At a glance
WoW Forever's complete returning-race/class matrix is not published. This table separates original WoW background from Forever evidence; Skyborne has confirmed faction and class access. Linked race guides add original starting-zone and class context.
| Race | Faction baseline | Class availability evidence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human | Alliance* | Original: Warrior, Paladin, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warlock. Demo report: Hunter. | Reported |
| Dwarf | Alliance* | Blizzard: Shaman. Demo report: Hunter, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warrior. | Confirmed |
| Night Elf | Alliance* | Demo report: Druid, Hunter, Priest, Rogue, Warrior. | Reported |
| Gnome | Alliance* | Demo report: Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior. Priest marked new. | Reported |
| Orc | Horde* | Original: Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock. Reports: Mage. | Reported |
| Forsaken | Horde* | Blizzard: Paladin. Original: Warrior, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warlock. | Confirmed |
| Tauren | Horde* | Demo report: Warrior, Hunter, Shaman, Druid. | Reported |
| Troll | Horde* | Original: Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage. Demo report: Warlock. | Reported |
| Skyborne | Alliance or Horde | Blizzard: Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Druid on both; Mage on Alliance; Shaman on Horde. | Confirmed |
- Returning-race factions and “Original” classes are 2004–2006 background, not a complete Forever roster. Blizzard has announced no faction change for returning races; Orc's Forever faction is specifically unaddressed. Demo rows come from Warcraft Tavern's hands-on report and are Reported, not launch confirmation. The classes hub tracks the same evidence.
A practical beginner choice
There is no sourced “best race” ranking. Choose a faction: Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, and Gnome have an Alliance baseline; Orc, Forsaken, Tauren, and Troll have a Horde baseline. Skyborne players choose either faction during character creation. Then choose a class. Dwarf Shaman, Forsaken Paladin, and Skyborne's listed options are Confirmed; other returning-race combinations are background or reported demo evidence. Original racials and starting zones are context, not proof Forever keeps them.
Confirmed, planned, and unknown
- The Battle.net product page names Dwarf Shaman and Forsaken Paladin, and calls Skyborne a playable elven race from Zephras Isle. Confirmed
- The What's Next panel recap confirms Skyborne faction choice at creation: Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, and Druid for both factions; Mage for Alliance; Shaman for Horde. Its Zephras Isle start requires the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher. Confirmed
- Blizzard's 2026 to 2027 roadmap lists two unnamed spring class/race combinations; timing may change. Planned
- The numeric Forever race total is unresolved: first-party pages name Skyborne but give no number; PC Gamer and CNET report one new race, while MeriStation reports two. Unverified conflict
- Blizzard has not announced the complete matrix, racial abilities/customizations, faction changes, or the identities of the two spring combinations. A community list repeating Gnome Priest is Unverified and does not replace demo or Blizzard evidence.