Every WoW Classic server: How to pick the realm for you

Wrath of the Lich King Classic - The Lich King stands with Frostmourne pointing towards the camera
(Image credit: Blizzard)
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Want to find the best WoW Classic server to play on? Perhaps you've decided to jump into WoW Classic to get a feel for how World of Warcraft used to play, or maybe you've decided to head back to Azeroth for Wrath of the Lich King Classic. There are certainly plenty of servers to choose from, but you may be wondering how to narrow down your choice.

Basically, it all depends on how you like to play. PvE servers are far less stressful while leveling, and require you to manually toggle PvP on if you want to fight the opposing faction. If you're playing with a group or really enjoy the extra challenge and fun that PvP can bring, that could be the way to go, as you'll always be a target for enemies in contested areas. The lore-lovers aren't left out either—there are specific servers for RP if that's more to your taste.

These lists include WoW Classic and Wrath of the Lich King Classic servers. In many cases, the same server name will exist in both versions of the game, though the servers themselves are separate. Seasonal servers are currently for WoW Classic only. 

Here's every Wrath and WoW Classic server in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania.

Fresh start servers

(Image credit: Blizzard)

Wrath Classic fresh start servers 

Wrath Classic is getting "fresh start" servers which aim to let people create a new character from scratch and build a new community with like-minded players. These new servers will come with some restrictions: 

  • For at least 90 days, you will not be allowed to boost a character on Fresh Start realms.
  • For at least 90 days, Fresh Start realms will not be available destinations for character transfers.
  • Death Knights cannot be created on these realms without a level 55 character on that same realm.

Here are the Wrath Classic fresh start servers:

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Fresh start servers
NameRegionType
SkyfuryAmericasPvP
MaladathAmericasPvE
AngerforgeAmericasPvP
ThekalEuropePvP
GiantstalkerEuropePvE
Jin'doEuropePvP

PvE

(Image credit: Blizzard)

PvE servers: WoW Classic and WotLK Classic

If you plan to play on a PvE server, you have to manually flag yourself for PvP to fight other players. Choose one of these if you don't want to get ganked while you're going about your business.

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Americas
NameVersionTime Zone
AshkandiBothEastern
AtieshBothPacific
AzuresongBothPacific
MankrikBothEastern
MyzraelBothPacific
Old BlanchyBothPacific
PagleBothEastern
WestfallBothEastern
WindseekerBothEastern
Obsidian EdgeSeasonalPacific
ShadowstrikeSeasonalEastern
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Europe
NameVersionLanguage
Mirage RacewayBothEnglish
Nethergarde KeepBothEnglish
Pyrewood VillageBothEnglish
AuberdineBothFrench
EverlookBothGerman
RazorfenBothGerman
LakeshireBothGerman
Хроми (Chromie)BothRussian
KingsfallSeasonalEnglish
Quel'SerrarSeasonalEnglish
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Oceanic
NameVersionTime Zone
RemulosBothAustralian Eastern Time
LionheartSeasonalAustralian Eastern Time
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Asia
NameVersionTimezone
Shimmering FlatsBothKorean Standard Time
MaraudonBothChina Standard Time
Brightwater LakeSeasonalKorean Standard Time

PvP

(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

PvP servers: WoW Classic and WotLK Classic

In PvP servers, you're automatically flagged for PvP anytime you enter contested or enemy territory, where you'll spend most of your time after early levels. Pick these servers if you want to fight other players often or like the omnipresent threat of PvP combat.

