How to enable cross-faction crossplay in WoW: Instance list & grouping system

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Accompanying World of Warcraft Shadowlands patch 9.2.5 are cross-faction instances, a never-seen-before feature in WoW’s history, so here’s how to group together as Alliance and Horde to take on Azeroth’s most powerful enemies.

Ever since the dawn of time, World of Warcraft’s two warring factions (the noble Alliance and battle-hardened Horde) have been at each others’ throats, tearing the very fabric of Azeroth’s reality asunder in order to achieve their respective aims.

As you dive into Blizzard’s iconic MMORPG for the first time, you’ll be asked to choose a class and race, determining whether you sell your soul to the Alliance or join up with the Horde. Throughout the game‘s extensive history, players could only play with members of their own faction, but WoW Shadowlands patch 9.2.5 has implemented one of the biggest shakeups in WoW history.

With a new era dawning in Azeroth with Dragonflight, Horde and Alliance can now join forces in cross-faction instances – but just how do you enable this crossplay-style feature? Here’s everything you need to know.

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The hatred between the Horde and Alliance defines World of Warcraft, but relationships appear to be thawing.

How to enable cross-faction crossplay in WoW

Turning on cross-faction play in World of Warcraft is thankfully pretty easy, but it’s worth knowing that the feature is entirely optional. 

Speaking with Dexerto, Production Director Patrick Dawson highlighted “it’s a freedom thing, not a directive thing,” explaining “we don’t want to force anybody into it.”

In order to turn on cross-faction instances:

  • Ensure that you have your cross-faction partner’s BattleTag or Real ID friendship
    • You can also become members of a cross-faction WoW Community
  • Enter the Group Finder
    • You will be able to turn cross-faction play on and off here
  • Dive into your chosen instance and give ’em hell!
    • Note that players of the opposite faction will remain hostile outside of the instance, but will be friendly inside
    • While relations may have thawed slightly between Horde and Alliance, these two remain at odds.

    Which instances allow cross-faction grouping in WoW?

    The vast majority of dungeons and raids have been made cross-faction compatible, but there are a select few legacy events that remain faction-locked:

    • Baradin Hold
    • Battle of Dazar’alor
    • Icecrown Citadel
    • Siege of Boralus
    • Trial of the Champion
    • Trial of the Crusader
    • Vault of Archavon
    • Darkmaul Citadel (Exile’s Reach beginner zone dungeon)

    So that’s everything you need to know to enable cross-faction instances in WoW, as well as which zones you’ll be able to complete together.

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