A purported survey sent to select World of Warcraft players has offered a glimpse into potential new classes for the upcoming World of Warcraft: Forever. This survey, which is not the first of its kind to be leaked, details 11 distinct class concepts, ranging from reimagined versions of existing classes to entirely new archetypes steeped in Warcraft lore.
The survey reportedly breaks down each potential class with details on their lore, weapon proficiencies, armor types, resource systems, combat roles, and signature abilities. While Blizzard has not officially commented on the survey's contents, its emergence online provides a speculative look at how WoW: Forever might evolve beyond its vanilla roots.
Among the listed classes are familiar concepts like Death Knight, Monk, and Demon Hunter, which would represent classic-era interpretations of classes that were introduced much later in the modern game. These iterations could offer a different gameplay feel compared to their retail counterparts, potentially emphasizing a slower, more deliberate pace.
More intriguing are the eight proposed original classes. The Tinker, a long-speculated addition to World of Warcraft, is present, envisioned as an engineer utilizing mechs and gadgets for tanking, damage dealing, and support. Another notable inclusion is the Necromancer, a class concept that Blizzard reportedly considered for the original vanilla WoW but ultimately scrapped. This proposed Necromancer appears to draw inspiration from Diablo 2, featuring abilities like Bone Spear and Corpse Explosion.
The survey also highlights the San'layn, a faction of vampires formerly under the Lich King's control. This class concept leans into a vampiric theme with blood-based abilities, potentially mirroring the playstyle of the retail game's Blood Death Knight specialization.
Lore-heavy additions include the Warden, an iconic Night Elf faction tasked with imprisoning powerful threats, and the Runemaster. Wardens' inclusion for Horde players is noted as an expansion "out of necessity." Runemasters, empowered by the Titans, would use a rune system similar to that of modern Death Knights, a mechanic originally intended for an earlier, scrapped version of the Runemaster class. The Runemaster concept appears under multiple names in the survey, including Metalborn and Runeknight.
Other entirely novel concepts featured in the survey are Bard, Witch, and Illusionist. The Bard is described as a support and healer class capable of buffing allies. The Witch class would utilize dark magic, including blood rituals and Old God powers, for offensive and supportive capabilities. Illusionists would focus on summoning creatures and objects to aid them in combat.
Whether these potential classes will be implemented in WoW: Forever remains to be seen. The game is set to launch on November 4, following a beta period that runs until October 21. In addition to potential new classes, WoW: Forever promises over 1,000 new quests, four new zones, and an account-wide Legacy perk system for its classic Azeroth experience.