Summary:
World of Warcraft Forever completely reworks racial abilities, making race selection more important for PvE, PvP, leveling, and Priest builds. Several familiar Classic racials have been replaced or redesigned, while new active abilities give certain races powerful tools. However, these details come from a beta or BlizzCon build, WoW Midnight Gold, so abilities may still be tuned before launch.
1. Horde Racial Changes
Orcs receive a redesigned Blood Fury that provides 10% attack power and spell power for 15 seconds. Shatter Curse also gives curse and bane immunity while reducing incoming magic damage. Hardiness now reduces stun duration by 20%, while Axe specialization provides additional critical strike chance for spells and abilities.
Undead lose the old Will of the Forsaken immunity, but Cannibalize is significantly stronger, restoring 35% health and mana over 10 seconds if uninterrupted. Touch of the Grave can also drain health from enemies. Undead Priests receive Dark Sacrifice, which converts health into mana.
Tauren may become especially useful for leveling because Plains Running builds movement speed up to 30%. Endurance also provides additional hit chance and health. Trolls lose much of Berserking's previous power, but Beast Slaying can provide 5% extra damage against beasts.
2. Alliance Racial Changes
Humans gain Will to Survive, which breaks current stuns, while Sword Specialization provides additional critical chance for spells and abilities when using a sword. Human Priests also receive Divine Grace, which can remove Weakened Soul and heal the target.
Dwarves can now become Shamans and gain Stoneform, which removes poison and disease while reducing physical damage. Find Treasure could also be valuable during early exploration. Dwarf Priests receive Chastise and Desperate Prayer, giving them useful control and healing tools.
Night Elves stand out because Elune's Light provides 10% critical strike chance for 15 seconds. Shadowmeld may also have stronger uses if it can function during combat. Priest abilities such as Aloon's Grace provide additional defensive utility.
3. Gnomes Bring Powerful Utility
Gnomes receive Eureka, causing the next three spells or abilities to cost less and deal 10% more damage or healing. Escape Artist remains valuable for removing slows and immobilization effects.
Gnome Priests gain Confounding Flash, a short-cast ability that can disorient multiple enemies, plus Contingency Plan, which provides an absorb effect and healing over time. These tools could make Gnomes particularly useful for both PvP and Priest builds.
4. Skyborn and Race Selection
Skyborn characters gain abilities such as Walk on Air, Wind Bless, elemental bonuses, cheap WoW Midnight Gold, and Lay Line, which can significantly increase health and mana regeneration outside certain instances.
The biggest mistake is choosing a race only because it was strong in Classic. In Warcraft: Forever, consider your class, PvE or PvP focus, leveling plans, and racial abilities together. These rankings are based on an early build, so always check for changes before making a final decision.
