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With millions of people playing World of Warcraft, it is simply impossible for everyone to play together in the same place. This is the reason why the different "realms" were created. A realm is a game world that exists only for the few thousands of players within it. Each realm is an exact copy of the game world with one exception: the player characters there are tied to that particular realm. You can interact with all the players on your realm but you cannot interact with players on other realms. Characters also cannot normally move between realms.
 Each realm is defined by its name (like Burning Legion) and its realm type (see below). Choosing your realm is the very first decision you will have to make before playing World of Warcraft. In any case, you can speak with, search for, and group only with other players that have created characters of the same faction (Horde or Alliance) and on the same realm as you. If you encounter players of the opposite faction on your realm, you can battle against them or try to ignore them.
Game-play Mode vs. Realm Type
When playing on a realm, your character's actions determine whether you are in a PvE (player vs. environment) game-play mode or in a PvP (player vs. player) game-play mode. In PvE mode, you can do quests, fight monsters, speak, trade, gain experience, learn skills, and advance levels as you would in any other massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). In PvP mode, you are fighting other players in the wilderness or in special places called Battlegrounds. Of course, sometimes those two game-play modes can intersect, for example when a player is attacked by another player (PvP) while fighting a monster (PvE). The important thing to remember is that the game is much the same on any realm for any player. However, there are different realm types that favor one type of game-play (PvE or PvP) over the other, with some differences that are detailed below.
There are two basic realm types (and a special distinction for role-playing realms): Normal realms and PvP realms. The main difference between the two types is in the way in which the player vs. player game-play mode is activated.
Normal Realms
These realms are labeled Normal in the realm selection screen when you enter the game. The main focus of the players on those realms is to fight against the monsters in the game rather than against other players. That is why you can think of the Normal realms as "truce" realms. On Normal realms, other enemy players can't attack you unless you allow them to.
Features
- You can create both Alliance and Horde characters (but they won't be able to communicate with the other faction).
- There are no "contested" zones in the game; the zones that don't belong to a faction are called "neutral" zones.
- PvP mode is activated differently than on PvP realms
Pros
- You can concentrate on epic fights, quests, and battles against monsters or non-playing characters without worrying about being attacked by other players.
- You can try to be friendly with the other faction and need not fear being attacked.
Cons
- You gain PvP rewards less easily because it is harder to get other players to fight you (except when you are in Battlegrounds).
- It's harder to have one vs. one fights that show your duel skills.
Sentence to remember: On a Normal realm, I will never be attacked by other players if I don't want to be, except if I enter an enemy capital or a Battleground.
Player vs. Player Realms
These realms are labeled PvP in the realm selection screen when you enter the game. You can play the same way you play on a Normal realm, except that PvP mode will sometimes be switched on automatically without any action on your part, allowing the other player characters from the opposite faction to attack you without warning. That is why you can think of the Player vs. Player realms as "war" realms. On Player vs. Player realms, you are in a constant state of war against the other faction.
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Features
- You can create only Alliance or only Horde characters on a Player vs. Player realm.
- Some game policies are specific to Player vs. Player realms. You should read them before playing on a PvP realm.
- Each zone of the game has a PvP flag color that shows its PvP status. There are no "neutral" zones.
- PvP mode is activated differently than on Normal realms.
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Each time you enter a zone on a Player vs. Player realm, the name of the zone will appear with one of the following colors:
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= Friendly (allied with your faction - Alliance or Horde) |
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= Enemy (hostile with your faction - Alliance or Horde) |
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= Contested (for both factions) |
Pros
- Your fighting skills against other players will be recognized both by your companions and your enemies.
- You will have an easier time finding opportunities to fight other players.
Cons
- It is harder to fight monsters and to complete some quests in contested territories. The game can be a little more difficult on a Player vs. Player realm because you need to worry about the other faction's players.
- If you want some safety from other players you will have to do more private (instanced) dungeons.
Sentence to remember: On a Player vs. Player realm, I may be attacked by other players everywhere at any time, except in friendly (green) territories and in dungeons (instances).
Where am I safe on a Player vs. Player realm?
If you are in a friendly territory and you don't attack any enemy players who might be passing through, they won't be able to attack you. And of course, you are safe in instances as they are private places created only for your group of players. Am I safe if I am on a Normal realm and I enter a enemy town (not a capital city)?
Enemy players won't be able to attack you but the city guards will. And if you fight back you will activate PvP mode, making you a target for enemy players at that time. May I make friends of enemy faction players on a role-playing realm?
You can try to make friends with some enemy players, so they will not attack you. But that will not stop other opposing faction players from attacking, and the NPCs certainly will not become friendly. Even area effect spells from "friendly" enemies will still do damage to you if you happen to be in their range. Is there any place that allows full PvP, meaning attacking even players from my own faction?
You can do that only in very special restricted areas. For the moment, only the Gurubashi Arena, in Stranglethorn Vale, and the arena in Dire Maul allow that. No realm type allows total PvP game-play. |
