, Guild bank, flying mounts, new professions, and more.
TBC Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch Key Takeaways:
- The Burning Crusade Anniversary pre-patch starts on January 13, 2026.
- You can transfer your Classic characters to TBC Anniversary from November 25 until January 13.
- TBC Anniversary features that will become available with the launch of the pre-patch: two new races, a new profession, flying mounts, and Guild banks.
4.9The Burning Crusade Anniversary Character Transfer
During the TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch period, free character transfers are available from Anniversary servers to the Classic Era. This option is open from November 25 and will be available until January 13, 2026. After this date, transfers will no longer be possible.
If a character remains on an Anniversary server, it will automatically continue its progress in WoW Classic TBC Anniversary. It is important to make this decision in advance, especially for players planning to stay in pure Classic.
TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch Release Date
WoW Classic Anniversary TBC Pre-Patch will be released on January 13, 2026, immediately after scheduled regional maintenance. From this day forward, Anniversary servers will begin transitioning to The Burning Crusade format.
The Pre-Patch serves as a transitional phase before the opening of the Dark Portal and the release of Outland. During this period, players will have access to key TBC systems, but without full endgame content. It’s the optimal period for TBC preparations, especially without out Starter Pack.
📌 Importantly, with the launch of the Pre-Patch, each character must make a choice: continue progressing on Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Edition or remain in the Classic Era. This decision will be final.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Pre-Patch Features
The Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch brings massive system changes that completely change the pace and structure of the game. The Maximum Level is raised to 70, leveling is accelerated, and classes receive updated talents and balance. PvP Arena Season 1 is also accessible without the old Honor ranking system.
Key features of the TBC Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch include:
- New playable races: Draenei and Blood Elves;
- Preparations for Flying mounts;
- New profession: Jewelcrafting;
- Access to Guild Banks;
- Access to Outland (without full raid progression);
- Updated PvP focus through Arenas;
- Character preparation for Karazhan, Gruul’s Lair, and Magtheridon’s Lair raids.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary New Races
Two new races appear in the Anniversary Pre-Patch: Blood Elves and Draenei. Blood Elves join the Horde and unlock Paladin for the faction, while Draenei become part of the Alliance, providing access to Shaman. These races are already available in the Pre-Patch stage, so you can level up your character in advance for TBC Anniversary content.
Each race brings not only diversity to the character pool, but also unique racial abilities and starting zones that are fully consistent with the original Burning Crusade:
- Blood Elves start at Sunstrider Isle, key racial abilities are Mana Tap, Arcane Torrent, Arcane Affinity, Magic Resistance.
- Draenei start at Azuremyst Isle, their abilities include Gift of the Naaru, Heroic Presence, Inspiring Presence, Gemcutting, and Shadow Resistance.
You can Level Up 2+1 both races and one extra character to ensure that you get maximum gaming experience from both factions. Additionally, when the next expansion hits, you’ll be able to transfer these chars.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary New Profession
With the TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch, a new profession is added to the game — Jewelcrafting. It allows you to create rings, necklaces, trinkets, and gems that can be inserted into equipment through the socket system.
Jewelcrafting trainers can be found in Exodar, Silvermoon, and in the Outlands. Also, there are two faction-specific trainers: Kalaen for the Horde in Thrallmar, and Tatiana for the Alliance in Honor Hold.
Read more about the TBC Anniversary Jewelcrafting in our dedicated guide.
The Jewelcrafting profession is especially important for optimizing builds at the start of the endgame.
The Burning Crusade Anniversary Guild Banks
Guild Banks appear in the TBC Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch immediately, without phase delays. It is a large storage for items and gold, accessible to all guild members with the necessary permissions. The Guild Bank is located inside regular banks and does not require bags.
The system includes up to eight tabs with 98 slots each, with customizable access rights. This greatly simplifies the management of guild resources before raid progress.
Will Flying Be Available in TBC Pre-Patch?
Flying Mounts are one of the main mechanics of Burning Crusade and are officially available in the Anniversary version. Why flying in TBC matters? Flying opens up vertical exploration of Outland and gives access to previously unreachable areas, quests, and resources.
Although access to Flying Mounts will be available immediately upon the launch of the Burning Crusade Classic Anniversary version, you will need to reach the new level cap first, which is unlocked with Phase 1. After that, you will need to complete several steps:
- Reach level 70 (except for druids, who can learn Flight Form at level 68 for 8 gold and 60 silver).
You cannot fly until you have earned the Expert Riding title. - Collect gold for training:
- for normal flight, you need 800 gold for the Expert Riding skill and 100 gold for the mount itself;
- for epic flight, you need 5,000 gold for Artisan Riding and 200 gold for the epic mount.
- Go to Shadowmoon Valley: trainers are only found there.
- Alliance: find Ilsa Blusterbrew in the Wildhammer Stronghold camp.
- Horde: contact Olrokk in Shadowmoon Village.
- Learn the skills: buy Expert Riding and purchase a normal mount from the nearby vendor — Brunn Flamebeard (Alliance) or Dama Wildmane (Horde).
- Flying mounts are divided into normal (60% flight speed) and epic (280% flight speed).
If you learnt normal flight first, you can upgrade to epic: save up 5,200 gold, return to the same trainers and learn Artisan Riding, then buy the epic version of the mount. Also, there’s a special feature for druids: instead of a mount, they learn Flight Form at level 68 (costing only 8 gold 60 silver) and can gather herbs and ore without leaving their form. For Swift Flight Form, they will still need to master Artisan Riding.
You need 900 gold to learn “normal” flight and 5,200 gold for an “epic” one.
If you want to learn more about how to unlock flying in TBC Anniversary, check out our TBC How to Unlock Flying guide.
WoW Classic Anniversary TBC Pre-Patch FAQ
If you have any questions related to the TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch left, this section is for you. We have gathered the most popular questions that bother lots of players and answered them all.
Can I Play TBC Anniversary Pre-Patch without Going to Outland?
Yes, Pre-Patch allows you to prepare your character, level up new races, and master the TBC systems before the expansion fully launches.
Is Character Transfer Mandatory in Classic Era before TBC Anniversary?
No, transfer is optional. If you do not select Classic Era, your character will automatically be transferred to Burning Crusade.
Are Raids Available in The Burning Crusade Anniversary Pre-Patch?
The Karazhan, Gruul’s Lair, and Magtheridon’s Lair raids are available as part of the initial TBC content, but the Pre-Patch phase is required to prepare for them.
4.9Thus, the TBC Classic Anniversary Pre-Patch will mark the beginning of our adventures in the Burning Crusade. With the pre-patch, we gain access to a whole range of useful mechanics, which greatly simplifies preparation for the release of the first phase. Flying mounts will be one of the main updates, so stock up on gold to quickly learn how to fly and move around locations quickly.
