Guide ·
WoW Forever Alliance vs Horde: Which Faction Should You Choose?
In WoW Forever both factions can play all nine classes, so choose Alliance or Horde for the story, the starting zone and your friends, not for access to a class. The new combinations Dwarf Shaman and Undead Paladin close the old gaps. If you are still unsure, pick the faction whose capital cities and leaders you would enjoy visiting.
Quick answer: Alliance suits you if you like nobility, honor and faith. Horde suits you if you like strength and honor with a rougher edge. Play where your friends play, because the choice sets your cities and starting zone.
What does not decide it
Class access. Both factions can play Druid, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock and Warrior:
- The Alliance gets Shaman through Dwarves.
- The Horde gets Paladin through Undead.
See the race and class guide for the full matrix.
The new race. Skyborne are Alliance (High Order) or Horde (Windshaper), so you can play the new race on either side. It needs the Skyborne Heroic Pack or higher.
Alliance at a glance
- Races: Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome, Skyborne (High Order)
- Starting zones: Elwynn Forest (Human), Dun Morogh (Dwarf, Gnome), Teldrassil (Night Elf), Zephras Isle (Skyborne)
- Cities: Stormwind, Ironforge, Darnassus
- Leaders in Forever's era: King Varian Wrynn is missing, so the boy-king Anduin Wrynn rules Stormwind with Highlord Bolvar Fordragon as regent. King Magni Bronzebeard rules Ironforge.
- Spirit: Blizzard describes the Alliance as bound by traditions of nobility, honor, faith, justice and sacrifice.
- Early dungeon: Hall of Thanes, beneath Ironforge, levels 13 to 18, for the Alliance
Horde at a glance
- Races: Orc, Troll, Tauren, Undead, Skyborne (Windshaper)
- Starting zones: Durotar (Orc, Troll), Mulgore (Tauren), Tirisfal Glades (Undead), Zephras Isle (Skyborne)
- Cities: Orgrimmar, Thunder Bluff, Undercity
- Leaders in Forever's era: Warchief Thrall in Orgrimmar, Lady Sylvanas Windrunner in the Undercity and High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof in Thunder Bluff.
- Spirit: Blizzard describes the Horde as focused and ferocious, valuing strength and honor, joined in an alliance of convenience.
- Early dungeon: Ruins of Lordaeron, above the Undercity, levels 15 to 20, which both factions can run
Hall of Thanes is an Alliance dungeon, though the game's data says Horde adventurers can sneak or fight their way in. Read the dungeons guide.
How to choose
- Friends first. If friends are on one side, join them, and match their ruleset too. See the rulesets guide.
- Then the class and race you want. Check the matrix, and if your class fantasy is a Paladin, remember Undead are the Horde's route.
- Then the story. The Alliance leans toward human kingdoms, the dwarves' mountain halls and the night elves' forests. The Horde leans toward the orcs, the Forsaken and the tauren's plains. The lore guide explains why.
- Finally the leveling route. Starting zones differ, and the leveling guide shows where each faction goes next.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a faction for a class that both can now play
- Rolling on a server where your friends are not
- Assuming Hall of Thanes is open on equal terms to both sides
- Using a Classic faction-balance guide, because Forever changes combinations
Frequently asked questions
Which faction is better in WoW Forever?
Neither is better overall. Both can play every class. Choose by story, starting zone and friends.
Can the Horde play Paladins?
Yes, as Undead. The Alliance can play Shamans as Dwarves.
Can I play Skyborne on either faction?
Yes. High Order Skyborne are Alliance and Windshapers are Horde.
Which faction has the best capital cities?
That is a matter of taste. The Alliance has Stormwind, Ironforge and Darnassus, and the Horde has Orgrimmar, Thunder Bluff and the Undercity.
Does Lore Forever work for both factions?
Yes. The Lore Forever add-on covers zones and quests for both sides.
Sources
Reviewed October 22, 2026. Races, classes and faction descriptions come from Blizzard; leaders and dungeon access come from Forever's game data and can change. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.