Blizzard has revealed Talebound, a new PvE action RPG mode for World of Warcraft: Midnight. You enter repeatable horror stories from Quillgrave, fight with one of three special classes and return to town to improve the next attempt.
Talebound is coming with the Echoes of the Worldcore content update. Blizzard has not announced its live release date. The first public test realm preview is planned for sometime in October.
WoW Talebound quick facts
- Mode: PvE action RPG activity inside World of Warcraft: Midnight.
- Players: Play solo or with friends; Blizzard has not listed a maximum group size.
- Launch stories: Darkhaven, Greenthistle Wood, Greywake’s Expedition and Grove of the Night Court.
- Classes: Slayer, Inquisitor and Witch.
- Hub: Quillgrave, with four vendors used between runs.
- Update: Echoes of the Worldcore.
- First test: An early PTR preview is planned for October; no exact day is confirmed.
What is Talebound?
A mysterious Storyteller sends players from Quillgrave into themed tales. Every trip can contain enemies, boss encounters, puzzles, treasure and relics. After a run, you return to town and use its vendors before beginning another attempt.
Blizzard describes Talebound as a PvE action RPG mode rather than a dungeon or raid. It has its own playable classes and combat rules. Every class can double jump, dodge and guard, so positioning and active defense matter in each fight.
The mode belongs to the live Midnight branch of World of Warcraft. The existing World of Warcraft game page covers the main game. Talebound is an additional activity planned for a later Midnight update.
Which stories launch with Talebound?
Talebound launches with four named stories: Darkhaven, Greenthistle Wood, Greywake’s Expedition and Grove of the Night Court. Blizzard says each has a different setting, enemies and boss encounters.
The announced threats include witches, giants, marshals, bishops, deep-sea horrors and nightmare royalty. Those enemies give each tale a clear subject instead of sending every run through the same collection of creatures.
Story collections are available in Quillgrave, allowing players to revisit them. Blizzard has not confirmed the length of a run, difficulty options, failure penalties or matchmaking rules. The October PTR should provide the first public look at those systems.
Which classes can you play?
The first three classes are Slayer, Inquisitor and Witch. These are Talebound roles, not new permanent World of Warcraft classes. Blizzard has not said that their skills can be used in raids, dungeons or the open world.
Slayer: fights at close range with a sword and uses a gun when an enemy is farther away. Inquisitor: uses holy fire, can slow enemies and has attacks that work while moving. Witch: attacks with lightning, poison, frogs, spiders, moonlight, thorns and ravens.
The three classes provide different ways to control a fight. A Slayer can jump backward while throwing mines. An Inquisitor can cast Condemn or Radiant Burst while moving. A Witch can turn into a cat briefly, move through moonlight and damage nearby enemies with falling stars.
How does movement change Talebound combat?
Every class can double jump, dodge and guard. That shared toolkit gives each player an immediate answer to incoming attacks, even when the selected class has slower or more specialized damage abilities.
Several announced skills also move the character or work during movement. Slayer’s Throwing Knives can cancel other attacks and move the player quickly. Inquisitor can cast some fire attacks while running. Witch can blink forward during Feline Communion.
Blizzard has not published controller layouts, cooldown values, damage numbers or a complete upgrade tree. Those numbers can change during testing, so the class descriptions here cover only the actions shown on the official feature page.
What does Quillgrave do between runs?
Quillgrave is the village between stories. Four vendors change how a later attempt begins. The Arcanist adds potions, draughts and flasks that can be found during a tale. The Scribe provides talents that change class abilities.
The Outfitter improves starting health, damage, energy and focus. The Antiquarian provides passive effects that change how a player can approach a tale. This gives players several preparation choices before returning to combat.
The exact progression rules remain unconfirmed. Blizzard has not said which upgrades are permanent, which reset between runs or what currency each vendor uses.
What rewards can you earn?
Blizzard has revealed a transmog set, housing items and a mount. The Ensemble: Witch Hunter’s Shadow Attire changes a character’s appearance. The Quillgrave Storyteller’s Lectern and Quillgrave Talebound Shadowtome can be placed in player housing.
The Shadowbound Storybook is a mount that carries its rider between open pages. Blizzard says these cosmetics can be used in Midnight and beyond. It has not published the full reward list or the requirement for each item.
When can you play Talebound?
The first public test is planned for sometime in October. Blizzard has not announced an exact PTR date or the live release day for Echoes of the Worldcore. “Coming soon” in the trailer does not confirm a same-day launch.
Talebound arrives before Midnight’s later Eclipse update. The Midnight Eclipse overview covers the Xal’atath story, raids and paladin additions planned for that separate major update.
Midnight is already live. World of Warcraft requires internet access, a Battle.net account and app, plus a subscription or game time. Blizzard has not announced a separate Talebound purchase or price.
WoW Talebound FAQ
Can you play Talebound solo?
Yes. Blizzard says players can enter the stories alone or with friends. A maximum group size and matchmaking rules have not been announced.
Are Talebound classes permanent WoW classes?
No permanent classes were announced. Slayer, Inquisitor and Witch are the three playable roles confirmed for the Talebound mode.
When does the Talebound PTR begin?
Blizzard plans an early PTR preview sometime in October. The studio has not announced the exact day or the live release date.
