To start in WoW Forever you need a World of Warcraft subscription, the Battle.net launcher and ten minutes to decide three things: ruleset, race and class. The rest you learn by playing. This guide goes step by step, from paying to reaching level 10, and links to the wow4ever tools that save you each decision. If you've never played WoW, you're in the right place: Ion Hazzikostas recommended Forever as an entry point for anyone starting from zero.
When: it comes out on November 4, 2026 in the Americas and at 00:00 on November 5 in Spain (all the times). Until October 21 there's a beta.
1. What you have to pay
Forever isn't sold separately: it comes with the World of Warcraft subscription or game time, the same as the rest of WoW. The editions (Heroic, Epic and Collection) are optional and are for the Skyborne race, reserving a name, the beta and cosmetics. Full details, with prices, in Is WoW Forever free or paid?.
If someone with a pack passes you a Recruit-A-Friend code, you can play for free from November 5 to 12.
2. Installing it
- Download and install the Battle.net app from Blizzard's website and sign in with your account.
- Choose World of Warcraft and, in the version dropdown above the play button, Forever.
- Install. You need Windows 10 or later, or a Mac. If you're going to play with a controller, on Mac or on Steam Deck, see what works on each platform.
Before you log in, it's worth getting your graphics ready: Forever introduces new lighting and asks more than the Classic you know. We explain it in the requirements and settings guide.
3. Choosing a ruleset
In Forever there are no realms. When you create your character you choose a ruleset, and you can only group with people on the same rules:
| Ruleset | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Normal | Those who want to level in peace. Combat against the other faction is optional |
| PvP | Those who want to be attackable in contested zones |
| RP | Those who want to role-play their character |
| Hardcore | A single life. It arrives after launch (Hardcore guide) |
If in doubt, Normal. More in no realms: rules and last names. Horde or Alliance? See what people have voted.
4. Choosing race and class
It's the decision people think about most and the one that matters least at the start: any class levels up to 60. Three ways to decide, depending on what you feel like:
- If you want criteria: which race to pick, with what each racial does, and the classes explained by Blizzard. Each class has its page with talents and builds.
- If you want to be known: the Which hero are you? quiz, eight taste questions.
- If you want chance to decide: the race and class randomizer, which only gives possible combinations.
A tip for beginners: the hunter and the warlock have a pet that tanks for you, and the paladin is very sturdy. If you like healing, priest, druid, shaman or paladin. There's no "best" class: there's the one you enjoy.
5. First and last name
Each character has a first and last name, and both are mandatory. The full name is unique across your whole region, so there's room. Ideas in the name generator. If you have a pack, you can reserve it from October 27 to November 3.
6. The first levels
What's worth knowing up to level 10:
- Do the quests in your starting zone and move on to the next town when they run out. You don't need a route: what to do from 1 to 20.
- Visit your class trainer every couple of levels: that's where spells are learned, they aren't given automatically. What you get at each level, in What do I do at my level?.
- Talents arrive at level 10. You can change them later with the trainer in a capital. Try them first in the talent calculator.
- Learn two professions early. Camp items give advantages while you level.
- Eat and sleep well: crafted food gives extra experience and so does the cozy sleeping bag.
- If you're a dwarf or gnome, don't miss Grund and Gozwin: a 6-slot bag at level 4.
Further on: the first dungeon around 13-15 (all of them by level) and Legacy around 25, with account-wide advantages (how it works).
7. What you can leave for later
- Addons: the game comes with a damage meter and lots of help built in; if you want more, the best addons and how to install them.
- Macros: once you're comfortable with your class, ready-to-copy macros.
- Optimal gear: don't worry about it until max level. If you're curious, the BiS by class.
If a word sounds like gibberish (aggro, CC, DPS…), it's in the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to have played WoW to start in Forever?
No. Blizzard recommends it as an entry point for people who've never played: everyone starts at level 1 on launch day.
What do I need to play WoW Forever?
A World of Warcraft subscription or game time, the Battle.net app and a PC with Windows 10 or later, or a Mac.
Which class should I pick in WoW Forever if I'm a beginner?
The one you enjoy: they all level up to 60. Hunter and warlock are comfortable to start with because their pet tanks, and the paladin is very sturdy. If you can't decide, the Which hero are you? quiz or the randomizer will choose for you.
Which ruleset should I choose?
Normal if you want to level in peace; PvP if you want the other faction to be able to attack you in the world; RP to role-play. Hardcore, with a single life, arrives after launch.
