World of Warcrafthas so many versions and modes these days, it’s getting harder and harder to keep track. There’s ModernWoW, four different flavors of Classic, and rumors of even more on the way. On top of that, you’ll need to choose a realm type, each with its own rules and community style.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, don’t worry. This guide breaks down every major version and realm type so you can make an informed decision about how (and where) you want to playWorld of Warcraft.
Modern (Retail)WoW
If you’re brand new toWorld of Warcraft, especially without a veteran friend to guide you, there’s a strong case for starting with the modern version, commonly referred to as Retail.
As the name implies, this is the most up-to-date form ofWoW, built on over 20 years of development since the game’s original 2004 release. It’s the best-looking, most polished version of the game, and it’s the one Blizzard actively supports with the latest content, systems, and balance changes.
One of Retail’s biggest advantages is longevity. Unlike time-limited seasonal servers or niche classic versions, Retail has proven staying power. Your character and progress are likely to remain intact for years to come, regardless of new expansions or updates.
It’s also the most beginner-friendly version ofWoW. You’ll start on a catch-all tutorial island designed to teach you the basics. Leveling is smoother and more forgiving than in other versions, and tools like Dungeon Finder and Raid Finder make group content easy to access; there’s no need to rely on social networks or guilds to play. It’s a solo-friendly experience from start to max level.
Even if you’re not chasing endgame raids or mythic dungeons, Retail offers a huge variety of activities: achievement hunting, transmog collecting, mount and pet farming, or engaging in structured PvP. Simply put, there’s more to do here than in any other version ofWoW.
Classic Era
The Classic Era takes you back to where it all began:World of Warcraftas it was over 20 years ago, with very few changes. If you’re drawn to the idea of an old-schoolMMORPGfeel, this might be the version for you.
Classic is a simpler, slower-pacedWoW, with fewer race and class options and far fewer quality-of-life features compared to Retail. However, for many players—especially those who experienced it the first time around—that’s part of the charm.
Leveling is slow but meaningful. You’ll find yourself trekking across a massive open world, going from zone to zone on foot because you’re not high enough level for a mount (or are, but still can’t afford one), just taking it all in. You get attached to your character, and every gear upgrade feels significant. The level 1–30 journey as a Human is, in my opinion,one of the greatest adventures in gaming. I’ve also got a soft spot for the Night Elf starting zones.
The social aspect of Classic is one of its defining traits. Grouping is done manually, but that leads to spontaneous cooperation. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been out questing, received a random invite from a nearby player, and we ended up working together for a good while. You rarely see that kind of unspoken teamwork in Retail, or in modern games at all, really.
That said, Classic is not for the faint of heart. Leveling is a grind, and quests are far more repetitive than in Retail, often some variation of “kill x creatures” or “collect x items.” But there is something relaxing about the monotony, too.
One unique appeal of Classic is its permanence. This version is locked to its current patch forever. If you earn a best-in-slot item, it will always be best-in-slot. Your character won’t get left behind by future expansions or updates.
Anniversary Classic
Everything I wrote above (aside from that last point about Classic Era staying frozen on one patch) also applies to Anniversary Classic. The key difference is that Classic Era launched back in 2019, and by now, most players on those servers are max level and have essentially “finished” the game. If you rolled a new character today, you’d likely find the early zones pretty empty.
Anniversary Classic, on the other hand, just went live on June 25, 2025, so these servers are still fresh. The game is currently progressing through the original Vanilla content phases, and Blizzard has announced that in the first half of 2026, it will transition into a Classic-style version ofThe Burning Crusadeexpansion.
Unless you’re especially looking to make a character that lives in a forever-Vanilla world, Anniversary Classic is the better pick if you want to experience the origins of WoW in a more active and evolving environment.
Cataclysm Classic
These servers originally launched back in 2019 and have since progressed through VanillaWoW,The Burning Crusade, andWrath of the Lich King. They’re currently in the final weeks of theCataclysmexpansion and are set to transition intoMists of Pandariaon June 30, 2025.
That puts Cataclysm Classic in a strange place—somewhere between old-schoolWoWand its modern evolution. It’s certainly worth checking out, especially with server activity expected to spike in the lead-up toMistsand its early weeks. But unless you have a specific attachment to this era of WoW, you might be better off starting with a different version.
Season of Discovery
Season of Discovery (SoD) is based on the original Vanilla version of ClassicWorld of Warcraft. At first glance, it looks like the game as it appeared in 2004, but it’s been enhanced with quality-of-life improvements, balance updates, and entirely new content.
Many believe SoD was designed as a testing ground for a potential “Classic+"—basicallyWorld of Warcraft’sversion ofOld School RuneScape. Blizzard experimented with bold ideas here, and overall, I’d say they pulled it off really well.
Unfortunately, we’re now well past SoD’s heyday. While the servers are still live and Blizzard has no immediate plans to shut them down, development has ended, and no more updates are coming. I personally had a great time with Season of Discovery, but it was definitely one of those things you had to be there for from the beginning. At this point, I can’t in good faith recommend that anyone jump in and commit to it now.
WhichWoWRealm Type Is Right for You?
Normal
Routinely referred to as PvE realms, Normal servers are considered the “standard experience” inWorld of Warcraft. On these realms, player-versus-player combat is limited. you’re able to’t be attacked by members of the opposing faction unless you choose to flag yourself for PvP, and the same applies in reverse.
These realms are ideal if you want PvP on your terms and the freedom to quest, level, and explore without worrying about getting ganked by higher-level players while passing through contested zones.
PvP
As you might expect, PvP realms enable open-world player-versus-player combat. You still can’t initiate combat with unflagged players in their own faction’s territory, but in contested zones or when players from the opposing faction enter your territory, anyone is fair game—regardless of level.
On PvP realms, you always have to watch your back. Unscripted, reasonably fair world PvP encounters can be some of the most thrilling moments inWorld of Warcraft. What’s not so fun, though, is getting camped by a high-level griefer you have no chance of beating. Whether a PvP realm is right for you really comes down to whether the excitement outweighs the frustration.
RP
RP stands for roleplaying, and these realms are intended for players who want to immerse themselves in their characters and the world ofWarcraft. On RP realms, you’re encouraged to stay in character during interactions, and there are specific rules about naming conventions and player behavior to help maintain immersion.
RP realms come in both Normal and PvP varieties, so you can choose the style of gameplay that best fits your preferences.
Hardcore
Limited to Classic Era and Anniversary Classic, Hardcore realms are for players seeking achallenge like no other, where a single death means permanent character loss (unless you transfer to a non-Hardcore realm).
Knowing that one slip-up or careless decision could erase a character you’ve invested anywhere from dozens to hundreds of hours in makes every moment feel intense. Activities you’d breeze through in regular WoW suddenly require planning and caution. In many ways, Hardcore transformsWorld of Warcraftinto aroguelike—but with even higher stakes.
One unexpected upside: since players are constantly dying and starting over, the early-game zones stay active and well-populated. Reaching max level on a Hardcore realm is a rare achievement and one to be genuinely proud of.
It’s easy to get decision paralysis with so many options, but I hope this breakdown helped make a tough choice a little easier.
