WoW Forever zones by level

The best zones to level in for each level range, for the Horde and the Alliance, with the dungeons worth running on the way.

Zones by level range

LevelsHordeAlliance
10-20

Silverpine Forest

Alternatives: The Barrens, Durotar

Dungeons: Ragefire Chasm (13-18), The Hall of Thanes (13-18), Wailing Caverns (15-25), Ruins of Lordaeron (15-20), Shadowfang Keep (18-25), Blackfathom Deeps (20-30)

Westfall, Redridge Mountains

Alternatives: Elwynn Forest, Loch Modan, Darkshore

Dungeons: The Hall of Thanes (13-18), Wailing Caverns (15-25), The Deadmines (15-25), Shadowfang Keep (18-25), Blackfathom Deeps (20-30)

20-30

Hillsbrad Foothills, The Barrens

Alternatives: Stonetalon Mountains, Ashenvale, Thousand Needles

Dungeons: Wailing Caverns (15-25), Ruins of Lordaeron (15-20), Shadowfang Keep (18-25), Blackfathom Deeps (20-30), Razorfen Kraul (25-35), Scarlet Monastery (26-45), Excavation Site: Wetlands (26-31), City of Dalaran (28-33)

Duskwood, Wetlands, Ashenvale

Alternatives: Redridge Mountains, Stonetalon Mountains, Darkshore

Dungeons: Wailing Caverns (15-25), The Deadmines (15-25), Shadowfang Keep (18-25), Blackfathom Deeps (20-30), The Stockade (22-30), Gnomeregan (24-33), Razorfen Kraul (25-35), Scarlet Monastery (26-45), Excavation Site: Wetlands (26-31), City of Dalaran (28-33)

30-40

Desolace, Thousand Needles, Swamp of Sorrows, Stranglethorn Vale

Alternatives: Ashenvale, Arathi Highlands, Dustwallow Marsh, Riverglades

Dungeons: Blackfathom Deeps (20-30), Razorfen Kraul (25-35), Scarlet Monastery (26-45), Excavation Site: Wetlands (26-31), City of Dalaran (28-33), Razorfen Downs (35-45), Uldaman (36-48), Maraudon (40-52)

Desolace, Thousand Needles, Dustwallow Marsh, Stranglethorn Vale

Alternatives: Hillsbrad Foothills, Arathi Highlands, Alterac Mountains, Swamp of Sorrows, Riverglades

Dungeons: Blackfathom Deeps (20-30), The Stockade (22-30), Gnomeregan (24-33), Razorfen Kraul (25-35), Scarlet Monastery (26-45), Excavation Site: Wetlands (26-31), City of Dalaran (28-33), Razorfen Downs (35-45), Uldaman (36-48), Maraudon (40-52)

40-50

Tanaris, Feralas, Stranglethorn Vale

Alternatives: Badlands, The Hinterlands, Azshara, Riverglades

Dungeons: Scarlet Monastery (26-45), Razorfen Downs (35-45), Uldaman (36-48), Maraudon (40-52), Zul'Farrak (44-54), The Temple of Atal'Hakkar (45-55)

Tanaris, Feralas, The Hinterlands, Stranglethorn Vale

Alternatives: Badlands, Searing Gorge, Azshara, Riverglades

Dungeons: Scarlet Monastery (26-45), Razorfen Downs (35-45), Uldaman (36-48), Maraudon (40-52), Zul'Farrak (44-54), The Temple of Atal'Hakkar (45-55)

50-60

Un'Goro Crater, Felwood, Winterspring

Alternatives: Moonglade, Silithus, Western Plaguelands, Eastern Plaguelands, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Mount Hyjal

Dungeons: Maraudon (40-52), Zul'Farrak (44-54), The Temple of Atal'Hakkar (45-55), Blackrock Depths (52-60), Blackrock Spire (55-60), Dire Maul (56-60), Stratholme (58-60), Scholomance (58-60)

Un'Goro Crater, Felwood, Winterspring

Alternatives: Moonglade, Silithus, Western Plaguelands, Eastern Plaguelands, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Mount Hyjal

Dungeons: Maraudon (40-52), Zul'Farrak (44-54), The Temple of Atal'Hakkar (45-55), Blackrock Depths (52-60), Blackrock Spire (55-60), Dire Maul (56-60), Stratholme (58-60), Scholomance (58-60)

Horde leveling routeAlliance leveling route

This table lists the leveling zones of WoW Forever by level bracket, from 10 to 60, for both factions. It comes from the same data as the step-by-step route that However builds for each character.

How to read the table

  • Each row is a level bracket: 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50 and 50-60.
  • Horde and Alliance sit side by side. Some zones, like Desolace, Tanaris or Un'Goro Crater, appear on both sides.
  • Main zones are the ones the route follows first. Alternatives are safe fallbacks when a main zone is crowded or dangerous.
  • Optional zones are worth a visit but are not needed to reach the next bracket. Many are contested on a PvP realm.
  • Dungeons are listed with the bracket where their quests fit best.

When to change zones

  • Leave a zone when most of its remaining quests turn grey: they give little experience.
  • Before you leave, turn in every finished quest and set your hearthstone at the next hub.
  • Count the trip. A boat, a zeppelin or a long ride can cost more time than a few extra quests.
  • Group nearby zones together, and keep a dungeon for the moment you pass its entrance.
  • On a PvP realm, prefer the safe alternatives when a hot zone is busy.

WoW Forever compared with Classic

Most zones match Classic, but WoW Forever has its own rules. There is no level scaling and no flying, so zone levels stay fixed. Dungeons are one-and-done: their quests give a lot of experience on the first run, while their monsters give less. Rested experience builds up at inns and campfires.

Forever also adds content. Riverglades and Mount Hyjal are new zones, listed for farming until quests are loaded there. New dungeons such as the Ruins of Lordaeron, The Hall of Thanes, Excavation Site: Wetlands and the City of Dalaran fit in the early and middle brackets.

Go further

Read the full routes in the guide, check level ranges in the dungeons list, or explore each zone in the atlas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between main and alternative zones?
Main zones are the ones the route follows first in each bracket. Alternatives are safe fallbacks for the same levels, useful when a main zone is crowded or when enemy players make it dangerous.
When should I leave a zone?
Leave when most of the remaining quests in the zone turn grey, since they give little experience. Turn in finished quests first, and weigh the travel time to the next hub before you go.
Do Horde and Alliance share zones?
Yes. Several zones, such as Desolace, Thousand Needles, Tanaris, Un'Goro Crater, Felwood and Winterspring, are used by both factions. Each faction has its own hubs there, and neutral towns like Gadgetzan and Everlook serve both.
Are the zones different from Classic?
Most zones are the same as in Classic, with fixed levels and no flying. WoW Forever adds new zones such as Riverglades and Mount Hyjal, new dungeons, one-and-done dungeon experience and rested experience at campfires.