Which class should you play in WoW: Forever? Every race and class combo
All nine classes, every race/class combo and what the Skyborne need — straight from Blizzard.
Image: Blizzard Entertainment / World of Warcraft · source
Last updated: October 13, 2026.
World of Warcraft: Forever launches on November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST. Nine classes, the new Skyborne race, and race/class combos the original game never allowed. Here’s how to pick, using only what Blizzard has published.
Start with the role, then the class
Blizzard frames the nine classes as healing, dealing damage, protecting the group, or switching roles. Quick map, based on their own class blurbs:
- Pure damage: Mage (ranged frost and fire), Rogue (stealth and poisons), Warlock (demons and life drain), Hunter (ranged, with a pet).
- Can heal: Priest, Paladin, Shaman and Druid. Paladins are also “powerful warriors in their own right”; Druids shapeshift.
- Frontline: Warrior, built for armed combat.
- Hybrids: Druid, Paladin and Shaman switch roles, “with a few tradeoffs along the way”.
Then check your faction
Faction comes down to race. These are Blizzard’s official combinations:
| Horde race | Classes |
|---|---|
| Orc | Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior |
| Tauren | Druid, Hunter, Shaman, Warrior |
| Troll | Hunter, Mage, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior |
| Undead | Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior |
| Skyborne (Windshaper) | Druid, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior |
| Alliance race | Classes |
|---|---|
| Dwarf | Hunter, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior |
| Gnome | Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior |
| Human | Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior |
| Night Elf | Druid, Hunter, Priest, Rogue, Warrior |
| Skyborne (High Order) | Druid, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Warrior |
New in Forever: Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, Undead Paladin, Human Hunter, Gnome Priest and Dwarf Shaman. Shaman is no longer Horde-only. Paladin is no longer Alliance-only.
Skyborne: what you need
The Skyborne are the new race, and they start on Zephras Isle (levels 1–12). Horde Skyborne (Windshaper) can be Shaman; Alliance Skyborne (High Order) can be Mage. Both can play Druid, Hunter, Rogue and Warrior, with Druid forms made for them. To play one you need an upgrade: Blizzard lists the race in the Skyborne Heroic Pack, and the higher editions include it too.
Dates until launch
- Until October 23, 10 a.m. (PT): the beta is still running if you have access (Blizzard extended it from October 21). Best place to actually try a class. See our beta guide.
- October 27 – November 3 (PT): any upgrade owner can reserve names and create up to three characters. First come, first served.
- November 4, 3:00 p.m. PST: launch. You need a WoW subscription or Game Time.
Official sources: Create the Hero You Want to Be, Meet the New Skyborne, Pre-Purchase Upgrades (Blizzard News).
Related: WoW Twitch Drop: how to get the Cuddly Gold-Colored Grrgle. The rest of our WoW coverage is on the game page.