How to Transfer a Character on World of Warcraft: A Comprehensive Guide
Transferring a character in World of Warcraft (WoW) allows you to move your beloved heroes to a new realm or even another WoW account, subject to certain conditions. This process, while straightforward, comes with considerations that every player should be aware of. Essentially, to transfer a character on WoW, you utilize the paid Character Transfer service accessible through the Battle.net shop or the in-game shop. This service allows you to move characters between realms, between two World of Warcraft accounts (as long as those accounts belong to the same registered owner), or from one Blizzard account to another, again, provided they are under the same ownership. It’s important to note that character transfers are not free except for specific circumstances such as a character migration from a Classic Hardcore realm. They also come with restrictions that this article will address.
The Character Transfer Process
Here’s a step-by-step guide to initiating a character transfer:
- Access the Shop: Open the Battle.net desktop app or launch World of Warcraft. In the game, access the in-game shop on the character select screen.
- Select Character Transfer: Within the shop, locate the option for Character Transfer.
- Choose Your Character: Select the character you wish to transfer.
- Choose Your Destination: Enter the name of the destination realm you wish to move to. Note that it is not possible to transfer between Modern WoW, WoW Classic, and Wrath of the Lich King Classic versions of the game.
- Confirm and Pay: Review the details of the transfer and confirm your purchase. The cost for a character transfer is typically $25 / 20€ / £15 / ₩24,000.
- Complete the Transfer: Once payment is complete, your character will be transferred. The process usually takes a short time, but may vary depending on server load.
Key Considerations Before Transferring
Before initiating your transfer, there are several crucial points to keep in mind:
- Account Ownership: You can only transfer characters to another Battle.net account if both accounts are registered under the same account holder name. Transfers to different individuals are not allowed.
- Version Limitations: Characters can not be transferred between different versions of the game: Modern WoW, WoW Classic, and Wrath of the Lich King Classic.
- Region Lock: World of Warcraft accounts cannot be transferred between regions. Therefore, characters cannot be moved from a North American server to a European server.
- Name Change: Your character’s existing name may be taken on your destination realm. You may be forced to choose a new name upon transfer.
- Gold: There is no limit to the amount of gold you can bring with your character during a transfer.
- WoW Tokens: You cannot transfer a character that has a WoW token in its inventory.
- Free Character Transfers: These are generally limited to migrations, or moving characters from WoW Classic Hardcore realms. These transfers are final and cannot be reversed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Character Transfers
Can I transfer my character to another account on WoW?
Yes, you can transfer a character to another Battle.net account as long as both accounts are registered under the same name. It’s not possible to transfer a character to another person’s account.
Is there free Character Transfer in WoW?
Generally, character transfers are not free. The exception is when Blizzard offers Character Migrations (often to balance realm populations) or to move characters from WoW Classic Hardcore realms, which are usually a one-time deal.
How much does it cost to transfer a WoW character to another account?
The cost for a character transfer is $25 / 20€ / £15 / ₩24,000.
Can you transfer characters between regions in WoW?
No, World of Warcraft accounts and character transfers between regions are not possible. However, your Battle.net account can have multiple World of Warcraft accounts in multiple regions simultaneously. Each account will have independent progress.
Can you merge two WoW accounts?
No, you cannot merge two game accounts into a single account or move a game account from one Battle.net account to another.
Is it legal to sell WoW accounts?
No, selling, gifting, or trading WoW accounts is not allowed by Blizzard. Accounts remain the property of Blizzard, and the person to whom an account is registered can reclaim it at any time.
Can you buy a Character Transfer with gold in WoW?
No, you cannot buy a character transfer using in-game gold. You must pay using real-world currency.
Can I buy a WoW character?
You are not supposed to buy WoW characters according to the terms and conditions of the game. However, third-party websites may offer these services. It is important to know that doing so is in violation of Blizzard’s terms of use. Accounts acquired this way can be reclaimed by the original owner with no recourse for the “buyer.”
Can you pay WoW for free?
Modern World of Warcraft has a free-to-play option up to level 20. To play beyond this point, you must purchase game time or a subscription.
Do you get a name change with Character Transfer WoW?
Yes, often you are forced to rename your character upon a character transfer because your name might already be taken on the destination realm.
Is it illegal to buy WoW gold?
It is against Blizzard’s terms of service to purchase or sell in-game gold for real money. You are only allowed to buy or sell gold through the WoW Token system. Purchasing gold through a third party is considered a violation, and you may be penalized.
Can you get banned for buying gold WoW retail?
Yes, purchasing gold through third-party vendors can lead to penalties, including bans. Blizzard monitors large gold transfers and may take action if it suspects a violation of their terms.
Can you run 2 WoW accounts on 1 computer?
Yes, you can run multiple World of Warcraft accounts on one computer. You’ll need to use the Battle.net launcher to log into each account separately.
Can I delete one of my WoW accounts?
No, it is not possible to delete individual World of Warcraft accounts from your Battle.net account. You can delete Starter Edition accounts or your entire Battle.net account.
Can you use WoW tokens to transfer characters?
No, you cannot transfer a character that has a WoW Token in its inventory. You must use real-world currency for a character transfer.
Conclusion
Transferring a character in World of Warcraft can open up new gameplay opportunities, allowing you to experience the game from a fresh perspective on a new realm, with friends on another account, or as the same character on another account that is yours. By understanding the process, requirements, and limitations of the service, you can ensure a smooth transfer and avoid any unwanted surprises. Remember to check Blizzard’s official support pages for the most up-to-date information as policies and procedures may change.