Multiboxing in World of Warcraft has been a major topic for a long time. In 2020, Blizzard took action against it and banned popular software used by multiboxers. However, the discussion is not over yet. MeinMMO spoke with one of these players to find out what drives multiboxers.
What are multiboxers? Players who control multiple accounts and characters simultaneously are called multiboxers. Usually, players have multiple instances of games like World of Warcraft open on their computers or even use several devices for it.
The “classic” multiboxing was banned by Blizzard at the end of 2020. Specifically: The program ISBoxer was banned. It allowed users to control multiple characters simultaneously with a single keystroke. One press, all characters move or cast spells.
However, multiboxing itself is still allowed.
The ban has already resulted in some bans and players, as well as readers on MeinMMO, are pleased that multiboxing has been restricted. Apparently, this style of play is not well received in the community.
However, one of these multiboxers contacted me directly, Twitch streamer derBehla. He reports that since the ban, he has been insulted more frequently by other players—despite the fact that he is not doing anything illegal.
Therefore, I talked to him a bit about what interests him in multiboxing, how he feels about the new ban, and what experiences he has on the “other side” of the discussion.
Multiboxing – A Unique Way to Play
MeinMMO: Would you introduce yourself briefly?
Behla: Sure! My name is Marcel, I’m 30 years old. I come from Lower Saxony and stream on Twitch under the name derBehla.
MeinMMO: How long have you been multiboxing, and how did you get into it?
Behla: I started in BfA, about one or two months after release. The reason is quite simple: I enjoy farming in WoW. Generally, this is done through custom groups via the dungeon finder. At some point, I found that I could hardly find any groups at certain times.
So, I looked for alternatives. How can I, as a “farmerino,” trigger these so-called “instant farm spots” myself? That’s how I stumbled upon the topic of multiboxing and began to deal with it.
MeinMMO: Does anything specific attract you to it?
Behla: The entire optimization, yes. Optimizing so that it runs smoothly and that you can earn the most gold in an hour. Through spell optimization, how to position yourself… that’s what attracts me to the whole topic.
Even Multiboxers Support the Ban
MeinMMO: Recently, the program ISBoxer was banned. How does that affect your way of playing?
Behla: Blizzard banned “broadcasting,” meaning controlling multiple characters to cast spells with a single keystroke. The effects are mainly a loss of DPS. The simultaneous casting, which was also cheating in my opinion, has been removed. DPS has decreased because your characters now have to cast spells one after the other. That’s the only effect; otherwise, nothing has changed.
MeinMMO: Does farming become more difficult because of this?
Behla: It’s different now because DPS has decreased. But more difficult… Shadowlands has become more challenging in my opinion. I believe Blizzard has already considered this. In many spots, mobs are further apart, and in many areas, elite enemies are present. Due to the change with ISBoxer, farming hasn’t actually become harder. But with Shadowlands, it certainly has.
MeinMMO: What is your opinion on the solution, and is it optimal?
Behla: It is good that they removed broadcasting. In my opinion, it’s cheating when you can control all your clients with one keystroke. Whether it’s optimal is another question.
According to Blizzard, broadcasting was removed to combat bots. And bots typically do not use broadcast functions. This now affects the multiboxers, who have also automated this— which is also prohibited. I definitely find the change good.
Multiboxers Are Not Bots
MeinMMO: What do “normal” players gain or lose if multiboxing is restricted?
Behla: With something like herbs, they can benefit. I remember situations from BfA where players complained. Herbs can only be harvested in limited quantities, and if a multiboxer picks a flower, it simply disappears.
However, when it comes to auction house prices, we multiboxers actually have little influence. If anything, prices may rise because of this. Bots are more of a problem. I can only speak from my perspective, but we also want to generate the most gold from the auction house. If we lower the prices just because we have numbers, we end up making less gold.
On the other hand, bots don’t care—they take everything they can get. And even with something like herbs, I would say that it’s more bots than actual multiboxers.
MeinMMO: Speaking of which: Can you briefly explain the difference between multiboxers and bots?
Behla: A bot runs around in the game 24/7 and is automated. It follows its routes, sends automated mail, and may even independently go to the auction house and post auctions. With just one press of “start,” everything runs automatically from there.
We multiboxers sit in front of the PC and control our characters ourselves. For many situations that bots would typically be responsible for, I think we are being held accountable.
MeinMMO: Can you give an example?
Behla: If a “normal” player whispers to me and says that I am ruining the auction house, I reply that while we bring the numbers, we also want to make a profit. We really can’t afford to undercut prices.
A bot only wants gold at all costs. It may also drive prices down because it has to expect a ban.
For instance, I neither farm herbs nor ores, which would allow me to participate in the economy. I only farm gray items from enemies that I sell to NPC vendors for raw gold or occasionally rare pets and mounts. At the moment also fabrics or BoEs.
‘We are also players, you can talk to us’
MeinMMO: What would be the consequences in your opinion if multiboxing were completely abolished?
Behla: Leather is currently a good example. We multiboxers are not the only ones involved, but as I said, there are also bots, and we brought the numbers. Nevertheless, leather is extremely expensive.
If we hadn’t brought so much leather to the auction house at the beginning of the expansion, the prices for legendary items would have skyrocketed. Even more than they already have.
If multiboxing were completely abolished, not enough people would farm leather. Because not everyone is willing to farm, but it is needed. Leather would then be unaffordable for anyone.
MeinMMO: Wouldn’t the market normalize without bots and without multiboxers?
Behla: I don’t think so because there aren’t enough players willing to farm for hours. There would thus be a significantly higher demand than supply, especially concerning the amount of materials required for crafting new legendaries.
MeinMMO: Can you understand that or why others might be annoyed by you?
Behla: Many multiboxers camp world quests and farm there, which was a problem in BfA. I can understand that players might be annoyed, especially when multiboxers ignore them.
I believe that communication is key. I’m the last person to say, “No, I’m farming here. Tough luck.” I would rather invite the player to join my group briefly and help them—after that, they are gone, and I can continue farming.
I would especially wish that we multiboxers are not immediately antagonized. We are also players, and you can talk to us. And multiboxing itself has never been banned. Only broadcasting has. However, many still seem not to understand the difference.
MeinMMO: Thank you for the conversation.
Have you encountered multiboxers? Have you spoken to them or reported them immediately? Discuss in the comments.
