Scars of Honor could become the perfect MMORPG for anyone looking for an alternative to World of Warcraft

Scars of Honor Vorschau Aufmacher

From April 30 to May 11, 2026, a playtest for Scars of Honor will be running on Steam. For us, this is reason enough to introduce you to the promising MMORPG in more detail.

What do I need to know about Scars of Honor? First, here are the most important general details about the new MMORPG from Beast Burst Entertainment:

  • Planned Release: Early access is aimed for the 4th quarter of 2026.
  • Confirmed Platforms: PC (Steam), likely also mobile later
  • Next Milestone: A playtest on Steam will run from April 30 to May 11, 2026. This is the first opportunity for interested players to step into the world of Aragon.
  • Type of MMORPG: Theme park with sandbox elements, as well as quests, dungeons, raids, arenas, battlegrounds, and more.
  • Payment Model: Free2Play with in-game shop (only cosmetic and earnable convenience items) and Battle Pass; developers promise: no Pay2Win, no loot boxes, no paid expansions
  • Supported Language: German interface and subtitles, English voiceover

In the following, we will go into much more detail. You can jump to the chapters that interest you via our table of contents:

A first impression of Scars of Honor is given by this trailer:

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Scars of Honor: New trailer prepares for the first playtest on Steam

Similarities to WoW

What reminds you of WoW? Even with the announcement of Scars of Honor, comparisons to World of Warcraft have become evident:

  • The colorful comic look and exaggerated proportions of the characters immediately remind one of Blizzard’s MMORPG.
  • In the world of Aragon, races such as humans, dwarves, orcs, and undead roam, closely resembling their WoW counterparts.
  • The focus is on two opposing factions: the Sacred Order (basically Alliance, of course blue) and the Domination (basically Horde, in red)
  • Among the classes, there are many “old acquaintances” like warriors, paladins, druids, mages, priests, hunters … uh, sorry! … rangers and necromancers (warlocks) and assassins (rogues)

Additionally, there are gameplay similarities. Scars of Honor also aims to offer a theme park of PvE and PvP content while relying on a comparable tab-targeting combat system (albeit a bit faster) and the holy trinity of tanks, healers, and damage dealers.

As in WoW, many of the contents like dungeons, raids, and PvP battlegrounds are instanced. The dungeons are aimed at groups of 5 players, while the raids cater to a larger number of comrades.

Scars of Honor Playtest
The races and classes of Scars of Honor strongly resemble World of Warcraft.

The Special Features of Scars of Honor

What distinguishes Scars of Honor? One of the major features of Scars of Honor is the class talent trees, consisting of over 240 talents, reminiscent of the intimidating size of Path of Exile. With these talents and the so-called scars (permanent modifiers), it should be possible for all classes to fundamentally change their abilities and playstyle. This way, numerous builds should be feasible.

Speaking of scars: These are cards that can be earned during the leveling phase, allowing you to noticeably expand your playstyle. You will constantly be presented with a random selection of scar cards from which you can choose one card each time. Due to the random factor with the scars, for example, two warriors can play completely differently.

A third pillar consists of dynamic dungeons, which are said to offer a fresh gaming experience with procedurally generated layouts, enemies, and modifiers in each run.

Fourth, the developers aim to create a fair starting position for all participants in PvP, which is why the equipment of the characters will be scaled to a comparable level there. The legendary weapon from a raid will therefore deal the same base damage in the arena or on a battlefield as the green needle from the starting area. What matters here are your build, class understanding, experience, and reaction speed.

And then there’s fifth the crafting, in which all gathering and crafting professions are linked to mini-games or quick-time events. While mining ores and wood, for instance, you need to click multiple times at the right moment to successfully complete the process. This measure is intended to make life difficult for bots. Those who master the mini-games of cooking and blacksmithing will receive goods of higher quality.

The talent tree of Scars of Honor is massive and reminiscent of Path of Exile.

The 2 Factions of Scars of Honor

What is known about the two factions? Let’s look at the official descriptions of the two groups that are vying for dominance in Scars of Honor:

The Sacred Order

After the fall of the Great Human Empire, the survivors fled to the continent of Irongarth – the last bastion of humanity. From the common losses of all races, a new alliance arose to stand for order.

