Who are the Skyborne?

The Skyborne are also called the shen’dorei, “the hidden people.” They’re descended from rebels who fled Eldre’Thalas after the War of the Ancients and eventually found refuge in Skywall.

They start on Zephras Isle, a level 1–12 zone that blends the Classic look with Skywall-inspired architecture. The island is in trouble: its elemental patrons have vanished and the pylons keeping it together are failing.

Zephras Isle: a city of spires among the clouds
Zephras Isle as shown by Blizzard: a city of spires among the clouds · 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 ↗

Skyborne classes by faction

Your faction pick at character creation decides your sixth class option. Horde-aligned Skyborne follow the Windshapers and their elemental traditions, so they get Shaman. Alliance-aligned Skyborne come from the High Order and its arcane legacy, so they get Mage.

Skyborne classes by faction
ClassHorde (Windshapers)Alliance (High Order)
Warrior Yes Yes
Hunter Yes Yes
Rogue Yes Yes
Druid (with new Skyborne forms) Yes Yes
Shaman Yes No
Mage No Yes

Druids get their own new Skyborne druid forms. The race also brings new racials, customization, voices and dances. Blizzard hasn’t said what the racials actually do yet.

Horde or Alliance?

Faction matters more than class here. Horde and Alliance still can’t group in Forever, so roll your Skyborne on whatever side your friends and guild are on.

If you’re choosing on class alone: Druid is the flexible hybrid that can tank, heal or deal damage, and it’s available on both sides. Want healing plus melee or caster damage? That’s Shaman, so go Horde. Want ranged damage and crowd control? That’s Mage, so go Alliance.

How to unlock the Skyborne

The Skyborne race and the Zephras Isle starting questline come with the Skyborne Heroic Pack or any higher upgrade. A subscription or Game Time gets you into Forever, but not into a Skyborne character.

  • Skyborne Heroic Pack: $29.99 / €29.99
  • Skyborne Epic Pack: $59.99 / €59.99 (adds guaranteed beta access and 30 days of Game Time)
  • Warcraft Forever Collection: $79.99 / €79.99 (adds Warcraft III: Reforged and the Forsaken Kingdom campaign)

Invite-A-Friend launch codes won’t unlock the race either.

FAQ

Can Skyborne be Paladins, Priests or Warlocks?
Not based on what’s been announced. The six Skyborne classes Blizzard listed don’t include Paladin, Priest or Warlock.
What else Skyborne-themed comes in the Heroic Pack?
On top of the race and Zephras Isle, you get the Shen’dorei Skyseer’s Garb transmog, the Shen’dorei Windwell toy and Skyborne Housing decor for modern WoW. The decor needs Midnight, which is sold separately.
Where is Eldre’Thalas?
It’s the ancient elven city Classic players know as Dire Maul. Forever’s new Shen’dralas area is tied to Eldre’Thalas, Dire Maul and the Shen’dralar as well.

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