Races
Playable races of both factions, their classes, starting zones and racial abilities.
Forever has 10 races: 5 on the Alliance and 5 on the Horde. New are the Skyborne in two variants – the High Order for the Alliance and the Windshapers for the Horde. They are the only race that has to be purchased and start on the floating isle of Zephras. Races from later expansions are not playable.
New race/class combinations
For existing races Forever opens 6 new combinations. That puts Paladins on the Horde and Shamans on the Alliance.
Hunter
Shaman
Priest
Mage
Paladin
WarlockBackground on the Skyborne in the Skyborne guide; which class fits which race is on the class pages. Starting zones and capitals are also in the zone overview.
New and reworked racials
24 racial abilities are new or reworked in Forever. The complete lists are with each race.
- ● Human: Will to Survive
- ● Dwarf: Earth Fury, Big Game Hunter
- ● Night Elf: Elune's Light
- ● Gnome: Eureka!, Expansive Mind, Eureka!, Expansive Mind, Eureka!, Eureka!, Eureka!
- ● High Order Skyborne: Elemental Insight, Read Leyline, Walk on Air, Wind Blessed
- ● Orc: Shatter Curse
- ● Undead: Touch of the Grave, Touch of the Grave
- ● Tauren: Plainsrunning
- ● Troll: Rapid Regeneration
- ● Windshaper Skyborne: Elemental Insight, Skysight, Walk on Air, Wind Blessed
Alliance
High Order Skyborne
The 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 has 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.
- Starting zone
- Zephras Isle · 1–12
- Capital
- Valanaar
Warrior
Rogue
DruidRacials
- Elemental InsightPassiveNew in ForeverDamage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.
- Read LeylineActiveNew in ForeverAttempt to tap into the power of a nearby leyline, increasing your Health and Mana regeneration by 100%. Lasts 30 sec if no leyline is nearby, and 15 min if one is found.
- Walk on AirActiveNew in ForeverGlide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.
- Wind BlessedPassiveNew in ForeverIncreases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 3%.
Human
Humans 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.
- Starting zone
- Elwynn Forest · 1–10
- Capital
- Stormwind City
Racials
- PerceptionActiveDramatically increases stealth detection for 20 sec.
- RuthlessPassiveIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 2%.
- The Human SpiritPassiveSpirit increased by 5%.
- Will to SurviveActiveNew in ForeverInstantly removes all Stun effects.
Dwarf
In 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.
- Starting zone
- Dun Morogh · 1–10
- Capital
- Ironforge
Racials
- Earth FuryPassiveNew in ForeverIncreases your critical strike bonus to damage and healing by 2%.
- Big Game HunterPassiveNew in ForeverDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
- Find TreasureActiveAllows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap. Lasts until canceled.
- StoneformActiveInstantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.
Night Elf
Ten 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.
- Starting zone
- Teldrassil · 1–10
- Capital
- Darnassus
Racials
- Elune's LightActiveNew in ForeverIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 10% for 15 sec.
- QuicknessPassiveDodge 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.
- ShadowmeldActiveActivate 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.
- Wisp SpiritPassiveTransform into a wisp upon death, increasing movement speed by 75%.
Gnome
Though 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.
- Starting zone
- Dun Morogh · 1–10
- Capital
- Ironforge
Racials
- Engineering SpecializationPassiveYour gnomish ingenuity reduces the rate of engineering devices failing or backfiring when you use them by 20%.
- Escape ArtistActiveInstantly escape the effects of any movement impairing effect and gain immunity to those effects for 3 sec.
- Eureka!ActiveNew in Foreveronly WarriorYour non-periodic damaging abilities have their Rage cost reduced by 10% and deal 10% more damage for 8 sec.
- Expansive MindPassiveNew in Foreveronly WarriorMaximum Rage increased by 5%.
- Eureka!ActiveNew in Foreveronly RogueYour non-periodic damaging abilities have their Energy cost reduced by 10% and deal 10% more damage for 8 sec.
- Expansive MindPassiveNew in Foreveronly RogueMaximum Energy increased by 5%.
- Eureka!ActiveNew in Foreveronly PriestYour non-periodic damaging or healing abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 10% and deal 10% more damage or healing for 8 sec.
- Expansive MindPassiveonly Priest, Mage, WarlockMaximum Mana increased by 5%.
- Eureka!ActiveNew in Foreveronly MageYour damaging abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 10% and deal 10% more damage for 8 sec.
- Eureka!ActiveNew in Foreveronly WarlockYour non-periodic damaging abilities have their Mana cost reduced by 10% and deal 10% more damage for 8 sec.
Horde
Windshaper Skyborne
The 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.
- Starting zone
- Zephras Isle · 1–12
- Capital
- Valanaar
Racials
- Elemental InsightPassiveNew in ForeverDamage dealt versus Elementals increased by 5%.
- SkysightActiveNew in ForeverAttempt 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 AirActiveNew in ForeverGlide downward through the air for 10 sec while controlling your direction of travel.
- Wind BlessedPassiveNew in ForeverIncreases your spellcasting, melee, and ranged Haste by 3%.
Orc
The 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.
Racials
- Blood FuryActiveIncreases Attack Power and Spell Power by 10% for 15 sec.
- HardinessPassiveDuration of Stun effects on you reduced by 20%.
- SavagePassiveIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and abilities by 1%.
- Shatter CurseActiveNew in ForeverInstantly removes all Curses and Banes, and reduces all Magical damage taken by 5% for 8 sec.
Undead
Free 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.
- Starting zone
- Tirisfal Glades · 1–10
- Capital
- Undercity
Racials
- CannibalizeActiveWhen 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.
- Touch of the GravePassiveNew in Foreveronly Warrior, Paladin, RogueYour spells and attacks have a 20% chance to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.
- Underwater BreathingPassiveUnderwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.
- Will of the ForsakenActiveInstantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.
- Touch of the GravePassiveNew in Foreveronly Priest, Mage, WarlockYour spells and attacks have a 30% chance to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.
Tauren
Always 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.
- Starting zone
- Mulgore · 1–10
- Capital
- Thunder Bluff
Racials
- CultivationActiveCultivate a nearby herb, growing a duplicate you can harvest without requiring Herbalism skill. Each herb may only be cultivated once.
- EndurancePassiveTotal Health increased by 5% and critical strike bonus to damage and healing increased by 2%.
- PlainsrunningPassiveNew in ForeverGain 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. In addition, you move 3% faster while mounted.
- War StompActiveStuns up to 5 enemies within 8 yds for 2 sec.
Troll
Once 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.
Racials
- Beast SlayingPassiveDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
- BerserkingActiveIncreases your spellcasting and attack speed by 10% for 10 sec.
- Rapid RegenerationActiveNew in ForeverRegenerate 50% of your maximum Health over 6 sec. Any movement, action, or damage taken will cancel the effect.
- RegenerationPassiveHealth regeneration rate increased by 20%. In addition, 20% of total Health regeneration will continue during combat.