Undead Paladin. Dwarf Shaman. Orc Mage. If those combinations look strange to someone who remembers original World of Warcraft, that is exactly the point. World of Warcraft: Forever opens six new race-and-class pairings for existing races and introduces the Skyborne, whose available classes depend on their faction.
Here is the quick, practical guide: what is newly possible, what each choice feels like thematically, and where to check your class talents and racial abilities before character creation.
The six new combinations at a glance
Alliance: Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Gnome Priest
Human Hunter. You can now combine the familiar human adventurer aesthetic with the Hunter's ranged combat, tracking, and animal companion fantasy. If you already know you want a pet-focused explorer, this pairing offers a new look for that playstyle. Explore the Hunter talent trees for Beast Mastery, Marksmanship, and Survival.
Dwarf Shaman. A Dwarf communing with the elements is one of Forever's clearest twists on old class restrictions. It suits players who want the imagery of stone, storm, and hardy mountain folk alongside elemental magic. Check Shaman talents for Elemental Combat, Enhancement, and Restoration.
Gnome Priest. Gnomes can now follow the Priest path. It is an appealing contrast: the tiny inventor culture of Gnomeregan meeting healing, discipline, and shadow magic. Review the Priest guide and calculator before deciding which side of the class fantasy interests you.
Horde: Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, Undead Paladin
Orc Mage. An Orc wielding arcane, fire, or frost magic challenges the idea that an Orc caster must be a Shaman or Warlock. If the combination of rugged Horde identity and ranged spellcasting appeals to you, start with the Mage talent trees.
Troll Warlock. Darkspear Trolls can now make deals with darker powers. Warlock offers a very different fantasy from a Troll's existing magical class options: demons, curses, and destructive spells. Compare Affliction, Demonology, and Destruction in the Warlock guide.
Undead Paladin. Perhaps the most striking new combination: a Forsaken character wielding the Light. Whether you are drawn to the roleplaying tension or the Paladin's toolkit, the contrast is memorable. Study Holy, Protection, and Retribution in the Paladin guide and calculator.
These are newly permitted pairings, not a claim that one race is numerically best for its class. Racial traits and talent balance have received updates; the strongest combination for a particular activity needs separate, current evidence.
Skyborne: one new race, two faction identities
The Skyborne begin on Zephras Isle, a level 1-12 area. At creation, you choose the Alliance's High Order or the Horde's Windshaper path. The two share four classes, but the fifth differs.
High Order Skyborne — Alliance
- Druid
- Hunter
- Mage (Alliance-only Skyborne choice)
- Rogue
- Warrior
The High Order pursue their arcane heritage. If your image of a Skyborne hero involves magic and ancient scholarly traditions, this is the faction path that opens Mage. See High Order Skyborne racial abilities and classes.
Windshaper Skyborne — Horde
- Druid
- Hunter
- Rogue
- Shaman (Horde-only Skyborne choice)
- Warrior
Windshapers follow an elemental path. If you want your Skyborne to engage with the wind and spirits through a playable Shaman, choose the Horde. See Windshaper Skyborne racial abilities and classes.
Access requirement: Blizzard states that access to the Skyborne race and its Zephras Isle starting experience requires the Skyborne Heroic Pack or a higher digital upgrade. Blizzard has not said whether characters of other races can visit the island, so this article makes no claims about travelling there. Check the official store details before buying an upgrade.
How much should racial abilities influence your pick?
Forever reworks racial traits: each playable race has two active and two passive racial abilities. Some familiar effects have changed, and Blizzard has published several revisions through the beta period.
A sensible way to decide is to use three filters:
- Class and role first. If you enjoy ranged casting, a new race pairing will not make a melee-oriented class feel like a Mage.
- Faction and character identity second. Pick the world, story, and visual style you want to spend time with.
- Racial utility third. Read the specific active and passive abilities, but do not treat undocumented numerical values or beta-era notes as guaranteed live-game performance.
AzerDex's race directory separates Blizzard-documented information from community-reported details and keeps a history of changes. It is a useful starting point, with a clear limitation: not every ability has been verified against the live release client.
Three character ideas if you cannot decide
For the returning Classic veteran: Try an Undead Paladin. It is immediately recognizable as a new Forever option while still letting you play a familiar core class.
For the explorer: Try a Human Hunter. The pet-and-tracking class fantasy fits a journey through Forever's expanded original world, and the combination itself is new.
For the new race experience: Choose High Order Skyborne for Mage or Windshaper Skyborne for Shaman. The choice is also a faction and storyline choice, not simply a cosmetic switch.
There is no single universally correct first character. You are choosing how you want to experience this version of Azeroth.
Frequently asked questions
Can you play an Undead Paladin in WoW: Forever?
Yes. Undead Paladin is one of the six new combinations available to the original playable races.
Can a Dwarf be a Shaman?
Yes. Dwarf Shaman is a new Alliance pairing in Forever.
Can Alliance Skyborne play Shaman?
No. Alliance High Order Skyborne have Mage among their five class choices; Horde Windshapers have Shaman instead.
Are Skyborne available with the base subscription alone?
Blizzard states that access to the Skyborne race and its starting experience requires the Heroic Pack or a higher digital upgrade. Check the current purchase terms on the official Forever page.
Plan your character in AzerDex
See the complete Race Guides, then open the Class Guides & Talent Calculator. Every class has three talent trees to explore, and the calculator lets you share a build link without creating an account.
If you are new to the game, also read our WoW: Forever Beginner's Guide.
Sources and editorial verification (5 November 2026): Blizzard: Create the Hero You Want to Be (the six new combinations); Blizzard: Meet the Skyborne (Zephras Isle levels 1-12, classes by faction); Blizzard: New Player's Starter Guide (published 28 October; "Skyborne access requires the purchase of the Heroic Pack or higher digital upgrades"); Blizzard: Return to Azeroth in World of Warcraft: Forever (published 29 October; "access to the Skyborne race and starting experience requires the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher"); Blizzard: Purchase Forever Upgrades (Heroic Pack contents, including "Access to the new Skyborne race and their Zephras Isle starting experience"); Blizzard: World of Warcraft: Forever What's Next Panel Recap; Blizzard: official product page. Class availability is sourced from Blizzard and matches AzerDex's Race Guides; numerical racial details have not been verified against the live release client.