As World of Warcraft heads toward its next major chapter, Midnight, one of its most beloved and widely used addons — ElvUI — is officially going on hiatus. The addon’s developer announced that support for ElvUI will be “on hold” once the expansion launches, citing major technical and API-related restrictions introduced by Blizzard in the new client.
This announcement has sent ripples through the WoW community, especially among players who rely on customized interfaces for endgame raiding, Mythic+ dungeons, and PvP content.
⚙️ Blizzard’s API Overhaul Puts Addons at Risk
For nearly two decades, World of Warcraft’s addon ecosystem has been a defining part of the game’s identity. From performance meters to boss timers and complete UI overhauls, addons have given players unprecedented control over how they experience Azeroth.
However, as Midnight approaches, Blizzard has begun taking steps to limit third-party access to the game’s API (Application Programming Interface) — the framework that allows addons to read and modify in-game information. According to reports from the ongoing Midnight alpha test, these API changes significantly restrict what data addons can access and how deeply they can modify the user interface.
That means that full-scale UI replacements like ElvUI — which completely redesign the game’s default interface — will no longer function as intended once Midnight releases in 2026.
Addon developer Luckyone, one of ElvUI’s key contributors, shared the update on social media, stating:
“ElvUI will be placed on hold for World of Warcraft: Midnight due to new API limitations. Development will only resume if Blizzard reverses or loosens these restrictions.”
🧩 What Is ElvUI and Why It Matters
For those unfamiliar, ElvUI is one of the most comprehensive addons in World of Warcraft’s history. It replaces nearly every visual element of the default interface — from health bars and ability icons to chat windows and raid frames — allowing for a fully customizable and minimalistic experience.
Originally developed as part of the TukUI project, ElvUI has since evolved into its own powerhouse tool used by millions of players worldwide. Many high-end raiders and Mythic+ competitors depend on it for its clean design, flexible layout options, and built-in integrations with other addons.
Because of its deep integration into the game’s UI, however, ElvUI relies heavily on the API — precisely the part Blizzard is now changing. As a result, once Midnight launches, the addon will be incompatible with the expansion’s client, at least in its current form.
🧠 A Long History of Addon Controversy
This isn’t the first time World of Warcraft’s addon landscape has sparked debate. Over the years, Blizzard has often wrestled with the balance between giving players freedom through addons and ensuring fair, consistent gameplay.
Many of the game’s most challenging encounters — particularly Mythic raid bosses — have historically been designed with addon users in mind. Tools like WeakAuras, Deadly Boss Mods (DBM), and Details! Damage Meter became essential for success, allowing players to track abilities, time cooldowns, and optimize damage output with precision.
However, this reliance has also been criticized for making the game too addon-dependent. Blizzard’s recent design philosophy, starting with The War Within, has leaned toward reducing reliance on third-party tools by improving the base UI and simplifying encounter readability.
With Midnight, that philosophy seems to be taking its boldest step yet — effectively resetting the role of addons in high-end play.
💬 ElvUI and Other Addons Affected
ElvUI isn’t alone in feeling the impact of Blizzard’s new restrictions. Another major addon, WeakAuras, has also announced that it will pause development for Midnight until the development team can determine how to adapt to the new system.
Unlike ElvUI, WeakAuras relies more on internal scripting and data tracking, meaning it might survive in some form — but developers have confirmed that key features could break entirely if Blizzard doesn’t revise the new API policies.
Meanwhile, other widely used addons such as DBM, OmniCD, and Plater are expected to face similar challenges, though most are waiting until Midnight’s beta phase to issue official statements.
For now, Luckyone confirmed that ElvUI will continue functioning normally in The War Within and Mists of Pandaria Classic. However, players should expect no updates or compatibility patches for Midnight until further notice.
🌒 Blizzard’s Plan for Addon Independence
According to Blizzard, these API limitations aren’t meant to punish addon creators, but to “restore gameplay balance and reduce overreliance on external software.”
Developers have reportedly been testing boss mechanics and dungeon encounters internally under the assumption that players won’t need addons to succeed. The goal, according to Blizzard, is to make future raid fights more intuitive and readable using in-game cues rather than third-party alerts.
This shift could mark a massive philosophical change for the MMO, moving away from the complex, addon-driven gameplay that has dominated endgame content for over a decade.
Still, many players argue that addons like ElvUI have become integral to the WoW experience, enhancing accessibility and player expression rather than breaking balance.
🧭 Midnight: The Next Era of World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft: Midnight is expected to launch in early 2026 as the direct follow-up to The War Within, continuing the “Worldsoul Saga.” The expansion will take players deep into the underground realm of Azeroth, exploring the mysteries surrounding the void and the fate of the world’s remaining heroes.
Alongside class reworks and new storylines, Midnight promises a fundamental redesign of WoW’s user interface and visual clarity — which explains Blizzard’s renewed interest in controlling UI modifications.
The expansion is currently in alpha testing, with the next phase expected to begin later this year. Blizzard has stated that community feedback will play a crucial role in determining how far the API restrictions will go, meaning there’s still a chance for addon developers like Luckyone to re-enter the fold.
⚖️ What This Means for Players
For now, the future of ElvUI — and the broader addon scene — remains uncertain. If Blizzard sticks to its current vision, Midnight could mark the beginning of a more self-contained World of Warcraft experience, where addons are no longer central to success.
On the other hand, if community backlash is strong enough, Blizzard may soften its restrictions before launch, allowing partial addon functionality to return.
Either way, World of Warcraft’s next expansion is shaping up to be more than just a new story — it could redefine how players interact with the game at its most fundamental level.
