Bashiok revealed there are plans to add a PvP on/off toggle in Warlords of Draenor for PvE realms. That means flagged players can no longer mount up and stand on an NPC to force players to get PvP flagged accidentally; and can PvP only if the player wishes to participate. In some cases, the PvP system would flag a player out of the blue.

The new PvP on/off toggle system is quite a load of work — it’s basically rewriting the PvP systems from scratch.

Bashiok: Well, I understand where you’re coming from, but flagging as a PvE character is based on a player’s action to flag themselves (even if it’s on accident), so I’m not sure it’s us making you PvP. The systems that can cause someone to flag can absolutely at times be involuntary, which is notably frustrating.

In any case we are continuing toward a goal of a PvP on/off toggle for players on PvE realms to be added in Warlords of Draenor, which would absolutely and in all situations allow someone to refrain from becoming flagged regardless of their actions. Heals toward flagged players would fail, coalescing to PvP realms wouldn’t be possible, misclicks and AoE’s would never damage a flagged opponent, etc. It’s actually quite a bit of work because of all the systems involved, but it’s still something we think PvE players should have, and how the game should work for them.