Vanilla+ is Classic with custom content on top. Zones, classes, items and quests layered on the 1.12 base.
It made Classic Plus a genre before Blizzard confirmed one. After Turtle WoW shut down in May 2026, Vanilla+ split into a family. Several are thriving.
Live status for all below is on the tracker.
The Turtle WoW successors
Turtle's code survived its shutdown. The 2024 leak meant the scene could carry on. Direct descendants:
- Octo WoW — biggest. Restored 1.18.1 Jul 2026, three realms (N'Zoth PvE, C'Thun HC, Y'Shaarj PvP), phased raids 2026-27. See modern client.
- Capybara WoW — ex-Turtle SEA admins, two realms, ~10k online. Largest Turtle successor now.
- Ravencraft — 1.18.1 continuation by former contributors, launched Aug 22 — fresh start for Turtle loyalists. See launch news.
- Caverns of Time — Turtle+ variant, opened Aug 15.
Independent Vanilla+
Not everything traces to Turtle. Independent foundations:
- SandWorlds — Brazilian Vanilla+ on 1.17.2, cross-faction, 13 custom zones, class reworks.
- Project Legacy — VMaNGOS, 150+ new quests, cross-faction, dual spec, Prestige/Lorewalker.
- Incursion-WoW — instant-60 Vanilla→WotLK progressive, reworked MC/Onyxia, 500+ rebalanced items.
- Vanilla+ — the PvP realm that named the category.
The Ascension side
Ascension runs Vanilla+ seasons alongside classless mainline. See classless explainer.
Bronzebeard is the Vanilla+ realm. Conquest of Azeroth runs custom classes.
Picking a Vanilla+ server
1. Turtle lineage = polish, check pop. Octo, Capybara and Ravencraft run refined 1.17/1.18 — but fresh realms need players. Capybara ~10k is the safest large bet.
2. Independent = different spirit. Legacy (VMaNGOS, solo modes) and Incursion (instant-60, rebalanced endgame) are for those who want Vanilla+ without Turtle.
3. Timing matters. Ravencraft (Aug 22) and Caverns (Aug 15) are new — good for launch week, volatile after. Missed the window? Capybara's population beats a fresh economy you won't catch.
4. Watch legal overhang. Vanilla+ inherits Turtle's risk — see crackdown explainer. Popular = visible.
Live status for every Vanilla+ realm: the tracker.