What Happens to Reputation When You Faction Change in World of Warcraft?
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When you decide to embark on a faction change in World of Warcraft, it’s crucial to understand how this significant shift will impact your hard-earned reputations. The short answer is: faction-specific reputations will convert to their cross-faction equivalent, if one exists, while those without an equivalent will be reset to Neutral. Let’s break this down in more detail.
Understanding Reputation Conversion
The core principle behind reputation changes during a faction switch revolves around the concept of cross-faction equivalents. In the vast world of Azeroth, several factions have aligned counterparts on the opposing faction. For example, if you have a high reputation with the Stormwind faction (Alliance), and you switch to the Horde, your Stormwind reputation will be converted to its Horde equivalent, Orgrimmar.
This conversion ensures you don’t completely lose all your progress. Instead, your standing is translated to a similar faction on your new side. However, not all factions have such neat counterparts. Many are unique to either the Horde or the Alliance.
Faction-Specific Reputations
Now, for the tricky part. If your reputation is with a faction that does not have an equivalent on your new faction, that reputation is reset back to Neutral. This means all the time and effort you poured into gaining favor with these groups will essentially be wiped clean. This is a crucial point to understand before making the decision to faction change.
It’s important to note that this reset only affects factions that are tied to the Horde or Alliance and lack a counterpart. Reputations with races and factions that have no allegiance to either the Horde or the Alliance are not affected by a faction change. So, your reputation with the Cenarion Circle or other neutral factions will remain untouched.
Practical Implications
Knowing the theory is one thing, but seeing how it plays out practically is another. When you undergo a faction change, prepare for a potentially mixed bag of results. You might see:
- Direct Conversions: Your reputation with major city factions (like Stormwind/Orgrimmar) will likely shift over.
- Complete Resets: Reputations with smaller, faction-specific groups (often found in various expansions) might revert to neutral.
- Unaffected Reputations: Your standing with neutral organizations will stay the same.
This can feel a bit jarring, especially if you had put a great deal of effort into specific reputations. Therefore, it’s wise to research the reputation conversions before committing to the faction change.
FAQs: Faction Changing and Reputation
To further clarify and address common questions, here are 15 frequently asked questions about faction changing and reputation:
1. What happens to my progress on quests when I change factions?
All quests in progress will be abandoned, and any quest items in your inventory will be destroyed. If you wish to continue a quest you had started before faction changing, you must pick it up again from the quest giver and restart it.
2. Does faction change affect my covenant in Shadowlands?
No, Covenant progression is entirely independent from factions and will not be impacted by a faction change. This includes renown, soulbinds, and covenant features.
3. How are reputation points gained in WoW?
Reputation points are primarily gained through quests and killing various mobs. However, you can also lose reputation by killing members of a faction or aiding rival factions.
4. Is it expensive to change factions in WoW?
Yes, a faction change is a paid service, costing either $21.00 for a single change, or $42.00 for 3 (on sale). You can also level a new character to 80 (and get gear), but this is often more time-consuming.
5. What happens to faction rank and tokens when changing factions in New World?
In New World, changing factions will reset your Faction Rank and Faction Tokens. Additionally, you cannot switch to a faction currently controlling the most territory.
6. How long does a faction change in WoW take?
A faction change in World of Warcraft typically takes 30 minutes to complete. However, if your character is locked, you should check the official “Character Locked After Paid Service” article.
7. Are reputation quests worth doing in WoW?
Generally, yes. While reputation grinds can be time-consuming, many rewards, like recipes, mounts, and transmog items, make the effort worthwhile.
8. Is reputation shared across characters in WoW?
No, while reputation achievements are account-wide, reputation levels are not. Each character has its own reputation. However, if one character reaches Exalted with a faction for the first time, the achievement is account-wide.
9. How do I improve my reputation in real life?
Improving your reputation in the game and real life involves similar elements: Be helpful, be a mentor, show character, and nurture relationships. Giving people a reason to admire you again will increase your reputation.
10. Does my chosen covenant still matter in WoW?
Yes, especially in Shadowlands. Your covenant choice has a significant impact on your character’s power, although the best covenant can vary greatly between different specializations.
11. Can I switch covenants without losing my Renown?
Yes, you can freely swap between covenants after reaching Renown 80 on any character in your account. You need the achievement “Renowned” to unlock this feature. You can switch back and forth without restrictions.
12. Is there a gold cap when faction changing?
No, there is no limit to the amount of gold you can bring with your character during a faction change or transfer.
13. Does a faction change affect the Great Vault?
No, your vault rewards will remain untouched by a faction change. However, you will lose any faction-specific quests.
14. Does a faction change include other services?
Yes, a faction change also includes a race change, gender change, re-customization, and name change.
15. Can you max out reputation with both factions?
Yes, it is possible to max out reputation with both factions (Horde and Alliance), including their various sub-factions. You can do both factions’ dailies, but not the main story quests for all factions (e.g., if there’s a choice you need to make during the story, you won’t get both).
Conclusion
Faction changing in World of Warcraft is a significant decision with consequences for your in-game progress, especially concerning reputations. While the system is designed to convert comparable reputations, there are inevitably going to be losses with faction-specific reputations. By understanding the mechanics involved, including what you might gain or lose, you can make a more informed decision about whether or not to pursue this change and prepare accordingly for its impact. Plan carefully, research your reputations, and good luck on your adventure in your new faction!