New race and class combinations
- Human Hunter
- Dwarf Shaman
- Gnome Priest
- Orc Mage
- Troll Warlock
- Undead Paladin
As a result, both factions have Paladins and Shamans.
The new race: Skyborne
The Skyborne come from Zephras Isle, which is also their starting zone. You pick the faction at character creation. On both sides Skyborne can be Warriors, Hunters, Rogues and Druids. Alliance Skyborne can also be Mages, Horde Skyborne Shamans.
All races and classes
★ marks a combination that did not exist in Classic.
| Race | Faction | Classes |
|---|---|---|
| Human | Alliance | Warrior, Paladin, Hunter ★, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warlock |
| Dwarf | Alliance | Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman ★ |
| Night Elf | Alliance | Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Druid |
| Gnome | Alliance | Warrior, Rogue, Priest ★, Mage, Warlock |
| High Order Skyborne | Alliance | Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Druid, Mage |
| Orc | Horde | Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Mage ★, Warlock |
| Undead | Horde | Warrior, Paladin ★, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warlock |
| Tauren | Horde | Warrior, Hunter, Shaman, Druid |
| Troll | Horde | Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock ★ |
| Windshaper Skyborne | Horde | Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Druid, Shaman |
Racial abilities: what changes
Compared with Classic, many flat bonuses are gone, for example +10 to a single resistance. Weapon specializations were reworked and, according to the beta notes of Oct 15/16, now grant critical strike chance instead of weapon skill. Dwarves receive “Earth Fury” with that update: 2% more critical damage and critical healing.
Some new abilities from the earlier state of Sep 14 show the direction: Humans get Will to Survive against stuns, Night Elves Elune’s Light with a short critical strike boost, Gnomes Eureka!, Undead Touch of the Grave and Trolls Rapid Regeneration. Parts of this are already outdated. The full list with its data date is in the race overview.
What matters when choosing
As long as Blizzard is still reworking racials, do not pick a race on numbers alone. Faction and game style of your group, the class you want and the starting zone are more reliable criteria. If you want to play with friends early, you need the same faction and the same game style.