What Happens When You Block Someone on Blizzard?
Blocking someone on Blizzard’s Battle.net platform is a decisive action that effectively cuts off communication and interaction with the blocked individual. This feature, designed to provide users with control over their online experience, impacts various facets of how you interact within the Blizzard ecosystem. Essentially, when you block someone, they become invisible to you, and you become invisible to them in many key areas. This encompasses not only direct communication but also certain aspects of gameplay, particularly within games like World of Warcraft. The core principle is to minimize unwanted contact and ensure a more pleasant and personalized online environment.
How Blocking Impacts Communication and Interactions
Instant Cut-Off of Communication
The most immediate impact of blocking a user is that all forms of direct communication are severed. This means:
- You will not see their messages in chat channels, whether they are private messages or public chat within the Battle.net app or in-game chat.
- They cannot send you friend requests, join your parties, or otherwise engage in direct communication.
- Any attempts by the blocked user to send you a message or invite you will be silently discarded on your end, with no indication to you that they tried.
Impact on World of Warcraft Gameplay
For players engaging with World of Warcraft, blocking has a noticeable impact beyond just chat:
- You will not be placed in a group with a blocked player through the Dungeon Finder or other automated matchmaking systems. This ensures you are not forced to interact in cooperative gameplay.
- While you may still encounter a blocked player in the open world, you will not see their messages in public chat channels like General, Trade, or guild chat if they attempt to communicate there.
No Direct Notification of Being Blocked
Crucially, Blizzard does not notify the blocked user that they have been blocked. This maintains the privacy of the user doing the blocking while still accomplishing the goal of preventing unwanted interactions. However, experienced users can often infer they’ve been blocked.
How to Find Your Block List
To manage your blocked list:
- You can typically access your blocked list in the Battle.net desktop app. Look for it within the settings under the “Friends & Chat” section.
- In many games, you can also access a list of blocked users through the game’s social or friends interface.
Unblocking Users
Blocking isn’t permanent; you can unblock users at any time. Doing so will reinstate their ability to message you, and you might encounter them through matchmaking systems again in applicable games. Unblocking someone does not automatically re-friend them, you must send a friend request again after unblocking them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions people have about blocking on Blizzard’s Battle.net:
1. How do I see my blocked users on Blizzard?
To view your blocked list, navigate to the Battle.net application settings, usually accessed by clicking on your avatar or the gear icon. Then, locate the “Friends & Chat” section, where you will find a “Blocked List” option. This will show you a list of all the users you’ve blocked.
2. Do blocked users know they have been blocked?
No, Blizzard does not send any direct notification to a user stating that they’ve been blocked. There will be no obvious indication on their end. However, they may infer it based on their inability to communicate with you or see your messages.
3. Can a blocked person still see me online?
No, once you block a user, they will not be able to see your online status. Similarly, you will not be able to see theirs. Your presence will be effectively invisible to them.
4. Can a blocked person still send me messages?
No, a blocked person cannot send you messages. Any messages sent will not be delivered or shown to you. They may not even know that the messages haven’t reached you as there will be no error message on their end.
5. If I block someone, are they removed from my friends list?
Yes, blocking a friend on Blizzard will automatically remove them from your friends list. You will no longer see them on your friend’s list. You will have to re-add them as a friend after you have unblocked them.
6. What happens if I unblock someone?
If you unblock a user, they will be able to message you again, and you may be matched with them in game. However, they will not be automatically re-added to your friend’s list. You must re-friend them separately after unblocking them.
7. Can I still see a blocked person’s profile?
No, generally, when you block someone, you will not be able to see their profile details. They may still appear to you as an active account but you are cut off from accessing information about it.
8. Does blocking someone impact my ability to group with them in World of Warcraft?
Yes, blocking someone in World of Warcraft prevents you from being placed in the same group with them through the Dungeon Finder or other similar matchmaking systems. This ensures you avoid playing collaboratively with those you’ve blocked.
9. How does blocking someone affect public chat channels in games like WoW?
When you block a player, you will no longer see any of their messages in public chat channels within games like World of Warcraft. Their messages will simply not appear to you in General, Trade, guild, and other channels.
10. Can a blocked user see my posts or comments in public forums?
While it varies depending on the specific forums, generally, if you’re in a Blizzard forum, blocking someone on the platform should extend to the forums too. You may not see their posts, and they may not see yours.
11. What happens when I block someone on Activision games?
Blocking on Activision games that are part of the Blizzard ecosystem usually shares similar functions. A blocked user typically cannot see your online status, and they will be notified that you have blocked them if they try to join you.
12. Can I block someone on the Battle.net mobile app?
Yes, the blocking function is available on the Battle.net mobile app just as it is on the desktop application. You can manage blocked users through the app settings.
13. Why is my Blizzard account blocked or suspended?
If your account has been blocked by Blizzard, it typically means you have violated their Code of Conduct. Blizzard will usually send details about the violation to your registered email address. If you can’t access that email, you’ll need to contact Blizzard Support.
14. Is blocking the same as reporting someone?
No, blocking someone is different than reporting them. Blocking simply cuts off communication between you and the other person. Reporting is used to notify Blizzard about a user’s behavior that violates the Code of Conduct, with an intent of disciplinary action against the offending player.
15. Can a blocked user still see my in-game avatar?
While they can’t see your online status, in most games you will remain visible in the game world to blocked players. The blocking function mainly prevents direct communication, grouping through matchmaking, and seeing their messages and vice-versa. They can still see your character model while in the same game world but not interact directly with you.
In conclusion, blocking a user on Blizzard’s Battle.net is a powerful way to manage your interactions and maintain a comfortable online gaming environment. Understanding the implications and limitations of this function helps you make the most of the platform’s capabilities.