This is how smolderforge looks online and this tutorial will help you get in game with others easy and quick.
If you already have a 2.4.3 TBC client installed, then you can skip to the last part where we replace or edit the realmlist.wtf. You do not have to download a new client for each server unless your other server uses custom patches which is very unlikely!!
All the software requirements may seem daunting but it's all really easy, safe and fast. So don't worry, just follow along.
This guide is focused on how to play on a Windows operating system. Tips for *nix at the end of the post.
The software required to download and unpack the client:
- A torrent client that supports magnet links, free and fast install
- Software to unpack the archive inside the torrent. Also free and fast to install
- You can you different software than shown here if you prefer, but these are all free and easy to use with pictures
- But don't skip ahead yet. Everything will be explained in a logical manner saving you time.
If you do not already use a torrent client. I will suggest you download and install deluge. Deluge is a free, open source and generally OK torrent client without viruses or adware. Following links and pictures depict how to download and install it.
Deluge download page link
On the first page you select your operating system. In this tutorial MICROSOFT WINDOWS
On the second page you want to select the newest version that doesn't require python to install. Highlighted in the picture.
Now that you have downloaded the exe you must open/run it. Running as administrator might help. Installation instructions are in images:
Create magnet link association with DELUGE is very important.
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Now we move on to downloading the actual client archive. To do that you must go to this URL and click the link highligted RED in the image. It's a magnet link and it will open in Deluge or your other torrent client. The box may show empty for files but click yes anyway. It will load the file list later, be patient.
Smolderforge front page with the magnet link
This is what you click in deluge or your torrent client of choise:
Sorry about the language but deluge likes to automatically localize. I hope you find the right button anyway :)
After a while. Say 5 minutes you should start seeing something like this in your torrent client. This means the download is ongoing.
Now you must wait for the client to find the files. Magnet links are tricky and it takes a while before you see any progress. Don't worry if nothing happens in 10 minutes. After that you should see a progress bar. This is a good time to install the software to unpack the client.
To unpack the rar you can use the classic WINRAR or you can install this free software called 7-Zip which I will teach you now.
To download 7zip you must go to this web page.
7-Zip download page
If you are unsure about your operating system, select the 32-bit x86 version, it will work for all.
Now you must open the executable/run the program installer. The installation is as simple as this:
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After your download is finished as shown in the next pic. You want to right click the WoW TBC.rar and click Open in Folder or whatever your language may translate to. This is to find the location of the file. If you used deluge the default folder is probably your windows downloads folder. But use this to find it so you can find the file to unpack.
Now that you know where your archive is located you need to unpack it. There are easier ways but this will work for all of you. First find and open the 7-Zip File Manager. On most Windows systems you can find it by pressing Windows key and typing 7-Zip. As shown in this windows 8 machine.
Now that you have the 7-Zip software open you need to navigate to the file you wish to unpack. The most common path is most likely Computer\C\User\<YourUser>\Downloads\WoW TBC.rar. In the earlier step you found the path where you saved it.
Select the archive (.rar) and click Extract (or whatever your language may be). Show in pictures:
Make sure you remember the extraction path you select. You will need it later to replace the realmlist.wtf file and to run the wow client.
Depending on your machine the extract may take a minute or a few.
==== REALMLIST.WTF INFO
Next we need to replace the realmlist.wtf so you're connecting to the correct server.
Next you go back to this webpage:
Smolderforge realmlist.wtf download page
And then you click this link:
This will download a file called realmlist.wtf which you need to place in to the folder where you extracted your new world of warcraft. Or if you already had a the client you can replace your old realmlist with this and you're ready to connect.
In my example unpacked the client to a folder like this. In this folder I would have to replace the realmlist and use the wow.exe to launch the game.
=== Now you're all done setting up the client. All you need to do is create an account now and you're ready to log in
Go to this page to create your very own account. Use a valid email in case you forget your password or you will not be able to recover your account.
Smolderforge register page