Blizzard doubles tauren Plainsrunning speed in final World of Warcraft: Forever patch
The last-minute balance update also reworks orc racials and halves the skyborne's Read Leyline regeneration before launch next week.
Blizzard has released a final balance patch for World of Warcraft: Forever ahead of the game's launch, and the most eye-catching change doubles the tauren Plainsrunning movement speed bonus from 30% to 60%.
The patch reworks racial abilities for several playable races. Orcs lose their increased critical strike chance and instead gain increased pet damage for warlocks and hunters.
The skyborne, the new blue elves, take a hit: their Read Leyline ability's health and mana regeneration has been cut in half.
Because the servers are not yet live, none of these adjustments can be tested until the game launches next week. The full patch notes were published by pcgamer.com.
Long-running racial debate
Since World of Warcraft: Forever was announced, players have argued over the strengths and weaknesses of each playable race's abilities. In October 2025, Blizzard had previously tried to balance racial abilities evenly.
Quick answers
What changed for tauren in the final World of Warcraft: Forever patch?
Plainsrunning's movement speed bonus was doubled from 30% to 60%.
What happens to orc racials in the patch?
Orcs lose increased critical strike chance and gain increased pet damage for warlocks and hunters.
When can players test the changes?
Not until the game goes live next week, since the patch cannot be tested before launch.