How to play a WotLK 3.3.5a private server

Getting onto a Wrath of the Lich King private server takes about fifteen minutes and four steps: an account, a 3.3.5a client, one line of config, and a login. Here is the whole thing, with the errors that trip most people up.

1. 1. Create your realm account

   A private server does not use your Battle.net login. You register directly on the realm's site. On ClickWoW you pick a username (3-16 letters or numbers) and a password of 6-16 characters — the 3.3.5a client refuses anything longer, and it ignores capitalisation.

   Create your ClickWoW account →

2. 2. Download the ClickWoW client

   Wrath of the Lich King servers only accept client build 12340 — modern retail or Classic clients will not connect. You can download the complete branded ClickWoW client (3.3.5a, build 12340) in one ZIP archive, around 17.7 GB, straight from this site.

   Download the ClickWoW client →

3. 3. Extract it and play — or use the launcher

   Extract the downloaded ZIP to any folder and run Wow.exe. Data/enUS/realmlist.wtf is already set to realm.playclickwow.com, so there is nothing to edit. If you already own a clean 3.3.5a build 12340 client, the optional ClickWoW Launcher configures realmlist.wtf for you, installs and repairs the ClickWoW files and verifies every managed file with SHA-256. No VPN and no administrator rights are required.

   Get the client or launcher →

4. 4. Log in, hit level 80, queue 1v1

   Run Wow.exe (not the launcher.exe that ships with the client), enter your account name and password, and create a character. On ClickWoW you spawn at level 80 with a reusable Champion's Wardrobe that hands out a complete class- and spec-appropriate Relentless-tier starter loadout, and Tier 9 PvE gear is free from a separate ordinary vendor. Wrathful and ICC/RS Heroic items are sold individually for Arena Points (ICC/RS trinkets excluded), and the Arena Quartermaster holds earned trinkets and prestige mounts. To fight, open the Arena Battles window: 1v1 Battle sits under Rated Battle and 1v1 Skirmish under Practice Battle, above the 2v2, 3v3 and 5v5 entries, which all remain available.

Common problems

Why does it say the information is not valid?

That message means the account name or password was rejected. Passwords longer than 16 characters get truncated by the client, and the account must exist on this realm, not on another server. Re-register and keep the password short.

Why is my client stuck on connecting?

Almost always a realmlist problem: a stale logon line in realmlist.wtf, or the file being edited in the wrong locale folder. There is one realmlist.wtf per locale — edit the one matching your client language.

Do I need to keep the retail game installed?

No. A 3.3.5a install is completely separate and does not touch a retail or Classic installation.

Is playing on a private server free?

ClickWoW is free to join and play. A Premium Quartermaster and seasonal tournaments are planned; store payments and Click Credits (CC) purchases are not available yet.