Is Shadowlands Boost Free? Everything You Need to Know

The short answer is: Yes, a Shadowlands boost was available for free for a limited time. However, it’s important to understand the conditions and if that offer still stands. The free boost, bundled with the Shadowlands Base Edition, was a promotional offering by Blizzard to encourage player engagement. While the direct free offer has now expired, understanding how this promotion worked and current options will be helpful.

The Free Shadowlands Promotion: How it Worked

Blizzard’s free Shadowlands promotion was active until September 5, 2022. During this window, players who met specific criteria could claim a free copy of the Shadowlands Base Edition and a Level 50 Character Boost. This was a significant move by Blizzard, aimed at revitalizing player interest in World of Warcraft. Here’s a breakdown of what made players eligible:

• Eligibility: The promotion was targeted towards Battle.net accounts that did not already have the Shadowlands expansion attached.
• Past Expansion Ownership: Crucially, these accounts had to have previously had any expansion license attached to them. This meant that the promotion was primarily designed for returning players.
• Claiming Process: The free boost was claimed through the Battle.net Desktop App. By clicking the gift icon, users could find the Shadowlands Base Edition and a Level 50 boost ready to be claimed.
• Usage: Once claimed, the Level 50 boost was available for use on any character on that Battle.net account.

This offer was explicitly a one-time promotion. If you didn’t claim it before the deadline, the free Shadowlands expansion and the Level 50 boost are no longer available through that specific method.

Current Character Boost Options

While the free Shadowlands boost is no longer available, Character Boosts are still accessible in World of Warcraft. There are two primary ways to obtain them:

1. Purchasing Specific Shadowlands Editions

• Heroic and Epic Editions: When Shadowlands was available for purchase, both the Heroic and Epic Editions of Shadowlands included a Level 50 Character Boost.
• Prior Boost Conversion: If you had any unused character boosts from previous expansions, these were converted to Level 50 boosts when Shadowlands was released. This ensures the boost remains relevant to the game’s current level structure.

2. Purchasing in the In-Game Shop

• Subsequent Boosts: Any Character Boosts beyond those included in Shadowlands editions or from converted older boosts, must be purchased.
• Cost: These boosts are available for purchase in the in-game shop, accessible within World of Warcraft, and they cost $60 each.
• Level of Boost: Currently, these boosts will bring a character to level 60.
• Usage: Once purchased, a clickable icon will appear on your character selection screen indicating that you have a Character Boost ready for use.

How a Character Boost Works

Understanding how a Character Boost functions is important when deciding whether to use one. Here’s what you can expect:

• Leveling: A boost instantly levels your character to the specified level (currently level 60).
• Gear: Your character will receive a new set of gear appropriate for their boosted level.
• Bags: Four 22-slot bags are also provided to help manage your inventory.
• Mail: Any gear your character was wearing before the boost, as well as all items in their inventory, will be sent to your in-game mailbox.

It’s essential to be aware that a Character Boost is permanent and cannot be undone. Blizzard offers a Class Trial feature to help players make an informed decision before using a boost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To further clarify, here are some frequently asked questions related to Shadowlands and character boosts:

Q1: Is the Shadowlands content still free?

No, the free Shadowlands promotion ended on September 5, 2022. To access Shadowlands content now, you need to purchase the expansion as part of the current expansion bundle, or have the legacy content if you purchased it before.

Q2: Can I still get a free character boost in WoW?

Currently, there is no official method to get a free character boost through a direct promotion. Character boosts are primarily available through purchasing specific game editions or individual boosts from the in-game shop.

Q3: How much does a character boost cost?

A character boost purchased through the in-game shop costs $60.

Q4: What level does a Shadowlands boost bring my character to?

While previously a Shadowlands boost brought characters to level 50, current boosts will level characters to level 60.

Q5: Can I level to 60 without owning Shadowlands?

Yes. Currently, the base World of Warcraft subscription includes content up to level 60. You do not need to own Shadowlands specifically to reach level 60.

Q6: What happens to my old gear when I use a character boost?

All of your old gear and inventory items are sent to your in-game mailbox.

Q7: Is boosting other players bannable in World of Warcraft?

Third-party boosting services, especially those that operate across multiple realms and for real money, are prohibited by Blizzard and can lead to account penalties. This means that using a service to boost other player is against the rules, but doing it with in game gold is allowed.

Q8: Can I get banned for getting boosted in WoW?

While Blizzard primarily targets the boosters, there is a small risk of receiving account action as a boosted player. Sticking to safe practices such as using in game gold for boosts reduces the risk.

Q9: Is it safe to buy a character boost from a third-party?

No, it is not safe. Purchasing boosts from third parties is a violation of Blizzard’s terms of service and can lead to account penalties. It is recommended to only purchase boosts through Blizzard’s official channels.

Q10: Is there a character boost in WoW Classic?

No, there are currently no character boosts available in WoW Classic. There was a Dark Portal Pass available for Burning Crusade Classic, which leveled one character to level 58. This is no longer available.

Q11: How do I know if I have an unused character boost?

If you have an unused character boost, a clickable icon will appear on the character selection screen in World of Warcraft. This icon will indicate that a boost is ready for use.

Q12: What does the free trial of World of Warcraft include?

The free trial of World of Warcraft includes all content playable up to level 20.

Q13: Can I refund a character boost if I don’t like the class?

No, character boosts are permanent and cannot be refunded or reverted once used. Blizzard offers a class trial to help players decide before boosting.

Q14: How does Blizzard detect boosting activities?

Blizzard uses several methods to detect boosting, including monitoring large win streaks, IP address changes, and other unusual account activities.

Q15: Is it worth starting Shadowlands now?

The best time to jump back into world of Warcraft is subjective and depends on your goals for the game. If you are interested in the story, raids, or collecting transmogs, there is plenty of content to enjoy. Catch-up mechanics are also typically in place, making it easier to get into the latest content without an excessive time commitment.

Conclusion

While the free Shadowlands boost promotion is over, character boosts remain a feature within World of Warcraft. Understanding the currently available options, the mechanics of boosting, and the associated risks will help you make informed decisions. Whether you’re a returning player or a newcomer, it’s important to stay up-to-date with Blizzard’s policies and offerings to get the most out of your gameplay experience. Remember to only purchase boosts through official channels to protect your account.