In-Game Help System! - If you are new to the game, we recommend you take advantage of the in-game help system. By clicking on the flashing exclamation mark icon that appears at the bottom of your screen, you can learn about the basic elements of the game such as starting quests, initiating combat, and training your character.

To select an object, monster, or character, left-click it. To interact with it, right-click it.

In the world of Azeroth, the Horde and the Alliance are opposing factions locked in a struggle for control of the land - and neither side is backing down. Horde and Alliance players can battle each other, but they are unable to group together, trade, or even talk to each other. Thus, if you wish to play with your friends, make sure you select races that belong to the same faction. You can create both Horde and Alliance characters in a Normal realm, although they will be subject to the same restrictions such as not being able to mail something from an Alliance character to a Horde character that you both own. On Player vs. Player realms however, you can only create characters from one of the two factions.

The first step in creating your character is to choose his or her race, gender, and class. It's a good idea to do some research before making this choice, either by reading your manual, clicking the class and race links above, or both - one's race and class are the defining traits of your character. The gender of your character on the other hand is purely a cosmetic feature and has no impact on that character's abilities or statistics.

You can customize various aspects of your character's appearance. All characters will have selectable hairstyles, hair colors, and skin colors. Other features such as facial markings, earrings, horns, and facial hair will be specific to certain race and gender combinations.

The name you choose will represent you to everyone you meet in Azeroth, so choose wisely! Be aware of the naming policy so that you do not risk penalties such as having to rename your character.

If you need assistance at any time while you are in the game, do not hesitate to contact a Game Master (GM). Our team of GMs are available to assist you with a wide range of problems and issues you may encounter. To contact a GM, follow these simple steps

Now that you've entered the world, you will find yourself in the starter area specific to your character's race. The following tips will help you through the first few levels in your new adventuring career.

With millions of people playing World of Warcraft, it is simply impossible for everyone to play together in the same place. This is the reason why the different "realms" were created. A realm is a game world that exists only for the few thousands of players within it. Each realm is exactly the same as any other in terms of the game world, but each realm has its own player characters who are tied to that particular realm. You can interact with all the players on your realm but you cannot interact with players on other realms. Characters also cannot normally move between realms.

World of Warcraft includes both player vs. environment (PvE) and player vs. player (PvP) gameplay. In PvE gameplay, you can do quests, fight monsters, speak, trade, gain experience, learn skills, and advance levels as you would in any other massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). In PvP gameplay, you are fighting other players in the wilderness or in special places called Battlegrounds. Sometimes these two gameplay modes can intersect, for example, when a player is attacked by another player (PvP) while fighting a monster (PvE).