Crusader-Storm opens its TBC server with a level 60 pre-patch

Crusader-Storm launched on Saturday 3 January 2026 at 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST), on the date the team set in December. Character creation and client downloads opened a few days early, so players could claim their names before the realm went live.

The pre-patch stage

The server starts in a "Pre Patch" phase:

• The level cap is 60
• Outland is closed
• Jewelcrafting is not available yet

Phase 0 will raise the cap to 70, open Outland and bring Jewelcrafting back. The team calls the pre-patch the shortest stage, and it will set the length of each later phase once it sees how many players the server has and how many of them reach the level cap.

Launch event

For the first two weeks, the Mini Diablo cosmetic pet can drop from mobs the same way bags do. It also gives a server achievement, "Crusader-Storm Opening Drop: Mini-Diablo".

The phase plan

• Phase 1: Karazhan, Magtheridon's Lair and Arena Season 1
• Phase 2: Serpentshrine Cavern, Tempest Keep and Arena Season 2
• Phase 3: Hyjal Summit, Black Temple and Arena Season 3
• Phase 4: Zul'Aman
• Phase 5: Sunwell Plateau, the Isle of Quel'Danas and Arena Season 4

Each phase also brings its own items and quests.

Clients

You can play with the team's 2.5.3 Classic client or the original 2.4.3 client. Just before launch the team got the 2.5.3 client working on Apple Silicon Macs, so Mac players can join too. With your own 2.4.3 client you only need to change the realmlist.

Sources: the team's Reddit posts "1 Week until launch" (27 December 2025, with later updates) and "LAUNCHING TODAY" (3 January 2026).