Written by Taladril

Introduction

Welcome to World of Warcraft Classic! This series of guides is meant to help the brand new user or those who are not familiar with Classic’s intricacies so that they may easily be able to dive into playing and not miss any key aspects of the game.

The first time you start the game it will prompt you to choose some basic but important things like what server you want to play on (which determines the game time and player combat effect), and what race and class. These choices are very important as they are irreversible and will impact how the game will feel to you. When choosing the race, you are committing yourself to either be Alliance or Horde. And within the race by choosing the class you are defining how your character will play and what role(s) you will be for all of the game’s content. Check out the Picking Your Class guide for a synopsis of how each class plays and the racial considerations to look at. You can dive into the details of the class in each of the class’ specific guides.

Supplemental Video

This guide has been created in video format for visual learners. Thanks to @Pohgren for the great job! Be sure to check out his other videos on his YouTube channel.

Youtube Video

Server

There are many server regions. These regions dictate what time zone the server will run in. Since there are in-game events that occur at specific times (Gurubashi Arena, Fishing Competition), keep in mind what is best for your play style.

There are four different server types, all with their pluses and minuses depending on what kind of playstyle you are looking for.

Normal (PvE)

PvP

Roleplaying PvE

Roleplaying PvP (hopefully)

PvE or PvP Servers

PvE servers or Player vs. Environment mean that when you encounter an enemy faction, you by default will not have to worry about that player being able to attack you. By default you also cannot attack them. You can choose to “flag” yourself to allow Player vs. Player (PvP) combat which would allow you to be attacked by that player, and they can do the same. If you cannot be attacked you will see that your nameplate (the name floating over people’s characters) will be colored blue. If you can be attacked then your nameplate will either be yellow or red depending on the other person’s PvP status or where you are located in the world. If you are in PvE mode (blue nameplate) and you choose to attack someone who has a yellow nameplate then you will automatically be flagged for PvP and that player will be able to attack you back. So be careful to only engage people you want to engage! If you are flagged for PvP, after you are done engaging in combat, it will take five minutes for the flag to turn off automatically.

On a PvP server, everyone will automatically flag for PvP if they are in a contested zone. Contested zones are usually the “third” zones that you will encounter and usually are zones geared to players who are about level 20 or so. Initial starting zones and the zones after that are all safe for the faction that they are geared towards.

Some areas are protected by guards so that players will hopefully keep the peace. If you attack someone on the other faction in these areas prepare for quick retribution from a large group of high level non-player characters (NPCs).

Alliance Safe Zones:

Stormwind

Elwynn Forest

Westfall

Ironforge

Dun Morogh

Loch Modan

Darnassus

Teldrassil

Darkshore

Horde Safe Zones:

Orgrimmar

Durotar

The Barrens

Thunder Bluff

Mulgore

Undercity

Tirisfal Glades

Silverpine Forest

Areas under Protection:

Ratchet (The Barrens)

Booty Bay (Stranglethorn Value)

Gadgetzan (Tanaris)

Everlook (Winterspring)

Nighthaven (Moonglade)

Cenarion Hold (Silithis)

Light’s Hope Chapel (Eastern Plaguelands)

Roleplaying Servers (RP)

In addition to standard servers you can choose servers focused around roleplaying. In these servers it is expected that you will take a more active role in acting as your character as if you were truly in the world. You can think of backstory and discuss more lore in the game. As for playstyle it is all the same and both PvE and PvP options are available.

Faction

There are two factions to be a part of: the Alliance and the Horde. The Alliance is the general archetype of the “good guys” while the Horde take the role of the “bad guys” but it’s far from the actual truth. Both factions have their heroes and villains with a mountain of gray in the middle. If you are looking at it from a playstyle, Alliance have access to the Paladin class while Horde have the Shaman. The Alliance generally has an easier time in raids because of or what Paladins offer. Horde usually have an advantage in Player vs. Player combat (PvP) due to the racial abilities of players as well as the strong offensive capabilities that the Shaman offers.

Alliance

Human

Humans start in Northshire in Elwynn Forest. Their racial abilities are:

Diplomacy: Reputation gains increased by 10%.

The Human Spirit: Increases spirit by 5%.

Mace Specialization: Skill with Maces and Two-Handed Maces increased by 5.

