World of Warcraft in 2025 is in one of its best states in years. Whether you dive into Retail or test Classic later, you'll find a game full of WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold options, stories, and communities.

Start with the free trial, subscribe if you enjoy it, and don't overthink your first choices. Pick a class that feels right, explore at your own pace, and remember-there are no mistakes you can't recover from. 

If you've been away from World of Warcraft Classic for a while and want to return, you might be feeling lost. And honestly, that's fair. In 2025, there isn't just one version of WoW Classic-there are several, each with its own rules, player base, and direction. I've been seeing the same question come up again and again: "Which version of Classic should I play?"

This guide will walk you through every current option so you can decide which version of WoW Classic fits your playstyle.

Classic Era

What it is:

Classic Era is the original 2019 Classic, permanently locked at its final patch. Players here live forever in the Naxxramas phase.

Community:

The population is small but stable. Most activity revolves around GDKP raids-gold-for-loot runs-though a few traditional guild raids still exist. If you're nostalgic for vanilla's last stage and don't mind a limited but dedicated community, this is the spot.

Who it's for:

Players who want to farm Naxxramas forever, enjoy WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold based raiding, or crave a time-locked, museum-style WoW.

Season of Discovery (Seasonal Classic)

What it is:

Launched in late 2023, this experimental season added new abilities, hybrid specs, and unique raids like the Scarlet Enclave. Think of it as "modded Classic"-vanilla WoW with modern twists.

Current state:

The season started strong, peaking at half a million raid logs, but as of now, it's in its final phase with numbers dropping fast. PvP activity has mostly dried up, but raiding still exists for those who want to see the new content before it fades.

Extra perk:

Killing the first boss in Scarlet Enclave grants a free level 85 boost for Cataclysm Classic.

Who it's for:

Players curious about alternate-history WoW with new class mechanics. Great if you want to experiment, not great if you're seeking a long-term home.

Progressive Classic

What it is:

This is the Classic journey that began in 2019 and has been rolling forward through the expansions. Starting from vanilla, it moved into TBC, Wrath, Cataclysm.

Population:

Still healthy, with around 85,000 raid logs despite being at the tail end of Cataclysm. 

Who it's for:

If you want the retail-like progression path but with Classic pacing, this is where you belong. 

Hardcore WoW

What it is:

Originally a fan-made mode, Blizzard officially embraced Hardcore in 2023. The rules are simple: one life only. Die, and your character is gone.

Variants:

Standard Hardcore: You can trade, use the Auction House, and group normally-just don't die.

Self-Found Hardcore: No trading, no Auction House. Everything you wear, you earn yourself.

Community:

The U.S. realm, Doomhell, is the main hub. Raids do exist, but Hardcore's brutal nature means few players ever reach that stage.

Who it's for:

Thrill-seekers who want every fight to matter. Perfect for those who crave adrenaline and permanence.

Classic Anniversary (Fresh Servers)

What it is:

Released in November 2024, Anniversary servers are fresh vanilla servers with quality-of-life tweaks, such as dual talent specialization and fixes to resource spawns like Black Lotus.

Progression path:

These realms will eventually advance to Burning Crusade, but right now they're mid-vanilla, waiting for the Ahn'Qiraj and Naxxramas phases.

PvP differences:

There's no ranking decay here. That means if you want Rank 14 gear, you simply grind Alterac Valley matches until you get there. It's time-consuming, but achievable for anyone willing to put in the effort.

Raiding scene:

Very active and no GDKPs allowed. Loot is distributed through guild systems like soft reserve or loot council.

Who it's for:

Players who want a fresh start with long-term future progression. Great for leveling, raiding, or preparing for TBC Classic again.

Comparing Populations

Progressive Classic (Cata → MoP): ~85,000 raid logs; stable and will surge with MoP.

Season of Discovery: Once massive, now around 50,000 logs and winding down.

Classic Era: Small but loyal niche community.

Hardcore WoW: Niche but active, ~2,000 raid logs on cheap WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold Doomhell.