How to Multibox in World of Warcraft

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By MrJNG
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This article details out the steps to accomplishing multiboxing in the popular online MMORPG, "World of Warcraft" by Blizzard Entertainment.

Multiboxing is the act of controlling multiple online characters at the same time from either the same workstation or multiple workstations.

Benefits of this style of play are the ability to bypass "solo" aspects of the game and have a team of players all under your control to make content faster, easier, and for many people more fun.

Because of many different options when it comes to multiboxing on how many accounts you want to control, for the sake of consistancy this article will focus on general multiboxing guidelines that will allow for anywhere from 2, 3, or 5 characters at the same time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Depending on the number of characters that you want to control at the same time, you will need a legal copy of World of Warcaft for each character.
For single machine multiboxing, you will need a computer that can handle all clients running at the same time. (Recommended settings below)
For multiple machine multiboxing, you will need each machine to be able to handle a single instance of World of Warcraft.
A multiplexor (software or hardware)

Step 1

Hardware requirements are very important in multiboxing. Having good performance can be the difference between a enjoyable and frustrating experience. For single machine multiboxing, you will need a computer that can handle all of your clients running at the same time. (On average, most multiboxers run 2,3, or 5 clients simultaneously) Recommended specifications for this include a processor at or above 2.67 GHz, 2-4 GB of RAM (random access memory), and a video card that has 256 mb of memory or greater.

For multiple machine multiboxing, you will need each machine to be able to handle a single instance of World of Warcraft. Specific hardware requirements for a single copy of World of Warcraft are available at: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/faq/technology.html
Step 2

Once the World of Warcraft software and recommended hardware has been required, the next important step is in aquiring a multiplexor. A multiplexor by definintion is a piece of hardware or software that allows keystrokes to be sent to multiple machines or multiple windows on a single machine. In essence, this will allow us to hit a keystroke once, and have the same action replicated across all of our characters. My recommended multiplexor for both hardware and software multiboxing is "Keyclone". (Available at www.solidice.com/keyclone/) This is a very low cost application that will allow for many options for beginner and advanced multiboxers.
Step 3

Once your multiplexor is installed, the final introductory step is to create specific macros for each of your characters to ease the tedious tasks of trying to control multiple characters at once. By definition, a macro is a set of instructions that is represented in an abbreviated format. The most common introductory macros include the "follow" and "assist" macros. To access the macros section of World of Warcraft, once logged into your character hit the "Esc" key and select "Macros".
Step 4

Create your "Follow" macro by selecting "New" and choosing a name and icon that you want to use to remember your macro. In the "Macro Command" window, type: /follow leader "Leader" here will be the character name for the account that you will be primarily playing on. All other characters will follow this character and assist them in attacking (see next step). Drag the macro icon to a designated spot in your primary hotbar on each character. (Placing the follow macro in the same spot on each characters hotbar allows for one keystroke to have all characters follow your "leader" account)
Step 5

Next, create your assist macro by following the same steps as above. In the "Macro Command" window this time type: /assist Leader "Leader" here will be the character name for the account that you will be primarily playing on. Drag the macro icon to a designated spot in your primary hotbar on each character. (Placing the assist macro in the same spot on each characters hotbar allows for one keystroke to have all characters assist your "leader" account)
Step 6

You now have both a follow and assist macro that when pressed will direct your other windows to follow and assist your "main" character. This is highly beneficial during travel and attacks to keep your team of characters coordinated.
Step 7

There are many different ways to customize both "Keyclone" and macros in when multiboxing. A great resource to continue your journey with are the forums at http://www.dual-boxing.com.

Enjoy and have fun!