Blizzard Says Elves Are 'Extremely Popular'—Then Puts WoW Forever's New One Behind $30 Pack

Blizzard has defended its decision to add yet another elf race to World of Warcraft: Forever while locking it behind a £25.99 add‑on pack, with Lead Classic Designer Tim Jones saying elves remain 'extremely popular' with players.

The new Skyborne elf race will not be available through the standard subscription alone. To play one, fans must buy at least the Skyborne Heroic Pack or a higher‑tier edition of WoW Forever.

Why Blizzard Chose Another Elf Race

In an interview with Windows Central at BlizzCon 2026, Jones said, 'We know that being an elf is extremely popular.' He linked that popularity to Blizzard's experience with The Burning Crusade.

Blood Elves gave Horde players a different visual option from many existing races. Jones said their arrival also shifted the balance between Horde and Alliance players. He said the split had been about 60% Alliance and 40% Horde before Blood Elves arrived. After their introduction, he said the balance moved roughly in the opposite direction.

Jones also said appearance matters when players choose a character. Blizzard expects the Skyborne to appeal to players who want another elf option.

Principal Designer Kris Zierhut also discussed the race in the Windows Central interview. He said Blizzard wanted to revisit unfinished material tied to Eldre'Thalas, Dire Maul and the Highborne. Zierhut also referenced Shen'dralas, a new lore location linked to that older material. The location lets Blizzard expand story threads left open in the original game.

What the Skyborne Packs Cost

World of Warcraft: Forever launches on 4 November 2026. The game itself will be available with an active World of Warcraft subscription or game time.

The Skyborne Heroic Pack costs £25.99 in the UK. It unlocks the Skyborne race and the Zephras Isle starting experience.

The pack also includes early name reservation and a Cerulean Prideclaw ground mount. Players also receive cosmetic rewards and one Invite‑A‑Friend launch code.

Blizzard lists the Skyborne Epic Pack at £51.99 in the UK. It adds beta access from 17 September and 30 days of game time.

The Epic Pack also includes extra cosmetics and more launch codes. Blizzard's Warcraft Forever Collection costs £69.99 and adds Warcraft III: Reforged with the Forsaken Kingdom campaign.

Skyborne Can Join Horde or Alliance

Blizzard says Skyborne players can choose either Horde or Alliance during character creation. Their faction choice affects some available classes.

Horde‑aligned Skyborne can become Shamans. Alliance‑aligned Skyborne can become Mages. Both factions can also choose Warriors, Hunters, Rogues and Druids. Blizzard says the race will have its own racial abilities and customisation options.

The Skyborne will also receive unique voices, dances and Druid forms. Their Zephras Isle starting experience will cover levels one to 12.

WoW Forever Expands Original Azeroth

WoW Forever is not a frozen recreation of the 2004 game. Blizzard plans to expand the original Azeroth setting with new and reworked content. The project will change zones, dungeons, raids and quests. Blizzard will keep the level cap at 60.

The company has described Forever as a version of Azeroth that can continue to develop. That gives Blizzard room to add content without locking every system to its original form. The wider WoW Forever release remains part of the normal subscription. The Skyborne race is separate because Blizzard has placed it inside a paid upgrade.

Blizzard's current purchase materials do not show another way to unlock the race after launch. Players can still access WoW Forever without buying a Skyborne pack. Those who want the new elf race will need an eligible paid edition. The same requirement applies to the dedicated Zephras Isle starting experience.