Battle.net Account FAQ
Q: What is a Battle.net Account?
A: As part of our ongoing improvements to Battle.net, we are introducing a centralized account system that will let players manage all of their Blizzard Entertainment games, including World of Warcraft and future games, in one place without having to remember multiple sets of login information.
Q: What is the new Battle.net?
A: The new Battle.net is a full-featured online game service designed specifically around Blizzard Entertainment titles, and will include a complete set of around-the-game features including a state-of-the-art matchmaking system, achievement system, social networking features, structured competitive play options, a marketplace, and much more.
Q: What are the benefits of creating and using a Battle.net Account?
A: The new Battle.net Account allows you to log in to World of Warcraft, manage purchases at the online Blizzard Store, keep track of CD keys for your Blizzard Entertainment games, access our websites (such as the World of Warcraft Armory), opt in to upcoming beta tests, and more using a single login -- just your email address and a password. In the future, we plan to add more features, including tools to make it easier for friends to communicate between games and to help bring our community of players closer together. For more information on what we’ve got planned, visit http://www.blizzard.com/blizzcon/recaps/battlenet-panel.xml.
Q: Are these Battle.net Accounts related to Blizzard Accounts?
A: Battle.net Accounts are an evolution of the existing Blizzard Accounts. If you already use a Blizzard Account, you do not need to create a new Battle.net Account -- the Blizzard Account has been automatically converted, and people with existing Blizzard Accounts have received an email containing more information.
Q: Why do I now need to merge my World of Warcraft account with a Battle.net account in order to continue to log in to the game?
A: We’re getting ready to launch the new version of Battle.net, which will include a number of new communication and community features designed to enhance World of Warcraft play, such as cross-realm World of Warcraft chat, cross-game chat (with the launch of StarCraft II), real-life friends lists, and more. We’re asking World of Warcraft players to become a part of Battle.net now as part of our preparation to launch these new tools. You can find out more information on the features we have planned for Battle.net at http://www.blizzard.com/blizzcon/recaps/battlenet-panel.xml.
In addition, as our way of saying thanks for taking the time to go through this process, existing players that merge their World of Warcraft account with a Battle.net account will receive a new World of Warcraft in-game penguin pet.
Q: How do I merge my World of Warcraft account with a Battle.net account?
A: Visit http://www.battle.net and click the “Create or Manage a Battle.net Account” button. Then click “Sign up now!” and simply follow the instructions that appear. The process should only take a few minutes. Repeat the process for each World of Warcraft account (up to 8) you wish to merge.
Q: What happens if I don’t merge my World of Warcraft account with a Battle.net account?
A: After November 11, 2009, you won’t be able to log in to the game unless you merge your account with a Battle.net account. You will need to log in using your Battle.net account username (your email address) and password.
Q: How can I obtain the penguin pet?
A: Starting on October 15, once you’ve successfully merged a World of Warcraft account with a Battle.net account, the penguin pet will be sent via in-game mail to all existing characters on the merged World of Warcraft account, along with all future characters on that World of Warcraft account. Players who merged previously will also receive the pet this way.
Q: Do I need to merge by a certain date in order to receive the penguin?
A: We plan to remove the ability to get the penguin pet at some point in the future. We haven’t determined exactly when just yet.
Q: If I create a new World of Warcraft account, will I receive the pet?
A: Only existing World of Warcraft accounts that merge with a Battle.net account are eligible to receive the penguin pet. If you create a new Battle.net account after November 11 and merge an existing World of Warcraft account with it, you will still be able to receive the pet. However, please note that we plan to remove the ability to get the penguin pet at some point in the future.
Q: Do I need to open or forward a specific port on my router or firewall to log in to World of Warcraft using a Battle.net account?
A: Yes, you may need to open an additional port (1119) to log in to World of Warcraft using a Battle.net account. In order to accommodate certain upcoming Battle.net features such as cross-game chat, Battle.net accounts need to use a different port from each of our games, including World of Warcraft. Presently, the Battle.net account system communicates using port 1119, though it uses both the TCP and UDP protocols. For more information on these or other technical questions, visit the tech support forums.
We’ve set aside port 1119 with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (www.iana.org) specifically for use with the Battle.net login system. A full listing of ports and who has registered them can be found at http://www.iana.org/assignments/port-numbers.
