The “Refer a Friend” program has long been a part of World of Warcraft. With patch 7.3.5, Blizzard is making some major changes to it.
For some time now, players have been able to invite a friend to the game through the “Refer a Friend” program in World of Warcraft. Players who are recruited in this way receive significant benefits when leveling up if they play together with their referees.
Among the enjoyable benefits are mounts that can accommodate two people. But there was also a direct bonus on the experience points received of a whopping +200% when playing in a group with the friend as part of the program. This is now being changed.
How does “Refer a Friend” work?
Players actively playing World of Warcraft can send an invite to the game to a friend’s email address through their account. This contains a link to create a WoW account. If the friend creates an account within 7 days of receiving it, the accounts of the two friends will be linked.
From this point onwards, both players have advantages in the game when playing World of Warcraft together. The following criteria must be met:
- Both characters must be in a group and less than 100 meters apart.
- The level difference between the characters must not exceed 4 levels, and level 89 must not be exceeded.
- Enemies and quests must not be gray (low-level) for either of the two characters.
While both players receive bonuses like more experience points for playing together, the referee also receives rewards. If the recruited player buys a month of game time, the referee gets one month for free. For the second month, there’s a mount or pet of their choice.
Refer a Friend in Patch 7.3.5: Less Experience Points
In patch 7.3.5, Blizzard has changed the leveling experience in many areas of Azeroth. Most areas of the “old world” now scale from level 1 to 60 with the player’s current level. This is to ensure a consistent difficulty and more freedom in choosing the leveling area.
With the introduction of patch 7.3.5, Blizzard also adjusted the “Refer a Friend” program. On one hand, the additional experience earned by friends in group play is being significantly reduced. On the other hand, some other bonuses are being lost. Here are the changes in detail:
- The experience point bonus has been reduced from 200% to 50%.
- If a player was referred before the change on January 22 or began playing through the referral, they will retain the 200% bonus as long as the accounts are linked (90 days after the new player’s account was created).
- The experience point bonus from heirlooms is no longer stackable with the “Refer a Friend” program bonus. The maximum bonus is now 50%.
- Again, those referred before the change will still benefit from heirlooms.
- All other rewards remain unchanged:
- Summon your friend to you every 30 minutes.
- +10% reputation from kills.
- For every 2 levels your friend gains, they can grant one level to a character on your account.
- Rewards for the referee, such as mounts and game time.
The changes take effect immediately (since January 22, 2018).
What do you think of the changes? Do you think it’s good that leveling time is being given more importance again, even with friends?
