All six new combos

None of these existed in Classic. Alliance gets three, Horde gets three.

WoW Forever new race/class combinations
ComboFactionWhat’s been shown
Gnome Priest Alliance Just the combo itself
Human Hunter Alliance Just the combo itself
Dwarf Shaman Alliance Featured on the game page and shop; Dwarf racial examples revealed
Orc Mage Horde Just the combo itself
Troll Warlock Horde Just the combo itself
Undead (Forsaken) Paladin Horde Featured on the game page and shop; own class storyline and a level 60 epic mount quest
Three Horde characters showing new race and class combinations
Three Horde characters showing off new race/class combos · Image: Blizzard Entertainment
Source / rights
Image / usage information: (c) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Official World of Warcraft: Forever media from Blizzard announcement pages (downloaded 16 Sep 2026); shown with source link, no ownership asserted. · Image source ↗

Dwarf Shaman: Alliance finally gets Shaman

Shaman was Horde-only in Classic. In Forever, Dwarves can roll one. Skyborne Shaman are Horde-aligned only, so going by everything announced so far, Dwarf is the only way to play a Shaman on Alliance.

Every race in Forever gets 2 active and 2 passive racials. Blizzard used Dwarves as an example: Stoneform, Mace Specialization and Big Game Hunter.

Dwarf Shaman casting between totems
A Dwarf Shaman casting between totems · Image: Blizzard Entertainment
Source / rights
Image / usage information: (c) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Official World of Warcraft: Forever media from Blizzard announcement pages (downloaded 16 Sep 2026); shown with source link, no ownership asserted. · Image source ↗

Undead Paladin: a Paladin for the Horde

Paladin was Alliance-only in Classic. Forever adds the Undead Paladin, and since Skyborne can’t be Paladins, it’s the only announced way to play one on Horde.

Forsaken Paladins get their own class storyline centered on Bandarion Keep in the Whispering Wood, Tirisfal Glades, plus a Retribution-themed epic mount quest at level 60. Undead racials are changing too: Will of the Forsaken no longer grants immunity, Cannibalize restores mana, and Touch of the Grave is a new racial.

The other four combos

For Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Orc Mage and Troll Warlock, all we have so far is the combo itself. Blizzard says more class and race details are coming in future videos and articles. The broad strokes are known: every class and spec is getting updates, and talent trees pick up a new 16-point tier.

Where the Skyborne fit

Skyborne aren’t part of the six combos; they’re a new race with their own list. Both factions get Warrior, Hunter, Rogue and Druid, Horde-aligned Skyborne get Shaman, and Alliance-aligned Skyborne get Mage. Playing one requires the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher.

FAQ

Do I need to buy an upgrade to play the new combos?
The only content Blizzard ties to an upgrade is the Skyborne race and the Zephras Isle starting zone. The six combos aren’t listed as pack content, and Forever itself comes with an active subscription or Game Time.
Are there new classes for Night Elves or Tauren?
Not in the first six. Blizzard says more combos are planned but hasn’t named which races are next.
Which new combo will be the strongest?
Nobody can tell you that yet. The game launches November 4, 2026, and there’s no balance data before then. The beta runs September 17 to October 21 and is capped at level 30 on the roadmap.

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