Well, it's official: World of WarCraft Cataclysm incoming

[Steve]

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/

Looks pretty neat mostly, including a lot of long-overdue changes IMHO, though it's interesting that they're halving the increase in level cap (probably due to a lack of new zones given their plans) with the new cap being only 85, not 90.

Oh, and as for the new profession... I can't help myself on this.
Spoiler

"We meet again, Doctor Jones...."

[Nephtys]

The new profession is Nazi?

Sigh. It's More WoW, color me unimpressed. More hunting for magic violet pants. More defeating evil so it can come back next week. More money for Blizzard. I wonder when they'll be done with the game. 2020?

[Steve]

I heard that a leaked paper laid out five expansions planned, so if that and their usual time frames hold up (and so far it has since it laid out which ones and the order has remained solid - Outland, Northrend, Great Sea/Maelstrom) we'll see the next (Emerald Dream) announced in two years and the last (Twisting Nether) two years after that, or 2011/2013 respectively. So if the releases hold up we get Winter 2010-11, Winter 2012-13, and Winter 2014-15 respectively for the release dates, and by that last WoW would be ten years old and they'd, well, be pretty much out of material.

I wonder if they'll then close the book on the setting or if we'll finally see "WarCraft 4", complete with a time jump like the one between WC2 and WC3 (which the aborted WC Adventures was supposed to take part in).

[Crossroads Inc.]

Wow.. so Humans really are getting Furries, and, well Azeroth is basically fgetting nuked? That sucks

[Mr Bean]

The new profession is Nazi?

Sigh. It's More WoW, color me unimpressed. More hunting for magic violet pants. More defeating evil so it can come back next week. More money for Blizzard. I wonder when they'll be done with the game. 2020?

Smart money is on one more expansion then a two year lead off to a new Money printing...
Err I mean MMO
Starcraft Online won't cut it and they have two projects ongoing under wraps. Both containing former WoW team members so who can say.

[Darmalus]

I'm curious how they intend to do the changing zones they are talking about. I am hoping they use the phasing tech they have to let future players see the old world, level up, and return to the changed azeroth. I wish that was what they had done with the old onyxia chains, rather than remove them, but oh well.

Oh, I love that the added profession is secondary, saves me some "Which character should take this new profession, which old one should I drop?" headaches.

[Ghost Rider]

Cool, waste yet another 80-85 level character to make yet another mule for a profession, and the pursuit of my +280 Str, +400 Sta, +190 Def purple pants from yet another loot whore here I come.

And Horde get buttfugly gnomes. Still waiting for Diablo 3 because Sacred 2 and Titanquest have lived through their fun a while ago.

[Steve]

Uh, Archeology will be a secondary profession like fishing and cooking apparently, so no need to retool a character or reroll to accomodate the new profession.

[Ghost Rider]

Uh, Archeology will be a secondary profession like fishing and cooking apparently, so no need to retool a character or reroll to accomodate the new profession.

I just read that and that makes me groan worse. So I get to do it on every alt like cooking, which is essential or it becomes First Aid Mark II in being useless at the higher end except to go "Look I can do XXXX".

Just point me to Rags and BWL MK II so my guildies and I can laugh at them again, talk over vent and loot the fuckers again for our ReallyDarknessEmoWraith Tier 15...though the new leveling idea will make me wonder. Though more in the idea of how fast are they going to assrape whichever class they deem is too powerful (thank you again for raping Fury, Blizz). My only hope is they don't make another fucking joined city so I don't need my machine chug.

Though I will enjoy seeing Worgen DKs and the hundreds of bad names that will spawn from it all.

[Stofsk]

Still waiting for Diablo 3 because Sacred 2 and Titanquest have lived through their fun a while ago.

As am I, however I've been playing Diablo 2 like there's no tommorow and it's still pretty good. I do want to get back into TQ because I haven't really played it other than a couple hours with Vympel when he came over to my place last month for a weekend.

I never played Sacred 2; how does it compare to Diablo 2 and Titan Quest?

[Steve]

Though I will enjoy seeing Worgen DKs and the hundreds of bad names that will spawn from it all.

Indeed. *chuckles*

I remember that it didn't take very long at all for Cenarion Circle to get the guild "Night Elf Mohawks" showing up after that first commercial.

[ArmorPierce]

Damn Azeroth really can't catch a break. If it's not one thing it's another wrecking the planet.

[Slacker]

I unsubscribed after four years of playing WoW. My wife still plays Diablo 2 with a few friends a couple nights a week. THat game's got staying power.

[ArmorPierce]

hrmm I have a feeling that this cataclysm is an excuse to reshape the world of Azeroth and create new zones since they are pretty limited with what they can do presently with the defined borders as it is.

