Blizzard have officially revealed the Skyborne (shen'dorei) — the high-born exiles who became wanderers of Skywall. They are the first WoW: Forever race whose allegiance is chosen within the people themselves — before the player even leaves the starting zone.

Who the Skyborne are

Skyborne call themselves shen'dorei, "the hidden people". Thousands of years ago a group of exiled high-born forged a pact with the elemental spirits of wind and built a civilisation inside Skywall — one of the elemental planes. Living in isolation for so long, they left almost no trace: in modern Azeroth nobody has heard of them — or this people.

Starting zone: Zephras Isle, levels 1–12

Zephras Isle — the starting zone for levels 1–12 — blends classic Warcraft aesthetics with elemental architecture. The Skyborne arrive here at the worst possible moment: the wind spirits that protected the island have vanished, ancient structures are collapsing, communities are cut off from each other, and the people are split over what to do next.

Faction choice at character creation

The Skyborne are the only race in WoW: Forever where the side of the conflict is decided within the people themselves:

• Windshaper (Horde) — descendants of the first shen'dorei who received the gift of skysight from the wind spirits. They want to bring back the missing patrons and the old ways. Available class: Shaman.
• High Order (Alliance) — descendants of high-born scholars from Eldre'Thalas. When the spirits vanished, they realised that dependence on the elementals had left the people vulnerable, and now seek lost arcane knowledge. Available class: Mage.

Both groups can also be Warrior, Hunter, Rogue or Druid. Skyborne druids get their own forms — a rarity for WoW.

Customisation

Blizzard shipped thousands of appearance combinations:

• Body Type 1: 10 faces, 9 skin tones (from sky-blue to dark), 21 hairstyles, 11 hair colours, 3 ear lengths, 9 eye colours, 4 brow shapes, 13 beard options, gaze choice, feathers (including in hair), 4 facial tattoo variants in two colours, two body tattoo sets — Zephyr and Wayfinder.
• Body Type 2: 10 faces, the same skin tones, 25 hairstyles, 10 hair colours, 9 eye colours, 3 ear lengths, 4 brow shapes, 6 earring options, silver or gold jewellery, the same feather and tattoo options.

You can change your appearance later at any city barber for coins.

Emotes

The Skyborne have their own /dance and a set of new emotes.

In practice

• The Skyborne are the only race where the side of the conflict is chosen as part of the backstory, not from the outside.
• Want a Shaman? Pick Horde and the Windshaper group. Want a Mage? Alliance and High Order. Priest, Paladin and Warlock are not available to the race.
• Skyborne druids get their own forms — something that doesn't happen often in WoW.
• During beta players complained about the race's price — $29.99 — and weak racials; some racials have already been updated, no details yet.
• The route through Zephras Isle and the prep for the Hall of Thanes dungeon is the fastest way to clear levels 1–12.