Players testing World of Warcraft: Forever have discovered new items that deliberately bend or break long-established rules from the classic MMO. The discoveries suggest Blizzard is expanding the game beyond a straightforward remake, introducing unusual mechanics that could significantly change how players approach professions, combat and levelling.

An axe from the Deadmines allows mining without the Mining skill and can gather materials 30 times, potentially letting players choose two crafting professions. The Coldflame Saber from Shadowfang Keep lets mages deal fire damage with melee attacks against frozen targets, while a returning Cozy Sleeping Bag provides a three-minute 3% experience boost that stacks with a 5% cooking bonus. Blizzard has also hidden books containing powerful rewards, with the full game due to launch on 4 November.