I only played Wow for the first 6 months it came out and then after came in out and out a couple times for a few weeks at a time. The game had its charm when it is new and you are leveling up with everyone else who themselves are new and experiencing the environment for the first time.

Blizzard will continue with World of Warcraft for as long as it remains profitable. Considering that World of Warcraft's subscriber's base has been steadily growing over the years instead of decreasing, I think World of Warcraft will be around for a long time.

[Kuja]

I've seriously shit my pants reading some of the info coming out of BlizzCon for this. I'm already more stoked for it than I was about Wrath. New races, new classes for the existing races, Azeroth revamped, stats being streamlined a great deal and an ability to customize armor stats so YOU DON'T HAVE TO ITEMIZE OUT THE ASS SO MUCH...yeah, this stuff can't some soon enough.

[Ghost Rider]

So according to their current annoucement:

Hunter = Ranged Rogue with Pet! No Mana! You literally are a rogue with a gun instead of daggers/swords/axes/hammers. Getting rid of ammo! Second dumbest consumption thing.

Warlock: Getting rid of possibly the dumbest consumption thing they did, soul shards.

MP5: Too hard to understand, giving spirit! Whatever, after the nerfs you've done and the buffs to spirit...I'm amazed it's in Wrath still.

Spellpower: Ok...now this will either be good or fucking horrible. Really fucking horrible given how the classes work with intellect.

Attack Power: We can't itemize leather, mail, or plate!!! We're just giving Agility OR Strength!!! BTW dumbasses!!! People don't go for leather because just for the AP, they go for it because Agi PLUS Crit PLUS AP is astoundingly better then Str plus mediocre Crit. But don't worry, this will mean now that I can gem slot, and reforge that leather belt to have Str, Agi, and Crit on it!!!

Defense: Taking it out! Again, why not remove the ability for monsters to crit? Nevermind, I'm sure I'll be wearing +200 Str, +500 Stam pants.

Armor Pen: Too hard to understand because 1-100% makes no sense for our demographic. Now making into another stat you will need to pile on like Hit/Expertise.

Haste: Now making it better for Hunter/Rogue. It's already one of the best stats for certain classes, now making it insanely awesome.

Stamina: +500? I'm sorry, I'm leaning to 1-2K.

Frostmourne clone soon available for Huntards and DKs in Icecrown. My DK tank will love it .

Archaeology : Needed more then cooking/fishing/first aid will ever be. BTW, let's guess how many of the real good shit will need 25 man raiding? I knew you can

Reforging: Start making your Blacksmiths, Tailors, JCer, Leatherworking, Engineer friends in guild now. Min/Maxing is now going to be even more insane on items. Still only solves a few problems and opens loot to more and higher insanity.

LOL, ah well...like I said, point me to Rag MK II so I can loot his dead body for shiny stupid loot for the eventual downfall of Lady whatshername, EmoDeathdragon and Old God Part 3.

[Steve]

Ghost Rider, you just won this thread.

[Bedlam]

The new race / class mixes seem to favour the horde somewhat they get a few more combinations that the alliance. In particular the gnomes arn't getting any more classes but every other race is.

No love for the gnomes

[CaptainChewbacca]

On the plus side, with dwarf mages and shamans, you can now have entirely dwarven guilds. This expansion is basically everything I ever wanted. They're going back to Uldum, Grim Batol, and Mount Hyjal, and they're doing south seas and underwater zones. And MALFURION WOKE UP!

To answer a question up above, no, the people who arrive after the cataclysm will never again be able to see Azeroth as it once was. They're permanently changing the old-world landscape.

P.S. I just got my Meckgineer's Chopper. W00t

[ArmorPierce]

The new race / class mixes seem to favour the horde somewhat they get a few more combinations that the alliance. In particular the gnomes arn't getting any more classes but every other race is.

No love for the gnomes

well i don't know how it's done now but when the game first came out alliance race/class choice outnumbered horde.

[GuppyShark]

The new race / class mixes seem to favour the horde somewhat they get a few more combinations that the alliance. In particular the gnomes arn't getting any more classes but every other race is.

No love for the gnomes

You missed the GNOME PRIEST?

[Broomstick]

Personally, I am looking forward to a revamped Azeroth. I am sure I won't like all of the changes, but it's overdue.

As for how long WoW will go on - as long as it makes Blizzard a profit. It's that simple. With the huge playerbase they have they'll keep going past 5 expansions as long as the money keeps rolling in.

[Ghost Rider]

And in more new stuff we go to races:

Goblin: Butt fucking ugly gnomes BUT we are giving them -

•Racial - Best Deals Anywhere - Always receive the best discount regardless of faction.

So...making him into your alt banker is better then ever!

•Racial - Pack Hobgoblin - Calls your personal servant allowing you bank access for 1 minute. 30 mins cooldown.

aka LMAO...you bought that pony for 150 badges?! Or you have to fly back?!

