Choosing a race in World of Warcraft: Forever shapes your character’s faction, class options, racial toolkit, starting journey, and connection to Azeroth. This guide brings those choices together in one place: compare the currently announced race-and-class combinations, understand what Blizzard has said about redesigned racials, and jump to the detailed guide for each race.
Forever keeps the familiar Alliance and Horde roster while adding the Skyborne, a new people with a faction choice of their own. Alliance-aligned Skyborne follow the High Order and can become Mages; Horde-aligned Skyborne follow the Windshapers and can become Shamans. Both paths share access to Druid, Hunter, Rogue, and Warrior, with new Skyborne Druid forms created specifically for the race.
At a glance: there are eight returning race names, plus the Skyborne’s two faction paths, across nine class choices. Blizzard has announced six new class combinations for returning races and says more combinations are planned. The exact options below reflect Blizzard’s published Forever overview; beta details may change.
Choose a race by faction and class
Use this comparison to narrow the list before opening a race guide. Race is only one part of character creation: decide which faction you want to join, check that your preferred class is available to that race, and then compare the racial abilities and story that appeal to you.
Alliance races
| Race | Playable classes | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Human | Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior | Human Hunter is one of the newly announced combinations. |
| Dwarf | Hunter, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior | Dwarf Shaman is newly available in Forever. |
| Gnome | Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior | Gnome Priest is a newly announced combination. |
| Night Elf | Druid, Hunter, Priest, Rogue, Warrior | Night Elf remains distinctive for players drawn to nature and the kaldorei story. |
| Skyborne (Alliance / High Order) | Druid, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Warrior | High Order Skyborne can choose Mage; Skyborne Druids receive race-specific forms. |
Horde races
| Race | Playable classes | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Orc | Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior | Orc Mage is one of the six new combinations Blizzard has named. |
| Tauren | Druid, Hunter, Shaman, Warrior | A strong fit for players who want the tauren’s Plains and Thunder Bluff heritage. |
| Troll | Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior | Troll Warlock is a newly announced combination. |
| Undead (Forsaken) | Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior | Undead Paladin is newly available; revised racials change familiar expectations. |
| Skyborne (Horde / Windshaper) | Druid, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior | Windshaper Skyborne can choose Shaman; the shared Skyborne guide covers both paths. |
For a filtered character-planning view, use the race and class compatibility tool. If you already know the class you want, start with the WoW Forever Classes hub and follow its class links back to the race options.
Browse every WoW Forever race guide
Each portrait links to a race-specific guide with its class choices, racial details, faction context, and Forever changes. Skyborne has one guide because its two faction identities share a race story and toolkit, with different class access and traditions.
HumanClass access, revised racials, and the new Hunter option.
DwarfStoneform changes, class options, and the new Shaman combination.
GnomeGnomish identity, class options, and the new Priest combination.
Night ElfExplore kaldorei themes, class access, and race-specific details.
OrcHorde identity, revised racials, and the new Mage combination.
TaurenPlains-running heritage, available classes, and revised racial abilities.
TrollTribal identity, class options, and the new Warlock combination.
Undead (Forsaken)New Paladin access and changes to the Forsaken racial package.
SkyborneCompare the Alliance High Order and Horde Windshaper paths.
Race-by-race overview
The right choice depends on the class you want, the side you want to play, and which character fantasy will keep you excited to log in. These quick profiles help narrow the field; each linked guide has more room for race-specific details and beta updates.
Human: a broad Alliance class selection
Humans have seven listed class options, including the newly announced Hunter. If you want an Alliance character with several familiar class paths to choose from, the Human list gives you room to compare martial, spellcasting, and support roles. Check the Human guide for the current racial package and for updates to the new Hunter option.
Dwarf: Stoneform changes and a new Shaman path
Dwarves can become Hunters, Paladins, Priests, Rogues, Shamans, or Warriors. The new Dwarf Shaman option opens an elemental path for an Alliance race, while Blizzard has also described changes to Stoneform and other Dwarf abilities. The Dwarf guide tracks those racial details and explains what has changed from Classic.
Gnome: a newly available Priest
Gnomes retain access to Mage, Rogue, Warlock, and Warrior, and Forever adds Priest. That creates a new way to pair a Gnome character with a healing or support class. The Gnome guide covers the confirmed options and the current beta racial information.
Night Elf: a nature-linked Alliance choice
Night Elves can play Druid, Hunter, Priest, Rogue, or Warrior. Their familiar Druid connection remains an obvious draw, but the other choices offer very different approaches to the character. Open the Night Elf guide for its class list, racial abilities, and updates relevant to Forever.
Orc: a new Mage option for the Horde
Orcs can play Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, or Warrior. Orc Mage is one of the six announced new combinations, giving the Horde roster a new spellcasting pairing. The Orc guide provides more context on the new combination and the race’s updated racial abilities.
Tauren: four class paths to compare
Tauren can become Druids, Hunters, Shamans, or Warriors. If you want to play a Tauren, choose among those four class paths based on the role and gameplay you actually want; do not assume that the most familiar fantasy is automatically the right fit. The Tauren guide covers the current racials and Forever-specific details.
Troll: the new Warlock joins a wide roster
Trolls can play Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, or Warrior. The newly announced Troll Warlock expands an already broad selection of class options. Visit the Troll guide for its current class and racial information, including details that differ from Classic.