Sword Specialization: Skill with Swords and Two-Handed Swords increased by 5.

Perception (ability): Dramatically increases stealth detection. Lasts 20 sec (3 min cooldown).

Dwarf

Dwarves start in Coldridge Valley in Dun Morogh with the Gnomes. Their racial abilities are:

Frost Resistance: Frost Resistance increased by 10.

Gun Specialization: Skill with Guns increased by 5.

Find Treasure (passive ability): Allows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap.

Stoneform (ability): While active, grants immunity to Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects. In addition, Armor increased by 10%. Lasts 8 sec (3 min cooldown).

Night Elf

Night Elves start in Shadowglen in Teldrassil. Their racial abilities are:

Nature Resistance: Nature Resistance increased by 10.

Quickness: Dodge chance increased by 1%

Wisp Spirit: Transform into a wisp upon death, increasing movement speed by 50%

Shadowmeld (ability): Activate to slip into the shadows, reducing the chance for enemies to detect your presence. Lasts until cancelled or upon moving. Night Elf Rogues and Druids with Shadowmeld are more difficult to detect while stealthed or prowling.

Gnome

Gnomes start in Coldridge Valley in Dun Morogh with the Dwarves. Their racial abilities are:

Arcane Resistance: Arcane Resistance increased by 10.

Expansive Mind: Intellect increased by 5%.

Engineering Specialist: Engineering skill increased by 15.

Escape Artist (ability): Escape the effects of any immobilization or movement speed reduction effect. 1 sec cast time (1 min cooldown).

Horde

Orc

Orcs start in the Valley of Trials in Durotar with the Trolls. Their racial abilities are:

Hardiness: Chance to resist Stun effects increased by 25%.

Command: Damage done by Hunter or Warlock pets increased by 5%.

Axe Specialization: Skill with Axes and Two-Handed Axes increased by 5.

Blood Fury (ability): Increases base melee attack power by 25% for 15 sec and reduces healing effects on you by 50% for 25 sec (2 min cooldown).

Troll

Trolls start in the Valley of Trials in Durotar with the Orcs. Their racial abilities are:

Beast Slaying: Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.

Regeneration: Health regeneration rate increased by 10%. Additionally 10% of total Health regeneration may continue during combat.

Throwing and Bow Specialization: Skill with Throwing and Bows increased by 5.

Berserking: Increases your casting and attack speed by 10% to 25%. At full health the speed increase is 10% with a greater effect up to 25% if you are badly hurt when you activate Berserking. Lasts 10 sec (3 min cooldown).

Tauren

Tauren start in Red Cloud Mesa in Mulgore. Their racial abilities are:

Nature Resistance: Nature Resistance increased by 10.

Endurance: Total Health increased by 5%.

Cultivation: Herbalism skill increased by 15.

War Stomp: Stuns up to 5 enemies within 8 yds for 2 sec (2 min cooldown).

Undead

Undead start in Deathknell in Tirisfal Glades. Their racial abilities are:

Shadow Resistance: Shadow Resistance increased by 10.

Underwater Breathing: Underwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.

Cannibalize (ability): When activated, regenerates 7% of total health every 2 sec for 10 sec. Only works on Humaniod or Undead corpses.

Will of the Forsaken (ability): Provides immunity to Charm, Fear, and Sleep while active. May also be used while afflicted by Charm, Fear, or Sleep. Lasts 5 sec (2 min cooldown).

Race and Class Combinations

Classes

There are nine classes available to play in Classic. Again if you want to read a detailed synopsis of each class then go to Picking Your Class. Paladin is available exclusively for Alliance, while Horde alone has access to the Shaman.

Warrior

Roles:

Tank

Melee DPS

Armor: Plate

Warrior has the ability to change stances. When in different stances, you have different abilities and strengths and the playstyle is different to match that. Warriors use the Rage resource which starts at zero and increases as you take or deal damage. You can spend rage on using special abilities.

Rogue

Roles:

Melee DPS

Armor: Leather

Rogue is a stealth class that is able to control the fight by engaging when you want to. Rogue has powerful openers that can rapidly deplete mob or player health and also can use a lot of Stun spells that keeps players or mobs from being able to fight back for the duration. Rogues use the Energy resource which is a constantly regenerating stat and they also have combo points where certain abilities add points and others spend the points. Energy can be spent on different abilities for different costs. Rogue has extremely limited ability to do area of effect (AoE) damage.

