World of Warcraft is a MMORPG developed by Blizzard and published by Blizzard Entertainment on Nov 23, 2004 for PC and Mac users. Featuring 2 available expansions and the third, to be released in 2010, World of Warcraft (also known as WoW), holds the Guinness World Record for the most popular MMORPG by subscribers. http://gamers.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/pc_gaming.aspx

The game is the forth episode of the Warcraft which started in 1994 with Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and has 2 expansions: The Burning Crusade released on January 16, 2007 and Wrath of the Lich King, which was released on November 13, 2008. The third expansion Cataclysm was announced at Blizconn in 2009 and will be available in 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Warcraft

This page will show you how to play World of Warcraft, starting with setting up your account and ending with the vocabulary used in the game.

World of Warcraft requires an active Battle.net account, a monthly subscription fee and the game to be installed on your computer:

• Setting up the Battle.net account:

In order to create an account you have to visit their website. Once you have done this follow these steps:

1. Click on Create a new account button;
2. Choose your country then click Continue;
3. A new window will appear with TOS (Terms of Use Agreement). Scroll down, click on the acceptance buttons then click Continue;
4. Fill in the required fields (email address, password, secret question and answer). Also provide the security code and then click Continue;
5. On the next window, more personal details are required. You have to fill in the fields with your full name, country, full address and more. As soon as you have done that, click Continue;
6. The next window will review your details. Check them again and if everything is in order, click the Create this Battle.net Account button.
7. You will be informed that your account was created and that you should verify your email address.

Once you do this, you can log into your Battle.net account. From this account you can change your payment methods for the monthly subscription, you can pay the fee, add games or you can ask for a beta test for the upcoming games from Blizzard. https://eu.battle.net/account/management/

• Installing World of Warcraft on your computer:

Since your account on Battle.net is now active, the next step is to install the game on your PC. To do that you need a retail copy of the game, but if you don’t have one, a digital version of the game is also available for download on the official website. http://us.blizzard.com/store/details.xml?id=110000034 If you purchased the game and the expansions, insert the first DVD in your computer and follow the steps. Once this is finished, install the expansions using the same method. After the full installation is complete the game will automatically download the latest patches and install them on your computer. This process could take a while so please be patient.

• Paying your World of Warcraft monthly subscription:

While the first month is free of charge in World of Warcraft, you will have to pay as soon as this period expires. You can pay using your credit card, or by purchasing a game card. Depending on your location there are small variations applied to the payment methods and the play time you will have.

1. A player from United States, Canada and Europe can pay using a credit card or a game card. The minimum play time is 30 days if you pay with your credit card and 60 days with a game card. Small discounts will apply if you use your credit card to pay for 6 months or more.
2. If you live in South Korea, you can pay with your credit card or by using the ARS billing system. The play time can be purchased in minutes, hours, or months.
3. In China you will need a prepaid game card to play the game. This card will allow you to play for 66 hours and 40 minutes.

Now that you have an active Battle.net account, a paid subscription and World of Warcraft fully installed on your computer, is time to launch the game. After the introduction movie your account name and password will be required. As soon as you login a new window will open which will ask you to choose a realm. In World of Warcraft there are 3 available realm types:

1. PvP Realm (Player vs Player): Choosing this realm will allow your opponents to attack you in almost any part of the world. In order to remain immune you have to remain in territories controlled by your faction. If you venture outside those areas you will become a target for the other faction. On a PvP realm you will always be in war with the other faction. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/basics/realmtypes.html
2. Normal Realm: This realm is also known as PvE realm (Player vs. Environment). In order to participate in a PvP conflict you first have to enable this option. Players from the opposing faction can only attack you if you have this option enabled or you attack first. When you enter a battleground your PvP is automatically enabled and will toggle off when you leave that area. This realm will allow you to concentrate on quests, leveling up your character, gathering resources, etc…
3. RP Realm (Normal and PvP): RP is the abbreviation for Role-Playing. This realm offers a different approach on World of Warcraft. Selecting it will give you the chance to play as an inhabitant of this fantasy world. There are policies and rules that you have to accept and remain ‘in-character’ all the time. You can develop a background story for your hero. This realm can be Normal or PvP and has the same rules as the others.
   
