We consistently watch queue times for all areas of the game to try to identify problem areas where we can step in and make an improvement. Battleground queue times specifically tend to be a direct result of how many people are entering the queue at any given time from both the Horde and Alliance, within an entire region. While a number of factors can lead to longer queue times, faction interest in queuing for PvP tends to be the primary influence. For that reason we're going to be trying something new. For a limited time, and only for select realms (for this first test just a single realm), we'll be opening faction changes for Horde characters to change to Alliance for free.

These changes will be provided on a limited basis to realms where we see the greatest potential for changes to occur. Guild leaders who want to Faction Change their guild for free will first need to pay for the initial transaction, but will be granted a refund* if they change to the eligible faction within the free change time frame.

This first test of free faction changes will only initially be available to players on Barthilas. Eligible characters will be able to faction change from Horde to Alliance for approximately** one week beginning on Wednesday, May 28 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. If you're looking to faction change--and especially for any Guild leaders looking to initiate a Guild Master Faction Change--we highly recommend taking advantage of this offer as soon as possible to avoid leaving anyone behind. For more information on Faction Change eligibility and limitations, please visit the support site here.

We'll be providing updates on availability--as well as if this offer is extended to additional realms--here on the front page, so keep checking back. We look forward to your feedback on these faction changes, and ensuring you spend less time in a queue and more time slaughtering your enemies in glorious team-combat.

* Eligible Guild Master Faction Change refunds will be automatically processed within 72 hours.

**Faction Change availability may either be shortened or extended depending on ongoing evaluation during the faction change period.

They watch. They report. They discuss. They are . . . WoW Insider. Join us to learn a bit more about the personalities behind the page and what the site can do for you—and if you’re not familiar with WoW Insider, perhaps we can help acquaint you.

Captained by Editor-in-Chief Alex Ziebart, WoW Insider hosts a variety of articles and features, including the latest World of Warcraft and Blizzard news, opinion pieces, fun community creations, and guides to help you get the most out of the game.

What really sets WoW Insider apart are the unique personalities you’ll find among the site’s contributors. We thought this would be a great time to introduce you to some of them.

About the Bloggers

Matthew Rossi: The self-proclaimed “old man” of the site, Matthew Rossi is one of the editors on WoW Insider. He’s one of the “go to” guys for Warriors and happens to have a couple of his own . . . or three . . . or more. (Many more.) He’s also roams through the intricate annals of Warcraft lore and lends his insights to the Know Your Lore column along with partner in crime, Anne Stickney.

Anne Stickney: Her uncanny insights into the World of Warcraft story make us wonder if she’s secretly a member of the Timewalkers. Anne serves up a veritable buffet of Azeroth knowledge and puts it all into perspective for lore neophytes and aficionados alike. Matthew Rossi and Anne Stickney’s encyclopedic Know Your Lore series is a great way to get the lowdown on the places and people you’ll encounter in Azeroth and beyond.

Adam Holisky: Jack of all trades and posts, Managing Editor Adam Holisky keeps his finger on the pulse of many topics. His body of work include news updates, patch release information, and The Queue, where WoW Insider contributors answer questions from the World of Warcraft community.

Elizabeth Harper: If you’re looking for something to discuss over your morning meal, you may want to check in on Elizabeth Harper’s Breakfast Topics. She also covers various news items and throws in a bit of Hearthstone coverage now and then for good measure.

Sarah Pine: A grand prize winner of the Blizzard Creative Writing Contest, Sarah has not only written several short stories for Blizzard (including her winning entry In the Shadow of the Sun), but also lends her voice to the site as a content editor.

Elizabeth Wachowski: You can join Elizabeth for her series of Around Azeroth articles, which feature unique and interesting screenshots submitted by the community, along with insight and commentary from the folks who snagged them.

If you’ve got questions, then you might find your answers in their Warlords of Draenor guide—it’s an easy way to stay up to date on what’s happening with the upcoming expansion.

But wait! There are more contributors, too, such as Michael Gray with his WoW Moviewatch column, and Amanda Miller with the Sunday Morning Funnies.

WoW Insider Show

Podcast fans can also catch up on the latest WoW news and thoughts from the staff by checking out the WoW Insider Show live podcast each week with regular hosts Anne Stickney, Michael Sacco, and Matthew Rossi. You can catch the stream on Twitch or subscribe to the show on iTunes so you don’t miss an episode. There’s always a link to the latest show on the front page of the site as well.

Guides

If you’re looking for a helping hand in your adventures, WoW Insider puts together some top-notch guides, such as Elizabeth Harper’s Rookie Guide series that helps new and returning players become acquainted with World of Warcraft.

The guides on WoW Insider run the gamut of game content, including a full overview of Mists of Pandaria, as well as articles that reach back into World of Warcraft’s past.

There’s much more the site has to offer, and your best bet is simply to visit WoW Insider and take a look around for yourself. There’s sure to be something of interest to you.

Are you a frequent WoW Insider visitor? If so, what’s your favorite feature? Who’s your favorite WoW Insider writer?

Let us know in the comments!

Catch all of the live action today on PVP-Live.com/Armageddon as well as through their partner Twitch channel Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, 2014 beginning at 11:00 a.m. PDT each day. Hosts Ryan “Chinglish” Dingle and Isaac “Azael’ Cummings-Bentley will be on hand to bring you all of the PvP action.

Semi-finals begin at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, so be sure to tune in. Visit the PVP Live site for more information.

Line up and pay attention! Every single training mission I send you on seems to end with me being inundated by cooing over how cute all the tamers’ pets are. Knock it off!

How many times do I need to tell you their looks are purely meant to deceive you? OK, I’ll give you some credit: Moonstalker is pretty awesome, and if I bothered to get myself a kitty, I’d want that one. But this doesn’t make it OK for you to lose your focus! The goal here is to mold you into Master Pet Tamers that are far more advanced, far more talented, and far more capable than the ones you encounter on Azeroth. Far more better!!

Next up is Merda Stronghoof, and her team is ugly. So ugly, in fact, that there isn’t a snowball’s chance in Molten Core that you’ll be a bunch of deer in goblin headlights when you confront them. You like my analogy, don’t ya?!

Bring on the info, Mr. Crithto.

Crithto: Deep within the Cenarion Wildlands in Desolace, you’ll find Ms. Stronghoof near a place called Karnum’s Glade. Her team is made up of Bounder, a level-9 Aquatic; Ambershell, a level-9 Elemental; and Rockhide, a level-9 Critter. Each one has its strengths and weaknesses, and for this mission, you’re going to need to be on your toes! Payne has instructed me to inform you that your team cannot have a pet higher than level 8. Rare quality has never been more important, so be sure to choose wisely. Your lineup will be a level-8 Undead, a level-8 Mechanical, and a level-8 Elemental in that order. Report back here once you’ve succeeded!

Yes, your training is gonna get a lot harder—I warned you people last week, so you can save your crying for Mankrik’s wife.

MOVE OUT!!

Come join the discussion about this encounter in our Pet Battles forum. You can also learn more about Merda Stronghoof by visiting Wowhead.com and get more details about Pet Battles by visiting WarcraftPets.com.