The 4 Best (& 4 Worst) Races

World of Warcraft Classic is a nostalgic throwback to the good old days when World of Warcraft was a less chaotic place. There is a lot that makes WoW Classic special, but the diversity of ways to experience the game in its original form is what makes World of Warcraft Classic a hit.

Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome, Orc, Undead, Tauren, and Troll; much of the success of the game is owed to the diversity of races players can choose for their character. The races of the original World of Warcraft game are impeccably detailed, providing players with different leveling experiences and different racial abilities – so races are often unbalanced.

Updated November 26, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: In World of Warcraft, starting race is almost as important as your starting class as every race in WoW Classic has a suite of racial unique abilities. These abilities range from small things, like bonuses to Herbalism, to huge game-changing abilities, like the Humans’ Diplomacy or Tauren’s War Stomp. In addition to understanding what makes each of the best and worst WoW Classic races unique (and what makes them good vs bad races in general), players should know the basics of each race’s leveling experience alongside these abilities. This guide to the best and worst races in WoW Classic has been updated with at-a-glance information for each entry summarizing each race’s faction, starting zone (and continent), and which racial abilities WoW Classic players can get from each of the eight race choices in WoW Classic.

8 Best: Human

• Faction: Alliance
• Human Racial Abilities: Diplomacy, Mace/Sword Specialization, Perception, The Human Spirit
• Starting Zone: Elwynn Forest (Eastern Kingdoms)

This Alliance race is an exceptional Warrior class due to having bonuses to swords and maces. The Human race is relatively young compared to the other World of Warcraft races. Since the Warrior class can deliver such high damage, it is regarded as one of the, if not the best, races in World of Warcraft Classic. Moreover, the Human race has an increase in stealth detection, increased spirit, and bonuses to reputation gains.

As a race that can choose between six classes, it is a highly desirable choice for many. It’s the most versatile race to play in World of Warcraft Classic. Beginners and advanced players will find joy in playing the Human race.

7 Worst: Dwarf

• Faction: Alliance
• Human Racial Abilities: Find Treasure, Frost Resistance, Gun Specialization, Stoneform
• Starting Zone: Dun Morogh (Eastern Kingdoms)

The great thing about World of Warcraft is that you can customize your experience. Although it is recommended to use guns with a Dwarf, you could become a sword-wielding Warrior, a hammer-wielding Paladin, or a bow-wielding Hunter.

The Dwarf race receives bonuses with guns, may assume a stone form, has resistances to Frost, and they are remarkable treasure finders. Ironforge is a Gnome and Dwarf capital city for the Alliance. You’ll find comfort in playing with the Dwarf knowing you’ll be able to choose exceptional classes and skills. A Dwarven bonus to some stats will protect Dwarves better than other races, too.

6 Best: Night Elf

• Faction: Alliance
• Human Racial Abilities: Nature Resistance, Wisp Spirit, Quickness, Shadowmeld
• Starting Zone: Teldrassil (Kalimdor)

Many people wisely start the game with a Night Elf. One significant reason is the fact that they turn into the wisp form while dead. The wisp form travels at a faster speed than a ghost. Especially for people who are doing their first playthrough, the wisp form can save them a great deal of time.

Some other reasons to choose a Night Elf are for their higher dodge chance, resistance to Nature damage, and ability to fade into the shadows. Night Elfs used to be dominant forces in Azeroth but recklessly used primal magic to bring them to ruins.

5 Worst: Gnome

• Faction: Alliance
• Human Racial Abilities: Arcane Resistance, Expansive Mind, Engineering Specialization, Escape Artist
• Starting Zone: Dun Morogh (Eastern Kingdoms)

Although they are short, Dwarfs aren’t the smallest characters in World of Warcraft Classic. Gnomes are much smaller than every other race, and one of the ugliest, but they have a certain charm that’s hard to ignore. They make for exceptional mages, rogues, and warlocks thanks to their Escape Artist ability and increased Intelligence, respectively.

Gnomes aid their allies whenever possible despite a dark history (just look up what happened in Gnomeregan). They have bonuses in intellect and are remarkable at escaping from speed altering effects. What they lack in stature they more than make up for in intellect. Also, Gnomes have an increased Engineering skill and strong resistance to Arcane damage.

4 Best: Orc

• Faction: Horde
• Human Racial Abilities: Axe Specialization, Blood Fury, Command, Hardiness
• Starting Zone: Durotar (Kalimdor)

Since the beginning of Warcraft, Orcs have been highly recognizable. They are sort of like mascots for Blizzard Entertainment as many of their games use Orcs as characters. In World of Warcraft, Orcs are considered among the most fierce characters. They wage war against the humans, but, from their perspective, they are the good guys. On their home planet of Draenor, Orcs were a peaceful species.

The Blood Fury racial allows Orcs to deal a great deal of damage quickly with melee weapons, making them suitable for the Warrior class. Also, their increase in skill with axes is another reason to choose a physical class like Warrior. You’ll often see Orcs with pets since they deal extra damage with them. Orcs are too awesome in design and skill, which is why they are considered one of World of Warcraft‘s best races.

3 Worst: Undead

• Faction: Horde
• Human Racial Abilities: Cannibalize, Shadow Resistance, Underwater Breathing, Will of the Forsaken
• Starting Zone: Tirisfal Glades (Eastern Kingdoms)

The Undead operated under the Lich King until one day they were freed from his rule. They care nothing about their alliance and only for self-gain. As a member of the Horde, Undead are one of the strongest individual cultures that make up the Horde, but they aren’t necessarily to be trusted.

They can be Warriors, Rogues, Priests, Mages, or Warlocks in World of Warcraft Classic. Their starting zone of Tirisfal Glades is very unique and gloomy, but their comparatively evil nature and lack of cooperation with their allies makes them one of the least trustworthy races on Azeroth.

2 Best: Troll

• Faction: Horde
• Human Racial Abilities: Beast Slaying, Berserking, Bow/Throwing Specialization, Regeneration
• Starting Zone: Durotar (Kalimdor)

They are honorable members of the Horde and are some of the most fierce warriors. Persuaded by the Orcs, the Trolls joined the Horde despite their dark heritage. They have an increase in regeneration, an increase in damage versus beasts, boosts to throwing and bow weapon damage, and a Berserk skill that can inflict a ton of damage. Because of the Berserk ability alone, trolls are desirable.

What also doesn’t hurt is the fact they can be Warriors, Hunters, Rogues, Priests, Shamans, or Mages. In World of Warcraft Classic, the Humans are the only other race that can be six different classes. For these reasons, Troll is considered to be one of World of Warcraft‘s best races.

1 Worst: Tauren

• Faction: Horde
• Human Racial Abilities: Cultivation, Endurance, Nature Resistance, War Stomp
• Starting Zone: Mulgore (Kalimdor)

The Tauren are in fact a peaceful race, unlike other Horde members. They strive to preserve the balance of nature and only joined the Horde to solidify their friendship with the Orcs. Caught amid a battle, the Tauren would’ve been wiped out long ago if it weren’t for the help they received from the Orcs. It goes to show that they are dependent on other Horde races to survive.

They have extra health, but, the War Stomp racial is what really draws player sto this race. An increase to the Herbalism skill is a nice perk, but it is unnecessary in critical World of Warcraft Classic moments. Pick the Tauren for a fun, enjoyable experience since they can be Druids, but not for the most powerful character. They do make for powerful Tanks, just not DPS.