In the darkest hours, unexpected heroes emerged: King Venuin’s diplomacy united mighty allies – the masterful dwarves, the nature-loving and unparalleled assassins of the sun elves, and the wild, loyal Bearans. Together, these four races forged the Sacred Order to defend their new homeland.

Their mission: to strive for peace, justice, and equality, and to strengthen the powers of order – the true force of life and growth. United, they rose to halt the spread of chaos and to resist the Domination, which is already pressing against the gate of Ondal.

But now, another threat awakens: the Ice Dragon. He is not merely an enemy of peace but an abomination against everything the Sacred Order believes in – the embodiment of ancient chaos, a blemish on the world’s balance itself. Through light and faith, the Sacred Order will rise. The dawn kneels before no one.

2 opposing factions, one blue, one red … which other MMORPG does this remind you of?

The Domination

Long before the fall of the Great Human Empire, the undead had already claimed parts of Irongarth for themselves; their decadent cities pulse with ancient power and echoes of memories. When the refugees arrived, old grudges flared up and restless feuds awakened.

To challenge the Sacred Order, they sought allies in unexpected places: the orcs – hardened survivors of endless wars, who saw tyranny in the Order; the Gronthar – inherently brutal, cunning, and anarchic; and the infernal demons, who have pledged their flames to the cause of chaos.

Despite their differences, these four powers forged a mighty alliance: the Domination. As a banner of rebellion, freedom, and conquest, they fight to dismantle the Order, break its laws, and reshape the world according to their own vision.

Yet beyond their bloody banner, a further power stirs – a being that embodies everything they abhor: ancient hierarchy, cold dominion, and the arrogance of a single reign. Even in the face of the Ice Dragon, they will not bow. The war drums thunder over Aragon – and the wind now brings frost.

The Classes of Scars of Honor

There are 3 subclasses for all classes. However, you do not choose these definitively during your character development. Instead, your learned talents determine which of the three directions you develop into. Hybrid variants between several subclasses are also possible. The following classes and subclasses can be played in Scars of Honor:

Warrior (Tank, Damage Dealer)

As the backbone of any army, warriors are disciplined melee fighters, created to withstand the chaos of battle. Versatile with weapons and resilient in close combat, they thrive on the front lines, taking and dealing heavy damage equally.

Whether as an experienced Pathfinder (damage dealer focusing on bleeds), unyielding Vanguard (tank), or relentless Berserker (physical damage dealer) – warriors embody strength, discipline, and unyielding determination.

Scars-of-Honor-HUB
Warriors and paladins form the front line in Scars of Honor, but druids and mages can also tank.

Assassin (Damage Dealer)

Fast and deadly, the assassin trades resilience for speed, striking with blades, poison, or lightning before vanishing back into the shadows.

Whether as a relentless blade dancer (damage dealer who strikes from the shadows), cunning breaker (damage dealer focusing on poison), or lone bounty hunter (damage dealer focusing on traps and direct damage) – assassins embody precision, cunning, and determined execution.

Druid (Healer, Damage Dealer, Tank)

Druids channel the raw balance of nature, summon beasts, heal allies, and shapeshift to strike with elemental wrath or primal strength.

Whether as a prophetic oracle (healer), beast summoning beast master (damage dealer focused on summons and bleeds), or versatile shapeshifter (tank) – druids embody the harmony of wilderness from care and wildness.

Mage (Tank, Damage Dealer)

As masters of the arcane, mages wield fire, lightning, ice, and cosmic powers to obliterate enemies from afar. Fragile but unmatched in their destructive potential, they control the battlefield through raw damage, crowd control, and mobility.

Whether as a resilient battle mage (tank, damage dealer), versatile rune weaver (damage dealer), or far-reaching wizard (damage dealer) – mages embody the deadly art of disciplined sorcery.

Necromancer (Damage Dealer)

Masters of forbidden arts: necromancers command the dead and wield elemental, spiritual, and cosmic powers at a terrible price. They twist life and death itself, summon servants, drain life force, and spread decay in service of the harbinger of doom.

