official World of Warcraft

[DrunkenBeard]

I'm confused.

Some while ago I created a trial account to see if WoW was worth my money and the answer turned out to be a big "Yes !". I asked then how I could upgrade to the full version and some guys told me that I needed a prepaid game card. Well, I just bought one today and after trying (and failing) to upgrade my trial account, I realized that actually I first needed the CD-key to upgrade my trial version to retail. Of course the only way to have the CD-key is to actually buy a WoW Box. Well then it's easy, I'll just have to buy the retail box ... NO ! Well actually yes, but It's not that easy : what box should I buy ? The original game (classic) ? the WOTLK expansion ? both ? I don't know, and I really just want to play Wrath of The Lich King ... any help would be cool.

:)

PS : Upgrading online (from Blizzard web-site) is out of question.

[laz45]

You need Classic + Burning Crusade + WOTLK if you want to play Wrath of the Lich King

[trag3dy]

I'm confused.

Some while ago I created a trial account to see if WoW was worth my money and the answer turned out to be a big "Yes !". I asked then how I could upgrade to the full version and some guys told me that I needed a prepaid game card. Well, I just bought one today and after trying (and failing) to upgrade my trial account, I realized that actually I first needed the CD-key to upgrade my trial version to retail. Of course the only way to have the CD-key is to actually buy a WoW Box. Well then it's easy, I'll just have to buy the retail box ... NO ! Well actually yes, but It's not that easy : what box should I buy ? The original game (classic) ? the WOTLK expansion ? both ? I don't know, and I really just want to play Wrath of The Lich King ... any help would be cool.

:)

PS : Upgrading online (from Blizzard web-site) is out of question.

You'll need to buy 3 boxes I think. Vanilla WoW, Burning Crusade Expansion, and Wrath Expansion. For Burning Crusade at least there was a "war chest" that had both original WoW and BC and it was cheaper than buying them alone, but I don't know if there is anything like that for Wrath yet.

[DrunkenBeard]

:| :| What ? 3 boxes ? Why is that ? They only ask you to enter one CD-key so I assume the CD-key is actually on the Classic box and the expansion packs just install Burning Crusade and WOTLK universes ?

[Nerve]

:| :| What ? 3 boxes ? Why is that ? They only ask you to enter one CD-key so I assume the CD-key is actually on the Classic box and the expansion packs just install Burning Crusade and WOTLK universes ?

When you first create your account you only need the original CD Key. Each expansions CD Key allows you access to the new content. You can play without the expansions until you hit level 60, from there on out you'll need the expansions to explore the new areas and reach higher levels. To upgrade your account enter the expansions CD Key into the upgrade section within Account Management on the warcraft website.

[Spookie]

They only ask you to enter one CD-key so I assume the CD-key is actually on the Classic box and the expansion packs just install Burning Crusade and WOTLK universes ?

Correct. Try to find the Battlechest though. As that is Vanilla + TBC. Then all you need to do is pick up WoTLK when you are ready.

[Nerve]

You might save a bit if you buy the battlechest, or atleast I did. :p

[Prosidius]

Heres a description I whipped up of WoW and it's expansions:

Vanilla

Level 60 level cap

Original world (eastern kingdoms + Kalimdor)

Level 60 raids(MC, BWL, AQ40, AQ20, ZG, BRS)

Cannot create Blood Elves or Draeni. Depending on what faction, this limits you to not playing either the shaman or paladin class.

Not many people will do the high end zones(55+) since you can goto Outland(read below) nor do people do the raid instances.

Burning Crusade

Level 70 level cap

Flying Mount @ 70

Eye of the storm Battleground as well as the arena combat system

Unlocks the continent of Outland which is accessible @ 58.

Can play Blood Elves and Draeni and thus any class except for the Death Knight(read below)

Raids are Kara, ZA, SSC, TK, Gruul's Lair, Mag, BT, Sunwell, Hyjal

No one really does the old 70 raids anymore.

Wrath of the Lich King

Level 80 level cap

Unlocks the continent of Northrend which is technically apart of Azeroth and much better than any other continent in WoW atm. Can goto northrend @ 68 via a boat.

Introduces the Death Knight Hero Class(must have a level 55 to play the class)

You'll find lots of people in Northrend as people drag alts through Northrend(mostly DK's)

The raids so far are Naxxramas, Eye of Eternity, Obsidian Santium, Vault of Archavon and Ulduar raid. These come in both 10 and 25 man variants.

Strand of the Ancients Battleground

All the raids will be heavily run until the next expansion is released(hasnt even been announced yet).

I would probobly get the battlechest and then when you approach level 68 get Wrath of the Lich King.

[Lord Nite]

I'd suggest grabbing the Battlechest as well as WotLK. I'm planning to do that for my wife one we get her new laptop. That will save some money, as well as provide two starter guides to help you begin playing.

World of Warcraft Battle Chest

Gamestop has it for $39.99

Newegg has it for $36.99

Amazon has it for $29.99

And Adamb10 is correct as to what is available which each purchase. The keys are ways to unlock the new content for your account. It works the same way in Final Fantasy XI, Ultima Online, and any other game with expansions. The key is inputted to show proof of purchase, and it assures that you get the content only for what you bought.

