Blizzard’s MMORPG, World of Warcraft, is still one of the most popular of its kind over 15 years since its release date. With millions of players worldwide still logging in, the game still features a supportive community that newbie players can appreciate once they start their journey in Azeroth.
Since there are over 15 years worth of content to get into, it can be daunting to start World of Warcraft as a beginner. In truth, it’s still worth it diving into. We understand that it’s intimidating to log into a game where other players have logged on for literally thousands of hours which is why we’re helping you out with this quick guide.
Making Your First Character
A lot of players will tell you that the toughest part of playing the game is creating your first character. You can spend hours picking your race, class, and appearance alone.
As there are so many players out there, picking a name can be hard too. If you’re having trouble finding a name that doesn’t match anyone else’s, try using a World of Warcraft name generator for convenience. This helps save you time when picking out a unique name for your first character.
It’s hard to determine which class fits your playstyle if you are a beginner. For your first class and race, just choose which you think’ll enjoy the most. Eventually, you’ll see if it’s a good choice for you. You can change classes later, but your character’s race is as is, so make sure to keep this in mind.
There are 12 classes in the game: Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, Monk, Druid, Demon Hunter, and Death Knight. Each class has its own specialty. Some are best used as a damage class, while there are classes best used as a support class.
Do your heavy research on the advantages and disadvantages of each class first before you choose so that you don’t have any regrets.
You’ll also be prompted to pick a server. Keep in mind that the character you create will be locked in on that server. As such, it’s good to pick one with a medium amount of players so that you don’t get stuck in queue times while there’s still a sizable community to welcome you.
Alliance Or Horde?
One of the toughest choices you’ll make early on in the game is choosing your faction. In World of Warcraft, there are two primary factors to choose from – the Alliance and the Horde. Each faction has its own storyline and quest, so make sure to do your research about the benefits of each faction.
Aside from these, there are classes that are exclusive to certain factions. For instance, the Paladin class can only be used by those in the Alliance.
If you have friends who are already playing the game, then it’s a must that you join the same faction as them. Players from opposite factions cannot talk with or play with one another.
First Steps In Azeroth
Once you’ve created your character, you’ll finally be able to set foot in Azeroth. Traditionally, you’ll start your character at level one. However, some versions of the game allow you to get a little boost in level. For instance, you can start at level 50 with some versions of the Shadowlands expansion.
Regardless, your starting zone is pre-determined depending on your chosen race; there’s not much you have to worry about in terms of understanding the game and its mechanics. Its introductory sequence is a great tutorial that allows you to understand everything you need to know step-by-step.
Grind Or Story?
You might be tempted to grind your character to higher levels and better equipment, but this isn’t really advisable. Early on in the game, you should focus on questing and getting through the story instead. This will allow you to level up sufficiently and get the right equipment that can take you to the end-game.
The truth is that grinding is reserved for the latter parts of the game. It’s best done with the help of others too. By focusing more on the introductory quests and story, you’ll be able to fully comprehend the important mechanics of World of Warcraft. Don’t rush towards getting your character to higher levels first.
Diving into World of Warcraft may be intimidating, but once you make your first steps, you won’t be able to stop. The game features an addicting loop that people love to get into again and again. As always, it’s always best to dive into the journey with a friend so that the experience becomes more enjoyable and accommodating.
