How to Add Addons to Classic WoW

Addons have been a prominent part of World of Warcraft since the earliest days of the game. Those fan programs may not alter gameplay directly, but they still make a major difference to the player experience by tweaking the interface, adding warnings, and placing information within easy reach. Many addons used in Shadowlands have been adapted for WoW Classic Era after its release. Others were developed for the vanilla version specifically, allowing users to enjoy it with some of the modern conveniences. If you are wondering how to add addons to your installation of WoW Classic, keep reading to learn all you need to know.

Where to Find Addons

There are two main sites that specialize in WoW Addons: CurseForge and WoWInterface. If you are looking for a specific addon with a known name, chances are that you can find it by using the search function on either of those sites. You can also browse their categories to find the mods you need in case you do not have a name but know you want help with PvP or some other part of the game. Keep in mind that both sites support multiple versions of WoW, so make sure to filter results for your current version of Classic.

GitHub has a general WoW addon page as well. While somewhat less friendly for those new to the site, it offers easy access to program code and full version histories. That makes it especially appealing for those who might want to modify or make their own addons at some point. Finally, some mods may have their own sites with added information and support. However, the major addon sites are generally preferred thanks to their reputation, convenience, and strict safety measures.

How to Install Addons

There are two ways to install addons. The first one is manual:

• Download the addon from the site as a .zip archive;
• Extract all files to your game installation’s AddOns folder (inside Interface). There should now be another folder inside that one bearing the addon’s name;
• Start the game and go to the character select screen;
• Click the Addons button in the lower left corner of the screen. If you have installed the addon correctly, you should be able to enable it from there.

You will need to restart the game for it to notice the new addon. Keep in mind that the _classic_ folder now belongs to Burning Crusade Classic. If you want addons for Classic Era, go to the _classic_era_ folder instead. Using the manual method means you will have to update addons by hand as well. Registering at Curseforge or WoWInterface will allow you to mark your addons as favorites, helping you update them quickly when new versions appear.

Alternatively, you can use an addon manager. Those programs let you automate downloading, installation, and updates. The latter is arguably not as critical in Classic because it is a “finished” game that is less likely to be shaken up by major updates. However, the start of the Season of Mastery with its changes to raids and other content suggests that being able to update many addons automatically is still an important advantage. There are several popular managers you could use:

• Overwolf is the official CurseForge app, well-integrated with its parent site, but criticized for the ads in its free version and alleged user tracking;
• WowUp, an open-source alternative that consumes few resources and is very easy to install, detecting existing addons immediately;
• Instawow, a slightly harder to install open-source option with access to a wider range of repositories including GitHub and is optimized for easy upgrades;
• Cursebreaker, which uses a command line tool that may take getting used to. However, it runs very smoothly and is good at tracking addon and module versions.

​​​​​​​

What Addons To Get

The addons you should get really depend on your own preferences. However, here are some of the best options to get you started:

• Deadly Boss Mods keeps track of boss mechanics in dungeons and raids for you;
• Details! Damage Meter Classic lets you know how effective your abilities are in battle, enabling you to make informed tactical choices;
• Auctionator Classic streamlines your Auction House use, making it easier than ever to make a fortune in gold;
• AtlasLoot Classic lets you track instance loot like in modern WoW, which is invaluable for efficient gearing;
• Questie imitates another modern feature: quest markers, making questing and powerleveling much simpler.

Conclusion

Addons are a good way to improve your Classic experience. They allow you to enjoy the vintage content while keeping the frustrations from the old-fashioned game design down to a minimum. Our boosting services can provide further assistance to that same end. By outsourcing the more tedious parts of the game and getting addons for the rest, you will guarantee yourself a higher quality of life in-game. Get services for any area of the game you may be struggling with to cut down on the grind, or hire a personal booster for a custom boost!