War of the Immortals is an action MMORPG from Perfect World, launched in North America and Europe in December 2011 and published by Perfect World Entertainment, later known as Arc Games. Set in the world of Motenia, it packed a lot into one free-to-play game: nine classes, pets you capture from the monsters you fight, gear that grows with you, guild territories and a three-way arena built for hundreds of players.

The Western service ceased operations on January 9, 2018, on the same day as Battle of the Immortals. Since then fan-run private servers have been the way back for players who miss it, with rates, expansions and shop rules chosen by each server's team.

Soul Gear, Captured Pets and Motenia's Territories

The class list is long: Berzerker, Champion, Duelist, Enchantress, Heretic, Magus, Ranger, Slayer and the later Harbinger. Slayers are quick, deadly assassins, the Duelist draws on demonic forces, and the Enchantress is female-only. Each class has its own Soul Gear, equipment that grows and changes as you level instead of being replaced every few hours.

Pets work on a capture-and-customize idea. Most monsters can randomly drop a catchable version of themselves, so the pet you want is usually something you hunt. Once summoned, a pet can be taught skills to fit the role you need. The Legendary Crusade expansion added Dual-Class Lineage: from level 89 you can unlock a second class, which starts at level 60, and switch between them with a spell that can be interrupted and cannot be cast in combat.

The social endgame opens at level 50, when guilds and alliances unlock. More than thirty territories across Motenia can be taken, each granting bonuses, and they are the main source of guild PvP. Outside that there are duels, PvP zones where only flagged players can attack each other, and a three-way arena for up to 540 players.

What to Look For in a War of the Immortals Private Server

Expansion and Class Roster

Check which version a server runs. Some may stop before Legendary Crusade and its dual-classing, and not every server has the Harbinger. If a second class is part of your plan, confirm that Dual-Class Lineage is in and working before you start.

Pet Capture and Pet Skills

The capture drop rate decides how long you hunt for the pet you want, and pet skills decide how useful it is. Ask whether both come from play or from the shop. A server that sells the best pets and their skills outright has removed one of the game's best loops.

Soul Gear and the Shop

Because Soul Gear grows with you, the items that power it matter more than any single drop. Read what the shop sells and whether its currency can be earned in game. Anything that speeds up Soul Gear for money will show up in territory wars.

Territory Wars at Server Scale

Thirty-plus territories and a 540-player arena were built for a big official population. Ask how the server keeps those systems alive with the players it actually has - whether territory battles are contested by several guilds, and whether the arena fills.

Rates and Leveling Pace

Guilds open at 50 and dual-classing at 89, so the EXP rate decides how quickly you reach the parts of the game that matter. Higher rates suit returning players who want the endgame; lower rates keep leveling areas populated.

Starting Out in Motenia

Pick a class you will enjoy for a long time, and plan your second one if the server has Dual-Class Lineage. Start hunting for a good pet early, and join a guild by level 50 so you are ready for the territories. Vote for the server you play on; rankings here start again every month, so the list below follows where players are now.