Some players also look at a WoW Forever boost as an alternative way to skip the slow early levels. Either way, these tips will make your first levels smoother.
Pick Your Ruleset First
WoW Forever does not have a realm list on login; instead, you choose a ruleset. Each ruleset is a region-wide mega-realm. Thus, the player pool is large. Normal, PvP, and Roleplaying are available at launch, and Hardcore is added later. If a Hardcore character dies, it can move to Normal, Roleplaying, or PvP.
Normal activities include a PvE realm, where world PvP requires mutual agreement. It also allows you to create both Horde and Alliance characters. PvP allows open-world fights in contested territory, and your roster is locked to the faction of your first character. The PvP ruleset aims for rough Horde and Alliance balance and may limit new characters for an overrepresented faction.
Friends should choose the same ruleset, as dungeon groups remain in it. Late switching rulesets typically implies creating a new character. The Preferred Online Language option determines with whom you can be grouped. It can be changed with a one-day cooldown, so think it through. Account-wide collections and Legacy Points exist. However, Hardcore unlocks have different rules.
Rest in Inns and Bind Your Hearthstone
Inns and capital cities are where Rested XP builds, even while you are logged out. Rested XP doubles the XP you earn from kills, but not from quest turn-ins. So, always log out in an inn or capital before a long break. Rested XP builds slowly, about 5% of a level for every eight hours in a rested area. It caps at 150% of a level, which takes about ten days.
Bind your hearthstone at an inn in a busy quest hub, such as the Crossroads in the Barrens. Also, gray mobs give no XP at all, so target enemies near your level. Avoid red and skull-level enemies, because you will miss often and die fast. The Cozy Sleeping Bag adds up to 3% kill XP, and that buff survives death. Group with players near your level, because higher-level party members reduce your kill XP.
Learn Abilities and Weapon Skills
Talk to a city guard to find class trainers, weapon masters, banks, and more. You acquire new skills about every two levels, so see your class trainer frequently. Not all capitals have trainers in all classes, so inquire with a guard before you go.
New ranks do not automatically replace old ranks on your action bars. You should always cast your highest rank in a macro with the spell name and no rank. That single arrangement saves a lot of visits to the spellbook.
Weapon Masters instruct the types of weapons, and each weapon skill increases with use. A new sword will miss a good deal at first, and you practice on easy targets. Dual specialization is unlocked at level 40. However, Blizzard has not yet revealed its cost. It lets one character switch between talent builds, such as healing and damage.
Make Your First Gold
Take all the loot early, since even gray sells to vendors for coins. Hover over an item to see its sell price before you decide. Auto Loot should be turned on in the settings, and then right-click on each corpse. Forever does not pick up loot from several corpses at once like retail.
Take cloth, meat, and green stuff, and sell them at the Auction House at a higher price than the vendors do. Prices may vary because each side has its own Auction House. Bags can be found at a lower price there than the vendors. Thus, purchase inexpensive six- or eight-slot bags. Make sure it is a bag, not a quiver or ammo pouch.
Choose Professions Wisely
There are two main and three minor professions that you can learn. Professions that are gathered include Mining, Herbalism, and Skinning. Crafting options are Alchemy, Blacksmithing, Enchanting, Engineering, Leatherworking, and Tailoring. Cooking is a good option for leveling, as Well Fed food increases kill XP by 5% for approximately 15 minutes. Choose a career because of its rewards or because you like it. After all, crafts also sell in the Auction House.
Get Around: Flight Paths and Mounts
Until level 40, you travel mostly on foot, and only Druids and Shamans have travel forms. Activate every flight point you pass, since distant routes need the stopovers unlocked. The first mount arrives at level 40, with Apprentice Riding costing 100 gold. It raises your speed by 60%, so save gold before then. At level 60, the next riding rank costs 1,000 gold, and epic mounts reach 100% speed. Paladins and Warlocks can earn special mounts through class quests.
Find Dungeon Groups
Forever lacks an automatic dungeon finder, but has a Classic-style Looking For Group window. You place an ad or become a member and walk to the entrance of the dungeon. Check the box to display all levels. Otherwise, you will not see a lot of listings. Early dungeons like Ragefire Chasm and Shadowfang Keep show up in listings. Party members can only be summoned by Warlocks through Ritual of Summoning and two helpers.
The beta introduced a playstyle option to listings. These are Learning, Relaxed, Competitive, or Carry Offered. Choose the one that fits your objective. This way, other players can understand what to expect.
Final Tips
WoW Forever rewards patience. However, small habits can save a lot of your precious time. Choose the right ruleset, rest in inns, and keep your bags and bars tidy. Then enjoy the early levels at your own pace.
