Choosing a class is one of the biggest decisions in World of Warcraft: Forever. Your class determines how you fight, contribute to a group, and experience the journey from level 1 to 60. This guide covers the nine announced classes, the confirmed Skyborne class options, and the race-and-class updates Blizzard has revealed so far.
Skyborne classes at a glance
Skyborne characters choose Alliance or Horde during character creation. The faction choice changes which of the Skyborne-exclusive class options is available:
- Alliance Skyborne: Mage, plus Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, and Druid.
- Horde Skyborne: Shaman, plus Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, and Druid.
That means Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, and Druid are shared Skyborne options, while Mage is the confirmed Alliance choice and Shaman is the confirmed Horde choice. Blizzard has also shown Skyborne-specific Druid forms and race customizations. Treat these as announced options rather than a balance ranking; final beta and launch details can still change.
The nine WoW Forever classes
The familiar roster remains Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, and Druid. Blizzard’s Deep Dive describes combat as deliberate and tactical, with meaningful pulls, crowd control, Threat management, and distinct class identities.
- Warrior — frontline weapon combat with tanking and damage roles.
- Paladin — armor, holy magic, healing, tanking, and Retribution damage.
- Hunter — ranged attacks, traps, and a beast companion.
- Rogue — stealth, control, poisons, and precise melee attacks.
- Priest — healing and protection through Holy and Discipline, or Shadow damage.
- Shaman — elemental damage, healing, totems, and group utility.
- Mage — Arcane, Fire, and Frost spellcasting with powerful control tools.
- Warlock — curses, destructive magic, and demonic companions.
- Druid — shapeshifting and flexible tank, healer, melee, and ranged roles.
What Blizzard has said about class design
The Deep Dive frames Forever combat as Classic-paced, deliberate, and tactical. Enemies should take long enough to defeat that individual pulls matter, while groups still need crowd control, Threat awareness, and careful positioning. The goal is for classes to remain easy to recognize but deep enough to reward mastery.
The announced talent direction includes an early level-16 milestone, selected class buffs moving into baseline kits, and a stated aim for all 27 talent trees to be viable group choices. Those are design goals, not a guarantee that every tree will perform identically. Talents, numbers, and class availability should be checked again as beta testing provides newer information.
Paladin has the most detailed class-specific reveal so far. Blizzard discussed Holy Strike, a Seal of Fury tanking direction, Judgment no longer consuming Seals, changed Consecration targeting, and revisions across Holy, Protection, and Retribution. See the Paladin guide for the current breakdown.
New race-and-class combinations
Blizzard confirmed six additional combinations: Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, and Undead Paladin. These additions sit alongside the Skyborne faction split and broader racial and talent changes. The race and class compatibility guide collects the full announced list.
How to choose your Skyborne class
Start with faction, then choose the kind of play you enjoy. Pick Mage if you want Alliance Skyborne spellcasting, or Shaman if you want the Horde Skyborne option and its elemental and support toolkit. Choose Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, or Druid if you want an option shared by both factions. From there, consider whether you prefer tanking, healing, melee damage, ranged damage, control, or a flexible role.
Avoid choosing from old-version rankings or an untested “best class” claim. Forever is revising abilities and talents, and balance can shift during testing. Use the individual class guides above for confirmed details, and return to the Races & Classes hub for the race side of the decision.
Skyborne racial abilities and identity
Skyborne’s announced identity is built around air, elemental affinity, and flexible faction choice. Current public coverage describes Walk on Air, a short glide effect; Wind Blessed, a small haste bonus; and Elemental Insight, increased damage against elementals. These details should be treated as announced information and rechecked against Blizzard’s current beta documentation before launch.
The fourth racial effect changes with faction. Alliance Skyborne have been shown with Read Ley Line, while Horde Skyborne have been shown with Skysight. The abilities reinforce the faction distinction, but they should not be treated as proof that one side is stronger until testing establishes how they work in the final build.
Skyborne customization and starting experience
Skyborne customization includes multiple hairstyles, hair colors, skin tones, and eye colors. The race is not limited to one blue appearance, and the available model presentation includes high-definition and standard-definition options. Skyborne also begin in Zephras Isle, a dedicated starting zone and level 1–12 introduction to the Forever experience.
Skyborne availability is tied to the announced upgrade packs, while an active World of Warcraft subscription provides access to WoW Forever itself. Check Blizzard’s current edition and access details before purchasing because pack contents and pricing can change.
Skyborne class FAQ
Can Skyborne be a Mage?
Yes. Mage is the confirmed Alliance Skyborne class option.
Can Skyborne be a Shaman?
Yes. Shaman is the confirmed Horde Skyborne class option.
Can Skyborne be a Druid?
Yes. Skyborne Druids have their own announced forms and customization details.
What is the best Skyborne class?
There is no confirmed best choice. Pick based on the role and play style you want, then revisit the decision as beta testing clarifies talents, racials, and balance.
Sources: Blizzard Entertainment’s Forever Deep Dive panel recap and What’s Next panel recap.
