Getting started with WOW (World of Warcraft)...what to buy?

Question

We bought a 14day trial of WOW at the video store for my son and he absolutely loves it. We want to get him the game and sign him up online for Christmas but I'm so confused. What exactly do I need to buy? Do you have to start with one and keep upgrading or buying these expansion pack things? Or do you just buy the most recent one like Wrath of the Lich King? What is the differences? Is Lich King better than Burning Crusade or are they different types of quests or what? Do you need to go in order? Sorry to sound so clueless but, well, I am, LOL. I don't play these games...my son does. So, what do I need to get to get him online and playing and loving it?!

Answer 1

You can use the trial disc to purchase the game online, but my recommendation would be to purchase the box game (the cost is the same, but I love having discs, boxes, and manuals) entitled World of Warcraft; it has a purple-skinned female and a bearded man on the cover. That will give you the base game, which is required.

You can, in addition to that, purchase the expansion pack Burning Crusade (the box is neon greenish). This requires the base game to play, but it allows you to reach a higher level in the game, have more races to play, new areas to explore, etc. It is not required, but it certainly enchances the game.

Wrath of the Lich King is an expansion pack as well, but it has not been released yet, so you do not need to worry about it.

You will also need a credit card to open the account; you can then choose to have the monthly fee automatically deducted from the card, or you can purchase game cards in the store and enter the codes online (a little bit more of a hassle, I think). Either way, the game is $15/month (a little more if you live in a state where it is taxed).

Or you can purchase the Battlechest from Gamestop, which contains the base game, the expansion pack, and some strategy guides - for a very good price: http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=647136 (Note these comes as DVDs, not CDs, so you will have to have a DVD-ROM drive on your computer. If you do not have a DVD-ROM drive, you can still purchase the games separately and have them as CDs.)

Answer 2

You need to by the Game, WoW, then get the expansions, but if I were you get him the original game first, and see how long he plays before you start dumping money in the expansions. But if money isn't an issue you would have to purchase Burning Crusade and the next expansion, most on line games are money pits for the expansions. Then you create an account for him on line, using your CC , and there you go.

Answer 3

The problem with not buying the expansion packs is that the majority of content in the game (called "End-Game Content"), and where you'll find the most people to play with is at the highest level... right now being level 80. So yes, you want to buy both the expansion packs. Though, if you're completely new to the game and don't know if you'll even like it, just stick with the original game, which will take you to level 60. The first xpac takes you to level 70. And the most recent xpac takes you to level 80. I think the first part of WoW costs as low as $20-$30 now, keep in mind you'll need to pay a monthly subscription fee of around $15.

Answer 4

if you have the demo on...the first on go out and buy the burning crusade the newer one with more worlds and characters.....and sometime after Christmas the newest expanison comes out called wrath of the lick king which has a lvling cap of...80 and the you can do a really hard quest (mission) to create a legendary character which is a Death Knight

Answer 5

all you need is the world of warcraft demo disc (it is also the full game) register for an account or you can get him burning crusades its the new expansion (i have it) its good.

Answer 6

They are different games, i suggest the battle chest, you get everything you need, except for the monthly subscription.
http://shop.blizzard.com/section1/?user=H1iaHjduLaPFBrSgN4kgksO9IRTCm4kTAxTZFvo5vQ0=