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New Player

Every heroic journey has a starting point. This compilation of new player information has been gathered to set you on your journey to join the many heroes that have gone before you. Be sure to check back as we add new resources to this post.

Learn how to more from our helpful videos from the Warcraft Academy!

Making Your First Character

Your First Quest

World of Warcraft slang and terminology can be confusing to new players, but thanks to the efforts of the community, a handy list of some of the more common terms and definitions can be found on the New Player Help and Guides forum.

	Basic Movement and Combat This article was written with brand new gamers in mind. We’ll be exploring the various aspects of World of Warcraft together—starting from the very beginning.
	New Player Guide: Human Starting Zone- Elwynn Forest 1-5 In this guide, we take you through the Human starting experience in the ever-verdant Elwynn Forest. We started our adventure with a popular race and class combination, the Human Warrior.
	New Player Guide: Human Starting Zone- Goldshire 5-10 It’s a big, big world out there, and you’ll discover it a step at a time as you move down the road from Northshire to your new destination: Goldshire in our new player guide for the human starting experience.
	Welcome to Stormwind: A Guided Tour There are many things to see within the city of Stormwind and if you’re new to World of Warcraft, you’re going to want a guide to help you wend your way through them.
	New Player Guide: Orc Starting Zone- Valley of Trials 1-5 All great adventures start with a hero that is not yet a hero. The time has come for you to join the ranks of the brave defenders of Azeroth, but before you reach such heights, you must start, at the beginning.
	New Player Guide: Orc Starting Zone- Sen'jin Village and Razor Hill 5-10 The way of the orc is fraught with peril, but also with great potential. Leaving the Valley of Trials will be your first big step toward fulfilling that potential and becoming a true hero to your kind.
	Welcome to Orgrimmar: A Guided Tour Orgrimmar was founded in the valleys and caverns of northern Durotar as the new home of the orcish race and the capital of the Horde. Named after the great orc Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer, it serves as home to many of the various races that make up the Horde.

Guides on Wowhead

Popular fansite Wowhead has also put together a slew (if not a plethora) of handy guides to help you on your journey. See the list below and make sure to bookmark these handy references so you can return to them any time you need them.

Important Milestones in WoW: New to World of Warcraft (WoW) and not sure what to look forward to? This guide will break down important perks and milestones you can look forward to as you level up!
Social Features: Many of the activities in World of Warcraft are enhanced by doing them with friends! From completing a quest together to finding four other players to complete a challenging dungeon for better loot, World of Warcraft is a social experience. This guide explains how to make the most of your social experience in WoW.
Alliance Faction and Horde Faction Overviews: Learn about each race in the warring factions and pick one to join. We're covering everything from each race's appearance to their favorite food and pets!
What is a Zone: This guide will explain the basics of a zone—what are the various areas and how each is important. Learn how to use the map, navigate around questing zones, and find an Inn to rest.
City Overview: Learn about unique things you can do in a city and the different cultures behind each city you'll encounter while leveling.
Class Basics: The concept of a class, different roles, types of abilities, using the spellbook, and Wowhead's calculators

The New Players and Leveling Guide section has even more guides written by staff and Wowhead users, including Dungeon and Item Level Requirements, New Level 100 Player Basics, Boosted Level 100 Player Essentials, and Leveling from 1-60: Questing and Dungeons.

You can also join in the conversation on the official New Player Help and Guides forum. Helpful veteran community members are standing by!