Transmog in WoW Forever: how it works, how to turn it off and how appearances are collected

Does WoW Forever have transmog?

Yes, but it is optional. Blizzard's Deep Dive of September 13, 2026 says WoW Forever's transmogrification is built for two kinds of players: those who want to collect appearances and those who would rather play "as if transmog does not exist", since it "was not part of the original game". You configure it, or turn it off entirely, at a transmogrifier in certain cities.

Blizzard's own words in its Deep Dive recap: transmog "is an important tool for players who want to show off accomplishments or express their characters", but "outlandish outfits can affect immersion for some players". Its October articles then made it one of the six starting settings of the Experience Preset chosen at first login.

How do you turn transmog on or off in WoW Forever?

In WoW Forever, transmog follows the preset you pick at first login: Classic starts with it off and Enhanced with it on, Blizzard's starter guide of October 28, 2026 says. Later, a transmogrifier in certain cities configures your outfits or disables the system. With it off, you see players in the gear they really wear, and you still collect appearances in case you switch it on later.

• At first login: the Classic preset gives "Transmog off", the Enhanced preset "Transmog on". Our Classic or Enhanced guide lists the other five settings.
• Afterwards: the preset's settings change in the Options menu, under System, then Preset (Blizzard, October 29, 2026); outfits are configured at a transmogrifier.
• Turned off: "opting out means players will only see others around them as they are, in their equipped gear" (Blizzard, September 13, 2026).
• Gamepad: the October 15, 2026 beta notes "Updated the Transmog frame to be useable with a gamepad".

Blizzard has not said which cities have a transmogrifier. In September it called the first-login choice "Classic Mode", which disables transmog "automatically when they enter the world"; its October articles call it the Classic preset.

How do you collect appearances in WoW Forever?

WoW Forever adds an appearance to your collection in three ways, Blizzard's Deep Dive says. Poor and Common items give it as soon as they are looted, without binding. A dungeon item of Uncommon or Rare quality that binds on pickup gives it to every eligible looter when it is looted, so nobody rolls just for the look. An epic raid drop gives it only to the player it binds to.

Blizzard's reason for the dungeon rule: "someone who needs an item as an upgrade should not have to worry about another player rolling against them just to collect the appearance". The raid rule keeps "the prestige of higher-level rewards" and leaves loot to the raid group. Our dungeons guide and raids guide cover what each one drops.

Which transmog rules does WoW Forever keep?

WoW Forever's transmog follows item-type rules: plate transmogs to plate and cloth to cloth, so a paladin wearing a cloth chest needs another cloth chest appearance. Low-level characters cannot use high-level appearances until level 60, when level limits are lifted for the valid appearances of the collection. Cosmetic-only items are the exception, and Blizzard says they "will be rare" in WoW Forever.

• Armor type: Blizzard's example is a paladin wearing Robes of the Exalted, a cloth chest, who "would need to use another cloth chest appearance for that item".
• Level: "Low-level characters also cannot use high-level appearances until level 60" (Blizzard, September 13, 2026).
• Cosmetic-only items: allowed on any armor, but rare. The game files of build 1.60.1.70532 (October 21, 2026) added a few, such as Ensemble: Gilded Blademaster's Armor and Ensemble: Stillwater Fisher Attire, which teach a set's appearances; the files do not say where they come from.

Can you hide your helm and cloak in WoW Forever?

Yes, even with transmog turned off. Blizzard's Deep Dive of September 13, 2026 says disabling the system does not stop you from hiding a slot such as your helm or cloak, or showing a particular appearance on yourself. Players who keep transmog off still see other players' hidden helm and cloak, "preserving the original World of Warcraft functionality around those display choices".

In short, the switch decides what you see of the others: with transmog off, everyone else appears in their real gear, apart from a hidden helm or cloak. Blizzard's goal, in its words: "maximum flexibility over what they see in their own game".

How much does transmog cost in WoW Forever?

Blizzard has published no transmog cost for WoW Forever as of October 31, 2026: its Deep Dive, its starter guide of October 28 and its launch articles of October 29 describe how the system works, not its price, and the beta notes give none either. We don't give an estimate. This page will add the cost once Blizzard publishes it or players can check it in game.

What is published: transmog is optional, set at a transmogrifier in certain cities, and the starting setting comes from your preset. For the rest of the first login, see our launch day guide; for how Forever differs from Classic and Retail, our comparison.