WoW Forever new zones: level ranges and where they fit

Zephras Isle (levels 1-12)

Zephras Isle is the starting zone for the new Skyborne race. Like Elwynn Forest or Durotar, it walks a new character through their first dozen levels and introduces their story before sending them out into the wider world.

Because it is a racial starting zone, you only need it if you roll a Skyborne. Every other race starts in its usual Classic zone. The Skyborne guide covers the two Skyborne factions, their class options, and their racial abilities.

Riverglades (levels 35-45)

Riverglades is the biggest change to the leveling path. It is a large mid-level zone in the Eastern Kingdoms, roughly the size of Stranglethorn Vale, built from a part of the Classic world players could never reach. Blizzard has described it as having well over 150 quests, with content for both Horde and Alliance.

It lands exactly where Classic leveling used to get painful. In the high 30s the quest supply thins out and nearly everyone ends up in Stranglethorn Vale, which is crowded and full of world PvP. Riverglades gives you a second option for that whole stretch.

Shen'dralas (around 40-45)

Shen'dralas is a previously hidden region between Mulgore and Desolace. Its story is tied to the Shen'dralar, the ancient night elf city of Eldre'Thalas, and the Dire Maul area, along with the centaur tribes of the region.

Blizzard has not published an official level range yet. Beta players place it around levels 40-45, which makes it a Kalimdor-side partner to Riverglades. Treat that range as a guide until launch. Nearby Desolace is also getting new quests, so the whole area is worth a look in your 40s.

Mount Hyjal (level 60)

Mount Hyjal is an endgame zone for level 60 characters, set after Archimonde's defeat at the end of the Third War. It has new stories, new rewards, new reputations, and both solo and group content.

Hyjal is also where much of the new raid content lives. It is home to Hyjal Summit, a new 20-player raid, and holds one of the entrances to the Barrow Deeps, a 10-player raid. Current reports put both raids opening a few weeks after launch, on December 9, 2026.

Where the new zones fit in your leveling path

Levels 1-12: your race's starting zone, or Zephras Isle if you play a Skyborne.

Levels 13-35: mostly the familiar Classic zones, with new quests added to places like the Wetlands. The new dungeons Hall of Thanes (13-18), Ruins of Lordaeron (15-20), Excavation Site: Wetlands (24-29), and City of Dalaran (28-33) give you group options along the way.

Levels 35-45: Riverglades, with Shen'dralas on the Kalimdor side in the low 40s. Stranglethorn Vale is still there if you prefer it. The Drowned City (35-40) and Krol'dok Stronghold (about 40-45) cover the same range if you want dungeon breaks.

Levels 45-60: the Classic high-level zones, plus Alcaz Island Prison (48-53), Blackmaw Hold (55-60), and Shaper's Terrace (58-60). At 60, head to Mount Hyjal.

For the full zone-by-zone route, see how to level 1-60 fast. For every new dungeon in one place, see the new dungeons guide.

Will the new zones be crowded at launch?

Almost certainly, at first. New zones attract curious players, and the first days after November 4 will be busy everywhere. The upside is that Riverglades and Shen'dralas split the mid-level crowd that used to pile into Stranglethorn Vale, so the 35-45 bracket should feel less congested once the launch rush settles.

If you plan to farm gold while you level, new zones also mean new mobs and materials that nobody has priced yet. The gold farming guide covers what is known so far.