Midnight UI changes are now live in the beta, where combat-data reading addons no longer function. However, creative WoW players are already picking up the pieces and rebuilding clean and modern UIs using a combination of Blizzard’s new features and cosmetic addons.
Midnight UI Changes: What’s Actually Going Away
In a recent blog post, Senior Game Director Ion Hazzikostas explained that the objective of the changes is to hide combat data. Addons that parse real-time combat information are restricted, but addons that change the appearance of your UI remain fully supported. Any addons that move, resize, or restyle elements of your UI are still functional.
Customizable elements include:
- Action bars
- Minimap
- Icon borders
- Fonts
- Unit Frames
- Cast Bars
- Nameplates
Some cosmetic addons broke because their code referenced combat data, but many will work again with updates. Blizzard is targeting logic, not customization.
Addon Examples That Already Work in Midnight Beta
Although it’s still early in the Beta, many familiar addons are already functioning well. With time, the community will adapt, and new addons will fill the gaps as Blizzard continues refining their tools. There are countless ways to customize your layout, but UI enthusiast Quazii’s approach is a good starting point. He has created a clean and competitive setup using:
- Dominos – Action bar addon
- Masque – Skinning
- Platynator – Nameplates
- Leatrix Plus – Minimap and QoL
- BetterBlizzFrames – Frame improvements
- Cooldown Manager Tweaks – Cooldown Manager enhancement
- SenseiClassResourceBar – Class resource display
These addons are examples, not requirements. Players can mix and match cosmetic tools in countless ways to create their ideal interface.
Blizzard’s Cooldown Manager, Boss Warnings, DPS meters, and Combat Audio Alerts, combined with a new development mindset, reflect a shift towards providing essential information without the need for addons to solve problems for players.
With Blizzard’s new tools and adaptive addon developers, we’re only seeing the beginning of what Midnight UIs will look like.
