If you’re new to WoW Forever, the biggest question is: which race and which class should you pick? Here’s the short answer. First, choose the class you enjoy, then your faction, and finally your race. The differences between races are smaller than you might think.

Best Classes for Beginners

There are nine playable classes in Forever. All are viable, but some are much more beginner-friendly for your first character. Based on beta data and various guides, here are the top picks:

• Hunter: The easiest choice for newcomers. You tame a pet at level 10, which tanks enemies while you attack from a distance. Feign Death also lets you escape tricky fights. The only hard part is the first 9 levels without your pet.
• Warlock: One of the hardest classes to kill. The Voidwalker pet acts as a tank, and with Drain Life and Fear, you can survive tough situations. Combat is slightly slower than Hunter.
• Paladin: If you like melee, Paladin is the most forgiving class. Plate armor and self-heals make early levels smoother. In Forever, early game is even better: Holy Strike at level 6, Consecration at 20.
• Shaman and Priest: Great if you enjoy healing. Priest kills enemies a bit slower.

Mage, Rogue, Warrior, and Druid are also strong choices but are a bit more challenging for a first character. Mage is fragile, Rogue lacks a pet or self-heals, and Warrior is gear-dependent in early levels. Consider these for your second character.

Which Races Are in Forever?

Alongside the classic eight races, there’s a new addition: Skyborne. Skyborne is available for both factions but has two variations. On Alliance, they’re called High Order; on Horde, Windshaper.

There are also new race and class combinations in Forever. You can now play as:

• Human Hunter
• Gnome Priest
• Dwarf Shaman (the only Shaman option for Alliance)
• Troll Warlock
• Orc Mage
• Undead Paladin (the only Paladin option for Horde)

Skyborne is limited to five classes. High Order can be Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, or Druid. Windshaper swaps Mage for Shaman.

One note: To play Skyborne, you need the Skyborne Heroic Pack or a higher bundle. This race cannot be unlocked with just a subscription.

How Have Racial Bonuses Changed in Forever?

Blizzard made significant changes to racial abilities just before launch. If you’re returning from classic WoW, these matter:

Best Race for Each Class

This table is based on the latest recommendations after racial updates. The differences are minor, so choosing the look you prefer is perfectly fine.

Skyborne’s position is debated. Some guides put Skyborne first for Hunter and Rogue because of the flat 2% haste, while others favor the classic races. Honestly, the difference is so small that picking Skyborne for its looks is totally valid.

Things to Know Before Creating Your Character

• Race is permanent: Blizzard hasn’t announced a race change service for Forever yet. Choose carefully.
• Pick the same faction as your friends: Community matters in Forever. Even on launch night, players formed groups for the first quests.
• Horde dominates PvP servers: At launch, new Horde characters were temporarily locked on some PvP servers. If you can’t find a spot, try a different server.
• Level cap is 60: No need to rush. Enjoy the journey, that’s the spirit of Forever.

Curious about what happened on launch night? Check out our WoW Forever launch recap.

What Do You Need to Start Forever?

You can play Forever with an active World of Warcraft subscription or Game Time, with no extra fees. If you don’t have a subscription, you can get started right away with a World of Warcraft time card. If you want to unlock Skyborne, you can top up your account with a Battle.net gift card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best class for beginners in WoW Forever?

Most guides recommend Hunter. Warlock and Paladin are also easy and forgiving options.

Is Skyborne free?

No. You need the Skyborne Heroic Pack or a higher edition to unlock Skyborne.

Can I play Paladin on Horde?

Yes. In Forever, Paladin is available for Horde only as Undead.

Is Shaman available for Alliance?

Yes. For Alliance, Shaman is only playable as Dwarf.

Can I change my race later?

Not at the moment. Blizzard hasn’t announced a race change service for Forever.