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WoW Leveling Guide Introduction

Without a doubt, the Goliath in the online gaming industry has to be World of Warcraft. With an estimated 11-million users worldwide, they have done something right and continue to entice players on a daily basis. While the lands of Azeroth continue to grow with new expansions, the daily grind for each class and race is typically the same. We all have to start somewhere and the difference between the casual player and even the informed casual player is monumental.

Certainly Blizzard has created a world that is unique and in most ways intuitive, but will you get the best tips on xp gathering when you log in for the first time? Will there be any advice to a new player on the best dungeons to get epic gear from? Will there be a step by step guide to quest progression and zones for leveling? The answer to all of these questions is no. Not in game. But here, we will do our best to break down this information for you. From warrior to shaman, human to blood elf, we will cover the races, classes and recommended best builds here. Through our insight and time spent in game ourselves, we will help you take your new fledgling character to the ranks of greatness in the World of Warcraft.

First, let’s look at the races:

Alliance
Human – Humans are a young race, and thus highly versatile, mastering the arts of combat, craftsmanship, and magic with stunning efficiency. The humans’ valor and optimism have led them to build some of the world’s greatest kingdoms. In this troubled era, after generations of conflict, humanity seeks to rekindle its former glory and forge a shining new future.

Racial abilities

• Stealth detection increased.
• Increased Spirit.
• Bonus to reputation gains.
• Increased expertise with Swords and Maces.
• Can break out of speed altering and trapping effects.

Playable class – Warrior, Paladin, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warlock

Dwarf – In ages past, the dwarves cared only for riches taken from the earth’s depths. Then records surfaced of a god-like race said to have given the dwarves life…and an enchanted birthright. Driven to learn more, the dwarves devoted themselves to the pursuit of lost artifacts and ancient knowledge. Today dwarven archaeologists are scattered throughout the globe.

Racial abilities

• May take on a stone form.
• Increased critical chance with Guns.
• Resistant to Frost.
• Treasure finding.
• Increased expertise with Maces.

Playable class – Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest

Night Elf – Ten thousand years ago, the night elves founded a vast empire, but their reckless use of primal magic brought them to ruin. In grief, they withdrew to the forests and remained isolated there until the return of their ancient enemy, the Burning Legion. With no other choice, the night elves emerged at last from their seclusion to fight for their place in the new world.

Racial abilities

• May fade into the shadows.
• More difficult to hit.
• Wisp form while dead for faster movement.
• Resistant to Nature damage.

Playable class – Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Druid

Gnome – Though small in stature, the gnomes of Khaz Modan have used their great intellect to secure a place in history. Indeed, their subterranean kingdom, Gnomeregan, was once a marvel of steam-driven technology. Even so, due to a massive trogg invasion, the city was lost. Now its builders are vagabonds in the dwarven lands, aiding their allies as best they can.

Racial abilities

• May escape from speed altering effects.
• Increased Intelligence.
• Resistant to Arcane damage.
• Engineering skill increased.

Playable class – Warrior, Rogue, Mage, Warlock

Draenei (Available through the purchase of The Burning Crusade expansion) – Driven from their home world of Argus, the honorable draenei fled the Burning Legion for eons before finding a remote planet to settle on. They shared this world with the shamanistic orcs and named it Draenor. In time the Legion corrupted the orcs, who waged war and nearly exterminated the peaceful draenei. A lucky few fled to Azeroth, where they now seek allies in their battle against the Burning Legion.

Racial abilities

• Jewelcrafting skill increased.
• May heal self or others over time.
• Party members’ chance to hit with melee and spells increased.
• Resistant to Shadow damage.

Playable class – Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Priest, Shaman, Mage

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Horde
Orc – The orc race originated on the planet of Draenor. A peaceful people with shamanic beliefs, they were enslaved by the Burning Legion and forced into war with the humans of Azeroth. Although it took many years, the orcs finally escaped the demons’ corruption and won their freedom. To this day they fight for honor in an alien world that hates and reviles them.

Racial abilities

• May enrage to increase damage.
• Resistant to stun effects.
• Damage done by pets increased.
• Increased expertise with Axes and Fist weapons.

Playable class – Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock

Undead – Free of the Lich King’s grasp, the Forsaken seek to overthrow his rule. Led by the banshee Sylvanas, they hunger for vengeance against the Scourge. Humans, too, have become the enemy, relentless in their drive to purge all undead from the land. The Forsaken care little even for their allies; to them the Horde is merely a took that may further their dark schemes.

Racial abilities

• Can remove fear, sleep, and charm.
• May consume corpses to regain health.
• Underwater breathing increased.
• Resistant to Shadow damage.

Playable class – Warrior, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warlock

Tauren – Always the tauren strive to preserve the balance of nature and heed the will of their goddess, the Earth Mother. Recently attacked by murderous centaur, the tauren would have been wiped out, save for a chance encounter with the orcs, who helped defeat the interlopers. To honor this blood-debt, the tauren joined the Horde, solidifying the two races’ friendship.

Racial abilities

• May stomp, stunning nearby opponents.
• Maximum health increased.
• Herbalism skill increased.
• Resistant to Nature damage.

Playable class – Warrior, Hunter, Shaman, Druid

Troll – Once at home in the jungles of Stranglethorn Vale, the fierce trolls of the Darkspear tribe were pushed out by warring factions. Eventually the trolls befriended the orcish Horde and Thrall, the orcs’ young warchief, convinced the trolls to travel with him to Kalimdor. Though they cling to their shadowy heritage, the Darkspear trolls hold a place of honor in the Horde.

Racial abilities

• Berserk, increasing attack and casting speed.
• Regeneration increased.
• Damage increased versus beasts.
• Increased critical chance with Throwing weapons and Bows.
• Reduced duration of movement reducing effects.

Playable class – Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage

Blood Elf (Available through the purchase of The Burning Crusade expansion) – Long ago the exiled high elves founded Quel’Thalas, where they created a magical found called the Sunwell. Though they were strengthened by its powers, they also grew increasingly dependent on them. Ages later the undead Scourge destroyed the Sunwell and most of the high elf population. Now called the blood elves, these scattered refugees are rebuilding Quel’Thalas as they search for a new magic source to satisfy their painful addiction.

Racial abilities

• Enchanting skill increased.
• May restore mana, energy, or runic power.
• May silence nearby opponents.
• Resistant to magical damage.

Playable class – Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Mage, Warlock