WoW Forever races and racials
Every playable race in the WoW Forever beta, the racial abilities it brings, how each one compares with Classic Era, and the classes it may take.
Beta build 1.60.1.69913, compared against Classic Era 1.15.9.69722. Read from the client on September 22, 2026.
Every playable race
Racial numbers are quoted at level 60, the beta's launch cap.
10 of 10 races
Human
AllianceChangedHumans are a young race, and thus highly versatile, mastering the arts of combat, craftsmanship, and magic with stunning efficiency. The humans' valor and optimism have led them to build some of the world's greatest kingdoms. In this troubled era, after generations of conflict, humanity seeks to rekindle its former glory and forge a shining new future.
Racial abilities
Perception
SameDramatically increases stealth detection for 20 sec.
Sword Specialization
ChangedIn ForeverIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 2% while you have a sword or two-handed sword equipped.
In Classic EraSkill with Swords and Two-Handed Swords increased by 5.
The Human Spirit
SameSpirit increased by 5%.
Will to Survive
NewInstantly removes all Stun effects.
Orc
HordeChangedThe orc race originated on the planet Draenor. A peaceful people with shamanic beliefs, they were enslaved by the Burning Legion and forced into war with the humans of Azeroth. Although it took many years, the orcs finally escaped the demons' corruption and won their freedom. To this day they fight for honor in an alien world that hates and reviles them.
Racial abilities
Axe Specialization
ChangedIn ForeverIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and abilities by 1% while you have an axe or a two-handed axe equipped.
In Classic EraSkill with Axes and Two-Handed Axes increased by 5.
Blood Fury
ChangedIn ForeverIncreases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec.
In Classic EraIncreases base melee attack power by 25% for 15 sec and reduces healing effects on you by 50% for 25 sec.
Hardiness
ChangedIn ForeverDuration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%.
In Classic EraChance to resist Stun effects increased by an additional 25%.
Shatter Curse
NewInstantly removes and grants immunity to all Curses and Banes, and reduces all Magical damage taken by 15% for 8 sec.
Dwarf
AllianceChangedIn ages past the dwarves cared only for riches taken from the earth's depths. Then records surfaced of a god-like race said to have given the dwarves life... and an enchanted birthright. Driven to learn more, the dwarves devoted themselves to the pursuit of lost artifacts and ancient knowledge. Today dwarven archaeologists are scattered throughout the globe.
Racial abilities
Big Game Hunter
NewDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
Find Treasure
SameAllows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap. Lasts $d.
The client leaves $d unfinished here: the sentence needs a character's own stats to complete it.
Mace Specialization
NewIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1% while you have a mace or two-handed mace equipped.
Stoneform
ChangedIn ForeverInstantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.
In Classic EraWhile active, grants immunity to Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects. In addition, Armor increased by 10%. Lasts 8 sec.
Night Elf
AllianceChangedTen thousand years ago, the night elves founded a vast empire, but their reckless use of primal magic brought them to ruin. In grief, they withdrew to the forests and remained isolated there until the return of their ancient enemy, the Burning Legion. With no other choice, the night elves emerged at last from their seclusion to fight for their place in the new world.
Racial abilities
Elune's Light
NewIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 10% for 15 sec.
Quickness
ChangedIn ForeverDodge 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 EraDodge chance increased by 1%.
Quickness Passive
ChangedIn ForeverIn Classic EraShadowmeld
ChangedIn ForeverActivate 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 EraActivate 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.
Wisp Spirit
ChangedIn ForeverTransform into a wisp upon death, increasing movement speed by 75%.
In Classic EraTransform into a wisp upon death, increasing speed by 50%.
Undead
HordeChangedFree of the Lich King's grasp, the Forsaken seek to overthrow his rule. Led by the banshee Sylvanas, they hunger for vengeance against the Scourge. Humans, too, have become the enemy, relentless in their drive to purge all undead from the land. The Forsaken care little even for their allies; to them the Horde is merely a tool that may further their dark schemes.
Racial abilities
Cannibalize
ChangedIn ForeverWhen 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 EraWhen 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 Grave
New2 ranksYour spells and attacks have a 5% chance to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.
- Rank 2 of 2
Underwater Breathing
SameUnderwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.
Will of the Forsaken
ChangedIn ForeverInstantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.
In Classic EraProvides immunity to Charm, Fear and Sleep while active. May also be used while already afflicted by Charm, Fear or Sleep. Lasts 5 sec.
Tauren
HordeChangedAlways the tauren strive to preserve the balance of nature and heed the will of their goddess, the Earth Mother. Recently attacked by murderous centaur, the tauren would have been wiped out, save for a chance encounter with the orcs, who helped defeat the interlopers. To honor this blood-debt, the tauren joined the Horde, solidifying the two races' friendship.
Racial abilities
Cultivation
ChangedIn ForeverCultivate a nearby herb, growing a duplicate you can harvest without requiring Herbalism skill. Each herb may only be cultivated once.
In Classic EraHerbalism skill increased by 15.
Endurance
ChangedIn ForeverTotal Health increased by 5% and chance to hit increased by 1%.
