1. What is Starting Over?
2. Reasons and Implications
3. Practicalities
4. What now?

3. Practicalities

Ok, so you’re decided. You’re going to server transfer / roll a new character on a different server etc. etc. and so forth. You’re all set but.. where do you go? The last post talked a bit about what to expect from different server types but what are the basic practical limits? Your first decision, server-wise should be: Normal, PVP, RP, RP-PVP? Each of these realm types is different from the other and will greatly affect how you play. Blizzard has a little page describing what differences you can expect to find between the realm types.

Secondly, you should have a look through the realm forums to see what you can expect if you’ve decided on a realm or to decide which realm you might fancy rolling on / transferring to. Be sure to check out the population of a server as if a realm has a high population it may not be eligible for transfer!

Thirdly, if you’re transferring a character you can usually find a guilds list on your new (to be) realm forum - if you want to get into one right away once you’ve moved you can usually post applications prior to transfer!

Guilds not your thing? You maybe want to get down and try your hands at some of that ‘rp’ stuff? The RP realm forums are usually brimming with the latest events and goings on of the realm and usually full of helpful ‘how to get started’ links.

It may be worth checking if there are any free transfer windows up to realms from your own and seeing if any of those suit your taste. Doing it by this method means you may be able to take multiple alts with you as well!

You might want to do content whilst not joining a guild? Why not take a leaf from Anna’s book and taka look for some raiding alliances on the servers you’re considering moving too?

What about all of my epix pixels?

More so for those who are transferring than re-rolling, there are a few things you need to do first.

• You will need to empty your mail-box and finish up any auctions you have going.
• You must not be a guild leader or Arena Captain when you transfer and so will have to disband or hand over the reigns.
• You will need to have 10,000 gold or less if you are level 70
• You can only move PVE>PVE/RP or PVP/RP-PVP>Any.

Blizz’s F.A.Q on the transfer process can be found here.

You will have everything which is in your bags and bank with you. If you have a bit more gold than the allowed limit it may be worth checking out the economy of your new realm-to-be. Are they behind in progress and would appreciate you buying a few patterns/vortexes etc. and reselling them once you get there? Or perhaps you can buy up things which you know will likely sell anyway to give yourself a boost back to your old cash-levels like some nice gems or BoE blues / purples, maybe even void crystals or large prismatic shards which stack.

Personally I could, at the time, only transfer one character and so also went through all of my alts and removed anything of decent value to take with me. Bag and bank space is at a premium so you may have to say goodbye to some things. When chucking stuff out you should weigh up it’s personal worth to you (sentimental value etc.) versus how easy it may be to obtain - For example leaving behind a [Piccolo of the Flaming Fire] because even though it’s fun and you absolutely love setting it off in front of the Ironforge Bank you will, probably, be able to get another relatively easily.

Say your goodbyes! Make a post on the realm forum if you’ve been active there, tell your friends, and, for goodness sake, don’t transfer without mentioning it to your guild if you’re part of one! Try not to be over dramatic or take the chance to be mean etc. as if you ever decide to come back you don’t want to be on bad terms with people. Also, as mentioned in the previous post, a bad reputation will often follow you!

Wait!

Unfortunately there can sometimes be quite a lag between pressing ‘Transfer’ and actually getting to your new realm. If everything is sorted and you’ve met all the conditions you should be on your new home within 24 hours. I was lucky in that my transfer was instant but sometimes, especially when using free transfer windows, the wait may be much longer.

Now What?

….Ohcrap, what did I just do? What was I thinking!? WHY!? WAAAAH! If you are experiencing any of these then hold on just a little while longer as post four deals with the ‘What Now?’ aspect of Starting Over!

My brain is a bit dead at the moment due to cold-full-ness so if you think I’ve missed anything give me a poke and I’ll add it. /hug!