Can names be used again after name-changing...?

Jusey1

Odd and rather confusing question, I know. I've been thinking of just flat-out remaking my main character since I doubt we will ever get a class change token... The upcoming update on the 8th is a really good chance to just replay through the whole game with a brand new 'you' in a sense. I currently have a free token to edit a character, which includes the name, so I was thinking of renaming my old main into something else so I can use my main's old name on my new main once I make him. However, I wanted to ask is if I can do this? Once I rename my old character, can I use that name again on a new character or no?

Side note. I'll probably keep my old main as is and maybe rework him into a healer actually since he is a Templar and I know they can be decent at healing. So luckily, I won't have to redo everything with my new main (such as crafting).

InaMoonlight

Yes, after you change the name of a character it will be free again. But that also means someone else can take it, so if you really want to keep it you make a new char with the old name immediately after the namechange of the first char to hold it

Jusey1

InaMoonlight wrote: »

Yes, after you change the name of a character it will be free again. But that also means someone else can take it, so if you really want to keep it you make a new char with the old name immediately after the namechange of the first char to hold it

That's exactly what I thought.

tomofhyrule

Best way to do it is to go into the creator and make the character, then back out without starting the game. As long as you don't leave the character select screen by quitting the game or playing a character, it saves the character you created so you don't have to remake them. Then rename your old character, go back to the new character screen, and they're already set up and ready to go with the right look. Just give them the name and start.

Someone could still scoop the name, but that only leaves a window of less than a minute so it's pretty unlikely.

SirLeeMinion

I can also confirm that I've done this and re-used names without any issues.

barney2525

I have created a new character, once in game realized I messed up something cosmetic, deleted the character, created a new 'correct' character - and was able to use the same name of the deleted character.

Danikat

I can confirm that it's possible to delete a character and then re-use the name. I've done it a few times.

I don't think you need to worry too much about someone else taking the name unless you've got something very popular. I mean I'd make the new one straight after deleting the existing one, but I don't think you need to rush through the character creator or use extra name change tokens to swap names around. The chances someone else is going to try to use exactly that name in the gap between deleting one and creating another is pretty low.

Mythreindeer

Naming in the character creator let’s you be very creative using punctuation to fudge a similar name that’s taken that you like that may be taken already. Obviously not the OP’s exact situation though.

Nestor

The chances of having your name sniped in a few minutes is vanishingly small.

Unless, maybe it is the week that new content drops and lots of people are making new alts or starting the game for the first time.

Pick an off time for your server, say late at night or early in the AM, for best results.

Greasytengu

I have done this before too.

Had a sorc named Manlymarco, then necromancer became a class.

amm7sb14_ESO

I'm just surprised that a name i commonly use in RPG's seems to be taken on PC-NA, and its a relatively unique name with no connections to anything else, so I'm very shocked that another player would have come up with it.

MasterSpatula

Yes, I've done this. Name-changed a character and was able to name a new character that name instantly.

zaria

Danikat wrote: »

I can confirm that it's possible to delete a character and then re-use the name. I've done it a few times.

I don't think you need to worry too much about someone else taking the name unless you've got something very popular. I mean I'd make the new one straight after deleting the existing one, but I don't think you need to rush through the character creator or use extra name change tokens to swap names around. The chances someone else is going to try to use exactly that name in the gap between deleting one and creating another is pretty low.

As I understand its an lock down on an name after you delete an character.
You can use the name at once but it will not be unlocked for others until after an hour or something.
Has deleted characters and reused names but read an story here about some who renamed an alt and some other could not take the name for some time.