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3 races can be a Paladin in WoW Forever: Human and Dwarf in the Alliance and Undead in the Horde. New combination in Forever: Undead Paladin. There is no official "best race": what sets them apart is their racials, so the choice depends on what you are after.
For PvE, the weapon racials Paladins can use are Sword Specialization (Human) and Mace Specialization (Dwarf). For PvP, the ones that remove or shorten loss-of-control effects are Will to Survive (Human) and Will of the Forsaken (Undead). And if what matters to you is the faction, the starting zone or the looks, that is further down too.
Races that can be a Paladin
These are the races that can be a Paladin in the Forever client. The ones marked "new combination" or "new race" could not be one in Classic.
The Skyborne cannot be Paladins: they can be Warriors, Hunters, Mages, Rogues, Druids and Shamans.
What to pick for what you want
No ranking: races follow the game's order and each racial shows the effect it has for a Paladin according to the beta client (build 1.60.1.70205).
PvE: dungeons and raids
Active racials that raise damage, healing or survival, passive bonuses and weapon specializations a Paladin can use.
Sword Specialization PassiveIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 2% while you have a sword or two-handed sword equipped.
Paladins can use one- and two-handed swords.
In the site's BiS lists, none of the 15 lists (3 specializations, levels 20 to 60) has a sword as its top weapon.
The Human Spirit PassiveSpirit increased by 5%.
Stoneform ActiveInstantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.
Big Game Hunter PassiveDamage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
Mace Specialization PassiveIncreases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1% while you have a mace or two-handed mace equipped.
Paladins can use one- and two-handed maces.
In the site's BiS lists, a mace is the top weapon in 11 of 15 lists (3 specializations, levels 20 to 60).
Touch of the Grave PassivePaladin version: Your spells and attacks have a 5% chance to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.
PvP: control and defense
Racials that remove or shorten loss-of-control effects, reduce damage taken, stun enemies or have to do with stealth (spotting it or hiding).
Perception ActiveDramatically increases stealth detection for 20 sec.
Will to Survive ActiveInstantly removes all Stun effects.
- Stoneform Active
Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.
Will of the Forsaken ActiveInstantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.
Leveling, travel and professions
Out-of-combat regeneration, movement speed and profession perks.
Find Treasure ActiveAllows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap. Lasts until cancelled.
Cannibalize ActiveWhen activated, regenerates 7% of total Health and 7% of total Mana every 2 sec for 10 sec. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yds. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.
Underwater Breathing PassiveUnderwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.
Faction, starting zone and looks
If performance does not matter to you, pick by looks, faction or where the race starts (every starting zone is listed in Races that can be a Paladin).
What is special about the new combinations
- UndeadHorde
New combination in Forever: in Classic an Undead could not be a Paladin. Unique Tirisfal storyline and an epic mount quest at level 60 starting at Bandarion Keep.
Racials of each race
The four racials of each race with their effect in Forever: open a race to see them. New in Forever is a racial that did not exist in Classic, Changed one that works differently and Same as Classic one that did not change. Struck through, the Classic racials that race no longer has.
New in ForeverChangedSame as Classic
Human
AlliancePerceptionWill to SurviveSword SpecializationThe Human Spirit
- PerceptionActiveSame as Classic
Dramatically increases stealth detection for 20 sec.
- Will to SurviveActiveNew in Forever
Instantly removes all Stun effects.
- Sword SpecializationPassiveChanged
Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 2% while you have a sword or two-handed sword equipped.
- The Human SpiritPassiveSame as Classic
Spirit increased by 5%.
No longer has: Diplomacy, Mace Specialization
Dwarf
AllianceFind TreasureStoneformBig Game HunterMace Specialization
- Find TreasureActiveSame as Classic
Allows the dwarf to sense nearby treasure, making it appear on the minimap. Lasts until cancelled.
- StoneformActiveChanged
Instantly removes and grants immunity to all Bleed, Poison, and Disease effects, and reduces all Physical damage taken by 10% for 8 sec.
- Big Game HunterPassiveNew in Forever
Damage dealt versus Beasts increased by 5%.
- Mace SpecializationPassiveNew in Forever
Increases your critical strike chance with all spells and attacks by 1% while you have a mace or two-handed mace equipped.
No longer has: Frost Resistance, Gun Specialization
Undead
HordeNew combinationCannibalizeWill of the ForsakenTouch of the GraveUnderwater Breathing
- CannibalizeActiveChanged
When activated, regenerates 7% of total Health and 7% of total Mana every 2 sec for 10 sec. Only works on Humanoid or Undead corpses within 5 yds. Any movement, action, or damage taken while Cannibalizing will cancel the effect.
- Will of the ForsakenActiveChanged
Instantly removes all Charm, Fear and Sleep effects.
- Touch of the GravePassiveNew in Forever
Paladin version:Your spells and attacks have a 5% chance to drain Health from the target, up to 5% of your maximum Health.
- Underwater BreathingPassiveSame as Classic
Underwater breath lasts 300% longer than normal.
No longer has: Shadow Resistance
Paladin mounts by race
In the Forever client, these paladin spells are only learned by some races.
HumanDwarfSummons a warhorse, which serves as a mount.
In Classic: Summons a warhorse, which serves as a mount. Speed is increased by 60%.
HumanDwarfSummons a Charger, which serves as a mount.
In Classic: Summons a Charger, which serves as a mount. Speed is increased by 100%.
Undead: none of these spells in the Forever client. Unique Tirisfal storyline and an epic mount quest at level 60 starting at Bandarion Keep.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best race for a Paladin in WoW Forever?
For PvE, the weapon racials Paladins can use are Sword Specialization (Human) and Mace Specialization (Dwarf). For PvP, the ones that remove or shorten loss-of-control effects are Will to Survive (Human) and Will of the Forsaken (Undead). There is no official ranking, so the best race is the one that fits what you are after: performance, PvP, faction or looks.
Which races can be a Paladin in WoW Forever?
3: Human and Dwarf in the Alliance and Undead in the Horde. New combination in Forever: Undead Paladin.
Can the Skyborne be Paladins?
No. The Skyborne can be Warriors, Hunters, Mages, Rogues, Druids and Shamans, but not Paladins.
Can an Undead be a Paladin in WoW Forever?
Yes. It is one of the new race and class combinations in Forever: it did not exist in Classic. Unique Tirisfal storyline and an epic mount quest at level 60 starting at Bandarion Keep.
Do racials change in WoW Forever?
Yes. Of the 12 racials of the races that can be a Paladin, 4 are new, 4 work differently and 4 are the same as in Classic. Gone: Diplomacy (Human), Mace Specialization (Human), Frost Resistance (Dwarf), Gun Specialization (Dwarf) and Shadow Resistance (Undead).
See also
Paladin changesEverything that changes for the Paladin in Forever compared with Classic.
Paladin guideSpecializations, leveling, stats and gear.
Talent calculatorThe Paladin trees with the Forever talents.
Paladin BiSThe best pieces by specialization and level.
Paladin spellsAll abilities with their ranks and changes.
Which race to pickEvery race with its racials, classes and starting zone.
Races and racialsWhich race can be each class and the racial changes.Best race for other classes
Hunter
Mage
Rogue
Priest
Warlock
Druid
ShamanA The Forever Era guide. Anything specific to Forever comes from Blizzard's official announcements or the beta client; general Classic knowledge is marked as such. We never invent numbers or rankings, and the guide is reviewed with every build.