The Skyborne are the Shen'dorei, and your faction decides their classes

Blizzard's thumbnail for its video Skyborne Lore & Abilities | World of Warcraft: Forever

2026-10-05 · ForeverDB

Blizzard's video reveals the Skyborne, exiled high elves who call themselves the Shen'dorei. Their lore, glide, crane mount and airships aren't in our client data yet, so we've added what the video skips: the Forever changes to the six classes a Skyborne can play.

This is an official Blizzard video, posted on the World of Warcraft YouTube channel on 5 October 2026. It is a lore and race reveal, so most of it is story, racial abilities and a mount. Those aren't in the client files we hold, which cover class spells and talents, so we can't confirm the Skyborne's own numbers from the client yet. Where we quote the client it is from the WoW Forever beta client, build 1.60.1.70205. Beta data can change before launch.

Blizzard has revealed the Skyborne, the new playable race coming with World of Warcraft: Forever. The video is mostly lore and a tour of the race's own tricks: a glide, a crane mount and the airships that carry them to Azeroth. It also says which classes the Skyborne can play, and that depends on your faction. Racials, mounts and lore aren't in our client data, so for those we report Blizzard's words. The client does show how the six classes a Skyborne can play have changed in Forever, which the video leaves out; that comes after.

Skyborne Lore & Abilities | World of Warcraft: Forever, a video by World of Warcraft — Skyborne Lore & Abilities | World of Warcraft: Forever (World of Warcraft on YouTube)

The short version

The Skyborne call themselves the Shen'dorei. They are high elves, exiled from Eldre’Thalas nearly 10,000 years ago.
They sheltered on the floating refuge of Skywall. The Wind Spirits that protected it have vanished, and the magic keeping it safe is breaking down.
Two groups split over what to do: the Windshapers want to restore the spirits, the High Order want to master Skywall's magic themselves.
Faction matters: it changes the quests you get and even which classes you can pick.
Skyborne can be warriors, hunters, rogues and druids on either side. Only Alliance Skyborne can be mages, and only Horde Skyborne can be shamans.
Their racial, Walk on Air, slows a fall into a glide. Their mount is the Galestrider, a crane. The Skycutters are the airships that bring them to Azeroth.

What Blizzard showed

The Shen'dorei

The Skyborne call themselves the Shen'dorei. Blizzard describes them as "a race of high elves exiled from the kingdom of Eldre’Thalas nearly 10,000 years ago". After fleeing Kalimdor, they crossed to Zephras Isle, and the Spirit of the Four Winds lifted their mountain into Skywall, where they stayed hidden. Now the Wind Spirits have vanished, and "the delicate balance of magic keeping Skywall safe is starting to break down". Blizzard casts you as one of a new generation forced to look beyond the sanctuary that once protected your people.

Two schools of thought

Before you leave Skywall, you pick a side in how to save it. "The Windshapers believe the Skyborne owe their survival to the spirits," and want to restore the balance and bring back the Elementals that protected it. "The High Order sees another path," and wants to master Skywall's magic and make the Skyborne independent. Blizzard says the choice shapes the quests and the story you see.

Faction decides your classes

At character creation you choose tattoos, feathers and hair, then a faction, and "which faction you choose changes the quests you experience, and even the classes available to you". "Skyborne can become warriors, hunters, rogues, and druids, regardless of which side they join," and they "come with all new druid forms". Mage and shaman are split: Alliance Skyborne follow the arcane and can be mages, Horde Skyborne lean into the spirits and can be shamans. "A Horde Skyborne can't become a mage, an Alliance Skyborne can't become a shaman." The client has Druid spell changes but no Skyborne-specific forms we can point to yet, and it doesn't record which race can be which class.

Walk on Air

An NPC called Myriaal Mistwake teaches the race's signature move by telling you to step off a tower. "Through the magic of the wind spirits, every Skyborne has access to Walk on Air." Activate it, jump, and you slow your descent, "turning a fatal fall into a controlled glide". Blizzard says it changes how you move through the world, and that a cliff edge "might be the fastest way forward". Its numbers aren't in our client data yet.

