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WoW ForeverBeta build 1.60.1.69913

Races

Every race has new racials in Forever, the old resistance racials are gone, and 6 race and class pairs open up that Classic never had. Here are all 10 playable races as the beta has them.

The Skyborne

New race

Blizzard's fact sheet calls the Skyborne High Elf exiles who fled their ancient kingdom, free to join either faction. The beta does that with two races that share a model: High Order Skyborne for the Alliance and Windshaper Skyborne for the Horde. The game calls both shen'dorei.

Their race descriptions put home on Zephras Isle, where the wind spirits the Skyborne leaned on have vanished. The High Order descend from the Highborne scholars of Eldre'Thalas and come to Azeroth to win back the arcane magic they lost, so their people can stand on their own. The Windshapers descend from the first shen'dorei the spirits gave their skysight, and leave Skywall to find out where the spirits went.

That split shows up in play. Only the High Order can be mages and only the Windshapers can be shamans. Both get Walk on Air, Elemental Insight and Wind Blessed, then one racial each: Read Ley Line for the High Order and Skysight for the Windshapers.

High Order Skyborne Alliance
Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Mage, Druid
Windshaper Skyborne Horde
Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Druid
Three Skyborne on a stone path before a shrine tower: a man in gold-trimmed armour and two women in tan and goldA Skyborne elf in white and gold robes beside a blue stone shrineA Skyborne woman in a tan and gold outfit on a stone path in a misty forestA Skyborne man in bronze shoulderpads in front of blue-roofed houses

Who can be what

6 new pairs
AllianceHorde
ClassHumanDwarfNight ElfGnomeHigh OrderOrcUndeadTaurenTrollWindshaper
Warrior
Paladin····New···
HunterNew··
Rogue·
PriestNew····
Shaman·New····
Mage··New··
Warlock····New·
Druid······

"New" is a pair Classic Era doesn't allow: Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Gnome Priest, Orc Mage, Undead Paladin, Troll Warlock. The fact sheet confirms the Dwarf Shaman and the Forsaken Paladin; the rest come from the beta's character data.

Alliance

5 races

Human

  • Warrior
  • Paladin
  • Hunter (new in Forever)
  • Rogue
  • Priest
  • Mage
  • Warlock
  • PerceptionActive, 3 min cooldown

    Dramatically increases stealth detection for 20 sec.

  • Sword SpecializationPassiveChanged

    Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 2% while you have a sword or two-handed sword equipped.

    In Classic: Skill with Swords and Two-Handed Swords increased by 5.

  • The Human SpiritPassive

    Spirit increased by 5%.

  • Will to SurviveActive, 3 min cooldownNew

    Instantly removes all Stun effects.

Gone since Classic: Diplomacy, Mace Specialization

Dwarf

  • Warrior
  • Paladin
  • Hunter
  • Rogue
  • Priest
  • Shaman (new in Forever)
  • Find TreasureActive

    Allows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap. Lasts until cancelled.

  • StoneformActive, 3 min cooldownChanged

    Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.

    In Classic: While active, grants immunity to Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects. In addition, Armor increased by 10%. Lasts 8 sec.

  • Mace SpecializationPassiveNew

    Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1% while you have a mace or two-handed mace equipped.

  • Big Game HunterPassiveNew

    Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.

Gone since Classic: Frost Resistance, Gun Specialization

Night Elf

Kaldorei
  • Warrior
  • Hunter
  • Rogue
  • Priest
  • Druid
  • ShadowmeldActive, 10 sec cooldownChanged

    Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Using this ability in combat discourages enemies from attacking you, but increases the cooldown to 2 min.

    In Classic: Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Night Elf Rogues and Druids with Shadowmeld are more difficult to detect while stealthed or prowling.

  • QuicknessPassiveChanged

    Dodge chance increased by 1% and movement speed increased by 2%. Night Elf Rogues and Druids are harder to detect in Stealth as if they were 1 level higher.

    In Classic: Dodge chance increased by 1%.

  • Wisp SpiritPassiveChanged

    Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing movement speed by 75%.

    In Classic: Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing speed by 50%.

  • Elune's LightActive, 3 min cooldownNew

    Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 10% for 15 sec.

