How To Play Hardcore Classic Wow

Getting started

Download the Hardcore Addon

The Hardcore addon is a requirement for playing Classic Hardcore. The addon is used to verify your run by tracking your progress and providing you with a unique string to use as verification should you make it to level 60.

The addon must be installed prior to you creating your character. After logging in for the first time you will be presented with the Hardcore addon where you can choose to begin your adventure or choose additional achievements to make your run even more challenging.

The addon also provides the following features:

• Blocks access to mailbox and auctioneers for all players.
• Provides death notices when players in official guilds die, queue the F's.
• Anti-griefing mechanism to detect if you have been griefed and prevent you from having to appeal. See more information below on griefing.

Join the Classic HC Discord

The Classic HC Discord has over 50,000 members including Mods, Addon developers, Class experts and other Hardcore veterans. It is highly recommended you join the Discord if you have any questions not answered in this guide.

Where to play

Below is a list of realms and their "Official" Hardcore guilds, which means they are connected via Greenwall and can be moderated by Classic Hardcore mods. You may join other guilds outside of this list and still be verified, just be careful that anyone you group with in a dungeon is a Hardcore player.

Bloodsail Buccaneers (NA)

Bloodsail Buccaneer is the adopted Hardcore realm for North American players. The Alliance has twice as many Horde players as well as a stronger end-game raiding scene but Horde is absolutely playable and you will have no trouble whatsoever finding dungeon groups.

Alliance Leveling Guilds

• <HC Militia>
• <HC Reserves>
• <HC Cadets>
• <HC Honor Guard>
• <HC Infantry>
• <HC Cuties>
• <HC Knights>

Horde Leveling Guilds

• <Valley of Trials>
• <Victory or Death>
• <Valley of Strength>

Hydraxian Waterlords (EU)

Bloodsail Buccaneer is the adopted Hardcore realm for North American players. The Alliance has twice as many Horde players as well as a stronger end-game raiding scene but Horde is absolutely playable and you will have no trouble whatsoever finding dungeon groups.

Alliance Leveling Guilds

• <Mortal Too>
• <Mortal Three>
• <Mortal Four>
• <Mortal Five>
• <Mortal Six>
• <Mortal Seven>
• <Mortal> / <Mortal Fury> (Level 30-59)>

Horde Leveling Guilds

• <Victory over Death>
• <Victory no Death>
• <Victory and Death>
• <Classic Hardcore>
• <Victory or Death (Level 30-59)>

Remulos (OCE)

Remulos is for those Oceanic players who do not want to play with the 250ms you get on Bloodsail. The community is small but growing in size.

Alliance leveling guilds

• <OneShot>

Hardcore Challenge Rules

1. You only have 1 life. If you die, the challenge is over. Delete or keep the character as a ghost.
2. All professions, talents, and addons are allowed. The Hardcore Addon is required.
3. No open-world grouping, except for hardcore dungeon parties.
4. Use only self-crafted or self-obtained gear from quests, drops, or NPC traders.
5. No Auction House or Mailbox. Personal bank use is allowed.
6. No trading with other characters.
7. Restrictions on certain class resurrection abilities and items.
8. World buffs and player buffs are allowed, but do not ask for them or continue taking help.
9. Open-world PvP is allowed, but no battlegrounds, honor gear, or ranking items.
10. No TBC & Wrath digital upgrade mounts.
11. No using the Auto Unstuck feature to teleport to major cities.

Hardcore Dungeon Rules:

1. Only 1 Dungeon ID of each dungeon per character. HC addon tracks Dungeon IDs.
2. (Dungeon) quests may be completed by your Hardcore Dungeon group.
3. All dungeon participants must be valid HC characters.
4. No minimum level for dungeons; maximum level is displayed on the dungeon's meeting stone.

Dungeon Max Levels

Hardcore Duos and Trios Rules:

1. Choose a combo with same starting zone or meet at level one.
2. Play and log out together.
3. Stay in the same zone together.
4. Trade self-found or crafted items, including conjurables and gold.
5. Soulbound: shared life. If one dies, the run is over for all.

HC Max Level / Raiding Ruleset:

1. If you reach max level, you can double down on your mortality for HC Raids or retire and gain immortality.
2. You still have 1 life. If you die, delete your character.
3. No Auction House or Mailbox.
4. Trade and group with fellow max-level HC players in the same guild after verification.
5. Run dungeons solo or with other max-level HC players unlimited times.
6. Light of Elune + Hearthstone is allowed.
7. No using Auto Unstuck feature to teleport to major cities.
8. Duos & Trios are no longer "spirit bound" once all members reach max level.

HC Max Level Guilds

Bloodsail Buccaneer (NA)

• <HC Elite> (Alliance) is the most popular and progressed endgame guild. If you're interested joining visit the HC Elite Discord
• <Blood and Thunder> (Horde)

Hydraxian Waterlords (EU)

• <Mortal Elite> (Alliance)
• <Victory> (Horde)