In light of the many many many many random whispers I get every day, I've decided to write up the Multiboxing FAQ for those who don't multibox. There are plenty of FAQ's up on dual-boxing.com on HOW to multibox, but nothing really explaining what it is or the short version of how it's done to your average Joe Schmoe WoW player.

Follow me to enlightenment...

What is Multiboxing?

In short, a multiboxer plays several characters at the same time. There can be several kinds of multiboxers, from dual-boxers or 2-boxers to 5-boxers (sometimes called "quinboxing") to 40+-boxers. The number is only limited to the amount of processing power you have in your computer(s), and your own brain's ability to multitask and macro.

Macro? Isn't that against the rules?

Of course not, silly! Macroing can be done by anyone, even non-multiboxers, and is built within the WoW interface. You can access your macros by typing "/macro".

What can a macro do that a normal button pusher can't?

Absolutely nothing. However, macros are useful for binding multiple actions into a fluid keypress, such as trinket+AP+PoM+Pyro (otherwise known as the "I Win" button)

What do multiboxers use macros for?

Multiboxers will use macros for almost EVERYTHING. For example, each spell cast the a multiboxer makes will have to be targeted. A very simple macro would have to be implemented for each DPS spell a multiboxer wanted to use.

For example:
/assist Vyndree
/cast Lightning Bolt

This also needs to be done for healing. As you can probably tell, we very quickly run out of buttons and usually fill up every single macro spot with different spells.

Multiboxers also use macros for movement. Unfortunately, you cannot put movement into a macro like you can use your "wasd" or arrow keys. Therefore, multiboxers use the in-game /follow system and assign that to a macro while unbinding their "wasd" keys in the menu->keybindings window.

A video demonstration of basic movement and macros can be found in the "How to Multibox: Setting up your first group video guide.

So what do you DO with your 2/3/4/5+ characters? Do you have no life?

On the contrary, most multiboxers have very fulfilling real lives. Most of them hold steady jobs, which is why they don't consider the extra account costs/hardware costs excessive.

From what I've come across, the majoriy of multiboxers don't see much of a challenge in the solo game, or even the raid game for that matter. WoW isn't exactly rocket science. In order to spark a little interest in the game again, they put challenges in front of themselves to make gameplay more interesting. It's not just multiboxers who do this. Like the naked troll project, or Noor the pacifist.

Anyway, back on topic. Multiboxers can use their characters for all sorts of things -- from making their lives easier by leveling with their own dedicated healer, to running 5-man instances by themselves, to PvPing in battlegrounds and arenas.

Hey... you seem like a powerleveler to me. How much are you making off selling those characters?

Already ahead of you, buddy.

Ok, fine. You're not selling your characters. So what are you, a bot?

Multiboxers are typically offended when being confronted with such a nefarious accusation. However, since you're new, I'll let it slide.

All of the abilities a multiboxer can do are built right into the WoW game. No actions are automated, and everything that each character is doing can be traced back to an action made by the player.

Then how can you be all synchronized? I mean, there's no gap in time for you to alt-tab between windows?

That's because we use this thing called a "keyboard multiplexer". Sometimes it's emulated, in the case of software multibox solutions. Sometimes it's fancy hardware.

Now, there are many ways to do this, but in the simplest form, envision syncing a single wireless keyboard to multiple wireless keyboard receivers. When you press a button on the keyboard, it will be sent to all computers at the same time.

You said SOFTWARE! BOT BOT BOT!

Not all multiboxers need to use software. Typically the type of software used has no functionality outside of emulating a hardware keyboard multiplexer. The use of any software OR hardware to automate gameplay is against the Terms of Use.

In any case, using software keyboard emulators is an acceptable practice as long as no behaviors are automated

Well I still think it's cheating. I mean, that person in arenas is unkillable!

Of course Ellay is killable! Would you make a PvP video with anything other than lucky crits, or would you fill it with all those times you got steamrolled?

Multiboxing in competitive arenas is actually harder than what a normal group would run into. Coordination on spike-teams, similar to guild wars, where everything is measured and prepared prior to battle -- even server latency -- to ensure the exact moment of a spike... Sure, Multiboxers have that small little benefit. But movement, positioning, CC'ing multiple targets, managing cooldowns... there are several weak areas for every strong area in Multiboxing.

Multiboxing is not done because it's "easysauce". It's done because it's challenging. Ellay is very skilled, and that is the reason why he wins.

OMG, nerf! You know how much money you can get just from dailies! So unfair!

This is true, but I also have 5 times the repair bill, 5 times the mount/training costs, and 5 times the people to gear up. If you look at each character, they would earn the exact same as each one of your characters.

Omg mai keyclone it duz nt wurks!11!

I use a hardware multiboxing solution and have never touched Keyclone. Read the Keyclone FAQ and contact him if you still have issues.

Still, this has GOT to be against the rules.

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=5288579356&postId=52354469953&sid=1#2

Semantics issue #1:
Is using one keyboard to send signals to multiple instances of WoW automation? In other words, what is the definition of automation as it applies to WoW?

Using a keyboard setup like what you're describing? Not automation.
Setting up a macro with said keyboard that would, for example, automatically press Fireball each time it was available? Automation.

Semantics issue #2:
Software (such as Keyclone, Octopus, etc) to emulate a keyboard multiboxing solution is, by nature, "3rd party". Is "3rd party software" synonymous with "bot" or "automation"? Are all types of "3rd party software" bannable?
Likewise, hardware, by nature, is "3rd party". What kinds (or uses) of 3rd party hardware are bannable?

Is it sending an identical signal to all client windows or switching between them to send commands? Not automation.
Is it playing the game for you, or rather, for one of your client windows? Automation.
All hardware is considered neutral as long as its commands and features are not being used to automate gameplay.

Semantics issue #3:
Does multiboxing give a player an in-game advantage?

Yes--and so does grouping.

Therefore, can multiboxing be considered an exploit?

No. We consider it be an alternative playstyle; not everyone can do it, but if a person is willing to devote the concentration and capital to such a venture--legitimately--we're perfectly fine with it. Five multiboxed accounts can be feared and CCed just like five solo accounts.

Semantics issue #4:
Multiboxing can be considered by some as "against the spirit of the game" or, at least, "against the spirit of the game the way I want to play it". Is multiboxing against the "spirit of the game"?

See above.

Semantics issue #5:
Multiboxers provide Blizzard with a significant amount of extra income, and that, and only that, is the reason why is it currently allowed. True/false?

Patently false. All accounts should be allowed to be played as they see fit provided that they're playing within our policies. In cases of mulitboxing, all accounts involved are playing the same as any other account, only simultaneously.

Semantics issue #6:
Multiboxing is only allowed because there is no reliable way for Blizzard to find, identify, and catch them. True/false?

Almostly hilariously false.

--GM Belfaire

For a more complete list of GM conversations and links, see Dual-boxing.com's wiki

How do I start multiboxing?

Check out Vyndree's Guide to Guides, which combines several FAQ's, Wikis, and getting started guides into a FAQ format. It's a good resource to find the right resources that can answer your multiboxing questions.
http://vboxing.net/guide