Whether as a protected void lord (damage dealer focusing on chaos damage), undead commanding lich (damage dealer focusing on summons), or blood-driven blood mage (damage dealer focusing on support) – necromancers embody corruption, self-sacrifice, and relentless dominance.

Mystic (Damage Dealer)

Mystics utilize forbidden arts to spread curses, plagues, and spiritual suffering to weaken and annihilate their enemies. As masters of control and damage over time, they embody the dark side of magic – siphoning strength and sowing despair.

Whether as a star-forged celestial (damage dealer focusing on cosmic destruction), poison weaving plague doctor (damage dealer with a penchant for poisons and bleeds), or curse-driven acolyte (damage dealer who weakens and controls) – mystics bring inevitable ruin to the battlefield.

Several classes in Scars of Honor rely on magic, summons, and curses.

Pirate (Damage Dealer)

Unpredictable and versatile, pirates fight with blades, pistols, and underhanded tricks, aided by their loyal parrots and a penchant for poison and plunder. Dangerous in both close and medium-range combat, they overwhelm enemies with ruthless strikes and relentless pressure.

Whether as a dueling fencer (damage dealer with shield and sabre focusing on bleeds), oath-breaking cursed (damage dealer focusing on high seas powers and curses), or firepower-driven gunner (damage dealer with a knack for all things that shoot) – pirates embody chaos, greed, and deadly adaptability.

Priest (Healer, Damage Dealer)

Pious and unwavering, priests channel divine power to heal allies, provide protection to the faithful, and smite their enemies with holy wrath. They are at their strongest when their faith is put to the test, standing as both protectors and avengers on the battlefield.

Whether as a blessing cleric (pure healer), god-inspired worshiper (healing and summons), or relentless exorcist (damage dealer) – priests embody devotion, discipline, and divine retribution.

Ranger (Damage Dealer)

Quick and deadly, rangers strike from afar with precision shots, elemental power, and clever traps, taking down enemies before they reach the front lines. Fragile but highly mobile, they excel in sustained damage and battlefield control.

Whether as a far-reaching sharpshooter (physical damage dealer), cunning trapper (damage dealer focusing on traps and poisons), or inventive tinkerer (damage dealer who summons machines) – rangers embody agility, resourcefulness, and deadly accuracy.

Paladin (Tank, Damage Dealer)

Steadfast and unyielding, the paladin endures at the very front lines. They wield holy power and fire to vanquish foes while regenerating themselves in battle.

Whether as a zealous inquisitor (damage dealer focusing on holy fire), protective templar (tank), or inspiring justice bearer (physical damage dealer) – paladins embody faith, resilience, and unwavering conviction.

In Scars of Honor, you can play humanoid bears among others.

The Races of Scars of Honor

The following races are available to you in Scars of Honor:

The Sacred Order

  • Humans
  • Sun Elves
  • Dwarves
  • Bearan (humanoid bears)

The Domination

  • Orcs
  • Infernal Demons
  • Undead
  • Gronthar (humanoid pigs)

The Developers Behind Scars of Honor

Who is behind the MMORPG? Beast Burst Entertainment is an independent studio from Sofia, Bulgaria. The project was started by CEO and lead developer Venelin Filipov in 2021, who laid the foundation on his own. Currently, around 100 developers are working on the MMORPG.

At a time when other studios struggle to finance their MMORPG projects (see the end of Project Ghost and the Warhammer MMORPG), Scars of Honor appears as an exotic case. Even more so since the Kickstarter campaign that started in March 2024 ended without success here.

Thanks to several successful rounds of investment in 2019 and 2020, the team managed to secure over 2.5 million US dollars, providing a financial cushion for the development of the game. Moreover, fixed costs are expected to be relatively low as they rely on their own engine and server technology.

We will keep this overview of the MMORPG from Beast Burst Entertainment up to date, so you will always find the most important information about Scars of Honor here. What other upcoming MMORPGs we are also hoping for in 2026 is addressed in the following article: MMORPGs 2026 – The 7 most promising online role-playing games set to be released this year

This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.