Blizzard Defends Two-Faction Skyborne Race for World of Warcraft: Forever
Blizzard says giving both factions access to the new Skyborne race is a long-term fix for population balance in World of Warcraft: Forever.
Blizzard Entertainment has defended making the new Skyborne race available to both the Alliance and the Horde in World of Warcraft: Forever. According to techradar.com, the studio said the decision is intended to manage the game's population balance over the long term.
Skyborne arrives in World of Warcraft: Forever alongside a new starter zone, Zephras Isle. It is the first Elf race in the game that players on both factions can access.
The race is paywalled behind a $30 add-on, a detail that has drawn attention since the announcement.
Population balance and past precedent
Blizzard's faction decision echoes an earlier swing in the game's population. Blood Elves were introduced in The Burning Crusade in October 2025's context, an addition that shifted the Alliance-to-Horde split from 60/40 in the Alliance's favour to 60/40 in the Horde's favour.
Blizzard has said it has a long roadmap of content stretching out several years for World of Warcraft: Forever, and that it has seen great reception to Skyborne in the beta.
Quick answers
What faction can play the Skyborne race in World of Warcraft: Forever?
Both the Alliance and the Horde can access Skyborne, making it the first Elf race in the game available to both factions.
How much does the Skyborne race cost?
Skyborne is paywalled behind a $30 add-on.
What new zone comes with Skyborne?
Skyborne is added alongside a new starter zone called Zephras Isle.