WoW Forever Skyborne Race and New Race/Class Combos
By Expos.GG Team · 2026-11-08
WoW Forever adds the Skyborne race and six new race/class combinations, from Orc Mage to Undead Paladin. Here's what's new for each faction and how to choose a main for launch.
WoW Forever gives you more character options than the original game ever did. There's a new playable race, the Skyborne, and six race and class combinations that weren't possible in 2004. All nine classes also have new or updated abilities and talents.
Here's what's new and how to choose a main you'll still be happy with at 60.
The Skyborne
!A floating island city of wind-carved towers above the clouds
The Skyborne, also known as the shen'dorei or "hidden people", are Forever's new race. They're unusual because you choose their faction at character creation:
| Faction | Skyborne group | Class | | --- | --- | --- | | Horde | Windshapers | Shaman | | Alliance | High-Order Skyborne | Mage |
Every Skyborne starts on Zephras Isle, a new starting zone for levels 1–12. Blizzard describes it as blending classic Warcraft style with elemental architecture, in a story shaped by wind and ancestry.
Two things to check before you plan a main around them. First, the Skyborne are the one part of Forever that needs a separate purchase: the Warcraft Wiki lists the Skyborne Heroic Pack and Epic Pack as the editions that unlock the race and the Zephras Isle start, so check the Battle.net shop. Second, the beta client listed more Skyborne classes than the two Blizzard named: Druid, Hunter, Rogue and Warrior for both factions, plus Mage (Alliance only) and Shaman (Horde only). Confirm the list at character creation.
Six new race and class combinations
!A lineup of six fantasy heroes of different races and classes
Blizzard lists these new combinations for Forever:
- Orc Mage: Horde - Troll Warlock: Horde - Undead Paladin: Horde - Human Hunter: Alliance - Gnome Priest: Alliance - Dwarf Shaman: Alliance
The last two points matter. In the original game, Paladins were Alliance-only and Shaman were Horde-only. In Forever, both factions can have both classes, through Undead Paladins and Dwarf Shaman, plus Skyborne Shaman on the Horde side. Raid groups on each faction now get access to both classes' buffs.
Classes are rebalanced
The Warcraft Wiki sums up the talent changes as: talent trees and specs will be rebalanced, with the intent on making each class viable. Specs that were rarely played in raids in the original game are meant to be real options in Forever.
Two other changes make choosing easier:
- Dual spec at level 40 from class trainers for 10 gold. You can swap between two specs at any time outside combat and battlegrounds. - Respec fees drop over time. Each spec has its own fee, and it slowly falls to 1 gold.
So your choice of class matters more than your choice of spec. You can try a different spec later without heavy costs.
How to choose your main
Decide your raid role first
Raids open on December 9 with Barrow Deeps (10 players), Hyjal Summit (20) and Onyxia's Lair (40). Groups always need tanks and healers. If you're happy to play one of those roles, you'll find groups faster all through launch.
- Traditional tanks: Warrior, Paladin and Druid - Traditional healers: Priest, Paladin, Shaman and Druid - Damage: every class, with Mage, Warlock, Hunter and Rogue built only for it
Then consider how you like to level
Classes with pets, self-healing or strong ranged damage tend to level more smoothly on their own. Hybrids such as Paladin, Shaman and Druid can quest as damage and still heal or tank in dungeons, especially with dual spec at 40.
Then pick your race for the story and the look
Race abilities matter much less than playing a class you enjoy. A new combination like Undead Paladin or Dwarf Shaman is also a fresh experience for veterans of the original game.
Character creation checklist
1. Agree on ruleset and faction with your friends. See our rulesets guide. 2. Pick your class for your raid role. 3. Pick your race, including the new combinations and the Skyborne. 4. Prepare a two-part name. Names must be unique within your region. 5. Choose HD or SD character models. You can change this later at a Barbershop.
For what to do once you're in game, read the WoW Forever launch week guide. If you'd rather have the leveling done for you, Expos.GG's WoW Forever leveling lets you set class, race and spec for each character and pre-order now for launch.