•Racial - Better Living Through Chemistry - Alchemy skill increased by 15.

Like the gnome we're giving you guys a useless boost up. Though in context at least the gnome has it in a profession that sucks cock to use and level.

•Racial - Rocket Barrage - Launches your belt rockets an an enemy, dealing fire damage. 2 min cooldown.
LMAO...this will either make or break PvP. Remember the Lightning Capacitor? Wow, now in racial format...possibly.

•Racial - Rocket Jump - Activates your rocket belt to jump forward. 2 min cooldown.

Remember when we nerfed Speed Belt into the ground! Guess what fuckers...jokes on you!!!

•Racial - Time is Money - 1% increased attack and casting speed.

LOL...free haste.

So...nearly the number one pick for a PvP player given the innate as well battle advantages.
And for the Alliance: EMO WOLVES!!!

•Racial - Visciousness - +1% damage.

Aka, make them a rogue.

•Racial - Dark Flight - +70% run speed for 10 seconds.

In addition to sprint...again make a rogue from this race.

•Racial - Abberation - Duration of Curses and Diseases reduced by 15%.

Look Rogue, fuck up your Warlock opponent even more!

•Racial - Flayer - Skinning skill increased by 15.

And here we thought Tauren getting +15 to Herbalism was fucking dumb.

And other stuff:

•The Horde finally conquered Southshore.

Guess those Tauren Mill versus South Shore battles were for something.

•Every zones will be revamped with new quests, items, and art. The old world will be a brand new experience and you won't have to deal with the annoying agility/spirit quest rewards anymore.

Look guys, we fixed something! Now onto making Vanish/Blink/Charge not fucking up...next expansion.

New Zones

•7 new zones will be added : Twilight Highlands, Mount Hyjal, Deepholm, Uldum, Gilneas, The Lost Isles, Sunken City of Vash'jir.

Vasj'ir

•Sunken City of Vashj'ir will be an underwater zone and was the home city of Lady Vashj before the original sundering, this is a gateway to the Abyssal Maw. Going through the Abyssal Maw will take you to the Elemental Plane of Water, even if the zone will be underwater you will be walking on the sea floor here, new underwater mounts will be available and should have the same speed as normal flying mounts.

Deepholm

•Deepholm will be the new hub of the expansion, you will have portals here to let you teleport to Hyjal, Uldum, etc ... The Twilight's Hammer now serves Deathwing and have brought him back to full health in the Temple of Earth at the center of the map.
•Deepholm isn't really connected to Azeroth, the connection is where Deathwing emerged from the ground.

Uldum

•Uldum will have at least two dungeons and is heavily inspired from Egypt. The sea at the west of Tanaris was just an illusion created by the Titan and Uldum is actually a brand new zone. It is rumored to hold a super weapon. Uldum is also the home of the Tolvir, a race of stone-like cats created by the titans.

Plane of Fire

•Ragnaros used the cataclysm to come back from the Plane of Fire where we sent him and is now sieging the World Tree in Mount Hyjal to burn it down. Malfurion is back from the Emerald Dream. The whole zone (Hyjal) will make extensive use of phasing.

Twilight Highlands

•The Twilight Highlands will feature Grim Batol, Deathwing literally broke open Grim Batol as he emerged from the ground. This is the new Twilight's Hammer base in Azeroth and both Horde and Alliance will have a new port town with boats here. The Red Dragonflight is still here but has been pushed back to the west of the zone near the Wetlands.

BEHOLD GENTLEMEN! Old shit we forgot about until now...sorry for the slight delay.

Dungeons & Raids

•The Firelands will be a new raid dungeon, it will let you go to the Elemental Plane of fire and visit Sulfuron's Keep, Ragnaros will be here and he's really pissed.

So, is he going to keep dropping double Nemesis drops, because if he does...he won't be the only one pissed.

•The Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep will be back in a brand new level 85 heroic version.

•Blackrock Caverns will be a new level-up dungeon located in Blackrock Spire. This is an entirely new dungeon, new art, new creatures, new everything.

Guess Ony was only the start. What's funny about this? People long ago asked is what forever static and Blizz was "YES FUCKERS...now keep flooding our coffers with MONEYS!!!!!". Ah well, visit old place for more of my Tier 20 loot.

Player vs. Player

•Battle of Gilneas will be a new battleground where the objective is to control the city by controlling as many districts as possible.
•Tol'barad will be a new PvP zone and will also be the most important daily quest hub. Just like Wintergrasp a battle will happen every few hours and the winning side will get access to the Tol'barad Prison and extra daily quests, the really profitable ones.


ZERG, BITCHES, ZERG RUSH!!!

•Rated battlegrounds will be added to the game and should get you the same rewards as Arenas.