The Galestrider and the Skycutters

Every new race gets its own mount. "For the Skyborne, that is the Galestrider," which Blizzard calls "a majestic crane that pairs well with the race's innate air affinity". The "Skycutters are among the Shen’dorei’s greatest creations", airborne vessels that carry the Skyborne between planes and bring this new generation to Azeroth.

How their six classes changed in Forever

The video names the six classes a Skyborne can play but says nothing about how they have changed in Forever. Each class's changes from the client follow, with Classic Era numbers for comparison. The beta cap is level 30, and talent tiers open every five levels from 10, so tier 5 is the last one you can reach now. Changes you can use at the cap come first.

Warrior

Arms

Spearing Strike is a new Arms talent at level 25 (tier 4): a brutal attack for 40% weapon damage, plus 80% more against Giants, Dragonkin and mounted targets.
Bloodthrill, a new Arms talent, takes Classic's Axe Specialization slot at level 30 (tier 5). Main-hand hits on a target with your Rend have a 20% chance to let you use Overpower for 6 sec.
Weaponmaster is the other new Arms talent at level 30 (tier 5), in Classic's Mace Specialization slot. It gives a different bonus per weapon type: crit, armour ignore or an extra swing.
Tactical Mastery is now a trainer ability at level 14, new in Forever. In Classic this name was a talent.
Thunder Clap (from level 6) is now usable in Battle or Defensive Stance, where Classic allowed Battle Stance only, and its cooldown is 6 sec instead of 4 sec.
Victory Rush is a new class ability at level 20 that heals you for 10% of your health after a kill, on a 30 sec cooldown. It was a Season of Discovery rune; the trainer teaches it here.
Sword Specialization Weaponmaster and Polearm Specialization are gone from the Arms tree.

Fury

Lingering Rage is a new Fury talent at level 15 (tier 2), where Classic had Improved Demoralizing Shout. At rank 5 it holds your Rage from decaying for 10 sec longer after combat.
Furious Precision takes Classic's Improved Cleave slot at level 20 (tier 3), a new Fury talent worth +10% off-hand hit at rank 3.
The new level 25 (tier 4) talent Raging Blows cuts the Rage cost of Cleave and Whirlwind by 3.
Slam now has a rank 1 at level 20, and an 18 sec cooldown where it had none.
Battle Shout is weaker but longer: rank 7 gives 139 attack power instead of 232, and lasts 3 min instead of 2 min.
Demoralizing Shout goes the other way, stronger and longer. Rank 5 cuts 196 attack power instead of 140, for 45 sec instead of 30. From level 14.
Gore Drinker is a new Fury talent at level 35, above the cap.

Protection

Master of Defense is a new Protection talent at level 20 (tier 3), in Classic's Improved Shield Block slot. Rank 2 gives 5 Rage whenever you Dodge or Parry with a shield.
At level 25 (tier 4), the new talent Vanguard lets you Charge in Defensive Stance.
Focused Rage, new at level 30 (tier 5), cuts the Rage cost of your offensive abilities by 3.
Shield Block (from level 16) now lasts 7 sec and blocks 2 attacks, instead of 5 sec and 1 attack.
Revenge does more damage: rank 6 hits for 138 to 168 instead of 81 to 99.
Taunt has an 8 sec cooldown instead of 10 sec.
Improved Taunt and Toughness are gone.

All 71 Warrior changes, rank by rank →

Hunter

Beast Mastery

Focused Fire is a new Beast Mastery talent at level 15 (tier 2), in Classic's Improved Eyes of the Beast slot. Rank 2 adds 2% damage for you and your pet while the pet is out.
The new level 25 (tier 4) talent Summon Hawk sends a hawk to dive-bomb for 32 (+5% of ranged attack power) damage over 18 sec. It shares a cooldown with Arcane Shot.
Thick Hide is gone from the tree.

