Quick answer: Buy any Skyborne pack from the Battle.net Shop, then create a Horde or Alliance Skyborne. Every Skyborne starts on Zephras Isle, which covers levels 1 to 12.
The Skyborne, also called the shen’dorei or “hidden people”, are the new playable race in World of Warcraft: Forever. Both Horde and Alliance can play them, but your subscription alone does not unlock them.
How to unlock the Skyborne race
A World of Warcraft Subscription or Game Time grants access to World of Warcraft: Forever. The Skyborne and their Zephras Isle starting zone instead come with optional upgrade packs.
The unlock worked if Skyborne shows up as a selectable race at character creation.
Skyborne packs in the Battle.net Shop
| Pack | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Skyborne Heroic Pack | Skyborne race, Zephras Isle, Early Name Reservation, Cerulean Prideclaw mount, cosmetics |
| Skyborne Epic Pack | Heroic contents plus 30 days of Game Time, more cosmetics, pets, tabards, three Invite-A-Friend Launch Codes |
| Warcraft Forever Collection | Epic contents plus Warcraft III: Reforged and the Forsaken Kingdom campaign (limited time) |
The Skyborne Heroic Pack is the entry pack. Its Cerulean Prideclaw is a ground mount, and you still have to buy the riding skill in game before you can use it.
Skyborne Horde vs Alliance: Windshaper or High Order
You choose your faction at character creation, and that choice decides your Skyborne variant. Windshaper Skyborne side with the Horde and follow elemental traditions, which is why they get Shaman. High Order Skyborne side with the Alliance and chase the arcane legacy of their ancestors, which is why they get Mage.
Each variant offers Druid, Hunter, Rogue, and Warrior, while Skyborne druids have race-specific forms. Parties remain faction-restricted, so Horde and Alliance Skyborne cannot join the same group.
Skyborne classes
| Race variant | Classes |
|---|---|
| Windshaper Skyborne (Horde) | Druid, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior |
| High Order Skyborne (Alliance) | Druid, Hunter, Mage, Rogue, Warrior |
Paladin, Priest, and Warlock are not available to either Skyborne variant.
Skyborne racial abilities
Every race in World of Warcraft: Forever has two active and two passive racials. The two Skyborne variants share three of their four. The only difference is one active ability.
Windshaper Skyborne (Horde) racials
| Racial | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Walk on Air | Active | Glide downward for 10 seconds |
| Skysight | Active | Elemental Blessing, run speed +10% |
| Wind Blessed | Passive | +1% melee, ranged and spellcasting Haste |
| Elemental Insight | Passive | +5% damage to Elementals |
High Order Skyborne (Alliance) racials
| Racial | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Walk on Air | Active | Glide downward for 10 seconds |
| Read Ley Line | Active | Activate a ley line, +100% Health and Mana regeneration |
| Wind Blessed | Passive | +1% melee, ranged and spellcasting Haste |
| Elemental Insight | Passive | +5% damage to Elementals |
Horde Skyborne get Skysight for extra run speed. Alliance Skyborne get Read Ley Line instead, which boosts Health and Mana regeneration while you’re on a ley line.
Zephras Isle starting zone (levels 1 to 12)
The setup goes back thousands of years, when Highborne exiles struck a pact with wind spirits and built a civilization in Skywall. When you arrive, the air spirits that guarded the island are gone, the old structures are failing, and the Skyborne themselves are split.
Druids can train on the island with Lotheluum Starbreeze. The trade supply vendors on Zephras Isle also sell apprentice tradeskill bags.
Skyborne customization options
Skyborne come in two body types, and the options differ slightly between them.
| Option | Body Type 1 | Body Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Faces | 10 | 10 |
| Ear lengths | 3 | 3 |
| Body tattoos | Zephyr, Wayfinder (two colors) | Zephyr, Wayfinder |
Skin choices span sky blue, light peach, and darker shades. Both body types can select feather colors, which are reflected in the hair, too. You can later change your appearance at any city barbershop for a small gold fee. Skyborne also feature unique /dance and voice emotes.