   

Choosing a realm in World of Warcraft is not easy, so take your time in judging what they can offer. When the realms list is displayed you can also choose based on the country and the language other players are using. On the left side of the realm list you will see how many players are on that server. The population on a server can be low, medium or high. On a high populated server you can find many online friends, however this can also affect your Internet connection speed and therefore the gameplay.

World of Warcraft offers 2 factions, 10 races and 10 classes. Creating your character in the game will also give you the chance to customize his appearance. Let’s take a closer look at what options are available for you after you choose your realm:

Choose your faction: In World of Warcraft you can choose from 2 factions: Horde or Alliance. During the time, these factions fought for hundreds of years looking for more land and resources. In the past the Horde was known as the evil force while the Alliance was representing the good side. But today, both factions are trying to preserve their culture in a world ravaged by war. They are fighting against a common enemy: The Lich King. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/faq/hordevalliance.html

Choose your race: Each faction has 5 races, with special abilities, different mounts, skills and many more features. As soon as you decide what faction you want to play with, you will be able to choose your race:

1. Night Elves – Alliance Race. The Night Elves are creatures of the shadow. Their capital city is Darnassus. If you choose this race you will start in Teldrassil, your racial mount will be a Nightsaber and Tyrande Whisperwind your leader. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/nightelves.html
2. Humans – Alliance Race. Humans fought against the Horde for generations. Their starting zone is Elwynn Forest and King Varian Wrynn is the leader. As a human you will be able to summon a horse as your racial mount and you can visit Stormwind City which will be your capital city. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/humans.html
3. Dwarves – Alliance Race. The Dwarves are an ancient race and they always helped the humans. Starting in Dun Morogh, riding Rams and obeying King Magni Bronzebeard, leader of Ironforge is what this race offers.
4. Gnomes – Alliance Race. The Gnomes is a race related with dwarves. They share the same capital city and starting area but their leader is High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque and because this race is always interested in developing new technologies, a Mechanostrider will serve as a mount. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/gnomes.html
5. Draenei – Alliance Race. Draenei are creatures who fled from Outland.Their ship, Exodar (also the capital city) crashed in Azeroth. In order to play with this race you will need the second expansion of the game: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. As a Draenei you will start in Azuremyst Isle, your mount will be an Elekk and Prophet Velen is your leader. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/draenei.html
6. Orcs – Horde Race. Orcs of Oggrimar (capital city) are leaded by Warchief Thrall and they ride wolves. Valley of Trials is the starting zone and during the time Orcs were the biggest enemies of the Alliance. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/orcs.html
7. Taurens – Horde Race. These huge beasts are the inhabitants of Mulgore (starting zone). Cairne Bloodhoof (leader) allied with Thrall during the invasion of the Burning Legion. In Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Thrall helped Cairne Bloodhoof to drive back the centaur invasion. Thunder Bluff is now the capital city of Taurens and Kodo beasts will serve as mounts.http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/tauren.html
8. Trolls – Horde Race. Trolls are vicious and superstitious creatures. They share the same capital and starting zone with Orcs but they ride raptors and are lead by Vol'jin. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/trolls.html
9. Undead – Horde Race. Serving the banshee queen Sylvanas Windrunner, the Undead race is fighting against the Lich King and all the races who intend to destroy them. Your starting zone will be Tirisfal Glades and Undercity will serve as your capital city. Skeletal Horse is your racial mount. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/undead.html
10. Blood Elves – Horde Race. Long ago they were known as High Elves. They served Lordaeron and fought with the Trolls. Today they are known as Blood Elves and they serve only their leader Lor'themar Theron, which can be found in Silvermoon City. Riding Hawkstriders, the exiled elves of Quel'Thalas are always seeking new ways to increase their arcane power. As a Blood Elf your journey starts in Sunstrider Isle and you will need World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade expansion to access this race. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/bloodelves.html
    
    

When the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is released two more races will be available. Goblins for the Horde and Worgens for the Alliance.

