Hotfixes for World of Warcraft: Midnight and Classic Released on August 26

The August 26, 2026 hotfixes primarily focus on resolving technical issues and correcting gameplay mechanics. For the Demon Hunter, the visual display of the Devourer set bonus has been corrected. Paladin Protection spec users can now reliably activate Glory of the Vanguard with Avenger's Shield when Divine Resonance is active, and Holy Priests will no longer incorrectly trigger a 60-second cooldown on Guardian Spirit via Divine Hymn. Elemental Shamans have seen a correction to Maelstrom Supremacy ensuring it properly boosts Healing Surge, while Warriors can now expect Sudden Death to function without erroneously increasing cooldowns.

Significant balance changes were applied to the Curse of Ula'tek raid content. Frost Death Knights received a 6% increase to all ability and melee damage, alongside a 15% boost to Obliterate, addressing early performance concerns in the Venomous Abyss. Havoc Demon Hunters gained a 3% overall damage increase, and Vengeance Demon Hunters saw their Fel Blood mastery effectiveness jump by 24%. Restoration Druids received substantial buffs to Rejuvenation, Germination, and Wild Growth to strengthen dungeon healing, though these do not apply in PvP. Preservation Evokers had their triage heals increased significantly to keep pace with other healers in dungeons.

Area damage and cleave capabilities for Beast Mastery Hunters were enhanced, with Wild Thrash dealing 300% increased damage to multiple targets compared to the previous 200%. Frost Mages received a baseline increase to Ice Barrier absorb amount and targeted damage boosts to Blizzard and Frostbite talents. Brewmaster Monks saw their defensive absorption values improved by 20%, while Retribution Paladins received a massive 150% damage increase to the main target of the Divine Arbiter set bonus.

Warlock throughput was considerably increased, with all demon damage rising by 350%. Affliction and Demonology specs received targeted increases to their single-target tools and multi-target kits. Destruction Warlocks saw Rain of Fire damage boosted by 30%. Protection Warriors now reduce Magic damage by a higher percentage through Fight Through the Flames.

Several bugs in Delves have been resolved, including one preventing Valeera from gaining experience from mislaid curiosities. In dungeons and raids, Story Mode followers in The Venemous Abyss will now properly lead players when Dungeon Assistance is enabled. Evokers' Cauterizing Flame correctly removes the Splinters effect during The Lost Explorers encounter. Mechanics for Ula'tek were refined to ensure Mother's Wrath targets correctly and prevents unintended duplicate applications of Doomscale Shell.

Itemization updates allow players to select Silvermoon Splendor in the Great Vault to receive a Nebulous Voidcore. Issues preventing raid armor rewards from the Coiled Altar and Ula'tek from being catalyzed if sourced from the Great Vault or Voidcore rolls have been fixed, and some Season 2 items can now have sockets added. Overflowing caches for reaching maximum Renown in Season 2 will now contain Veteran Mistcrests.

In Player versus Player content, Training Grounds: Arena matches will now end properly when game-controlled opponents surrender. In The Tidebound Grotto, Nymrissa Wavecaller's health was reduced on Heroic and Mythic difficulties, and Abyssal Rain's damage was scaled down significantly. Frost Burst damage was cut by 40%, and the duration of Chilling Frost was shortened.

Encounter adjustments continue in other zones. In Altar of Fangs, one High Evolutionist was removed after Rav'i. The Blinding Vale saw an increase in enemy forces requirement to 686, and spawning was adjusted to reduce creature density. The Potatoad Matriarch's health was reduced by 10%, and Toxic Spew initial damage was halved. In Den of Nalorakk, the number of Earthwhisper Tenders in the first area was reduced.

Kings' Rest received several mechanical updates: Finished Mummy and Half-Finished Mummy are now marked as elites, Risen Hexer casts Shadow Bolt instead of Shadowfrost Bolt, and Phantom Hex Priest uses Shadow magic. In Murder Row, Malefic Wave can now reliably hit players, and Fingers of Gul'dan in the Lithiel Cinderfury encounter now prefer non-tank players and target fewer enemies.

Changes were also made to Ruby Life Pools, where the Flashfrost Chillweaver was replaced with a Deepstone Earthshaper near Defier Draghar. The Deepstone Earthshaper's health was reduced by 8%, and Techtonic Strikes damage vulnerability was lowered. In Temple of Sethraliss, a Faithless Subjugator was replaced with a Lightning Serpent, and Swarming Krolusks now idle longer before attacking.

Voidscar Arena saw adjustments to pack spawning near the Harrower. In The Venomous Abyss, creature spawns were reduced, and the blood required to open doors was lowered. Venom Withdrawal damage and duration were significantly reduced, and Serpent Wards' health was cut by 75%. For Vashnik the Malignant, Solidified Snake Venom now spawns correctly for the achievement, and Burning Venom moves towards the Malignant Cavity as intended.

Finally, in The Coiled Altar, Sever's vulnerability aura duration was corrected, and Malacrass now casts Dreadmarch on all players 10 seconds after enrages. Eternal Nightfall is no longer affected by Curse of Tongues or similar effects. In Ula'tek, the target location for Venomous Heart was corrected to ensure AoE spells hit consistently, and the encounter can now reset properly when no players are alive in the room.