Every World of Warcraft journey starts with the same question, and it matters more than it seems: which class should you pick? In WoW Forever, which launches November 4, that decision carries even more weight. The game is built around the journey to level 60, and the class you choose will shape your first few dozen hours in Azeroth.
The good news is there's no wrong choice. Blizzard says its goal is for all 27 of the game's specializations to earn a spot in dungeons and raids, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The right choice is the one that fits how you like to play, and that's what this guide will help you figure out.
The basics: 9 classes, level 60 and new combos
WoW Forever launches with the nine classic classes: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock and Druid. There's no new class, and the level cap is still 60.
What changed are the race and class combinations. The Alliance can now create Gnome Priests, Human Hunters and Dwarf Shamans. The Horde gets Orc Mages, Troll Warlocks and Undead Paladins.
There's also the new Skyborne race, unlocked through a paid pack. Skyborne can be Warriors, Hunters, Rogues or Druids on both factions, Mages only on the Alliance and Shamans only on the Horde.
Pick by your role in the group
In World of Warcraft, every class fills one or more roles: tank, who holds the enemies; healer, who keeps the group alive; and damage, who takes the enemies down. Knowing which role you want already eliminates half the doubt.
Want to tank? Warrior, Paladin and Druid are your options. Tanks are the most in-demand role for dungeons, so you'll rarely wait long for a group, but it's also the role that demands the most encounter knowledge.
Want to heal? Priest, Druid, Shaman and Paladin. Like tanks, healers are always in demand and highly valued by groups.
Prefer dealing damage? Every class has at least one damage specialization, but Rogue, Mage, Warlock and Hunter live exclusively for it, and do it very well.
Class by class: who each one is for
Warrior. The classic tank and also one of the best melee damage dealers. The payoff is high, but leveling tends to be slow and gear-dependent. Ideal if you want to raid tank and don't mind a tougher start.
Paladin. The class that changed the most in Forever. It now gets Holy Strike at level 6, a new tanking seal, Consecration as a baseline ability at level 20 and new talents across all three trees. It does a bit of everything: tank, heal and damage. The lingering weakness is the lack of an interrupt and a slow. If you played original Classic and want something new, this is the most interesting pick.
Hunter. The safest choice for newcomers. It attacks from range, has a pet that holds enemies for you and is one of the easiest and fastest classes to level solo.
Rogue. Stealth, ambushes and lots of control. It's strong in PvP and great if you like choosing when and where to fight. It demands more attention to resources and positioning.
Priest. The most traditional healer, with the Shadow specialization offering ranged damage. Leveling as a healer is slow, so most players level as Shadow and heal in dungeons.
Shaman. Totems, healing, melee and spell damage. A very versatile class that's highly valued in groups. In Forever, Shaman also received Lightning Bolt damage tweaks, and Lava Burst now hits harder than the comparable Lightning Bolt rank.
Mage. Area damage, teleports and the famous self-conjured food and water. One of the most fun classes for dungeons and very efficient at killing packs of enemies, but fragile when surrounded.
Warlock. Demons that fight for you, life drains and fears. One of the sturdiest classes to play solo and very strong in PvP.
Druid. The class that literally does everything: tank, heal, melee and spell damage, shifting forms mid-fight. In the Forever beta it got a major buff: Wrath's base damage rose by about 50%, and heals like Rejuvenation and Tranquility can now critically strike.
Pick by your playstyle
First time playing WoW? Go Hunter. If you prefer something more magical, Warlock. Both classes have companions that help a lot while you learn the game.
Want to run dungeons with friends? Pick a class that can tank or heal, such as Paladin, Druid or Shaman. Groups always need those roles.
Love PvP? Rogue, Mage and Warlock have historically been the most feared classes in battlegrounds and the open world.
Planning to play Hardcore when it arrives? Favor classes that can escape or stay alive well, such as Hunter, Warlock and Mage. Remember that Hardcore only arrives after launch.
The Legacy System changes the math
One Forever detail makes the choice less final. The Legacy System awards permanent account points when each class reaches levels 25, 45 and 60. That's 27 points in that category alone.
In practice, the game encourages you to try other classes. If your first pick doesn't click, leveling a second character still builds progress for your whole account.
Our take
If you've never played World of Warcraft, start with Hunter. It's the most forgiving class, and you'll learn the game without suffering.
If you've played Classic and want to feel like you're playing something new, Paladin is our pick. It received the most changes, and the new combos, like the Horde's Undead Paladin, should be among the most common sights at launch.
And if you're still undecided, go Druid. It lets you try every role on the same character and, based on the beta changes, arrives in Forever stronger than ever.
FAQ
How many classes does WoW Forever have? Nine: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock and Druid. There's no new class.
What's the best class for beginners in WoW Forever? Hunter, thanks to ranged attacks and a pet that holds enemies. Warlock is the second-best option.
What are the new race and class combos? Gnome Priest, Human Hunter and Dwarf Shaman for the Alliance; Orc Mage, Troll Warlock and Undead Paladin for the Horde.
What is WoW Forever's level cap? 60, just like classic World of Warcraft.
Can I change class later? You can't change a character's class, but you can create others. And the Legacy System rewards leveling more than one class.
