World of Warcraft for Beginners in 2026: Where to Start, Which Class to Choose, and What to Do at Level 90
This information is current as of September 2026 (Patch 12.1, Season 2 of Midnight).
In 2026, World of Warcraft is experiencing one of its best periods in the last decade: the Midnight expansion has brought players back to a revamped Kel'Thalas, Blizzard has finally added housing, and weekly activity exceeds 5 million accounts. If you’ve been wanting to try the world’s leading MMORPG for a while or are returning after a break, this guide will tell you where to start.
Retail or Classic—Which to Choose
| WoW Retail (Midnight) | WoW Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | Fast leveling, focus on endgame: raids, Mythic+, PvP | Slow world exploration; leveling is half the game |
| Currently on | Midnight, Patch 12.1, Season 2 | Burning Crusade and Mists of Pandaria Classic anniversary servers |
| Who it’s for | Those who want modern content, housing, and to play “up to date” | Nostalgic players and fans of old-school MMOs |
One subscription covers it all: when you pay for WoW, you get access to both Retail and Classic. We recommend Retail for newbies—it’s much more beginner-friendly.
Where to Start: First Steps
- Try it for free. WoW is free up to level 20—enough to figure out if this is the game for you. A subscription costs 650 rubles (or 500 per month if you pay for six months upfront); the Midnight expansion is sold separately.
- Starting zone. All new characters begin on Exile’s Isle—a leveling zone for levels 1–10 featuring your first dungeon and a mini-storyline.
- Leveling 10–70. Next, you’ll be sent to Chrono-Time—where you can level up in any older expansion. Dragonflight is best suited for your first character: it has a logical storyline and a fast pace.
- Levels 70–90 in Midnight. The revamped Kel’Thalas, the Shadowlands, and new zones—follow the linear campaign; it’s a must for your first character.
Which Class Should a New Player Choose?
The easiest and strongest specializations in Season 2 of Midnight:
- Hunter (Beast Mastery)—your pet tanks while you shoot. A classic for beginners since 2004.
- Paladin (Retribution)—simple rotation, excellent survivability; you can switch to tank or healer.
- Warlock (Demonology)—an army of demons does all the work for you.
- Devourer (Demon Hunter)—a new Midnight specialization, Abyss magic: simple and very effective; give it a try, if only for the novelty.
It’s harder to start as a healer (priest, shaman) or a tank (warrior, druid)—you’re immediately responsible for the group.
What to Do at Level 90
- Housing is Midnight’s main feature: your own home in the neighborhoods of Azeroth, hundreds of pieces of furniture, and visits from neighbors. It’s just as engaging as raids.
- Mythic+—endless dungeons with increasing difficulty, the foundation of endgame content.
- Venomous Abyss raid—eight bosses from Season 2; start with LFR (Group Finder) right from the interface.
- Outings—short adventures for 1–5 players, perfect for those short on time.
- PvP—2v2/3v3 arenas, battlegrounds, and a new seasonal mode.
Tips to Save You Time
- Don’t buy bags from vendors—earn them on the auction house or ask a tailor.
- Don’t throw away reagents: the material bank can hold everything.
- Join a guild right away: buffs, help, and companionship solve half the challenges.
- Don’t chase after a “goal”—play the class you like—in Midnight, all specializations are viable.
Sources: Blizzard, Wowhead, Icy Veins