8 races can be a Hunter in Forever: Orc, Tauren, Troll, Windshaper Skyborne on the Horde side, Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, High Order Skyborne for the Alliance (Blizzard race table). New in Forever: Human Hunter.

Our picks

Horde

  1. Orc: Command adds 5% pet damage, the only racial that boosts your pet. Blood Fury is on a 2-minute cooldown.
  2. Windshaper Skyborne: Wind Blessed gives 2% haste on every shot, and Skysight gives 15% run speed for kiting. Our pick if you drop the pet.

Alliance

  1. Dwarf: Artisan's Precision gives 1% hit, and Big Game Hunter adds damage against Beasts.
  2. High Order Skyborne: The same 2% haste, and Read Leyline speeds up Mana regeneration between pulls.

These are our opinion, based on Blizzard's beta notes. Blizzard says each race has two active and two passive racials tuned for similar offensive power, so faction, looks and who you play with can still decide it.

What each race gets

  • Orc: Blood Fury, Shatter Curse, Command. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • Tauren: War Stomp, Cultivation, Endurance, Plainsrunning.
  • Troll: Berserking, Regeneration. Blizzard's posts name 2 of the 4.
  • Windshaper Skyborne: Walk on Air, Skysight, Wind Blessed, Elemental Insight.
  • Human: Will to Survive, Ruthless, Human Spirit. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • Dwarf: Stoneform, Find Treasure, Artisan's Precision, Big Game Hunter.
  • Night Elf: Shadowmeld, Quickness, Wisp Form. Blizzard's posts name 3 of the 4.
  • High Order Skyborne: Walk on Air, Read Ley Line, Wind Blessed, Elemental Insight.

Sources: Blizzard's development notes and panel recap. Details and what's still unknown are on each race page.

More: race guide · Hunter class guide · Hunter leveling guide