Blizzard has brought back to life the World of Warcraft hardcore characters belonging to the well-known streamer group “OnlyFangs” after a targeted DDoS attack disrupted their gameplay and caused their in-game deaths. This decision breaks Blizzard’s long-standing policy that death in hardcore mode is permanent, regardless of circumstances.
The attack specifically hit WoW servers during a high-viewership stream by OnlyFangs, a collective known for their hardcore mode runs that have drawn thousands of viewers. Hardcore mode in WoW means that when a character dies, they’re gone for good—adding extreme stakes to every encounter and decision.
DDoS attacks, which overwhelm servers with traffic until they crash, have long plagued online games. What makes this case special is Blizzard’s response—restoring characters that would normally be considered permanently lost according to the game’s hardcore rules.
The decision likely stems from the significant marketing value OnlyFangs provides. Their streams have revitalized interest in WoW and attracted massive viewership, functioning as free advertising for Blizzard. One user commented that the streams were “24/7 free commercials being viewed by thousands of people.”
Some players have expressed concerns about this creating a “streamer privilege” precedent, questioning whether regular players would receive the same treatment.
Others have defended the move, arguing that “DDoS attacks are just a form of mass-griefing” that shouldn’t be allowed to ruin legitimate gameplay.
Blizzard’s action suggests it’s taking server security more seriously while also recognizing the promotional power of high-profile streamers.
The company hasn’t detailed specific plans for preventing future attacks, but this response indicates they’re willing to take extraordinary measures when external factors unfairly impact gameplay.
