Achievements

Achievements are self-contained goals that challenge you and let others see what you have done. They were added in patch 3.0.2 with Wrath of the Lich King and cover every kind of play: exploring the world, PvE, PvP, professions and character growth, from silly tasks to very hard ones. New achievements come with each content update, and some are granted after the fact to players who already met the conditions.

Press Y (or use the button in the micro menu) to open the window. The top shows your total points; each achievement lists its name, description, point value, completion date and a progress bar where needed, and you can track achievements on screen like quests. Some achievements give rewards such as Mounts, Riding and Skyriding, tabards, companion pets and titles, all purely cosmetic.

• Single actions, such as getting a haircut.
• Progress goals that need repeating something, such as giving out 10 hugs.
• Progressive series, for example collecting 10 pets and then 25.
• Meta achievements that unlock when you finish a group of others, such as World Explorer after all exploration achievements.

Many achievements count retroactively, including those for quests, honorable kills, items you hold, skills and professions, exploration and Reputation and Renown. Feats of Strength are very hard or no-longer-available deeds; they give no points and do not appear in the summary. The Legacy category holds retired achievements, which also give no points.

Separate tabs hold guild achievements, which count for the whole guild, and Statistics about your character's play. Right-click another player to compare achievements. When you earn one, it is announced to your guild and to players near you.