Marksmanship

Careful Aim is a new Marksmanship talent at level 15 (tier 2). Rank 5 adds 100% of your Intellect to Attack Power.
Improved Stings is new at the same tier (level 15, tier 2). Rank 3 adds 20% Serpent Sting damage, cuts Viper Sting's cooldown and lengthens Scorpid Sting.
Lone Wolf, a new level 20 (tier 3) talent, gives +20% damage while you have no pet out.
Rapid Killing, also new at level 20 (tier 3), cuts Rapid Fire's cooldown and buffs a shot after a kill.
Sniper Shot is a new Marksmanship talent at level 40, above the cap.
Improved Hunter's Mark and Improved Serpent Sting are gone.

Survival

Improved Tracking is Monster Slaying renamed, in Survival tier 1 at level 10. Rank 5 adds 5% damage to whatever creature type you are tracking.
Predator's Edge is a new Survival talent at level 25 (tier 4); rank 5 adds 30% melee crit damage and 50% off-hand damage.
Expose Prey takes Classic's Killer Instinct slot at level 30 (tier 5), a new talent with a chance to proc Mongoose Bite against marked targets.
The other new level 30 (tier 5) talent, Strider Kick, is a kick for full weapon damage that gives +30% move speed for 3 sec.
Lacerate is a new class ability at level 30, a Season of Discovery rune the trainer now teaches.
Lacerating Strikes is a new Survival talent at level 40, above the cap.

Beast Training

Pets get new attacks at level 1, none of which existed in Classic Era: Dismember, Dust Cloud, Mine!, Pinch, Savage Rend, Swipe, Tendon Rip and Web.
Trickster's Dance is a new pet ability at level 20.

All 85 Hunter changes, rank by rank →

Rogue

Assassination

Mutilate is a new Assassination talent at level 30 (tier 5). It hits with both weapons for 75% weapon damage each, +20% against poisoned targets, and awards 2 combo points.
Coup de Grace is a new Assassination ability at level 30, new in Forever.
Malice (from level 10) now raises crit with Poisons as well as attacks.
Expose Armor is stronger: rank 5 strips 450 armour per combo point instead of 340.
Rupture does less damage, 105 over 6 sec at rank 6 instead of 180.
Venom is a new Assassination talent at level 40, above the cap.

Combat

Puncturing Wounds is a new Combat talent at level 15 (tier 2), in Classic's Improved Backstab slot. Rank 3 adds 30% Backstab crit and 15% Mutilate crit.
In Classic's Dagger Specialization slot, the new level 25 (tier 4) talent Flawless Execution cuts Eviscerate's energy cost by 10.
Improved Eviscerate has moved into Combat tier 1 and now gives +20% instead of +15%.
Fist Weapon Specialization and Mace Specialization Hack and Slash are gone.

Subtlety

Dirty Tricks is a new Subtlety talent at level 15 (tier 2) that cuts Sap and Blind energy cost by 50%.
Improved Distract is a new Subtlety talent at level 20 (tier 3).
Sap (from level 10) no longer needs you to be stealthed and does not break Stealth.
Distract (from level 22) now lasts 10 sec and lowers enemies' stealth detection.
Opportunity has 2 ranks now instead of 5, and buffs Backstab, Garrote, Ambush and Mutilate by 10%.
Quietus and Thousand Cuts are new Subtlety talents at levels 35 and 40, above the cap.

All 56 Rogue changes, rank by rank →

Shaman

Elemental

Earthbound is a new Elemental talent at level 30 (tier 5): your Earthbind Totem now immobilises nearby targets for 5 sec when cast.
Lightning Overload, also new at level 30 (tier 5), gives Lightning Bolt and Chain Lightning a 10% chance at rank 3 to fire a free half-damage copy.
Call of the Elements at level 20 and Call of the Ancestors at level 30 are new abilities that drop a saved set of totems at once.
Totemic Recall is a new ability at level 20, new in Forever.
Call of the Spirits is a new ability at level 40, above the cap.
Fire Nova Totem (level 12) and Tranquil Air Totem (level 50) have no record on the Forever client's Shaman list, though Blizzard's 24 September notes still change how Tranquil Air Totem stacks, so it may be defined on the server.