Choose your class: After your race selection is complete the next step is to choose your class. Every race can access several classes. Based on your decision, your character will be able to perform different actions, wear different types of armors and weapons. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/index.html You can choose from 10 different classes:

1. Druids – are a hybrid class that can wear cloth and leather armor. Only Night Elves and Taurens can choose this class. As a druid you can shape shift and also cast healing spells. A Druid can use: staves, one and two-handed maces, polearms, daggers and fist weapons.
2. Hunters – are specialized in ranged fighting and can tame pets. Night Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, Tauren, Trolls, Blood Elves and Draenei can choose this class. A hunter can use cloth, leather, mail armor (at level 40) and as weapons: axes, daggers, guns, bows, crossbows, fist weapons, polearms, staves, swords, thrown weapons, two-handed axes and two-handed swords.
3. Mages – are also ranged damage dealers. They can only use cloth armor. staves, wands, daggers and swords can be used by mages. To be a mage your race must be: Human, Gnome, Undead, Troll, Blood Elf or Draenei.
4. Paladins – are the protectors of the Holy Light. They can wear all types of armors, can use shields and cast healing spells. Humans, Dwarves, Blood Elves and Draenei can choose this class.
5. Priests – are the primary healers. Their armor can only be cloth, and they can use one-handed maces, daggers, staves and wands. Choose one of these races if you want to be a healer: Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Undead, Troll, Blood Elf or Draenei.
6. Rogues – are assassins wearing light armor. They can use poison on their weapons: daggers, swords, maces, fist weapons, thrown weapons, guns, bows or crossbows. If you would like to use stealth and open locked chests make sure your race is: Gnome, Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Blood Elf, Orc, Undead or Troll.
7. Shamans – will use totems to help their allies. Only Orcs, Tauren, Trolls and Draenei can be Shamans and use: one-handed maces, two-handed maces, staves, fist weapons, one-handed axes, two-handed axes and daggers.
8. Warlocks - can summon demons and cast dark magic spells. They will only use cloth armor and daggers, wands, staves or swords. To be a warlock you first have to be a Gnome, Human, Orc, Undead or Blood Elf.
9. Warriors – can use all types of armors and weapons except wands. They can also wear shields and their role in a party is as a tank. All races can choose this class, except Blood Elves.
10. Deathknights – can be accessed by any race. You can only play with it if you have a character with level 55 or higher and World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King expansion installed. You will start directly at level 55. Your primary role in a party will be as a tank.

Choose your gender: In World of Warcraft you can choose from being a male or a female. There are no differences between genders. Selecting your gender will not affect your gameplay and it’s just a cosmetic difference.

1. Choose your appearance: After selecting your gender you can customize your appearance. You can adjust your skin color, your face, hair color, facial hair and even horns (Taurens) or tusks (Trolls). You can rotate your character for a better view and you can also pick a random look if you click the Randomize button.
2. Choose your name: This is the final step. Choose the name of your character but be careful because there is a naming policy that you must respect. If the name you picked is not available try adding more characters, however no more than 12 and all must be letters.
   
   

As soon as your character has a name you are ready to move forward in Azeroth!

After loading your first game you will be transported in the starting zone assigned to your race. Take some time to get used to the game interface and controls, and after this check your mini-map located in the right corner of your screen. You will see a yellow exclamation mark near you. That means a NPC has a quest for you. Here is what you should do:

1. Walk to the NPC and click on it.
2. A small window will pop-up and the quest description will be available.
3. Read the entire description. Many quests descriptions will offer tips on where you should go in order to complete them.
4. Check your mini-map again and head to that area.
5. Complete the quest and return to the quest-giver. You can find him on your mini-map easily because he will now be marked with a yellow question mark. Click on it.
6. Choose your reward (if available) and click Accept.
   