Right when we get Aerial combat in Wrath.

•New arena maps will be added.

In Patch 3.31

Reforging

•Reforging is another way to customize your gear.
•It will be relatively cheap, you will need a Blacksmith / Leatherworker / Tailor / Jewelcrafter / Engineer to do it. Each profession get to reforge a type of items.
•It lets you reduce one stat for another. Some restrictions will apply, you can't put the extra stat on something that is already on the item.

This will be both a min/maxer nightmare or dream. I'm thinking nightmare given how stupid they are still with gear itemization.

Professions

•Multi-gains will be added, while you level up your trade skills, rare items will give you more points as you skill up. (Rare items will give you 5 points for example, while green bracers will only give one)

Finally.

•Gathering should be a little more fun.

So unless the drop rate is increased ten fold and people have their own phased world, I don't see this happening. Unless their definition of fun is acting playing the auction house.

•Engineering is a very fun tradeskill, but it's either amazing or it sucks and everybody drops it. More convenient items like Jeeves or Wormhole Generator will be added to the profession in the future to get back to the roots of Engineering.

No, no guys. It's suck because you nerf anything that even resembles a reason to pick up the trade AND you gave any of the cosmetic things to the CCG. A repair bot is fucking useless given it's hearth-summon-hai guys!!

•Fishing will also have some big changes, no details yet but it's going to be more fun.

Again...fun. You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

•Block: Block Value is being removed. Blocking will now always mitigate a percentage of damage.

So wait, after you doubled it...NOW you're going to do what Ciderhelm said?! Now I need to ask him...oh wait, you removed Defense. Ummm...Tanks need MOAR!!!

New stuff:

•Casters will finally get a Legendary item in one of the first raids of the expansion.

And it'll be just like the hammer in both usage and presitge!

•Cataclysm will change the ways abilities are learned. Abilities ranks are gone and ability will just scale progressively with levels instead.

AKA Assraping twinks.

•Most of the Talent Trees will be changed dramatically, a lot of the passive bonuses will be removed and talent trees should be more fun. (No more "Hurray! Level up! I just got 1% more hit!)

Of course this will go down perfectly...I mean look at Titan's grip!

•There is no plan to allow players to train more than 2 profession.

Not yet anyway.

•There is no plan to allow more than 2 specs with the dual-spec system.

If it had more then two specs, it wouldn't be DUAL SPEC motherfuckers. I guess this is the reason for less *Mathy* talents.

•Bags might get slightly bigger with Cataclysm.

Oh you mean like every expansion? Oh wait...I still have to hold onto my initial 16 slotter?!

•You will never be able to cleanse the Corrupted Ashbringer.

For the five people in the world that got it, enjoy the fact that we lied to you about all that jazz...suckers.

•Developers want shaman to be good AE healers and might buff Chain Heal even more.

Sunwell HO!

•Multi-passenger flying mounts could be added in the future. They might also allow crafters to craft 310% flying mounts if they already completed an achievement rewarding one.

So for those people who are either the top 1% PvP or 1% guild, you can build a 50K 310% flying machine to sell for hundreds of thousands of gold. Yes, we love our gold hacker farmers...why do you ask?

•Every healer class can now dispell magic, the niches will other debuffs.

If you PvP, play a rogue.

•Engineers might be able to craft bows in the future.

This will calm the idiots down while we nerf them some more.

•If you already own a 310% mount, you might be able to boost the speed of all your 280% mount to 310% just to let you use the one that you prefer.

Because really...that's a major concern for the top .5%

•Hunter's new ammos might drop from bosses or bought with emblems, nothing is decided for the moment.

RAID MOAR BITCHEZ!!!

•Shadow Priests will most likely get a nuke without cooldown in Cataclysm.

Yeah, we noticed Shadow Priest suck harder then badly equipped Fury...so ummm here's a band aid! Maybe.

•Shamans (Elemental) looks like "turrets" in PvP for the moment, the idea is to make totems funnier in the future ("put a totem down and something cool happens") but not a lot of details for the moment.

So instead of figuring out the mistakes...we're giving you SWIRLY BALL!!! Sorry rogues...you're already OP, no swirly ball for you!

•Warriors won't be as affected as other classes by the itemization changes, the goal is to make other classes gears look a lot like what warriors have.

LOL, so now bad itemization across the board!

[Crossroads Inc.]

I would like to vote to have Ghost Rider the Offical Game Reviewer for the forum.. I mean, he took all the "talk" from Blizzerd and tells it what it "Really" means

[Steve]

I would like to vote to have Ghost Rider the Offical Game Reviewer for the forum.. I mean, he took all the "talk" from Blizzerd and tells it what it "Really" means

Seconded!

I'm still laughing like crazy over that post, GR. You already won the thread, you're just holding onto it.