Gone since Classic: Nature Resistance

Gnome

  • Warrior
  • Rogue
  • Priest (new in Forever)
  • Mage
  • Warlock
  • Escape ArtistActive, 2 min cooldownChanged

    Instantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec.

    In Classic: Escape the effects of any immobilization or movement speed reduction effect.

  • Expansive MindPassiveChanged

    Warrior: Maximum Rage increased by 5%.

    Rogue: Maximum Energy increased by 5%.

    Priest, Mage, Warlock: Maximum Mana increased by 5%.

    In Classic: Intelligence increased by 5%.

  • Engineering SpecializationPassiveChanged

    Your gnomish ingenuity reduces the rate of engineering devices failing or backfiring when you use them by 20%.

    In Classic: Engineering skill increased by 15.

  • Eureka!Active, 2 min cooldownNew

    Warrior: Your next 3 damaging abilities have their Rage cost reduced by 40% and deal 10% more damage.

    Rogue: Your next 3 damaging abilities have their Energy cost reduced by 20% and deal 10% more damage.

    Priest: Your next 3 damaging or healing abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 15% and deal 10% more damage or healing.

    Mage, Warlock: Your next 3 damaging abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 50% and deal 10% more damage.

Gone since Classic: Arcane Resistance

High Order Skyborne

Shen'dorei
  • Warrior
  • Hunter
  • Rogue
  • Mage
  • Druid
  • Read Ley LineActive, 2 min cooldown

    Attempt to tap into the power of a nearby ley line, increasing your Health and Mana regeneration by 100%. Lasts 15 sec if no ley line is nearby, and 15 min if one is found.

  • Walk on AirActive, 2 min cooldown

    Glide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.

  • Elemental InsightPassive

    Damage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.

  • Wind BlessedPassive

    Increases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 1%.

Horde

5 races

Orc

  • Warrior
  • Hunter
  • Rogue
  • Shaman
  • Mage (new in Forever)
  • Warlock
  • Blood FuryActive, 2 min cooldownChanged

    Increases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec.

    In Classic: Increases base melee attack power by 25% for 15 sec and reduces healing effects on you by 50% for 25 sec.

  • HardinessPassiveChanged

    Duration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%.

    In Classic: Chance to resist Stun effects increased by an additional 25%.

  • Axe SpecializationPassiveChanged

    Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and abilities by 1% while you have an axe or a two-handed axe equipped.

    In Classic: Skill with Axes and Two-Handed Axes increased by 5.

  • Shatter CurseActive, 3 min cooldownNew

    Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Curses and Banes, and reduces all Magical damage taken by 15% for 8 sec.

Gone since Classic: Command

Undead

Forsaken
  • Warrior
  • Paladin (new in Forever)
  • Rogue
  • Priest
  • Mage
  • Warlock
  • Underwater BreathingPassive

    Underwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.

  • Will of the ForsakenActive, 2 min cooldownChanged

    Instantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.

    In Classic: Provides immunity to Charm, Fear and Sleep while active. May also be used while already afflicted by Charm, Fear or Sleep. Lasts 5 sec.

  • CannibalizeActive, 2 min cooldownChanged

    When activated, regenerates 7% of total Health and 7% of total Mana every 2 sec for 10 sec. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yds. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.

    In Classic: When activated, regenerates 7% of total health every 2 sec for 10 sec. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yds. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.

  • Touch of the GravePassiveNew

    Warrior, Paladin, Rogue: Your spells and attacks have a 5% chance to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.

    Priest, Mage, Warlock: Your spells and attacks have a 10% chance to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.

Gone since Classic: Shadow Resistance

Tauren

Shu'halo
  • Warrior
  • Hunter
  • Shaman
  • Druid
  • War StompActive, 2 min cooldown

    Stuns up to 5 enemies within 8 yds for 2 sec.

  • EndurancePassiveChanged

    Total Health increased by 5% and chance to hit increased by 1%.

    In Classic: Total Health increased by 5%.

  • CultivationActiveChanged

    Cultivate a nearby herb, growing a duplicate you can harvest without requiring Herbalism skill. Each herb may only be cultivated once.

    In Classic: Herbalism skill increased by 15.

  • PlainsrunningPassiveNew

    Gain 1% increased movement speed every 5 sec spent moving, up to a maximum of 30% increase. Taking damage or standing still will reduce this effect.

