WoW Forever Skyborne race access requires the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher. Buying the upgrade unlocks both the new playable shen’dorei race and its level 1 to 12 starting area, Zephras Isle. The base World of Warcraft: Forever game is included with an active subscription or Game Time, but Skyborne is an optional paid upgrade benefit.
Skyborne can join the Horde as Windshapers or the Alliance as High Order. Both can become Druids, Hunters, Rogues and Warriors, but Horde characters can also be Shamans and Alliance characters can be Mages. You choose your faction and class at character creation, then start the new island story when the live game launches.
How to unlock the WoW Forever Skyborne race
The minimum purchase is the Skyborne Heroic Pack. That unlocks the race and its Zephras Isle starting experience on the WoW account that owns the upgrade. The Skyborne Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection include the same access alongside additional benefits.
You do not need to buy an Epic edition simply to play Skyborne. Equally, an ordinary World of Warcraft subscription is sufficient for standard Forever access, but it does not unlock the Skyborne race. Check which WoW account received your purchase if you have several listed under one Battle.net sign-in.
Skyborne classes for Horde and Alliance
| Faction | Playable Skyborne classes |
|---|---|
| Horde, Windshaper | Druid, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior |
| Alliance, High Order | Druid, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Warrior |
The four shared classes are Druid, Hunter, Rogue and Warrior. The fifth class depends on your faction: Horde Windshapers have Shaman, while Alliance High Order Skyborne have Mage. Blizzard’s class chart gives the same list, so there is no need to guess about unavailable Paladin or Warlock options.
The WoW Forever Skyborne race is selected during character creation. You choose Horde or Alliance then pick from the classes offered to that faction. You don’t complete a level-60 recruitment quest first.
WoW Forever Skyborne race starting zone: Zephras Isle
All Skyborne begin at level one on Zephras Isle. The island is designed for levels 1 through 12, mixing the feel of early Warcraft with wind and elemental architecture. Its story follows the disappearance of protective air spirits and the Skyborne communities struggling to deal with that loss.
After choosing your faction and class, follow the island’s starting quest chain to progress through its settlements and storyline. Our Zephras Isle quest guide covers the named locations and route in more detail.
WoW Forever Skyborne race: racial abilities and druid forms
Both factions get Walk on Air, a ten-second downward glide, plus Wind Blessed, granting 1% haste, and Elemental Insight, increasing damage against Elementals by 5%. The fourth racial ability changes with faction.
Windshapers receive Skysight, giving an Elemental Blessing that increases run speed by 10%. High Order Skyborne receive Read Ley Line, which increases health and mana regeneration by 100% when a ley line is activated. Blizzard has also confirmed unique druid forms, hairstyles, tattoos and other customisations for the race.
Can you reserve a Skyborne character before launch?
Yes, if your upgrade includes Early Name Reservation. It runs from 27 October through 3 November, and qualifying players can create up to three characters across all rulesets. Names are first come, first served, using a regionally unique first-and-second-name combination.
Reserving a Skyborne doesn’t start the questline early. The WoW Forever Skyborne race becomes playable in the live game when Forever launches globally on 4 November at 11 PM GMT in the UK. The beta ran through 21 October and is already over.
What if Skyborne is missing from character creation?
Open the Battle.net desktop app and check the Game Version menu. You need World of Warcraft: Forever, not a modern or Classic WoW installation. Then select the actual WoW account that purchased your Heroic, Epic or Collection upgrade. Blizzard specifies that upgrade benefits apply to the purchased account.
If you’re trying to reserve a character, check that you are within the early reservation window and haven’t used all three slots. For the live launch, check that you have a current WoW subscription or Game Time as well. The name reservation guide walks through the launcher steps, while the launch guide gives the exact time.
Related Guides
Official Blizzard source: World of Warcraft: Forever upgrades and Skyborne access.
