WoW Forever character creation and name rules
Short answer: 🎛️ pick a preset, 🌐 pick a ruleset, then ⚔️ faction, race and class. Every character gets a two-part name that must be unique in your region (Blizzard).
🧭 The order of choices
| Step | Choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🎛️ Experience preset | Classic or Enhanced. First login only; change settings later |
| 2 | 🌐 Ruleset | Normal, PvP, Roleplay, Roleplay-PvP (Hardcore later) |
| 3 | ⚔️ Faction | Alliance or Horde. Factions can't group |
| 4 | 🧝 Race | Look, starting area, racials |
| 5 | 🛡️ Class | How you play |
| 6 | 🖼️ HD or SD models | Per character; change later in Options or a Barbershop |
| 7 | 🏷️ Two-part name | Unique combination per region |
Play with friends? Agree on ruleset and faction first. More: choosing a ruleset and cross-faction.
🆕 New race and class combinations
Blizzard's Deep Dive recap adds six: Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock, Undead Paladin, with more planned.
Skyborne: choose Horde (Shaman) or Alliance (Mage) at creation. Both start on Zephras Isle (1-12). Skyborne needs the Heroic Pack or higher. Details: Skyborne race.
🏷️ Name rules
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 🏷️ Two names | Main name + secondary name | Blizzard |
| 🌍 Uniqueness | Full combination unique per region, not per realm | Blizzard |
| 👥 Shared first names | Allowed if the full name differs | Blizzard |
| 🔠 Length/characters | 2-12 characters, no numbers, symbols or spaces, accents allowed | Blizzard WoW naming policy |
| 🚫 Restricted words | Both parts are checked together; splitting a banned word won't pass | Blizzard |
| 🙈 Hide secondary name | Options > Nameplates > My Secondary Name (still shows in chat) | Blizzard |
| 🎭 Roleplay rulesets | Stricter naming conventions | Blizzard |
⏳ [Unconfirmed] Whether the 2-12 limit applies to each name part separately in Forever. Blizzard's general WoW policy states it, and Warcraft Tavern (non-Blizzard source) reports it per part.
Early name reservation (to 3 Nov): see name reservation. Breaking the naming policy can get you a random temporary name.
FAQ
How do names work in WoW Forever?
Every character has a main name and a secondary name. The full combination must be unique in your region.
Can two players share a first name?
Yes, if their full two-part names differ.
How long can a WoW Forever name be?
Blizzard's WoW naming policy says 2-12 characters, no numbers, symbols or spaces, accents allowed. ⏳ [Unconfirmed] whether Forever applies this per name part.
Can I hide my secondary name?
Yes. Esc > Options > Nameplates > untick My Secondary Name. It still shows in chat.
What do I pick first in WoW Forever?
Experience preset (first login only), then ruleset, then faction, race, class and HD or SD models.
What are the new race and class combos?
Gnome Priest, Human Hunter, Dwarf Shaman, Orc Mage, Troll Warlock and Undead Paladin.
Sources
- Blizzard: New Player's Starter Guide (preset, ruleset, character creation, names)
- Blizzard: Create a Name of Your Own in WoW: Forever
- Blizzard Support: World of Warcraft Naming Policy
- Blizzard: Deep Dive panel recap (two-part names, new race and class combinations)
- Blizzard: Choose Your Ruleset (updated 22 Oct)
- Blizzard: Claim Your WoW Forever Character Names