If you’ve ever logged in on launch night and spent your first 45 minutes fighting broken addons, full bags, and “where did my keybinds go”… yeah. Same.
This is the stuff I do before the servers go live so the first hour of World of Warcraft: Midnight is actually playing the game, not doing chores.
TL;DR
- Update/disable addons now, not at 12:01.
- Empty bags, clean banks, prep a “launch kit” (consumes, gliders, drums, etc.).
- Decide your main, your professions, and your “first 2 hours” route.
1) Pre-download + repair (do it early)
Expansion launches are a download lottery. Get it out of the way while your internet isn’t getting griefed.
- Run the Battle.net scan/repair if you’ve had random crashes lately.
- Clear space on your drive. If you’re at 3 GB free, you’re asking for pain.
2) Addons: update, then be willing to cut them
On launch night, “one broken addon” can turn your whole UI into a Picasso painting.
- Update everything.
- Make a backup folder of your addon config (so if you nuke something, you can undo it).
- Have a “bare minimum” set ready: nameplates + boss mods + auras (whatever you personally can’t live without).
3) Save your UI + export your keybinds
I don’t care how “simple” your UI is. Losing keybinds is a week-ruiner.
- Export your UI profiles (WeakAuras, Plater, ElvUI, etc.).
- Screenshot your action bars like a degenerate. It works.
4) Clean your bags like you’re moving apartments
You want empty bag slots on launch, not 30 stacks of “I might need this someday.”
- Vendor anything you can buy back easily.
- Mail junk to an alt (the classic bank-alt shame).
- Set aside a small “launch kit” bag: food, flasks, potions, whatever travel tools you use, plus a stack of repair bots if you’re that friend.
5) Bank + warband organization (future you will thank you)
Whether it’s warband banks or just your own chaos, the goal is simple: find stuff instantly.
- Make one tab for “launch week” consumables/materials.
- Make one tab for “sell later” (don’t mix it with the stuff you actually need).
6) Professions: pick a plan, not a vibe
If you’re still deciding professions on launch night, you’re already behind the goblins.
- Decide your main’s professions now.
- Stockpile any “evergreen” mats you always burn through (don’t overthink it; just don’t be empty).
7) Decide your main (and lock it in)
Launch week is not the time to “sample 6 classes.”
- Pick one character you’re pushing first.
- Pick one backup alt you genuinely enjoy (not the one you “should” play).
8) Make a 2-hour route (seriously)
The biggest difference between a smooth launch and a scuffed one is: you know what you’re doing when you log in. Examples:
- “Do intro → unlock travel → grab professions → queue first dungeon”
- “Story-only until I unlock X system → then world content”
9) Fix your settings before you’re in combat
If you haven’t checked these since last year, do it now:
- Combat text / nameplates / enemy cast bars
- Sound settings (yes, raid warnings too)
- Graphics preset (launch zones can be laggy; don’t pretend you need Ultra)
10) Clear your quest log
Starting an expansion with 25/25 quests is peak self-sabotage.
11) Set up comms like it’s raid night
If you play with friends/guild:
- Confirm Discord roles/channels
- Agree on “we’re grouping or we’re soloing” (split expectations early)
12) Prep your real-life stuff
This one’s boring, which is why it matters.
- Water/snacks
- Stretch
- Don’t start at 1% phone battery if you use it for 2FA
13) Launch night expectations (aka: don’t tilt)
Servers might be smooth, or they might be a dumpster fire. Either way:
- Have a backup plan (alts, transmog, professions, even just logging off and coming back).
- Don’t let “queue boss” steal your whole night.
14) The one thing people forget: your “why”
Are you here for story? Mythic+? PvP? Gold? Housing? A fresh guild start? Write it down (or at least say it out loud). It keeps you from doom-scrolling content you don’t even enjoy.
15) Last-minute sanity check
Right before go-time:
- Addons not exploding
- Bags have space
- Main is parked where you want
- You know your first objective
16) When the servers go live: play, don’t optimize
Launch week is the one time I ignore spreadsheets and just go. You can min-max in week two.
17) Drop your own checklist in guild chat
If you’ve got one “we always forget this” tip, share it. We all benefit from one less scuffed launch.