World of Warcraft launched with 9 playable classes: Druid, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, and Warrior. These classes formed the original gameplay foundation when the game released in North America in 2004 and Europe in 2005.
The launch roster was divided across the Alliance and Horde, with race restrictions shaping which classes each faction could choose. For example, Paladins were initially an Alliance-only class, while Shamans were initially restricted to the Horde. This asymmetry was part of the game’s early faction identity.
The roster grew through expansions. The Burning Crusade added no new class, Wrath of the Lich King introduced the Death Knight, Mists of Pandaria added the Monk, and later expansions introduced the Demon Hunter, Evoker, and other class options. Modern WoW therefore has far more than nine classes, but nine is the canonical launch count.