How to Get Warcraft for Free: A Comprehensive Guide
The allure of Azeroth, with its vast landscapes, epic battles, and rich lore, has captivated gamers for decades. If you’re eager to experience the world of Warcraft without breaking the bank, you’re in luck! While a full experience requires a subscription, there are avenues to explore the game for free. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get Warcraft for free and what you can expect from the free experience.
The most straightforward way to experience Warcraft for free is through the World of Warcraft Free Trial. This trial is available to any player with an existing Battle.net Account. Whenever an account doesn’t have an active subscription or non-recurring game time, its status will automatically revert to that of a Free Trial account. This gives you the flexibility to try the game out whenever you feel like it, with no time limit, as long as your subscription is inactive. The free trial allows you to play Modern World of Warcraft up to level 20.
This means you can create characters, explore starter zones, and participate in basic gameplay elements. You can experiment with different classes and races to find your preferred playstyle. However, keep in mind that the free version of WoW is capped at level 20 and does not grant access to the latest content. To level beyond 20, access end game content and explore all that Warcraft offers you need either an active subscription or bought game time.
Exploring the Free Trial Experience
With the free trial, you can dive into the game and experience a good portion of the game’s starting experience. Here is an overview of what you can do on your Free Trial account:
Character Creation
The free trial allows you to create new characters, and with the vast amount of races and classes available you can spend some time just trying out different combinations. This provides the opportunity to find a combination that suits your needs. Remember you’ll be limited to leveling them to 20 only, but this is enough time to get a basic understanding of how they play.
Exploring Starting Zones
You can explore different starting zones and level your characters through the early quests. The starting zones are well-designed and give a great introduction to the lore of the Warcraft Universe. Each one has its own unique aesthetic.
Basic Gameplay
The free trial will let you experience the basic gameplay mechanics of World of Warcraft, which will give you a general idea of how the game plays. You will get to experience combat, quests, and basic character progression systems, and you can familiarize yourself with the user interface.
Limitations
It’s crucial to remember that the free trial has limitations. Characters are capped at level 20, you can’t access the latest content (such as the latest expansion Dragonflight), you will also not have access to the social features of the game. However, it is more than enough to determine if the game is of interest to you.
How to Progress Beyond the Free Trial
Once you’ve experienced the free trial and are eager to continue your adventure, you’ll need to purchase a subscription or Game Time. Here are your options:
Subscription
World of Warcraft offers various subscription options. You can choose a one-month, three-month, or six-month subscription, with the cost per month decreasing as the duration increases. A one-month subscription costs $14.99/month, a three-month subscription costs $13.99/month, and a six-month subscription costs $12.99/month. This is a standard subscription model which will renew automatically if not cancelled.
Game Time
If you prefer not to commit to a recurring subscription, you can purchase 60 days of Game Time from the Blizzard store. This option provides you with the same access to the game as a subscription, but doesn’t renew automatically.
What About Classic?
Access to WoW Classic and Wrath of the Lich King Classic is tied to having an active subscription or game time. There is no free trial available for Classic versions of the game.
Expansion Content
All previous World of Warcraft expansions, including Shadowlands, are included in the Base Game. As long as you have an active subscription or game time, you can play all of the content up to level 60. However, you need to purchase the Dragonflight expansion separately if you want to level up to 70 and access the new dracthyr Evoker class as well as other Dragonflight content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the various ways to access Warcraft for free, here are some frequently asked questions:
1. Is World of Warcraft completely free?
No, World of Warcraft is not completely free. You can play up to level 20 with the free trial, but an active subscription or game time is required to progress further and access the full game.
2. How high can I level in the free trial?
You can level characters up to level 20 in the free trial of Modern World of Warcraft.
3. Can I play WoW Classic for free?
No, there is no free trial available for WoW Classic. You need an active subscription or game time to access WoW Classic and Wrath of the Lich King Classic.
4. What happens when my subscription runs out?
When your subscription expires, your account will revert to a free trial status. You can still access any character you made, but will be limited to level 20 until you renew.
5. Do I need to buy previous expansions?
No, you do not need to buy previous expansions. All expansions up to Shadowlands are now included in the base game and are available with an active subscription or game time. You only need to buy the newest expansion, currently Dragonflight to access its specific content.
6. What is included in the free trial?
The free trial includes character creation, access to starter zones, and basic gameplay up to level 20 in modern WoW. You are restricted from accessing any content past level 20.
7. Can I get Shadowlands for free?
Shadowlands is included in the base game as of today, so you don’t need to buy it separately. However, you can’t get Shadowlands for free if you already have it on any of your game accounts.
8. How much does a WoW subscription cost?
A one-month subscription costs $14.99/month, a three-month subscription costs $13.99/month, and a six-month subscription costs $12.99/month.
9. Can I purchase a one-time game time without subscribing?
Yes, you can purchase 60 days of game time from the Blizzard store without setting up a subscription. This game time doesn’t automatically renew.
10. Do I need to buy Dragonflight?
Yes, you need to purchase the Dragonflight expansion to access content beyond level 60, the new dracthyr Evoker class, and other Dragonflight content.
11. Is it worth playing WoW in 2023?
Yes, World of Warcraft is considered worth playing in 2023 due to its engaging content and constant updates.
12. Is there any way to earn game time in the game?
Yes, you can purchase a WoW Token with gold earned in the game and redeem it for 30 days of game time.
13. Is World of Warcraft expensive?
The price is comparable to other subscription based games. There are also options to buy game time without automatically renewing. There is a lot of content for the money and if you are enjoying it, it is considered a great value for money.
14. Where can I buy World of Warcraft on PC?
You can purchase World of Warcraft directly from the Battle.net website or through retailers like Amazon.com.
15. What are the minimum PC requirements for WoW?
For the recommended experience, your PC should meet these requirements: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i7-4770 or AMD FX-8310 CPU, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX960 4GB or AMD Radeon R9 280 GPU.
Conclusion
Exploring the world of Warcraft for free is possible through the free trial which is a great way to determine if the game is for you without committing any money. While the full experience requires a subscription or game time purchase, the free trial gives you access to a decent amount of content that will help you determine if you want to play the game more. With options for both recurring subscriptions and standalone game time, you can tailor your experience to fit your preference. By following these guidelines, you can embark on your Azeroth journey and experience the magic of World of Warcraft.