Gifting the World of Warcraft: A Comprehensive Guide to Gifting Expansions and More
Yes, you can gift WoW expansions to your friends, but with some crucial caveats. Understanding the process, regional restrictions, and available alternatives is key to ensuring your generous gesture brings joy and not frustration. Let’s dive into the nuances of gifting in the World of Warcraft universe!
Understanding WoW Gifting
Gifting in World of Warcraft extends beyond just expansions. You can also gift game time, Battle.net Balance, and even services like character transfers (with certain limitations). The key is understanding what’s giftable, how to do it, and what restrictions might apply. Gifting can be a great way to introduce new players to the game, reward loyal friends, or simply share your enthusiasm for Azeroth.
Regional Restrictions are Critical
The most important thing to keep in mind when gifting anything related to World of Warcraft is regional compatibility. WoW expansions and game time are region-locked. This means you must purchase the expansion or game time from the Battle.net Shop that corresponds to your friend’s region. If your friend plays on European servers, you need to use the European Battle.net Shop, and so on. Failure to do so will result in the gift being unusable.
How to Gift an Expansion
Gifting a WoW expansion, such as the current expansion, is straightforward:
- Visit the Battle.net Shop: Go to the Battle.net website and navigate to the shop.
- Select the Expansion: Find the expansion you want to gift (e.g., Dragonflight).
- Choose the “Gift” Option: Instead of “Buy Now,” select the option to “Gift.” This usually involves providing your friend’s BattleTag or email address.
- Complete the Purchase: Follow the prompts to complete the purchase.
- Confirmation: Once the payment is processed, your friend will receive a notification in their Battle.net app or via email with instructions on how to claim the gift.
Alternatives to Gifting Expansions
If you’re not sure about gifting an expansion directly, or if regional restrictions are a concern, consider these alternatives:
- Gifting Battle.net Balance: This is often the safest option. You can gift Battle.net Balance, which your friend can then use to purchase whatever they want, including expansions, game time, or other in-game items. This gives them the flexibility to choose what they need most.
- Gifting Game Time: You can purchase 60 days of game time directly from the Battle.net Shop and gift it to your friend. This is a great option if you know they already have the latest expansion.
- Consider WoW Tokens: While you can’t directly send WoW Tokens, you could potentially purchase a Token on your realm and trade the resulting gold to your friend (if they’re on the same realm). This allows them to purchase game time from the in-game auction house.
FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions About Gifting in WoW
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify any remaining doubts about gifting WoW expansions and related items:
1. Can I gift a World of Warcraft subscription directly?
No, you cannot directly gift a recurring WoW subscription. Instead, you can gift game time in blocks of 60 days, which serves the same purpose of allowing someone to access the game.
2. How do I gift Battle.net Balance?
To gift Battle.net Balance:
- Go to the Battle.net Shop and select “Battle.net Balance.”
- Choose the amount you want to gift.
- Click “Gift Balance” and enter your friend’s BattleTag or email address.
- Complete the purchase.
3. How long does it take for a WoW gift to arrive?
Gifts typically arrive once the payment is processed and the order status is “Complete.” This can take up to 48 hours. If your friend hasn’t received the gift after this time, double-check that you sent it to the correct email address or BattleTag.
4. Can I send WoW Tokens to other players?
You cannot directly send or trade WoW Tokens. However, you can buy a Token and then trade the gold you receive from selling it to another player (provided they are on the same realm). Tokens purchased for real money can only be sold, while tokens purchased for gold can only be used for game time or Battle.net Balance.
5. Can I buy WoW for a friend as a one-time purchase?
If you want to provide a one-time access to the game, you can purchase 60 days of Game Time on the Battle.net Shop and gift that. There’s no way to purchase the base game, as all accounts with game time or a subscription have access to all expansions up to the current one.
6. Can I use Battle.net Balance to pay for a recurring WoW subscription?
No, you cannot use Battle.net Balance for a recurring subscription. You can only use it to buy digital game time, which is a non-recurring purchase.
7. How long do I have to be friends on Battle.net to gift someone?
To gift something to a BattleTag friend, you must have been friends for at least three days.
8. Can I send a WoW character to another account?
Yes, you can use the Character Transfer service to move characters to other realms, different World of Warcraft accounts, or from one Battle.net account to another. Note that transferring to another Battle.net account requires both accounts to be registered under the same name.
9. Does buying the latest expansion grant access to all previous expansions?
Yes. With a subscription or game time, you can play all content and maps up to the previous expansion. Buying the current expansion allows you to experience the newest content.
10. Does buying the latest expansion give you a free month of game time?
Sometimes, certain editions of an expansion (like the Epic Edition) come with 30 days of game time. Check the specific details of the edition you’re purchasing to confirm. Be aware that the game time is usually applied immediately and cannot be paused or frozen.
11. What happens if a WoW Token I posted doesn’t sell?
If a Token doesn’t sell within two weeks, contact Customer Support to investigate the issue. You will always receive the amount of gold you were quoted when you listed the token.
12. Is there a free trial available for World of Warcraft?
Yes, World of Warcraft offers a Free Trial that allows players to play up to level 20 without a subscription.
13. Can you send WoW Tokens between servers?
Yes. It’s how boost communities operate to pay their boosters on certain realms.
14. How much does a character transfer cost?
Character Transfers typically cost $25.00 for a single transfer, with discounted bundles available for multiple transfers.
15. Can I gift Dragonflight expansion?
Yes, you can gift Dragonflight expansion to a friend. The recipient must claim the gift in a timely fashion to recieve any included extras such as included game time or goodies.
Considerations Before Gifting
Before you proceed with gifting, here are a few more things to consider:
- Confirm the Recipient’s Region: Double-check that you are using the correct regional Battle.net Shop to avoid any issues.
- Communication is Key: Talk to your friend! Make sure they actually want the expansion or game time before you purchase it. You might be surprised to find they have other priorities.
- Beware of Scams: Only purchase gifts through the official Battle.net Shop to avoid scams or fraudulent activities.
The Educational Value of Gaming
Beyond the entertainment value, games like World of Warcraft can offer valuable learning experiences. Collaboration, problem-solving, and strategic thinking are all skills honed through gameplay. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, found at GamesLearningSociety.org, explore the intersection of games and education, promoting the use of games as tools for learning and development. Understanding the social and educational impact of games can add another layer of appreciation to the act of gifting.
Final Thoughts
Gifting in World of Warcraft can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to share your passion for the game with friends and loved ones. By understanding the nuances of gifting expansions, game time, and Battle.net Balance, and by being mindful of regional restrictions, you can ensure your gift is well-received and appreciated. So go ahead, spread the joy of Azeroth!