   

In World of Warcraft there are many types of quests. You will be asked to gather materials, kill monsters, infiltrate into strongholds or find treasures. Some of them can be accomplished quickly by a single player but others may require a party. On your quest log those quests that are marked differently. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/basics/quests.html

After you complete a quest you might be able to choose your reward. Based on your character class and race these items can help you during the game. If you can’t use that item you can always sell it.

Completing quests in World of Warcraft will grant you experience points. When your character gathers enough experience points it will “level up” and his stats will increase making him stronger. When you reach an even numbered level (2, 4, 6, 8…) your character can learn new skills that can be purchased by visiting your class trainer. You can always find your class trainer in the capital cities. If you have problems finding him, you should ask a city guard. As soon as you ask for directions the trainer will be marked on your map. Learning a new skill will cost you money. Every class has unique skills to be learned and once you reach level 10 you will also be able to learn new “talents”. For each level, starting with level 10 your character will receive a talent point. To assign your talent points press the default key “N”. This action will not cost you anything and can be performed anywhere. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/basics/firstfewlevels.html When you level up you should always keep in mind to:

1. Assign your talent point;
2. Check you current level. If its an even number visit your class trainer;
3. Make sure you have enough funds to learn your new skills;
4. If you play with a hunter, your pet can also learn new talents;
5. Leveling up will grant you access to new quests. Make sure you visit the quest-givers;
6. Leveling up also unlocks new items, so visit the merchants in your area.

Completing quests and killing monsters will also award you items. Some of them can be used by your character, but not all of them. It depends on your character class, skills and level. For example: A mage can’t use mail armor, and can’t be equipped with an item that requires a level bigger than his. World of Warcraft offers 7 item types which can be classified in: "Poor", "Common", "Uncommon", "Rare", "Epic", "Legendary" and "Heirloom". Their value in the game is explained by their name, except for the "Heirloom" items which are different because they can be shared between your characters. If you own more than one character in a realm you can email these items from a character to another, but you should be aware that its stats will modify based on the character level.

When you find an item, you should:

1. Check the item type;
2. Check the stats the item offers;
3. Check the level required to use that item.
4. If the item can’t be use by you, it can be sold, however before doing that you should consider "disenchanting" it (if you learned this profession)
5. Trade it with another player or a friend. In order to do that, make sure your item is not "Soulbound". "Soulbound" items can’t be traded.
6. Check their price at the local vendor and at the "Auction House". Usually items can be sold at the "Auction House" at a higher price.
7. If the item you found requires a higher level, keep in it your inventory until you reach the required level.
   
   

Selling items in the game is a good way to earn more money, but before performing this action you should always think twice. In "World of Warcraft characters can craft their own items, but in order to do this they have to learn a profession.

Your character can learn only 2 professions and all the secondary skills. World of Warcraft offers 11 professions:

1. Mining: Allows your character to gather raw materials (copper, gold, etc..)
2. Blacksmithing: Learning it will give you the chance to craft armors and weapons.
3. Engineering: This profession will let you combine materials in order to create parts for various items: guns, scopes, explosives, etc…
4. Herbalism: Will let you collect herbs from the areas you visit.
5. Alchemy: Alchemists can mix herbs to create potions and other related items.
6. Skinning: Allows you to collect hides from the beasts you kill.
7. Leatherworking: Is a profession that allows you to create leather armors and more…
8. Tailoring: A tailor can create cloth related items (armors, bags, etc…)
9. Enchanting: Choosing this profession will allow you to magically improve the items you wear, increasing their stats.
10. Jewelcrafting: This profession requires gems and can create high-valued items that will improve your items. A gem can be inserted in socketed items.
11. Inscription: A scribe can improve the abilities of a player by creating glyphs. He will need ink and parchments.
    
