The multiplayer beta for Warcraft 3: Reforged has started, letting players have matches in 1v1 and 2v2. There will be limited access to various races, and more game modes will be accessible as the beta goes on.
Blizzard announced the beta was starting with a news post, outlining what everyone who has access can expect. Only orcs and humans are selectable at first, as the undead and night elf races will be added at a later time. Those who pre-ordered the ‘Spoils of War’ edition are getting keys first, while regular pre-orders will have to wait as access is sent out in waves into the coming weeks. Wording suggests the beta may become completely open at some point down the line, but at the very least that’ll be when all pre-orders are honored.
If getting into the beta ASAP isn’t quite worth the money for you, the ‘Spoils of War’ contains a number of special bonuses. There’s exclusive skins for Reforged – Champion of the Horde Thrall, Emerald Nightmare Cenarius, Fallen King Arthas, and Daughter of the Seas Proudmoore – the Meat Wagon mount for World of Warcraft, the Third War card back for Hearthstone, a new pet for Diablo 3, and other content for Heroes of the Storm and Overwatch.
The remaster of Warcraft 3 will come with the base game, Reign of Chaos, and its expansion, Frozen Throne. Just about every facet is getting an overhaul, from the graphics, to the map layouts, to the voice work, and cut-scenes. What’s more, if you’ve a friend who refuses to leave the original, there’s crossplay so you can still play together.
The beta opens as BlizzCon is about to take place this weekend. Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 are expected to be announced, though there’s also the elephant in the room of all the controversy that’s followed Blizzard since Hearthstone Chung ‘blitzchung’ Ng Wai was banned from competitive play earlier this month when he shouted “liberate Hong Kong” on a livestream. Negative buzz has snowballed since, culminating in boycotts and a general cynicism of the company.
You can pre-order Warcraft 3: Reforged now if you’d like to guarantee yourself an eventual key to the beta.