Did Blizzard Delete Old WoW Characters? Unveiling the Truth About Lost Heroes
The question of whether Blizzard deletes old World of Warcraft (WoW) characters is a common concern for returning players. The short answer is: it’s complicated, but generally, no, Blizzard does not actively delete your old characters, provided they meet certain criteria. However, there are specific circumstances where a character might disappear from your roster, leading to confusion and sometimes, disappointment. Let’s delve into the details to clarify what could have happened to your beloved Azerothian hero.
Character Purging: The Key to Understanding Missing Characters
The Level 50 Threshold
The primary reason why some old characters disappear is due to a process known as character purging. Blizzard’s system purges characters below level 50 that have been inactive for an extended period. This means that if you had a character at, say, level 25, that you haven’t logged into for several years, it might indeed be gone. This is a crucial distinction: characters below level 50 are subject to purging, while those at level 50 or above are not. This purge is part of Blizzard’s database maintenance and helps optimize server resources.
No Restoration Possible for Purged Characters
The unfortunate reality is that purged characters are permanently deleted from the database and cannot be restored by any means. Even contacting customer support won’t bring back these lost souls. This is why it’s important to understand the level 50 threshold. Once your character hits this milestone, it becomes essentially “protected” from the purging process.
What About Inactive Accounts?
A separate issue is whether Blizzard deletes inactive WoW accounts entirely. The good news here is: no, Blizzard does not delete your entire WoW license simply because it is inactive. Your account remains intact, even if you haven’t logged in for years. All of your account’s information, including any active characters above level 50, are preserved.
Potential Causes for Account Issues
While inactive accounts are not deleted, issues can arise:
- Incorrect Email: It is possible that you are using an incorrect email address to log in. Double-check your email addresses to ensure you are using the correct one associated with your account.
- Compromised Account: In the worst-case scenario, your account may have been accessed by someone else, leading to an email change and/or other modifications. If this is the case, contact Blizzard support immediately.
- Payment Issues: If you are having trouble accessing your characters, it may be due to outstanding payment issues on your account, which can lead to account locks.
Refreshing Your Character List
If you’re sure your characters should be there, try this troubleshooting step. To refresh your character list, follow these simple steps:
- Select the Correct Realm: On the character selection screen, ensure you’ve selected the realm where your characters were located.
- Create a New Character: Create a brand new character on that same realm. This action often triggers a refresh, which may bring back your missing character.
Character Name Reclamation
A less common issue is character name reclamation. Blizzard has been reported to rename or free up character names associated with very low-level characters that have been inactive for extremely long periods if another player opens a ticket requesting the name. This only happens if another player requests the name and is not standard practice by Blizzard. So while your character might not be deleted, it is possible it could get renamed.
Key Takeaways: Protecting Your Characters
To summarize, here are the most important points to keep in mind:
- Characters below level 50 can be purged after a long period of inactivity.
- Characters at or above level 50 are generally not purged.
- Inactive WoW accounts are not deleted; the license and any associated characters are preserved.
- Purged characters are permanently lost and cannot be recovered.
- Character name reclamation can occur for very low level inactive characters if requested by another player.
- Payment Issues can lead to character locks.
By understanding these points, you can have a better understanding of what may have happened to your old characters, and be better prepared to protect them going forward. Regularly logging into your characters, even briefly, can prevent them from being removed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the subject of deleted or missing WoW characters, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. How long does Blizzard keep deleted characters?
Characters you delete in-game are held in the database for a limited time depending on level. Generally, this is 90 days for characters of all levels before they are permanently deleted.
2. Can I restore a deleted character after 90 days?
No, once 90 days have passed, deleted characters are removed from the database, and they cannot be restored by any means.
3. Can I transfer characters between WoW Classic and Modern WoW?
No, it is not possible to transfer a character between Modern World of Warcraft, WoW Classic, and Wrath of the Lich King Classic. These are separate game environments.
4. Why are my WoW characters locked?
A locked character is most often caused by a payment issue. Check your Order History on Battle.net for outstanding payment problems.
5. Why don’t my characters appear on the WoW Armory?
Characters not recently logged in may not show in the Armory. If you’ve played recently, try logging out and back into the game.
6. Is it legal to buy WoW gold?
Buying or selling in-game items, products, or services for real money is against Blizzard’s Terms of Service. Accounts involved in real-money transactions can be penalized. You can buy or sell gold using the WoW Token service.
7. Can I get banned for buying gold?
Yes. Buying gold from third-party sellers can lead to bans, and Blizzard actively detects these transactions.
8. How does Blizzard detect gold buying?
Blizzard uses various methods, including flags for large amounts of gold being mailed between players and reviewing transaction data.
9. Why is my WoW character crying?
This can occur if you are using the trinket Elegy of the Eternals, which makes your character cry to grant a stats bonus. You can stop the crying by unequipping the trinket.
10. Does canceling my WoW subscription delete my characters?
No, your characters are not deleted when you cancel your subscription. They remain on your account as you left them, but you cannot play them without an active subscription.
11. How long can I play WoW without paying?
Modern World of Warcraft is free to play up to level 20. You must have a subscription or game time to progress past this point.
12. How do I recover my old Blizzard account?
If you have trouble logging in, visit the Can’t Log In page on Battle.net or contact Blizzard support if you don’t have access to your email address.
13. Is it okay to buy or sell WoW accounts?
Selling, buying, trading, or sharing accounts is against Blizzard’s terms of service. These activities can lead to permanent bans.
14. Will Blizzard refund character transfers?
Blizzard will refund character services, such as transfers, within three days of purchase if the service did not provide what was expected.
15. Can I look up my WoW characters?
You can use the Wowhead Profiler to view your character’s information, including their equipment, stats, pets, mounts, quests, and achievements.
By understanding the intricacies of character purging, account maintenance, and other related issues, you can better safeguard your progress and enjoyment in the World of Warcraft.