Q: I play World of Warcraft using multiple accounts -- why should I merge all of them into the same Battle.net account?
A: One of our long-term goals for Battle.net is to introduce community and communication features that will make it beneficial for players to have all of the accounts and games they play associated with their own, single online identity. Merging all of your World of Warcraft accounts into one Battle.net account will enable you to take full advantage of these features in the future.
Q: My family plays World of Warcraft together. Should we create a single Battle.net account for all of our World of Warcraft accounts?
A: No. Sharing access to a World of Warcraft account, other than by a parent or guardian with a single minor, is a violation of World of Warcraft’s Terms of Use. You should create a separate Battle.net account for each family member’s World of Warcraft account. In addition, future Battle.net features will make it beneficial for players to have the Battle.net account they use associated with their own online identity. Creating separate accounts for you and your family ensures you will be able to take advantage of these features when they are introduced later on.
Q: How do I log in to the game after I’ve merged a World of Warcraft account to a Battle.net Account?
A: After you complete the account merge process, you will use the Battle.net Account information (i.e. the email address and password you designated) to log in to World of Warcraft. The old World of Warcraft account name will no longer be used to log in to the game, the World of Warcraft forums, or the Armory.
Q: How do I log in if I’ve merged multiple World of Warcraft accounts?
A: After you log in to World of Warcraft using the Battle.net Account, you will be prompted to select which of the merged World of Warcraft accounts you wish to play. Players with multiple World of Warcraft accounts are still able to log in and play them simultaneously.
Q: Do Battle.net accounts work with the Battle.net Authenticator?
A: Yes. If you use a Battle.net Authenticator, you will need it when merging the associated World of Warcraft account into the new Battle.net Account. The Authenticator will automatically transfer to the Battle.net Account during the merge process, and you will still need it when managing Battle.net Account information and logging in to the game.
In addition, Blizzard Entertainment offers the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator, an application for mobile devices that players can use to protect a Battle.net account and any World of Warcraft accounts associated with it. For more information on the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator, visit http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=24986.
Q: What happens if I play on multiple World of Warcraft accounts and use Authenticators for each one?
A: When merging each World of Warcraft account to a Battle.net Account, you will need to enter information for each account’s Authenticator. However, once all of the accounts are merged, you will only need the Authenticator used for the first World of Warcraft account you merged. You may give away, sell, store, or dispose of your additional Authenticators, as they are no longer needed.
Q: Can I add a Battle.net Authenticator to a Battle.net account before merging a World of Warcraft account?
A: You must first merge a World of Warcraft account into a Battle.net account before options to add an Authenticator will appear in Battle.net Account Management.
Q: Where can I find more information about Battle.net account security?
A: For related information and security advice, please visit http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=26328.
Q: I already have a classic Battle.net account that I made for StarCraft, Warcraft III, and/or Diablo II. Can I just use that?
A: No, the new Battle.net Accounts are separate from classic Battle.net accounts for StarCraft, Warcraft III, and Diablo II. To allow for the Battle.net features we have planned, we’ve built the new Battle.net Account system from the ground up for World of Warcraft and upcoming games such as StarCraft II and Diablo III. In order to play Warcraft III, Diablo II, and StarCraft on Battle.net, you will still need to log in using your “classic” Battle.net login information.
Q: What happens if I change my email address?
A: If you change your primary email address in Battle.net Account Management, the Battle.net Account name will change automatically, and you will log in using the updated email address. All of your game associations and online Blizzard Store purchases will stay linked to the account, and you will not have to create a new account, re-merge any World of Warcraft subscriptions, or repurchase any games.
Q: How will I log in to Blizzard Entertainment forums after creating a Battle.net Account?
A: To access the World of Warcraft forums, you will log in using the new Battle.net Account. After doing so, you will be able to select which merged World of Warcraft account and character you wish to use to post. To access the classic Battle.net forums (including the existing StarCraft II and Diablo III forums there), you will continue to log in as you have in the past. As we add community features to the new Battle.net, our forums will continue to evolve; we’ll be able to share more about our plans in the future.
Q: Is there a subscription fee or a creation fee?
A: No, there is no subscription or creation fee for creating a Battle.net Account.
Q: Will Battle.net Accounts include parental controls?
A: In the future, we plan to add parental controls similar to the ones now available in World of Warcraft Account Management.
