Alliance · Horde · Skyborne
WoW Forever Races
WoW Forever keeps the eight Classic races, adds the Skyborne for both factions and gives every race a new set of four racials. This page lists what each race can play and links to its racials, with Blizzard statements, BlizzCon demo reports and Classic reference kept apart.
What changes for races
- Official Every race has four racial abilities: two active and two passive, tuned to give a similar amount of offensive power while keeping each race's signature utility. Blizzard Entertainment
- Official Six new class and race combinations: Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock and Undead Paladin, with more planned in future updates. Blizzard Entertainment
- Official The Skyborne are a new playable race from Zephras Isle; you choose Horde or Alliance at character creation. Blizzard News
- Community verified Racials that used to add weapon skill now add critical strike chance while you wield that weapon type. Icy Veins · Warcraft Tavern
Not sure which to roll? See the best race for each class, with Classic reasoning and what the new racials change.
All playable races
Human AllianceStun break, 2% crit with swords, 5% SpiritNew: Hunter
Dwarf AllianceStoneform cleanse, mace crit, +5% vs BeastsNew: Shaman
Night Elf AllianceShadowmeld, 10% crit burst, dodge and speed
Gnome AllianceEscape Artist, Eureka! burst, +5% max resourceNew: Priest
Orc HordeBlood Fury, curse immunity, 20% shorter stunsNew: Mage
Undead HordeWill of the Forsaken, Cannibalize with Mana, life drainNew: Paladin
Tauren HordeWar Stomp, +5% health and 1% hit, Plainsrunning
Troll HordeBerserking haste, big self-heal, +5% vs BeastsNew: Warlock
Skyborne Alliance or HordeNew race for both factions; paid upgrade required
Race and class combinations
From the talent calculator's race data. New marks a combination that was not possible in Classic 1.12. Each tick opens the calculator with that race selected.
| Race | Warrior | Paladin | Hunter | Rogue | Priest | Shaman | Mage | Warlock | Druid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human | ✓ | ✓ | New | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Dwarf | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | New | — | — | — |
| Night Elf | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Gnome | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | New | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Orc | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | New | ✓ | — |
| Undead | ✓ | New | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Tauren | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Troll | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | New | — |
| Skyborne | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
Skyborne Mages are Alliance only and Skyborne Shamans Horde only. Blizzard News · nikftw
WoW Forever races FAQ
What races are in WoW Forever?
The eight Classic races (Human, Dwarf, Night Elf and Gnome for the Alliance; Orc, Undead, Tauren and Troll for the Horde) plus the new Skyborne, who can join either faction.
What are the new race and class combinations in WoW Forever?
Blizzard announced six: Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock and Undead Paladin. The Skyborne add Mage (Alliance) or Shaman (Horde) on top of Warrior, Hunter, Rogue and Druid.
Are racial abilities different in WoW Forever?
Yes. Every race now has two active and two passive racials. Weapon skill racials became critical strike bonuses, and several races got new abilities such as Human Will to Survive and Orc Shatter Curse.