In Classic EraTotal Health increased by 5%.
Plainsrunning
NewGain 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.
War Stomp
SameStuns up to $i enemies within 8 yds for 2 sec.
The client leaves $i unfinished here: the sentence needs a character's own stats to complete it.
Gnome
AllianceChangedThough small in stature, the gnomes of Khaz Modan have used their great intellect to secure a place in history. Indeed, their subterranean kingdom, Gnomeregan, was once a marvel of steam-driven technology. Even so, due to a massive trogg invasion, the city was lost. Now its builders are vagabonds in the dwarven lands, aiding their allies as best they can.
Racial abilities
Engineering Specialization
ChangedIn ForeverYour gnomish ingenuity reduces the rate of engineering devices failing or backfiring when you use them by 20%.
In Classic EraEngineering skill increased by 15.
Escape Artist
ChangedIn ForeverInstantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec.
In Classic EraEscape the effects of any immobilization or movement speed reduction effect.
Eureka!
New5 ranksYour next 3 damaging abilities have their Energy cost reduced by 20% and deal 10% more damage.
- Rank 2 of 5
Your next 3 damaging abilities have their Rage cost reduced by 40% and deal 10% more damage.
- Rank 3 of 5
Your next 3 damaging abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 50% and deal 10% more damage.
- Rank 4 of 5
Your next 3 damaging abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 50% and deal 10% more damage.
- Rank 5 of 5
Your next 3 damaging or healing abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 15% and deal 10% more damage or healing.
Expansive Mind
Changed3 ranksIn ForeverMaximum Mana increased by 5%.
In Classic EraIntelligence increased by 5%.
- Rank 2 of 3
Maximum Rage increased by 5%.
- Rank 3 of 3
Maximum Energy increased by 5%.
Troll
HordeChangedOnce at home in the jungles of Stranglethorn Vale, the fierce trolls of the Darkspear tribe were pushed out by warring factions. Eventually the trolls befriended the orcish Horde, and Thrall, the orcs' young warchief, convinced the trolls to travel with him to Kalimdor. Though they cling to their shadowy heritage, the Darkspear trolls hold a place of honor in the Horde.
Racial abilities
Beast Slaying
SameDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
Berserking
ChangedIn ForeverIncreases your spellcasting and attack speed by 10% for $26635d.
In Classic EraIncreases 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.
The client leaves $26635d unfinished here: the sentence needs a character's own stats to complete it.
Rapid Regeneration
NewRegenerate 50% of your maximum Health over 6 sec. Any movement, action, or damage taken will cancel the effect.
Regeneration
ChangedIn ForeverHealth regeneration rate increased by 10%. In addition, 10% of total Health regeneration will continue during combat.
In Classic EraHealth regeneration rate increased by 10%. 10% of total Health regeneration may continue during combat.
High Order Skyborne
AllianceNewNo Classic Era counterpartThe High Order is made up of the descendants of the ancient Highborne scholars of Eldre'Thalas. When the wind spirits disappeared from Zephras Isle, the High Order realized that the Skyborne's utter dependence upon their elemental patrons had left them dangerously vulnerable. A new generation of High Order have now been called upon to return to Azeroth to reclaim the arcane knowledge that they have lost, and use that power to ensure that the shen'dorei have the self-reliance to survive on their own.
Other faction's counterpart: Windshaper Skyborne
Racial abilities
Elemental Insight
NewDamage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.
Read Ley Line
NewAttempt 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 Air
NewGlide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.
Wind Blessed
NewIncreases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 1%.
Windshaper Skyborne
HordeNewNo Classic Era counterpartThe Windshapers are the descendants of the first shen'dorei high elves to receive the wind spirits' gift of elemental skysight. A new generation of Windshapers is called to Azeroth from their home within Skywall to solve the mystery of what became of their missing elemental mentors, and will stop at nothing to see the wind spirits restored and their way of life preserved.
Other faction's counterpart: High Order Skyborne
Racial abilities
Elemental Insight
NewDamage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.
Skysight
NewAttempt 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.
Walk on Air
NewGlide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.
Wind Blessed
NewIncreases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 1%.
Who can be what
Every race against every class in one grid, with the 16 pairings the beta invented marked.
Questions
Which races are new in WoW Forever?
2: High Order Skyborne and Windshaper Skyborne. Neither exists in the Classic Era baseline build, so every class they can take is a pairing the beta invented.
Which race and class combinations are new?
16 pairings among the Classic races, plus every pairing the new races bring. The table above marks each one.
Did any racial abilities change?
18 racials read differently from their Classic Era wording, among them Sword Specialization (Human), Axe Specialization (Orc), and Blood Fury (Orc). Turn on the Classic Era comparison to see both sentences for every one of them.
Can I still play every Classic Era combination?
Yes. Nothing the baseline build allowed has been taken away — the beta only adds.
How many races does each faction field?
5 for the Alliance and 5 for the Horde, 10 in total.
Where do these numbers come from?
The beta client's own data tables for build 1.60.1.69913, compared row by row with Classic Era 1.15.9.69722. Nothing on this page is typed by hand.