Gone since Classic: Nature Resistance

Troll

Darkspear
  • Warrior
  • Hunter
  • Rogue
  • Priest
  • Shaman
  • Mage
  • Warlock (new in Forever)
  • BerserkingActive, 3 min cooldownChanged

    Increases your spellcasting and attack speed by 10% for 10 sec.

    In Classic: Increases your casting and attack speed by 10% to 30%. At full health the speed increase is 10% with a greater effect up to 30% if you are badly hurt when you activate Berserking. Lasts 10 sec.

  • RegenerationPassiveChanged

    Health regeneration rate increased by 10%. In addition, 10% of total Health regeneration will continue during combat.

    In Classic: Health regeneration rate increased by 10%. 10% of total Health regeneration may continue during combat.

  • Beast SlayingPassive

    Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.

  • Rapid RegenerationActive, 3 min cooldownNew

    Regenerate 50% of your maximum Health over 6 sec. Any movement, action, or damage taken will cancel the effect.

Gone since Classic: Throwing Specialization, Bow Specialization

Windshaper Skyborne

Shen'dorei
  • Warrior
  • Hunter
  • Rogue
  • Shaman
  • Druid
  • Walk on AirActive, 2 min cooldown

    Glide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.

  • Elemental InsightPassive

    Damage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.

  • Wind BlessedPassive

    Increases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 1%.

  • SkysightActive, 2 min cooldown

    Attempt to draw power from a convergence of elements and receive its blessing, increasing your movement and mounted movement speeds by 10%. Lasts 30 sec if no elemental convergence is nearby, and 15 min if one is found.

Our picks

Opinion

Racials are a small edge, so play what you like the look of. If you want the edge anyway, this is where we'd start, going only on the racials above. Beta numbers move, and these picks will move with them.

Warrior

AllianceHuman. Two percent crit with a sword in hand, and Will to Survive breaks a stun.

HordeOrc. Blood Fury is 10% more attack power every two minutes and stuns wear off 20% sooner. Tanks can look at Tauren for the extra health and War Stomp.

Paladin

AllianceDwarf. Stoneform cuts physical damage by 10% and clears bleeds and poisons. Hard to beat on a tank.

HordeUndead. The only Horde paladin. Will of the Forsaken comes along for free.

Hunter

AllianceNight Elf. Elune's Light is 10% crit for 15 seconds, and Shadowmeld drops you out of a bad pull.

HordeOrc. Blood Fury comes back more often than Troll's Berserking: two minutes against three.

Rogue

AllianceNight Elf. Stealth counts as a level higher, which matters in PvP. Pick Human instead if you're set on swords.

HordeUndead. Will of the Forsaken answers fears and charms, and Touch of the Grave chips health back.

Priest

AllianceGnome. New for gnomes. Five percent more mana, and Eureka! makes three heals cheaper and 10% stronger.

HordeUndead. Will of the Forsaken breaks fears, and Touch of the Grave procs twice as often for casters.

Shaman

AllianceDwarf. The only Alliance shaman, and Stoneform suits a class that ends up in melee.

HordeOrc. Blood Fury now raises spell power as well as attack power, so it works for every spec.

Mage

AllianceGnome. Eureka! halves the cost of your next three damaging spells and adds 10% damage. Plus 5% mana.

HordeOrc. New for orcs, and Blood Fury's spell power makes it the damage pick. Troll if you'd rather have Berserking.

Warlock

AllianceGnome. The same Eureka! deal mages get, and Escape Artist for roots.

HordeUndead. Fears don't stick, and the caster version of Touch of the Grave has a 10% chance to drain health.

Druid

AllianceNight Elf. Better stealth in cat form and Shadowmeld. Healers might like High Order Skyborne for Read Ley Line's regen.

HordeTauren. Five percent health and War Stomp for bears. Windshaper Skyborne trades that for 1% haste.

Races, classes and racials come from the WoW Forever beta client, build 1.60.1.69913, compared with Classic Era, build 1.15.9.69722. Both were read through wago.tools. The Skyborne's story is summed up from the beta's race descriptions and Blizzard's fact sheet. Screenshots © Blizzard Entertainment, from the reveal press kit. See also the Zephras Isle map.