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

Want to know which WoW Classic servers are available? Perhaps you've decided to jump into the old-school MMO to get a feel for how World of Warcraft used to play, or maybe you've decided to head back to Azeroth in preparation for Cataclysm 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 and hardcore servers are currently for WoW Classic only. 

With all of that in mind, here's every Wrath and WoW Classic server in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania.

WoW Classic PvE servers

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.

WoW Classic PvP servers

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.

WoW Classic RP servers

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 are either PvE or PvP focused so choose carefully.

How to choose

Which WoW Classic server should you choose?

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. 

Here's how each type of server works:

• PvE 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 a World of Warcraft experience where danger can lurk around any corner. 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.
• Seasonal servers are for Season of Discovery players. These servers contain what is essentially a modified version of the original vanilla servers. You can find and pick up extra abilities that aren't available in the original, and explore revamped dungeons or raids. Each Season of Discovery has phases, with level caps that increase over time too.
• Hardcore servers are for those that have a lot of patience and enjoy a challenge. Essentially, if your character dies on a hardcore server, that's it, it's over. If you want to continue playing, you'll need to make a new character and start over again from level 1. If that sounds like fun, these servers are for you.

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.