There are two main factions within this game, and the World of Warcraft alliance is probably the more popular of the two. This side is sometimes classified as the “good” side, but it’s pretty relative depending on your preference. The quests available for WoW alliance players are different from the ones assigned to the horde, and the races that you can pick are different as well. If you plan on being a member of the World of Warcraft alliance faction, you’ll be able to play a character that is either a gnome, dwarf, human, night elf or dranei. Each one will have different characteristics and racial traits that will either help or hinder you.
WoW alliance players are allowed to have another character in the other faction, but only on the main servers and not on PvP servers. Some players like to change things up by playing both sides. Historically, the World of Warcraft alliance has battled for control with the horde faction and characters from both sides are encouraged to battle each other. When you join the WoW alliance, you will not be able to communicate with players that have chosen the horde side. If you plan to play in a group with your friends, you’ll all have to play the same faction if you want to communicate.
There are separate cities in the game that are divided up by the factions as well. As a member of the World of Warcraft alliance, it is not recommended to go into a horde city, but there are several neutral zones where players from both sides can trade with one another.