This article or section is likely to dramatically change once the Mists of Pandaria begins.
Feel free to update any incorrect values (e.g. ability and talent articles), but please avoid overwriting all previous information with more current information (e.g. location and NPC articles).
For player characters, titles are displayed before or after the character's name, usually as an indication of the character's achievements. While a character may have earned multiple titles, only one can be displayed at a time — players can choose which title to display, if any, in the character info frame. Prior to patch 2.0, characters could only earn titles through the honor system and could not alter which title was displayed.
For mobs and NPCs, titles appear after the name (surrounded by <>s). They usually help identify either the faction or organization the creature belongs to or what kind of service they might provide.
Earn exalted status with and the right to represent the Alliance or the Horde in the Argent Tournament and earn exalted status with the Argent Crusade.
Defeat each boss in Ulduar on normal mode without allowing any raid member to die to that boss at any point during that raid lockout period (except Algalon the Observer).
Defeat each boss in Ulduar on heroic mode without allowing any raid member to die to that boss at any point during that raid lockout period (except Algalon the Observer).
Defeat Algalon the Observer in 10-player mode without anyone in the raid wearing any equipment with an item level higher than is available in 10-player Ulduar.
All PVP titles are displayed in the format: title name. PvP top percentage titles only last for the season after they're earned. As of Season 7, 2v2 Arena teams can no longer earn titles.[1]
These PvE titles are for performing substantial tasks, and with the release of additional content, these tasks have been made impossible to complete or somewhat trivialized, so the titles are no longer attainable.
Prior to Patch 2.0.0, players could earn titles by participating in PvP; ranks would be assigned based on the number of contribution points acquired by killing opposite-faction players during a week. With the release of Patch 2.0.0 and the Burning Crusade, players could no longer obtain or improve their Honor System title, but could choose to display their highest lifetime title they've earned before the patch. All honor system titles are displayed in the format: title name. With the release of Cataclysm expansion. New titles that look the same were issued for rated battleground rankings. See section Return of PvP titles in Cataclysm for the new titles of the same name.
In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, players will again be able to earn titles by participating in PvP; the old ranks would be given based on a new battleground rating system.[2]
In Cataclysm, we plan to make the old PvP titles available based on your performance in our upcoming rated Battleground system, similar to the current Arena titles which are based on your performance in the Arenas. Keep in mind, however, that Cataclysm is still relatively early in the development stages and this information is subject to change. We'll have more on the rated Battleground system and associated rewards in the months ahead.
[...] I'm going to clarify my original post, as I don't believe it's been decided yet whether they'll be purchased with Arena points or Honor points, or if a specific Battleground rating is the only requirement to unlock them. There are no plans to make these titles available for real-world money.
[...] We feel they're going to fit well with the new rated Battleground system. The titles were previously earned through a very cumbersome experience that didn't necessarily measure a player's PvP skill. With a new system for measuring performance in the Battlegrounds, we feel it's a good fit to award the honor title to those who excel. We do not intend for the top titles to be earned in a triival manner. It's going to be quite hard to get High Warlord or Grand Marshal; and not because it's going to requrie that someone plays in the Battlegrounds more than everyone else on their realm each week, but because it's going to require a very impressive win/loss ratio.
The current plan is still for rated Battlegrounds to grant Arena points, though some rewards will require a certain rating from this system just as with the current Arena system.
After you earn your first title, the selection drop-down box will not be shown in your character info window. You have to log off and back on for it to be displayed.
Champion of the Naaru and Hand of A'dal are technically still obtainable, but only to characters who picked up and kept the relevant quest chains before the achievements were "removed" in patch 3.0.2.