The best class for a Skyborne in World of Warcraft: Forever is Druid, on either faction: the Skyborne’s permanent Haste speeds up every heal and spell, Skyborne Druids get their own new forms, and the racial that restores mana fits a caster best. By faction, our picks are Shaman for the Horde’s Windshaper Skyborne and Mage for the Alliance’s High Order Skyborne.
Skyborne can play six classes, depending on the faction you pick at character creation. Below is every option ranked, why the Skyborne racials favor casters, and when a different race serves a class better. This is our reading of Blizzard’s racial and class changes, checked November 7, three days after launch. Our guide to unlocking the Skyborne race covers the purchase and the full class table.
Which Classes Skyborne Can Play
Blizzard’s Meet the New Skyborne post splits the race by faction:
| Class | Windshaper (Horde) | High Order (Alliance) |
|---|---|---|
| Druid | Yes | Yes |
| Hunter | Yes | Yes |
| Rogue | Yes | Yes |
| Warrior | Yes | Yes |
| Shaman | Yes | No |
| Mage | No | Yes |
No Skyborne can be a Paladin, Priest or Warlock.
Why the Skyborne Racials Favor Casters
The Skyborne racials, as they stood at launch after Blizzard’s final pass:
- Wind Blessed (both): 2% more melee, ranged and spellcasting Haste, always on.
- Elemental Insight (both): 5% more damage to Elementals.
- Walk on Air (both): glide down through the air for 10 seconds, on a 90-second cooldown.
- Skysight (Horde): 15% more movement speed for 15 seconds, raised to 30% for an hour after you use it at an elemental convergence.
- Read Ley Line (Alliance): 50% more Health and Mana regeneration for 15 seconds, raised to 100% for an hour after you use it at a Ley Line.
Haste helps everyone, but casters and healers feel it most, since it shortens every cast. Read Ley Line is the clearest example: faster Mana regeneration means shorter drinking breaks, which matter most to classes that spend Mana. Blizzard’s November 2 development notes were the last to adjust these numbers before launch.
Every Skyborne Class Ranked
| Rank | Class | Faction | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Druid | Both | Haste on every form, new Skyborne forms, Mana regeneration for Balance and Restoration |
| 2 | Mage | Alliance | Haste on every cast and Read Ley Line for faster drinking breaks |
| 3 | Shaman | Horde | Haste for casters and healers, Skysight for travel, a perfect lore fit |
| 4 | Hunter | Both | The best solo class, though other races help it more |
| 5 | Rogue | Both | Fine, but the Skyborne kit adds little to melee |
| 6 | Warrior | Both | Workable, but Warriors gain more from other races |
1. Druid: The Best Skyborne Class
Blizzard’s Skyborne post says Skyborne Druids get new druid forms made specifically for the race, which makes Druid the most distinctive Skyborne class to play. Our best Druid race guide picks Skyborne on both factions for Balance and Restoration, because Haste speeds up every cast. Feral players do better as a Tauren or Night Elf, whose racials work in form. Our guides to Cat Form and Bear Form show when each arrives.
2. Mage: The Best Alliance Pick
High Order Skyborne is the only Skyborne who can be a Mage, and it suits the class well: steady Haste, and Read Ley Line to cut the time you spend drinking. Our best Mage race guide puts High Order Skyborne as the Alliance pick for exactly those reasons, with Gnome the choice for burst damage instead.
3. Shaman: The Best Horde Pick
Windshapers are the Skyborne who want the wind spirits restored, so a Windshaper Shaman is the strongest story fit in the race. Haste suits Elemental and Restoration, and Skysight is a handy burst of speed before Ghost Wolf or a mount. Our best Shaman race guide rates it a strong Horde alternative to Troll.
4 to 6. Hunter, Rogue and Warrior
Hunter is still the best solo class in the game, as our best solo class guide explains, and a Skyborne Hunter is a fine choice: Skyborne Hunters even tame their first pet on Zephras Isle. But Skyborne racials do less for physical damage than those of other races. Our best Hunter race, best Rogue race and best Warrior race guides pick Troll, Dwarf, Orc and Human ahead of the Skyborne for those classes.
Should You Pick Skyborne for the Class or the Look?
Blizzard’s final racial pass aimed to keep races only “slightly more effective than others at certain combat roles,” so no race choice is a mistake. If you love the Skyborne, play it with any class it can be. If you are choosing a class first, our best race and class combos cover every pairing, and our guide to getting to Zephras Isle covers the starting zone. Every WoW Forever guide we have is on our World of Warcraft hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best class for Skyborne in WoW Forever? Druid, on either faction. By faction, Shaman for the Horde’s Windshapers and Mage for the Alliance’s High Order.
Can Skyborne be Priests, Paladins or Warlocks? No. Skyborne can be Druids, Hunters, Rogues and Warriors on both factions, plus Shaman (Horde) or Mage (Alliance).
Is Skyborne good for Hunter? It works, and Hunter is the best solo class, but Troll, Dwarf or Orc racials help a Hunter more.
Do Skyborne Druids look different? Yes. Blizzard says Skyborne Druids get new druid forms made for the race.
Can a Skyborne be a Shaman on the Alliance? No. Only the Horde’s Windshaper Skyborne can be Shaman. High Order Skyborne get Mage instead.