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Americas
NameVersionTime Zone
AnathemaWoW ClassicPacific
BigglesworthWoW ClassicPacific
BenedictionBothEastern
BlaumeuxWoW ClassicPacific
FaerlinaBothEastern
FairbanksWoW ClassicPacific
HerodWoW ClassicEastern
IncendiusWoW ClassicEastern
KirtonosWoW ClassicEastern
HeartseekerWoW ClassicEastern
KromcrushWoW ClassicEastern
KurinnaxxWoW ClassicEastern
LoathebWoW ClassicMexico
NetherwindWoW ClassicEastern
RattlegoreWoW ClassicPacific
SkeramWoW ClassicEastern
SmolderwebWoW ClassicPacific
StalaggWoW ClassicEastern
SulfurasBothEastern
ThalnosWoW ClassicEastern
ThunderfuryWoW ClassicPacific
WhitemaneBothPacific
Arcanite ReaperWoW ClassicPacific
EarthfuryBothEastern
Barman ShankerSeasonalEastern
Jom GabbarSeasonalEastern
MutanusSeasonalPacific
NightfallSeasonalPacific
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Europe
NameVersionLanguage
AshbringerBothEnglish
BloodfangWoW ClassicEnglish
DreadmistWoW ClassicEnglish
FiremawBothEnglish
FlamelashWoW ClassicEnglish
GandlingWoW ClassicEnglish
GehennasBothEnglish
GolemaggBothEnglish
JudgementWoW ClassicEnglish
MograineBothEnglish
NoggenfoggerWoW ClassicEnglish
RazorgoreWoW ClassicEnglish
ShazzrahWoW ClassicEnglish
SkullflameWoW ClassicEnglish
StonespineWoW ClassicEnglish
Ten StormsWoW ClassicEnglish
AmnennarBothFrench
SulfuronBothFrench
FinkleWoW ClassicFrench
LucifronWoW ClassicGerman
VenoxisBothGerman
PatchwerkBothGerman
Dragon's CallWoW ClassicGerman
TranscendenceBothGerman
Harbinger of DoomWoW ClassicRussian
Пламегор (Flamegor)BothRussian
Змейталак (Wyrmthalak)WoW ClassicRussian
Рок-Делар (Rhok’delar)WoW ClassicRussian
DragonfangWoW ClassicEnglish
HeartstrikerWoW ClassicGerman
MandokirBothSpanish
BonescytheSeasonalEnglish
DreadnaughtSeasonalEnglish
IronfoeSeasonalEnglish
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Oceanic
NameVersionTime Zone
ArugalBothAustralian Eastern Time
FelstrikerWoW ClassicAustralian Eastern Time
YojambaBothAustralian Eastern Time
Swamp of SorrowsSeasonalAustralian Eastern Time
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Asia
NameVersionTimezone
HillsbradWoW ClassicKorean Standard Time
IcebloodBothKorean Standard Time
LokholarBothKorean Standard Time
RagnarosBothKorean Standard Time
IvusBothChina Standard Time
SulfurasSeasonalKorean Standard Time
Jasperlode MineSeasonalChina Standard Time

Roleplaying

(Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment)

Roleplaying servers: WoW Classic and WotLK Classic

Join a roleplaying server if you love to play in-character. Immerse yourself in the fantasy. These RP servers can also be PvE or PvP focused.

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Americas
NameVersionTime Zone
Bloodsail BuccaneersBothEastern
Deviate Delight (PvP)WoW ClassicEastern
Grobbulus (PvP)BothPacific
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Europe
NameVersionLanguage
Hydraxian WaterlordsBothEnglish
Zandalar Tribe (PvP)WoW ClassicEnglish
CelebasWoW ClassicGerman

How to choose

Which WoW Classic server should you choose?

That's the million dollar question, ain't it? Choosing a good server is critical to your long-term enjoyment of WoW Classic, as the only way to change servers is to either start a new character or pay for a character transfer. Before you decide on a type of server, though, it's also crucial that you pick a server with the lowest population—especially at launch. While playing on a sparsely populated server sucks, WoW Classic's limited server pool means that many servers are bustling. But if possible refrain from picking any server that are listed at "high" or "full" capacity. There's nothing worse than sitting in a queue for 25 minutes before you can actually play.

Normal servers are best if you just want to have a good time leveling up and doing PvE content. While playing on these servers, PvP is entirely optional. That means you won't get unexpectedly ganked by high-level players, but this also diminishes the social interaction of WoW. But if you just want to have a good, predictable time, Normal servers are the way to go.

PvP servers are for players that want the true World of Warcraft experience, where danger can lurk around any corner as other players can kill you in most zones without penalty. What's great about PvP servers is that if you ever tire of questing or grinding, there's often groups you can join to raid enemy cities or take over bustling crossroads. Opportunities to make friends and have dynamic social interactions abound, so if you're okay with potentially having to give up questing in a zone because a group of level 60s are camping your body, PvP servers are the way to go.

Roleplaying servers come in both Normal (PvE) and PvP versions. The difference is that, here, players are encouraged to interact as characters in the world. While it might be a bit awkward getting into the groove of roleplaying, RP servers are legendary for their vibrant and tight-knit communities. If social interaction is what you want (this is an MMO, after all), you should give RP servers a chance. Players frequently create their own fun outside of questing and PvP, like hosting parties, mock trials, and all sorts of other fun in-game events.

(Image credit: Blizzard)

WoW Classic servers: population

Picking a WoW server based on its population is something a lot of players like to do but this can be a double-edged sword. You want a healthy server population to make the game feel alive but this can lead to long queues and general instability whenever any big update goes live.

As it stands right now, Blizzard doesn't release player numbers for World of Warcraft and the sites that say they do pull their information from databases like Warcraft Logs and PvP Leaderboards. This is fine if you want a general idea of a server's population but bear in mind that the numbers won't include players who don't participate in those activities.

Sarah James
Guides Writer

Sarah started as a freelance writer in 2018, writing for PCGamesN, TechRadar, GamingBible, Red Bull Gaming and more. In 2021, she was offered a full-time position on the PC Gamer team where she takes every possible opportunity to talk about World of Warcraft and Elden Ring. When not writing guides, most of her spare time is spent in Azeroth—though she's quite partial to JRPGs too. One of her fondest hopes is to one day play through the ending of Final Fantasy X without breaking down into a sobbing heap. She probably has more wolves in Valheim than you.

With contributions from