A highly anticipated feature has been added to World of Warcraft, allowing cross-faction guilds. The game developers have shared a blog post outlining how this new feature will work, giving players an insight into its functionality ahead of its upcoming release.
A cross-faction guild is a group of players from different factions (Alliance and Horde) who have banded together for a common goal. This could be anything from casual socializing to endgame raiding. The key is that guild members can communicate and play together regardless of their faction. This is made possible by the game’s built-in chat and communication tools, add-ons, and third-party programs.
So how do cross-faction guilds work in World of Warcraft? Let’s take a closer look.
Communication Tools
The first and most crucial factor in cross-faction guilds is communication. With the ability to chat and coordinate with one another, players in different factions could work together. Fortunately, WoW provides several communication tools that allow players to chat, send messages, and share information across factions.
The most basic tool is the in-game chat system. Players can use this to talk to others in their guild and players in the same faction. However, this is limited to players on the same server, so it may not be helpful for cross-faction play. To communicate with players on other servers or factions, players can use third-party tools like Discord or Skype.
Another essential communication tool is the in-game mail system. This allows players to send messages and items to one another, even on different factions. However, there are some restrictions on what can be sent and received. For example, players cannot send gold or other currency across sections, and some items may also be restricted.
Finally, players can use add-ons like Cross-Faction Chat to communicate across factions within the game. This add-on allows players to talk to each other in a separate chat channel, regardless of their section. It can be a great way to coordinate with players on the other side while still participating in general and guild chats.
Recruiting and Inviting
Recruiting members for a cross-faction guild can be challenging, mainly since players on different factions can’t communicate in-game. However, several ways exist to get the word out and find players interested in joining.
One standard method is to post on the official WoW forums or social media. This can help spread the word to players on different servers and factions. Another option is using third-party websites like Guild Finder or WoWProgress to advertise your guild and recruit new members.
Once you’ve found players interested in joining, the next step is to invite them to the guild. This can be done using the in-game invite system, which allows players to invite others by name or by clicking on their character. However, since players on different factions can’t see each other in-game, there may be more effective methods for cross-faction play.
Another option is to use third-party tools like Battletag or Real ID to add players to your friends list and invite them to the guild. This requires players to share their account information, so using trusted sources and being cautious when sharing personal information is essential.
Playing Together
Still, some ways that cross-faction guilds can play together and tackle challenges. One option is to participate in PvP battles. While players on different factions can’t group up for PvP content like battlegrounds, they can still fight against each other in World PvP. This can be a fun way to compete against each other while still working together as a guild.
Another option is to form cross-faction raid groups. While players on different factions can’t join the same raid instance, they can still create groups and tackle other cases simultaneously. For example, the Alliance guild might take on Molten Core while the Horde guild takes on Blackwing Lair. This allows players to progress together and share strategies and loot.
Cross-faction guilds can also participate in non-instanced content like world quests and dungeons. While players on different factions can’t group up for instanced dungeons, they can still participate in non-instanced content together. This can be a great way to socialize and work together as a guild, even if it’s not as challenging as endgame raiding.
Challenges and Limitations
While cross-faction guilds can be a great way to play with friends on the opposite faction, there are some challenges and limitations to remember. One of the biggest challenges is communication. Players on different sections can’t communicate in-game, making coordination tricky. To stay in touch and coordinate, third-party tools like Discord or Skype are necessary.
Another challenge is recruiting. Since players on different factions can’t see each other in-game, it can be hard to find players interested in joining a cross-faction guild. This means that recruitment efforts may need to extend beyond the game itself.
Finally, there are some limitations to what cross-faction guilds can do together. Players on different factions can’t group up for instanced content like dungeons and raids, which can significantly limit endgame progression. However, there are plenty of non-instanced challenges that cross-faction guilds can tackle together.