Zones in World of Warcraft: Forever run from the level 1 starting areas (and the Skyborne’s Zephras Isle, levels 1 to 12) up to Mount Hyjal at level 60. The new Riverglades covers the mid-30s to mid-40s, and Shen’dralas, between Mulgore and Desolace, picks up around level 40. The original zones keep levels close to the ones you remember.
There is no level scaling in Forever, so a zone’s range is the rule, not a suggestion: monsters stay the level they are, and so do their rewards. Below is every zone by the level it opens at, the new zones in detail, and where each faction should level at every stage. Levels are the recommended starting levels at launch, checked November 7, three days in; Blizzard may still adjust quests.
Every Zone by Starting Level
| Starts at | Eastern Kingdoms | Kalimdor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elwynn Forest, Dun Morogh, Tirisfal Glades | Teldrassil, Durotar, Mulgore |
| 10 | Westfall, Loch Modan, Silverpine Forest | Darkshore, The Barrens |
| 15 | Redridge Mountains | Stonetalon Mountains |
| 18 | Ashenvale | |
| 20 | Wetlands, Hillsbrad Foothills, Duskwood | |
| 25 | Thousand Needles | |
| 30 | Alterac Mountains, Arathi Highlands, Stranglethorn Vale | Desolace |
| 35 | Badlands, Swamp of Sorrows, Riverglades | Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas |
| 40 | The Hinterlands | Tanaris, Shen’dralas |
| 43 | Searing Gorge | |
| 45 | Blasted Lands | Azshara, Felwood |
| 48 | Un’Goro Crater | |
| 50 | Burning Steppes, Western Plaguelands | |
| 53 | Eastern Plaguelands | Winterspring |
| 55 | Deadwind Pass | Silithus |
| 60 | Mount Hyjal |
Most zones keep you busy for about ten levels from their starting point, and the busiest stretches (the 30s and 40s) have several zones to pick from. Zephras Isle, the Skyborne starting zone for levels 1 to 12, belongs to neither continent: it floats in the sky, and our guide to getting to Zephras Isle explains how it connects to the rest of the world.
The New Zones and Their Levels
Blizzard’s launch announcement names four new destinations among the “more than 1,000 new quests across the level 1-60 journey”:
- Zephras Isle (levels 1 to 12). The Skyborne starting zone, “a level 1-12 starting experience.” Only Skyborne begin here; our guide to unlocking the Skyborne covers who can play one.
- The Riverglades (mid-30s to mid-40s). “A rugged frontier of rivers, grasslands, trade routes,” with “more than 150 new quests across much of the mid-30s to mid-40s experience.” The new Krol’dok Stronghold dungeon (40 to 45) sits here.
- Shen’dralas (from about 40). “A long-hidden mystery between Mulgore and Desolace,” tied to the Shen’dralar, Dire Maul and the centaurs. Blizzard has not printed a range; the zone opens to characters around level 40 at launch.
- Mount Hyjal (60). The aftermath of Archimonde’s defeat, built for max-level characters. Hyjal Summit, one of the three raids that open on December 9, is here; our guide to when the level cap goes up has the raid dates.
Where to Level at Each Stage
Levels 1 to 10
Stay in your race’s starting zone. Skyborne stay on Zephras Isle until 12.
Levels 10 to 20
- Alliance: Westfall or Loch Modan, then Darkshore, Redridge Mountains from 15.
- Horde: The Barrens or Silverpine Forest, then Stonetalon Mountains from 15.
- Both: Ashenvale opens at 18. The new Hall of Thanes (13 to 18) and Ruins of Lordaeron (15 to 20) dungeons fit this bracket.
Levels 20 to 30 (where to level at 20)
- Alliance: Wetlands, Duskwood and Redridge, with Ashenvale on the other continent.
- Horde: Hillsbrad Foothills, Ashenvale and Stonetalon, then Thousand Needles from 25.
- Dungeons: Excavation Site in the Wetlands and the City of Dalaran in Alterac Mountains are new dungeons for the 20s and early 30s.
Levels 30 to 40
Arathi Highlands, Alterac Mountains, Stranglethorn Vale and Desolace, then the Riverglades, Badlands, Swamp of Sorrows, Dustwallow Marsh and Feralas from 35. This is the bracket with the most new content, so it is worth trying the Riverglades even if you know the old route by heart.
Levels 40 to 50
The Hinterlands, Tanaris and Shen’dralas from 40, the rest of the Riverglades, Searing Gorge from 43, and Azshara, Felwood and the Blasted Lands from 45. Level 40 is also when you can ride: our guide to what level you get a mount has the cost.
Levels 50 to 60
Burning Steppes and Western Plaguelands, then Eastern Plaguelands, Winterspring and Silithus from the mid-50s. Mount Hyjal waits at 60.
Why Zone Levels Matter More in Forever
- No level scaling. Blizzard’s What’s Next panel recap promises “no flying mounts, no level scaling.” Monsters far below you give little or no experience, and monsters far above you are dangerous.
- Experience in groups works per player. Blizzard’s development notes restored the original rule where only your own level decides your experience from a kill, unless a party member is vastly higher than the enemy, in which case nobody gets any.
- Camp between zones. A campfire stop gives you rested experience and one-hour buffs; our camping guide covers how it works.
- Layers can be crowded. Starting zones are busy in launch week; our guide to how layers work explains how to move to a quieter one.
Every WoW Forever guide we have is on our World of Warcraft hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I level at 20 in WoW Forever? Alliance characters do well in Wetlands, Duskwood and Redridge, and Horde characters in Hillsbrad Foothills, Ashenvale and Stonetalon Mountains.
What level is the Riverglades? Blizzard says its quests cover much of the mid-30s to mid-40s.
What level is Zephras Isle? Levels 1 to 12. It is the Skyborne starting zone.
Does WoW Forever have level scaling? No. Blizzard has promised no level scaling, so every zone keeps its fixed level range.
What level is Mount Hyjal? It is a level 60 zone, and it holds the Hyjal Summit raid, which opens on December 9.