[benplace]

OK my main is a lvl 74 Shadow Priest. I have been shadow since the beginning and when I do Raids/Instances, I am usually DPS and get another healer to help out. I have done strictly heals out of shadow form before, but its been a long time.

Anyways, I really have no clue as to how to use this holy priest build. Soemone told me coh for aoe heals and the rest just flash heal. A friend of mine uses healbot.

What is your reccomendation? What is must know info about holy priests?

[DrunkenBeard]

Ok thanks guys for the all the information, I have just two more questions : with the trial account I created a Warlock character and got him to lvl14, will I lose the character no matter what ? Or do I keep the character if I purchase the 3 boxes ?

- The trial account installs WOTLK and my character is born on the Eastern Kingdoms (and is still there), so if I just install classic or classic+BC can I still access my character ?

Thks :)

[Lord Nite]

If the trial account is WotLK enabled, then you need to get all 3. When you upgrade the account to full, everything is available to you from that point on (Private Messages, Trading items, etc.). Your characters will still be there and be able to level past 20 (max level for trial accounts).

[Eric Veteran]

Ok thanks guys for the all the information, I have just two more questions : with the trial account I created a Warlock character and got him to lvl14, will I lose the character no matter what ? Or do I keep the character if I purchase the 3 boxes ?

- The trial account installs WOTLK and my character is born on the Eastern Kingdoms (and is still there), so if I just install classic or classic+BC can I still access my character ?

Thks :)

Blizzard has yet to delete characters (even banned ones.) As long as you buy at least WoW (basic set) and convert your trial account to a full one with the key you should keep your characters. And as long as you don't leave your character in Northrend or Outland you shouldn't have any problems with its location. If you do get stuck, you can send in a support request and they will "hearth" your character to somewhere it's accessible for you.

[Prosidius]

Should be pretty obvious but you wont have to create a new account when you do get the cd-keys, trial accounts are upgradable.

If you do upgrade your account to Wrath of the Lich King you'll be able to access all the worlds excepts Outland(unless you get there from a mage portal) which wont be available to you directly until level 58. You can take a boat to Northrend anytime without level restrictions.

Once your account is upgraded I think it'll take a maximum of 72 hours for the account to fully update(the level cap will be removed though instantly) to verify you're not frauding Blizzard. :p

[Eric Veteran]

Should be pretty obvious but you wont have to create a new account when you do get the cd-keys, trial accounts are upgradable.

If you do upgrade your account to Wrath of the Lich King you'll be able to access all the worlds excepts Outland(unless you get there from a mage portal) which wont be available to you directly until level 58. You can take a boat to Northrend anytime without level restrictions.

Once your account is upgraded I think it'll take a maximum of 72 hours for the account to fully update(the level cap will be removed though instantly) to verify you're not frauding Blizzard. :p

Is the Dark Portal still filtering by level? I thought anyone could go through it now...

[Lord Nite]

I think the Dark Portal still filters by level, but that doesn't stop people from spamming "LF Portal to Dal" in trade. :p

[Erland]

I just got my flying mount last night, but I've got to wait to ding until I can use it in Northerend. It's given me a good kick to get these last few levels out of the way so I can get in on the guild raids, or back to PVP which I quite liked when I was at the higher end of the level scale.

Most of my gear is quest rewards, so I'm hoping on the guild runs of Naxx that I'll be able to have first dibs on the stuff as the majority of the guild have been 80 and raiding for a good while now.

[Golferjim]

Im getting so keen to come back to WoW again.. I have been clean for the last 6months :(

And now Im slowly starting to crumble back to the addiction, Relaps is become all to clear haha :laugh:

[I am Redbeard]

So.

Cleared naxx.

Cleared OS.

Cleared VoA 10/25

Got to phase 2 on EoE, I lead it, and had never done it before.

Super easy fight.. just need a good group.

My guild is in Ulduar,

progressing nicely.

I'm going to roll a druid and dual spec tank/healer.

Buying the BtA staff when I have the badges.

[Ran Sagy]

And in sharp contrast to most, I'm slowly losing the interest i had in the game. I didn't enjoy instances and raiding too much, and well.. I Guess i'm not keen on the whole MMORPG genre, Even though WoW has great value in terms of RPG - Story, Lore and the "epic" feeling of the world.

[Spookie]

And in sharp contrast to most, I'm slowly losing the interest i had in the game. I didn't enjoy instances and raiding too much

You didn't realize, leveling up, that was the core component of the game? :s

[Ran Sagy]

Actually, Leveling up wasn't the problem. I did that in a rather short amount of time.. But i just find no interest in the game since i hit 60 and got my last talent.

[Olemus]

Actually, Leveling up wasn't the problem. I did that in a rather short amount of time.. But i just find no interest in the game since i hit 60 and got my last talent.

Wait your only at level 60? The game doesn't even get started till your at the level cap, get to 80 and then decide.

[Spookie]

Wait your only at level 60? The game doesn't even get started till your at the level cap, get to 80 and then decide.

Correct-a-mundo. I don't know how you can be so unaware of these people all level 80 around you! :/

[Ran Sagy]

That's actually the problem. I see what the "end game" characters do, And i'm not liking it one bit.

I'm not about to spend 4+ hours on a raid or instance, So i've zero chance to get much ahead in the game.

As im not interested in PVP either, That leaves with PVE which, well, got redundant pretty quickly.

I'm more a Baldur's Gate kinda guy, i guess.