The downsides are big: no trading, no guilds, no Auction House, and very limited social features. The trial also doesn't work for Classic WoW. Think of it as a way to dip your toes in before subscribing.
Subscriptions and Expansions
A WoW subscription costs $15/month, with discounts for 3-, 6-, or 12-month plans. Longer subs often come with bonus mounts or pets, but if you're new, start with just one month.
When you subscribe, you unlock:
All previous expansions, up to level 70.
Both Retail WoW and Classic WoW are available at no extra cost.
To play the newest expansion, The War Within, you'll need to purchase it separately. Only the Epic Edition includes 30 days of game time; the other editions do not.
You can also fund your subscription with in-game WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold using the WoW Token, which can be bought on the Auction House. This allows you to turn gold into game time or Battle.net balance.
Important note: EU and NA accounts are separate. Pick the region with the best ping for you and stick with it.
Retail vs. Classic: Which to Choose?
The big question new players ask: Retail or Classic?
Retail WoW (the modern version) has 20 years of quality-of-life upgrades, faster leveling, more activities at endgame, and improved visuals. This is where new players should start.
Classic WoW is the game as it was in 2004-slower, more difficult, and missing modern conveniences. Some players love it for the nostalgic, old-school feel.
There are also spin-offs:
Hardcore Classic, with permanent death.
Season of Discovery adds twists like new roles and mechanics.
Progression servers like Cataclysm Classic, where expansions unlock in cycles.
If you're brand new, start with Retail. You can always try Classic later-it's included in your subscription.
Making Your First Character
Race and Faction
You'll choose between Alliance and Horde, but today, factions don't matter as much as they used to. Guilds, dungeons, and raids are cross-faction, so the main difference is starting zones and aesthetics.
Some races called Allied Races unlock later after completing simple quests on a level 40+ character. Each comes with a free mount.
Every player needs a lot of WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Gold, I suggest you go to a third-party website like MMOexp.com to buy, safe and comfortable transactions, and years of experience to ensure the security of your account.
