Guide · October 29, 2026

Best Race for Shaman in WoW Forever: Guides Disagree

Five races can play a Shaman in World of Warcraft: Forever (WoW Forever): Dwarf for the Alliance, and Orc, Tauren, Troll and Windshaper Skyborne for the Horde, and the guides we read disagree on the Horde pick. The Alliance has one Shaman race, so its choice is made for you.

Quick answer: Alliance Shamans are Dwarves. On the Horde, Warcraft Tavern puts Orc first, TimeSaver (updated October 29) gives Orc to Enhancement and Troll to casters, and Gamer Guides picks Tauren or Skyborne. Racials were retuned on October 16, 26 and 27, so September rankings may be out of date.

The five Shaman races in WoW Forever: Dwarf for the Alliance and Orc, Tauren, Troll and Windshaper Skyborne for the Horde, with named guides' picks. — Shaman races and picks, as of October 29, 2026.

A Shaman asks the elements for a favor, and the elements do not mind whose blood you carry. The race decides the banner and the little gifts that ride along with the totems.

Key facts

Races that can be Shaman: Dwarf (Alliance); Orc, Tauren, Troll, Windshaper Skyborne (Horde) (Method; Blizzard's Skyborne page)
Alliance option: Dwarf only, new in Forever (Method; Warcraft Tavern)
Horde picks: Orc for Enhancement, Troll or Skyborne for casters (mein-mmo); Tauren or Skyborne (Gamer Guides)
October 26 changes: Dwarf gains +1% hit; Tauren Plainsrunning cap 30% to 60%; Orc Savage removed (Warcraft Tavern; Gamerfuzion)
October 27 change: Orc Blood Fury cooldown 3 minutes to 2 (Gamerfuzion; Warcraft Tavern)

Which races can be a Shaman in WoW Forever?

Method says Shaman is open to Dwarf, Orc, Tauren, Troll and Skyborne, and that Dwarf Shamans give the Alliance the class. Blizzard's Skyborne page sets the split: Windshaper (Horde) Skyborne can be Shamans, High Order (Alliance) Skyborne cannot. See the race and class combinations guide, the Shaman guide and the Shaman talent build.

Which Horde race do guides pick for a Shaman?

Four Horde races hold the totem, and the guides disagree.

GamesFuze (September 23): Orc has the strongest overall offensive package, with Troll a close alternative. It cites Axe Specialization, which the October 16 notes replaced with Savage.
Warcraft Tavern's Shaman guide (undated, before October 26): Orc is the top Horde pick for Blood Fury, Savage and PvP. Tauren is attractive, Troll strong for any Shaman, and Windshaper Skyborne may suit Elemental and Restoration.
Gamer Guides (updated October 18) rates Tauren and Windshaper Skyborne "Best pick" and Orc and Troll "Strong", giving no reasons for those races.
mein-mmo (October 28, omits the newest changes): Orc for Enhancement, Troll or Skyborne for Elemental or healing, in PvE and PvP.
TimeSaver (updated October 29): Orc for Enhancement, Troll for Elemental and Restoration, Tauren mainly for survivability and War Stomp.

Is Dwarf the only choice for an Alliance Shaman?

Yes, per Method, Gfinity and Warcraft Tavern, so only what the Dwarf carries is left to weigh. The October 26 notes removed Earth Fury and added Artisan's Precision, +1% hit with spells and attacks (Warcraft Tavern; Gamerfuzion). TimeSaver says the hit bonus helps Elemental and Enhancement, and that Restoration lost the crit-healing bonus.

What changed for Shaman races in late October?

Blizzard's October 26 and 27 notes retuned the Horde races too. Tauren Plainsrunning now gives 2% movement speed per stack up to 60%, no longer helps mounted speed, and Endurance is now +5% Health only. Orc lost Savage, and Blood Fury now has a 2-minute cooldown (Warcraft Tavern; Gamerfuzion). Our racials explained page tracks the list.

What is not confirmed yet

Troll Berserking lasts 15 seconds after October 27 per Warcraft Tavern and TimeSaver; GamesFuze and mein-mmo list 10.
Skyborne figures differ by date: Blizzard's Skyborne page lists +1% Haste and +10% Skysight; Warcraft Tavern reports Haste at 3% on October 16, then 2% and Skysight 15% on October 26.
Racial figures are from the beta, capped at level 30, and may change at launch.

How can the Lore Forever add-on and Willo help with this?

Whichever banner you pick, the totem road is long. The free Lore Forever add-on gives readable story for the zone and quest you are in, with a Lore button on quests and a Journey page of what you have finished. Willo, a Windows companion app, lets you ask out loud what to do next, hear the answer, and keep a per-character notebook. She can be wrong, so treat her answers as a guide. The add-on is optional for her, and she is free to start with 50 answers a day.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best race for a Shaman in WoW Forever?

Sources differ. On the Horde, Warcraft Tavern puts Orc first, mein-mmo and TimeSaver split Orc and Troll by spec, and Gamer Guides picks Tauren or Skyborne. The Alliance has only Dwarf.

Can Tauren be Shamans in WoW Forever?

Yes. Tauren, Orc, Troll and Windshaper Skyborne are the Horde Shaman races.

Can the Alliance play a Shaman in WoW Forever?

Yes, as Dwarves. Method says Dwarf Shaman gives the Alliance the class.

Can Skyborne be Shamans in WoW Forever?

Windshaper (Horde) Skyborne can; High Order (Alliance) Skyborne cannot, per Blizzard's Skyborne page.

Did Shaman race bonuses change before launch?

Yes. Warcraft Tavern reports that Dwarf Earth Fury and Orc Savage were removed on October 26 and Orc Blood Fury was shortened on October 27.

Sources

Reviewed October 29, 2026. Figures are from the beta and may change at launch. Lore Forever is fan-made and is not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.