WoW addon disarmament shouldn't be judged before Midnight, says Blizzard

Polygon

by Oli Welsh

February 19, 2026

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WoW addon disarmament shouldn't be judged before Midnight, says Blizzard

Blizzard’s recent addon disarmament decision in World of Warcraft has sparked significant controversy among players. With the release of the 12.0 pre-patch ahead of the Midnight expansion, Blizzard restricted user interface (UI) mods’ access to real-time combat information, rendering many essential addons ineffective. Addons like WeakAuras, which provided critical guidance for surviving boss encounters, were suddenly abandoned as their functionality was impaired. This change has been widely criticized by players who rely on these tools for optimal performance in high-end content. The decision appears to be part of Blizzard’s broader strategy to encourage players to engage more directly with the game’s mechanics and talents, particularly those introduced in the Midnight expansion. Developers argue that without seeing the full context of the new content and talents, it’s difficult to fully understand or judge this change. They suggest that the upcoming expansion will provide a clearer picture of how these adjustments fit into their vision for the game. For gamers, this matters because addons have long been a cornerstone of the WoW community, offering personalized solutions for gameplay optimization. The sudden removal of their functionality has caused widespread frustration and debates about Blizzard’s approach to game balance and player customization. As Midnight approaches, players are left wondering how this change will impact their playstyle and whether it aligns with the developer’s long-term goals for the game.

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Originally published on Polygon on 2/19/2026