    

When you decide to learn a profession you should choose wisely. Your profession will also need leveling. Make sure you pick the profession that will let you create items that you can use. For example: as a Mage, Tailoring will be a wise choice because your character can only use cloth armor. Some of the professions are linked (leather-working requires leather which can be provided by a skinner). Some races will offer you small bonuses on specific professions: As a Tauren, your Herbalism skill is increased by 15. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/professions/basics.html

After choosing your professions you should try to stick with them. However, if you decide to change it you can always unlearn it.

The secondary skills are: First Aid, Fishing, Cooking and Riding . You can learn them all and they can also be leveled-up.

Trading with other players is a good way to get rid of the items you can’t use, or to buy special items. While many of them will be available for direct purchase at the Auction House, players often prefer to trade them. To trade an item you have to:

1. Get close to your trading partner,
2. Click on his character to select it,
3. Right click on his portrait,
4. A small list will appear. Select Trade.
5. A new window will open.
6. Place your items and wait for your partner to do the same.
7. If you are satisfied with the exchange, click Trade.
   
   

You can also trade money, or you can just help another player without asking anything in return. If your trading partner is in a different zone, and reaching him is taking too long, you can send the item you wish to sell by mail. In order to maintain the security of this type of trade, you will be able to send the item by mail using C.O.D (cash on delivery). Your partner will not be able to pick the item from the mail without paying the amount you both agreed on. http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/professions/basics.html

Trading Channels are specific chatting channels available in big cities. Joining a channel like this will allow you to keep an eye on what other players would like to trade. These channels should only be used for trading related announcements.

While playing World of Warcraft your chat window will display messages from other players almost all the time. If you are a new player those messages will look weird to you because acronyms are used in them. You should never feel frustrated if you can’t understand a message. Just ask other players what the meaning of that acronym is. Here is a small list with terms used in World of Warcraft:

• AoE – Area of Effect
• AE – Area Effect
• AFK – Away From Computer
• BRB – Be Right Back
• DPS – Damage Per Second
• GTG – Good (Got) To Go
• GM – Game (Guild) Masters
• LFG – Looking For Group
• LFM – Looking For More
• LOM – Low On Mana
• NM ( NVM) – Never Mind
• OOM – Out Of Mana
• NP – No Problem
• R – Ready
• RP – Role Playing
• PvP – Player Versus Player
• PvE – Player Versus Environment
• TY – Thank You
• WB – Welcome Back
• WTB – Want To Buy
• WTS – Want To Sell
• WTT – Want To Trade
• HC - Heroic
  
  

When typing location and dungeon names you can also use acronyms. Here are some examples:

• UC – Undercity
• SW (SWC) – Stormwind (Stormwind City)
• TB – Thunder Bluff
• SM (SMC) – Silvermoon (Silvermoon City)
• OGG – Oggrimar
• IF – Ironforge
• SFK – Shadowfang Keep
• BFD – Blackfathom Keep
• RFD – Razorfen Downs
  
  

You can mix terms to compose long messages using just a few letters. Example: “LFG VH HC!” – Looking for group for The Violet Hold on Heroic difficulty level!

Wow Add-Ons can be installed in order to help you while you play the game. There are many Add-Ons on the Internet.http://www.wowmatrix.com/addons/p-t.html Here is a small list with some of them:

1. Atlasloot is an addon that will display the drop rates of items and their prices.
2. Recount is an “addon” that will display the damage your character inflicts. If you are in a party or raiding group, this addon will also show the damage done by your party members.
3. Auctioneer will provide information on the selling price of your items in the Auction House.
4. QuestHelper will display the optimal route you have to follow while doing quests.
5. SpamMeNot is an addon that will automatically block spam messages.
6. Bongos2 will allow you to modify the action bars in the game interface.