by Helen Garda

Created on: January 05, 2007   Last Updated: April 12, 2007

Here is a WoW addict's version:

Of all the video games I have played, I must say that World of Warcraft is my absolute favorite. Recently I tried something I had never done before: start a new character on a role-playing server.

There are two main kinds of servers you are allowed to choose to begin a character on in World of Warcraft: one is a PVP, and another is RP. PVP is a player-vs.-player server, meaning you are allowed to attack and fight members of the opposite faction, Horde against Alliance. A role-playing server is meant for players to focus more on their environment and quests than fighting other players.

For a long time, I had several characters on a PVP server. While the constant threat of being attacked does add something to game play, sometimes I just wanted to explore the area I was in. One of the great things about this game is the details. It was hard to explore and mind my own business on a server meant to attack other players.

The role-playing server is ideal. I can quest, do professions, explore and everything else without the threat of having to battle players. There are battlegrounds, however, that anyone of a certain level range can enter in order to join the battle against the opposite faction. This is more than enough PVP for many.

This game is amazing on many different levels. There are just so many things to do here:

Professions: It's like a job, it lets you create things and then use or sell them. You can have one profession, one collecting skill, and several secondary professions. For example, blacksmithing would be your profession. You can make armor and weapons. For your collecting skill, you would choose mining, as you need to mine the ore to make the items. Secondary professions are first aid, cooking, and fishing.

Reputation: Different factions offer different rewards based on what level of reputation you hold with them.

Battlegrounds: Fight other players online in the battlegrounds. Use what you are awarded for wins to purchase better gear and weapons. The Honor ranking system had recently been updated.

Expansion: Soon to be released is the Burning Crusade Expansion pack for World of Warcraft. There's just way too much to try and cover here. Check it out at Amazon.com, or any other store that offers computer games.

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