Hunter

Roles:

Ranged DPS

Melee Hybrid DPS

Armor: Mail

Hunter is a pet class. Hunters are the easiest to level and level quickly as well. You can tame most Beasts that you encounter in the world and your pet will help and protect you while playing. Hunters use Mana to spend on special abilities. You have to make sure to keep stocked with arrows or bullets as they get used as you use your bows or guns. Hunters also have traps that can be used for a lot of situations and they also have critical abilities needed in raids. Managing your pet's abilities and its happiness is an important aspect.

Priest

Roles:

Healer

Ranged Hybrid DPS

Armor: Cloth

Priests are the standard Healing class. You have the most tools available of all classes for healing, however you can also do damage as a Shadow Priest. Priests use Mana to spend on spells and use a few reagents to cast special player buffs. Races are a special case for Priests; each race has their own special spells that you get as a Priest. You will want to consult Picking Your Class to give you a better idea of what spells each race has access to.

Mage

Roles:

Ranged DPS

Armor: Cloth

Mages are the standard magic DPS class. You can use mana to cast spells that are Frost, Fire, or Arcane based. Mages are also excellent at crowd control with polymorph and can conjure food and water for themselves or for other party members. As a Mage you can learn to teleport to many locations in the world instantly, helping speed up leveling and also as a service for groups.

Warlock

Roles:

Ranged DPS

Armor: Cloth

Warlocks are a pet class that enslaves different types of demons. Each demon has strengths and weaknesses allowing for flexibility for many circumstances. Warlocks control fire and shadow magic by using mana and have a soul shard mechanic where you gather soul shards from defeated enemies and can spend them on specific spells. Soul shards are stored in your inventory. Warlocks can provide Healthstones to party members, which act like healing potions. You can also summon party members to you.

Druid

Roles:

Healer

Tank

Melee Hybrid DPS

Ranged Hybrid DPS

Armor: Leather

Druids are a shapeshifting class that allows you to shift into multiple different forms. Each form has strengths and weaknesses that allow for a lot of abilities and specializations to fit any role you need. Druids are the “Jack of All Trades, Master of None.” You can play any role with the proper gear and the right talent setup, however you don’t have the full tool set which can make competing neck-and-neck challenging. Some roles are easier to pull off and others takes great commitment. As a Druid, you can resurrect players in the middle of combat to help save a group or cast Innervate (mana regeneration spell) as excellent utility.

Paladin

Roles:

Healer

Melee Hybrid DPS

Tank

Armor: Plate

Paladins are Alliance specific and are an excellent defensive support class. You have many buffs that can be cast on each party member that targets the stats they need most, and an Aura that benefits the entire party with one of multiple beneficial options. As a healer your options are simple but very effective and you can also look at limited ability to do Melee DPS or even Tanking.

Shaman

Roles:

Healer

Ranged Hybrid DPS

Melee Hybrid DPS

Tank

Armor: Mail

Shamans are Horde specific that work very well as the offensive support class. Shamans utilize totems that are cast at the Shaman’s feet. Each totem has a different ability that can buff party members, counter enemy abilities, or even do damage. Shaman healing is very strong with the dynamic nature that Chain Heal provides.

Appearance

Once you have selected your race and class it is now time to customize what your character actually looks like. Spend the extra effort here as it is not possible to change the look of your character ever again. Their gear will change but their face and hair style are going to stay the same no matter what.

Name

After you are done selecting the appearance all that is left is to give your character a name. The name must be unique per server. It isn’t allowed to have duplicates. Hitting the Accept button will check to see if the name is taken or not. If it is you will have to pick something else.

You can pick any name you want with some restrictions, however if you choose a name that would be considered inappropriate expect to have a GM force a name change on you. Names, like appearances are not able to be changed so choose wisely. People will refer to you by name constantly so make sure it’s something you want to hear a lot.

If your name is accepted your character will be created and you will see them now on the Character Selection screen. Select your character and enter the world to start your adventure in World of Warcraft Classic!

About the Author

I played vanilla WoW since beta and from early on have enjoyed discovering and writing useful things about the game. In addition to being a founder of ClassicWoW.live, I am in charge of the druid and theorycrafting discord channels.