Do WoW Classic Characters Carry Over? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer to the question, “Do WoW Classic characters carry over?” is: It’s complex and depends on what you mean by “carry over”. Characters do not automatically transfer or ‘carry over’ between different versions of World of Warcraft (WoW). Specifically, a character created in WoW Classic Era remains on that realm and will not appear in Wrath of the Lich King Classic (WotLK Classic) or Modern WoW. Each version of the game is effectively a separate entity, with its own servers and databases. However, there are various ways to interact with your characters across different versions with specific limitations, and understanding these nuances is key to navigating the World of Warcraft landscape.
Understanding the Different WoW Versions
Before diving deeper, it’s essential to distinguish between the different versions of World of Warcraft:
- WoW Classic Era: This version recreates the original “Vanilla” World of Warcraft experience, prior to any expansions.
- Wrath of the Lich King Classic (WotLK Classic): This is a recreation of the second expansion of World of Warcraft, Wrath of the Lich King. It is built separately from WoW Classic Era.
- Modern WoW: This refers to the current, continuously updated version of World of Warcraft, which has undergone multiple expansions and significant changes over time.
Each of these versions operates independently. This means that while you use the same Battle.net account to access them, the characters you create in one version are specific to that version only.
Character Transfers in WoW Classic
While characters don’t automatically “carry over,” Character Transfer services do exist, but with significant restrictions. These services allow you to move a character between servers within the same version of the game.
Classic Era Transfers
In WoW Classic Era, the Character Transfer service allows you to move a character from one Classic Era realm to another. This can be useful if you want to join a different community or play with friends on a different server. However, these transfers are always within Classic Era; you cannot transfer a Classic Era character to WotLK Classic or Modern WoW.
Wrath of the Lich King Classic Transfers
Similarly, Wrath of the Lich King Classic allows character transfers between WotLK Classic realms. Again, you cannot transfer from WotLK Classic to WoW Classic Era or Modern WoW. It is essential to pay attention to the announcements around Free Character Migrations, which Blizzard offers to balance server populations. These transfers are final and irreversible.
Important Notes on Transfers
- Paid Transfers: For certain realm transfers within the same game version, a fee is typically required. Paid transfers can allow you to transfer characters to a different account or Battle.net account.
- Restrictions: Character Transfers have restrictions, like level minimums or specific server restrictions. These should be checked before attempting a transfer.
The Absence of Cross-Version Transfers
A crucial point to remember is that there are no cross-version character transfers. You cannot move a character from:
- WoW Classic Era to WotLK Classic
- WoW Classic Era to Modern WoW
- WotLK Classic to WoW Classic Era
- WotLK Classic to Modern WoW
If you want to play a different version of WoW, you need to create a new character. This is a key aspect that differentiates these separate game experiences.
What Happened to My Old Characters?
If you’ve returned to World of Warcraft after a long break, your characters have not disappeared. They are still associated with your account on the specific game version they were created in. To access your characters:
- Select the correct game version (WoW Classic Era, WotLK Classic, or Modern WoW) in the Battle.net launcher.
- Select the realm where your characters were originally created.
- If your character list doesn’t immediately populate, create a new character on the same realm to refresh the list. Your older characters will then appear.
Classic Era Characters and TBC
It’s also important to note that Classic Era is not Classic TBC. There was no free crossover between these. To play on both at the time, you would have needed to have paid for both separately. If you didn’t, your Classic Era character remains in Classic Era.
Conclusion
In summary, WoW Classic characters do not automatically “carry over” between game versions. Each version operates independently, and transfers are limited to within that specific version of the game. You must create a new character to play a different version of World of Warcraft. While character transfers are available to move characters between realms within the same game version, these are distinct services and do not bridge between Classic Era, WotLK Classic, and Modern WoW. This understanding is crucial for any returning or new players exploring the different worlds of World of Warcraft.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I transfer a character from WoW Classic Era to Wrath Classic?
No, characters cannot be transferred between WoW Classic Era and Wrath of the Lich King Classic. These are separate game versions.
2. How do I find my old characters if I haven’t played in a while?
Ensure you’ve selected the correct game version and realm where your characters were originally created. Creating a new character on that realm can refresh your list.
3. How much does it cost to transfer a character?
The cost of a paid character transfer is typically around $25 / 20€ / £15 / ₩24,000 but may vary based on the region. Check the in-game shop for the most up to date pricing.
4. Can I transfer multiple characters at once?
Yes, you can purchase multiple Character Transfer packs and use them all at once or at separate times.
5. Are there any free character transfers?
Blizzard periodically offers Free Character Migrations to balance realm populations. Announcements are usually made on the official World of Warcraft forums.
6. Are free character migrations reversible?
No, all free character migrations are final and irreversible.
7. Can I transfer a character to another Battle.net account?
Yes, paid character transfers can move characters between two World of Warcraft accounts or different Blizzard accounts.
8. How long do deleted characters stay in the database?
Deleted characters remain available for restoration within 90 days or 120 days of deletion.
9. Does Blizzard delete old characters?
No, Blizzard does not delete characters due to inactivity. Your characters will remain on your account.
10. Do I need to install each version of WoW separately?
Yes, Modern WoW, WoW Classic Era, and Wrath of the Lich King Classic are installed separately through the Battle.net desktop app.
11. Do I need to buy WotLK Classic again?
No, access to Wrath of the Lich King Classic is included in an active World of Warcraft subscription at no additional cost.
12. How many characters can I have in WoW Classic Era?
You can have a maximum of 50 characters in WoW Classic Era.
13. Is it legal to sell WoW accounts?
No, selling or trading WoW accounts is against the terms of service and can result in a ban of the account.
14. Are there any Classic TBC servers?
There are no dedicated Classic TBC servers at present. Players would need to play through the TBC experience within the progression of the WotLK Classic servers.
15. Is it possible to play multiple characters at the same time in Classic WoW?
Yes, it is possible to run multiple copies of the game (although this can put stress on your system), allowing you to play multiple characters simultaneously.