Trooper wrote:
Not entirely sure if it the same as it used to be be, but...
Buying a boxed copy will be much much cheaper than buying from blizzard direct, and the original game comes with 30 days free playing time. This will get you up to the level of the free to play version.
Buying wrath and cata will cost extra and doesn't come with any free play time.
You do not need to buy burning crusade anymore.
Not sure about the code business, but I assume you just register the code you get in the box to your free account. Bit harsh if you can't!
Buying the boxed copy is certainly cheaper from Wrath onwards, Blizzard are fucking ruthless when it comes to maintaining prices on their digital downloads. That said, the digital downloads are certainly more convenient.
Remember you're not in any way paying for the 'game install', so all getting the boxed copy provides you with is install media - whether you go boxed or digital, what you actually need is the game-key, which comes with either flavour of purchase.
Classic + Burning Crusade are £9.99 as a digital download, TBH I'd go with that for the convenience, AFAIK you just put the key in and it'll upgrade your free account:
http://eu.blizzard.com/store/details.xml?id=210000091 - This includes 30 days of play time which is worth £9 anyway.
For Wrath and Cata, you're definitely better off trawling around for a cheap boxed copy, as Blizzard want £29.99 for each
(Depends how you favour cash vs convenience, I do everything digitally these days and am totally Blizzard's bitch.)
Thereafter it's about £9 per month to play, (you can get cheaper if you do 3/6/12 renewals instead of monthly), or you can add time as you want with a game card.
I think it's a bloody bargain for the money in all honesty, to my mind this is the finest game in the world, ever.