Enhancement

Dual Wield isn't taught to Shamans in Forever. Classic Era Shamans couldn't dual wield either (in that client it only came from a Season of Discovery rune), so this is no change for Enhancement.
Shamanistic Focus is a new Enhancement talent at level 20 (tier 3), in Classic's Two-Handed Axes and Maces slot. It cuts Shock and Lightning Shield mana cost by 45%.
Improved Stormstrike is a new Enhancement talent at level 30 (tier 5).
Mental Quickness is another new talent at level 30 (tier 5), adding up to 30% of your Intellect to spell damage and healing.
Spirit Weapons, a new talent at level 30 (tier 5), takes Classic's Parry slot; it gives a parry chance and lowers threat.
Totemic Projection is a new ability at level 22 (a Season of Discovery spell; 1 min cooldown here).

Restoration

Mindfulness is a new Restoration talent at level 15 (tier 2). Rank 3 keeps 50% of your mana regen going while casting.
Water Shield, new at level 20 (tier 3) in Classic's Totemic Mastery slot, restores mana when you are hit or land a crit-heal.
Healing Wave heals a little less at its top ranks and scales higher with spell power at low ranks. Rank 10 heals 1508 to 1722 instead of 1620 to 1850.
Riptide is a new Restoration talent at level 40, above the cap.
Nature's Guidance is gone.

All 86 Shaman changes, rank by rank →

Mage

Arcane

Arcane Blast is a new Arcane talent at level 20 (tier 3). Each cast raises your other spells' damage by 10% but makes the next Arcane Blast cost more, stacking up to 4 times.
Missile Barrage, new at level 25 (tier 4), gives a chance to make your next Arcane Missiles fast and free.
Arcane Intellect now lasts 1 hour instead of 30 min.
Dampen Magic is stronger: rank 5 soaks 135 spell damage instead of 90.
Teleport: Dalaran is a new ability at level 50, above the cap.
Detect Magic (level 16) is gone from the Mage's list.

Fire

Heating Up is a new Fire talent at level 25 (tier 4). Fire crits cut your next Pyroblast's cast time, stacking up to 3 times.
Fireball has less base damage at its top ranks but full spell power scaling at low ranks. Rank 12 does 425 to 541 instead of 596 to 760.
Fire Blast does slightly less damage: 402 to 474 at rank 7 instead of 431 to 509.
Flamestrike has lost the burning damage-over-time from most ranks.
Frostfire Bolt is a new ability at level 40, above the cap; it was a Season of Discovery rune.

Frost

Ice Lance is a new Frost talent at level 20 (tier 3) that deals 300% damage to frozen targets.
With Fingers of Frost, new at level 30 (tier 5), chill effects can make your next 2 spells treat the target as frozen.
Frostbolt has less base damage at high ranks and higher spell power scaling at low ranks. Rank 11 does 457 to 493 instead of 515 to 555.
Frost Nova does a touch less damage at most ranks.
Chilled has one rank now instead of three.

All 65 Mage changes, rank by rank →

Druid

Balance

Genesis is a new Balance talent at level 10 (tier 1). Rank 5 adds 5% to your periodic damage and healing.
Nature's Majesty takes Classic's Natural Weapons slot at level 15 (tier 2), a new talent that adds 4% crit with spells and melee at rank 2.
Nature's Splendor, new at level 20 (tier 3), lengthens Moonfire, Rejuvenation, Regrowth and Insect Swarm.
Eclipse is a new Balance talent at level 30 (tier 5): Wrath shortens your next Starfires.
Wrath costs less mana and scales more at low ranks, with less base damage at high ranks.
Improved Thorns is gone.

Feral Combat

Primal Bite is a new Feral talent at level 25 (tier 4), a bite for 100% normal damage plus 26 and high threat.
Shifting Power, the other new level 25 (tier 4) talent, converts Mana into Energy.
Predatory Instincts Natural Instinct is a new Feral talent at level 30 (tier 5) worth +20% melee crit damage.
Improved Shifting Power, also new at level 30 (tier 5), cuts Shifting Power's cooldown by 8 sec.
Above the cap are Rend and Tear and Natural Reaction at level 35, Berserk at level 40, and the Lacerate ability at level 42.
Feral Aggression is gone.