Undead (Forsaken): a new Paladin and reworked racials
Undead characters can choose Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, or Warrior. The new Paladin combination is a major departure from the original class restrictions. Blizzard has also described changes to the Forsaken racial kit, so revisit the Undead guide rather than relying on old racial rankings.
Skyborne: choose the High Order or Windshapers
The Skyborne are new to Forever, and their faction choice affects class access. The Alliance High Order path includes Mage, while the Horde Windshaper path includes Shaman; both share Druid, Hunter, Rogue, and Warrior. Blizzard has shown new Druid forms built specifically for Skyborne characters. The Skyborne guide covers both paths and their Zephras Isle starting story.
What changes in Forever race selection?
Six new combinations open familiar races to another class
Blizzard has specifically announced Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, and Undead Paladin. These options expand the established race roster while keeping faction identity and the original world’s class fantasy in view. The individual race guides explain each new pairing; the class guides cover what each class brings to Forever.
Skyborne bring two faction identities and a new starting story
The Skyborne are Forever’s new playable race, tied to Zephras Isle and its skybound starting experience. At character creation, players choose a faction-aligned tradition: the Alliance High Order or the Horde Windshapers. That decision affects whether a Skyborne character can become a Mage or Shaman. Both paths share Druid, Hunter, Rogue, and Warrior, and Blizzard has shown new Druid forms made specifically for Skyborne characters. Read our Skyborne guide and Zephras Isle overview for the race and its home region.
Racial abilities are being redesigned
Blizzard’s stated direction is to make racials more distinct and meaningful while keeping their offensive contribution in a comparable range. The announced structure gives each race two active and two passive racial abilities. That is a design goal, not a promise that every ability is equally useful in every encounter or playstyle.
Some changes adjust familiar abilities. Blizzard’s examples include a Dwarf Stoneform whose defensive effect reduces Physical damage rather than increasing Armor, and an Undead Cannibalize that restores Mana as well as Health. The Undead also gain Touch of the Grave, while the details of remaining racial packages are best checked in the current beta and in each race guide. Old Classic rankings can be a poor shortcut when the underlying effects have changed.
How to choose your race
- Choose your faction and friends first. If your group has already chosen Alliance or Horde, start within that faction’s list. This avoids planning around a character that cannot join the group you want.
- Pick the class you are excited to play. Check the matrix above before settling on a race. If you are undecided, the class hub explains each class’s role and Forever-specific changes.
- Choose the character fantasy and starting journey. Race, appearance, culture, and starting-zone story are reasons to play a character for dozens of hours. They can matter more to your enjoyment than a small theoretical advantage.
- Read current racial details before optimizing. Forever racials are being reworked. Compare the actual abilities relevant to your activity and wait for beta balance information before treating old Classic tier lists as definitive.
- Revisit your choice when official details change. Blizzard has said additional race-and-class combinations are planned. We will update this hub when new combinations or confirmed racial changes are announced.
There is no single “best race” for every class, activity, and player. The most useful comparison starts with your faction and class goals, then checks the current racial toolkit and the fantasy you want to spend time with.
WoW Forever races FAQ
How many race guides are in this hub?
This hub links to nine race guides: the eight returning race names—Human, Dwarf, Gnome, Night Elf, Orc, Tauren, Troll, and Undead—plus one Skyborne guide that covers both faction-aligned paths.
What are the new WoW Forever race-and-class combinations?
Blizzard has named Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, and Undead Paladin. Skyborne are a new race with faction-specific access to Mage for the Alliance High Order and Shaman for the Horde Windshapers. Blizzard says more combinations are planned, but the future options have not all been named.
Can Skyborne play for either faction?
Yes. Character creation offers the Alliance-aligned High Order and the Horde-aligned Windshapers. The faction choice determines whether Skyborne can become a Mage or Shaman; both paths share several other classes.
Do WoW Forever racials work exactly like Classic?
No. Blizzard says racials are being redesigned, with two active and two passive abilities per race. Some effects are changing, so verify the current beta tooltips and use the linked race-specific guides rather than assuming Classic-era comparisons still apply.
Has Blizzard confirmed all future race-and-class combinations?
No. Blizzard has announced six new combinations for returning races and said more are planned. Additional pairings have not all been announced, so we will label future details as unconfirmed until Blizzard publishes them.
Official sources and update note
- Create the Hero You Want to Be in World of Warcraft: Forever — Blizzard Entertainment, September 22, 2026.
- World of Warcraft: Forever Deep Dive Panel Recap — Blizzard Entertainment, September 13, 2026.
- Meet the New Skyborne — Blizzard Entertainment.
Updated September 23, 2026. This is an independent fan guide. Race options and abilities may change during beta; the page distinguishes Blizzard announcements from details that remain unconfirmed.
Keep exploring: Classes · Talents · Zones · Zephras Isle · Race and class compatibility
September 24 beta racial updates
The latest beta notes include racial and race-specific spell adjustments. Read the details in the Gnome, Human, Night Elf, Tauren, and Undead guides. One note lists Touch of the Grave beneath the Tauren section, although the racial is associated with Undead; we have flagged that source discrepancy on both relevant race pages rather than presenting the attribution as settled. These are beta notes, not final launch specifications.
Official source: WoW Forever Beta Development Notes, September 24, 2026.
