How Many Characters Can I Create in WoW Forever?

According to Blizzard, you can create up to 70 characters in WoW Forever, in total across all rulesets on your WoW account. During name reservation before launch, the limit is lower: three at most. On the PvP ruleset, there's one more rule: only one faction per account.

The limit at a glance

• From launch: up to 70 characters in WoW Forever, in total across all rulesets.
• During name reservation (October 27 to November 3): up to three characters, also in total across all rulesets. You need an upgrade pack or the Collector's Edition for it.
• Ruleset: Every character is tied to its ruleset. You can't change it later.

"Cannot create a new character": the reasons

Blizzard lists several reasons why you can't create a new character: 1. Limit reached: You already have 70 characters, or three during reservation. 2. Both factions on PvP: On the PvP ruleset, you can't play Horde and Alliance at the same time (see below). 3. Faction temporarily restricted: If one faction is much stronger on a PvP ruleset, Blizzard temporarily restricts character creation for that faction (see below). 4. Name unavailable: Names have a first and a last name, and only the full name has to be free in your region, so a different last name can already help. According to Blizzard, a name can also be unavailable because Blizzard reserved it or because it breaks the code of conduct.

Name already taken

The game then shows: "That name is taken. Taken names can't be claimed (even if inactive)." According to Blizzard, only the full name, first and last name, has to be free in your region; whoever creates it first gets it. A different last name can therefore help.

Horde and Alliance on PvP?

No, not at the same time. According to Blizzard, you play only one faction per account on the PvP ruleset. If you already have an Alliance character there, you can't create a Horde character on PvP, and vice versa. The rule applies to your whole account, not just to one character. Blizzard doesn't mention this rule for the other rulesets.

There's a second rule as well: if one faction is much stronger on a PvP ruleset, Blizzard temporarily restricts character creation for that faction. According to the developers on the official podcast, balance is counted separately for each ruleset, with a target of about 50/50. Even if you already have Horde characters on PvP, the Horde can still be restricted on Roleplay-PvP. The game then shows: "This faction is currently unavailable on this ruleset due to population imbalance." Blizzard doesn't say for how long. Whether a restriction is active right now: server status.

So on PvP, your first character decides your side. Think about where your friends or your guild will play first. Help choosing: Horde or Alliance?.

Error messages

These are messages the game shows, word for word. We only explain what they mean when Blizzard does.

"Creation of that type of character is currently throttled."

The game doesn't give a reason. According to Blizzard, if one faction is much stronger on a PvP ruleset, character creation for that faction is temporarily restricted. The game doesn't say whether this message is related. Whether a restriction is active right now is on our server status page.

"Error creating character"

The message doesn't give a reason. Blizzard lists several reasons why you can't create a new character: limit reached, both factions on PvP, faction temporarily restricted or name unavailable. All reasons are listed at the top of this page.

What about my beta characters?

Blizzard hasn't announced any carry-over of beta characters. Plan for a fresh start.

Which ruleset suits you: Rulesets. Help with error codes: Login errors.

More WoW Forever Guides

• Beginner's guide
  Getting started in WoW Forever: picking a class, leveling route and checklist.
• Launch time worldwide
  When WoW Forever launches in your time zone.
• What's New in WoW Forever?
  Every change compared to Classic at a glance.
• Which class suits me?
  Quiz with 8 questions and a class recommendation.
• Professions 1–300
  Leveling routes for every profession with materials and a shopping list.
• Raids
  Barrow Deeps, Hyjal Summit and Onyxia's Lair from Dec 9, 2026.

All guides