Introducing a comprehensive beginner’s manual on how to engage with one of the most beloved esports: World of Warcraft.

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Video games are constantly emerging and fading away. New installments take the place of the previous ones, and entire franchises can disappear from the gaming landscape. Yet, one title has remained relevant for more than 17 years. World of Warcraft has become a staple in the realm of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games (MMORPGs), and it even saw a Classic version of its original format released just two years back.

Today, we will concentrate on the latest “retail” edition of World of Warcraft, exploring how to engage with the game, the various factions, races, and classes, as well as offering some essential tips.

What exactly is World of Warcraft?

World of Warcraft, commonly known as WoW, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). In essence, it offers a vast online universe where players take on the role of a character they design themselves, exploring the diverse realms and settings within the game. Players begin by creating a character, choosing from a variety of races and class combinations within one of the two factions (details on these will follow). After making these selections, customizing the character’s appearance, and choosing a distinctive name, players are ready to embark on their adventures in the game world.

You will have the choice between the starting location of your chosen race or the newly introduced “new player” leveling zone, Exile’s Reach. If this is your first character in WoW, you will be required to experience this new area at least once. It’s recommended to go through it, as it offers a relatively fast leveling experience and rewards you with exclusive armor sets.

After that point, the game largely allows you to navigate on your own, providing guidance through the “Command Board” located in your capital or through the new “Crome Time” leveling system.

World of Warcraft Factions

World of Warcraft features two separate factions: the Horde and the Alliance. Although the names may not be unique, the diverse races within each faction foster a strong sense of rivalry and competition among players.

The Horde: Although often portrayed as the villainous Red faction, this perception doesn’t fully capture the essence of the Horde in WoW. Initially, the faction was envisioned as a coalition of various races, uniting to combat the threats facing Azeroth, the primary setting of the game. While no single faction holds absolute power, the Orcs have traditionally been viewed as the primary leaders of the Horde, with an Orc typically at the helm until recent developments.

The Alliance: Comprising some of the most quintessentially “Tolkien-esque” races, the Alliance is often perceived as the “heroes” of World of Warcraft, although the distinction is not always straightforward. Historically, the Alliance has been governed by a Human leader from its capital, Stormwind. Generally regarded as the more “refined” of the two factions, the Alliance tends to appeal to players who prefer to embody the more aesthetically pleasing races, in contrast to the more brutal factions represented by the Horde.

Although the two factions appear vastly different, neither offers a distinct advantage or disadvantage in gameplay. The choice ultimately hinges on the specific races you prefer and the overall theme and narrative of the faction.

World of Warcraft Character Classes

Every faction has the ability to play all classes, but each class is restricted to specific races. Classes are categorized into specializations, with the majority featuring three options. The exceptions to this are Druids, which have four specializations, and Demon Hunters, which have two.

Warriors serve as the quintessential melee frontline class, excelling in both tanking and damage per second (DPS) roles. They are the archetypal heavily armored fighters, embodying the standard characteristics of melee combatants.

The Paladin serves as a versatile class, functioning as a Tank, Healer, and DPS. Imagine a Warrior infused with the power to heal through “Holy Light” and a distinctly “religious” essence, and you have the essence of a Paladin.

Hunter – DPS: The Hunter is a ranged specialization that emphasizes survival strategies and the use of animal companions. With a primary arsenal of bows, firearms, and crossbows, the Hunter is adept at maintaining distance from their foes while utilizing their pet to bridge the gap.

Rogue – Damage Per Second: This melee class specializes in stealth and rapid strikes. Traditionally, Rogues are regarded as the quintessential PvP class, thanks to their skill in blending into the shadows.

Priest – Healer, DPS: A Priest resembles a Paladin, but without the bulky armor and large weapons. In the realm of healing, Priests hold a similar role to that of Warriors in tanking. They are straightforward to pick up and are definitely worth the effort to master.

Shamans serve as both damage dealers and healers, drawing upon the elemental forces of the world to unleash powerful spells and restore the health of their companions. They are an integral part of the lore of World of Warcraft and represent a significant aspect of the Horde’s identity.

Mages, the spellcasting class in WoW, specialize in the elemental forces of Fire, Frost, and Arcane. Known for their agility and explosive damage output, they stand out as one of the most reliable ranged damage dealers in the game.

Warlocks – Damage Per Second (DPS): Blending elements of both the Hunter and the Mage, Warlocks harness Shadow magic and call upon demons to aid them. Their diverse range of three distinct play styles makes them a popular choice among players.

Monk – DPS, Healer, Tank: First introduced as an April Fools’ prank in 2002, the Monk class made its debut in World of Warcraft with the Mists of Pandaria expansion. Despite their unique abilities, Monks remain one of the least popular classes in the game, largely because their three specializations require a high level of skill to master.

Druids serve as DPS, healers, and tanks, possessing the ability to transform into various animal forms based on the circumstances. They are among the numerous “hybrid classes” in World of Warcraft, capable of fulfilling all four primary roles in the game.

The Demon Hunter, the latest class in WoW, serves as both a DPS and Tank. However, it comes with significant restrictions, as it can only be played by Night Elves in the Alliance and Blood Elves in the Horde. Additionally, Demon Hunters stand out by offering only two specializations.

Death Knight – DPS, Tank: As the inaugural new class introduced to WoW, the Death Knight expanded the lineup of classes that utilize Plate Armor. Capable of both dealing damage and serving as a tank, Death Knights have gained significant popularity since their introduction.

Factions in World of Warcraft

As previously noted, the races in World of Warcraft are categorized into two main factions, the Horde and the Alliance, with one notable exception that has the freedom to choose its allegiance (details below).

Factions of the Alliance:

Draenei

Dwarf

Gnome

Human

Nocturnal elf

Worgen

Shadow elf

Lightforged Draenei

Obsidian Iron Dwarf

Kul Tiran

Mechagnome

Horde Races:

Crimson elf

Goblin

Orc

Tauren

Troll

Undead

Nightborne

Highmountain Tauren are a unique subrace of Tauren known for their mountainous homeland and distinct cultural traits.

Mag’har orc

Zandalari trolls

Vulpera

Neutral Ethnicity:

Once you finish the introductory scenario with the Pandaren, you will be prompted to choose the faction you want to align with in battle.

New players can find a comprehensive overview of every race in World of Warcraft at this link.

A Guide to Playing World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft is solely available on PC platforms, including Windows, MAC, and Linux. Gamers utilize a mouse and keyboard for gameplay and interaction. While WoW has been modified to support alternative input devices, a basic controller configuration has only been recently introduced.

Essential Tips for World of Warcraft

Here’s a collection of links to additional guides that could assist you as you begin your journey in WoW and progress to the endgame.