WoW Forever can't create Horde character or can't invite friends: why

If you can't create a Horde character in WoW Forever, you probably already have an Alliance character on the PvP ruleset, because that ruleset locks you to one faction. If you can't invite a friend, you're probably on different rulesets or factions, and Blizzard doesn't allow grouping across either one.

Can't make a Horde PvP character

Confirmed, from Blizzard's ruleset post:

• On the PvP ruleset you can only create characters for one faction. After an Alliance character there you can't make a Horde one, and the same applies the other way round.
• On Normal, Roleplay and Hardcore you can create characters for both factions.
• Forever also has systems to keep the factions closer in number, similar to Season of Discovery. New characters for one faction can be limited for a while when balance needs it.

Blizzard's list of both-faction rulesets doesn't name Roleplay PvP, so we mark that one Unverified. Check it at character creation.

So if character creation refuses a faction, either you've hit the one-faction lock or that faction is temporarily limited. Players on the forums reported such limits during name reservation; that part is player reports only.

What you can do:

• Delete your character on the other faction, if you can live without it. Blizzard's post doesn't describe how deletion interacts with the lock, so we can't promise it clears straight away.
• Try again later if the limit is temporary.
• Make your Horde character on another ruleset. Remember you can't group across rulesets.

Can't invite friends

Confirmed, from the ruleset post and new player guide:

• You can group, join guilds, run dungeons and raid only with players on the same ruleset and faction.
• Horde and Alliance still can't group together.
• You can't hop between rulesets. To join friends elsewhere, you make a new character there.

Check all three: same faction, same ruleset, and the full two-part name when you type it. Names only have to be unique as a combination, so a first name alone may match several characters (Blizzard's name post).

Unverified, from beta players on Blizzard's forums: the invite button sometimes failed when a typed invite worked, and a group member could be on a different layer. Blizzard hasn't documented layers; see our quick answers.

We also haven't seen Blizzard say whether friends in different regions can group. Names are unique per region, so plan on playing in the same region.

If you haven't made characters yet, read choosing a ruleset with your friends first.