Changes to WoW for Cataclysm

The next expansion pack in Blizzard’s epic series of games is just around the corner and it looks like the changes are going to be quite immense. But just what does the game giant have in store for us this time? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest changes coming our way in Cataclysm.

Stat Changes

One big change that will affect how we all play the game, stat changes will come across the board, apparently reverting back to a simpler time. Complicated excess stats will be removed completely. For example, currently characters playing a tanking role in dungeons need to acquire around 689 defense rating (which takes them from 400 defense skill up to 540) in order to protect themselves from critical hits delivered from monsters. In Cataclysm, defense will no longer exist, being replaced with a new talent for tanking classes that makes them uncritable. Block is another stat that will affect tanks. At the moment a tank needs to be aware of two different values: their block rating and their block value. Block rating provides a % chance to block a hit with the tank’s shield, and the block value will determine how much the incoming damage is reduced by when this happens. With the new stat system, block will be consolidated into a single stat that provides a regular % mitigation against incoming damage.

Other major changes to the stats include: Mp5, Spell Power, Attack Power and Armor Penetration are all being removed. Instead Spirit, Intellect, Agility and Strength are all being improved to compensate and additional talents will be added where needed. Haste will see a massive buff in Cataclysm too, increasing the rate of energy, rune and focus regeneration. There will also be an increased benefit for enhancement shamans and retribution paladins from haste to compensate for their low mana pools.

Character Changes

Cataclysm will not only bring two entirely new races to the game, adding new experiences as players are able to choose goblins for the horde and worgen for the alliance, but will also add new class/race combinations such as dwarf shamans to the mix. On top of this, a new character progression known as Path of the Titans may well offer the chance to make any character into a “hero” class similar to death knights once you have reached the new level cap of 85. There will also be new guild leveling and progression features and many new quest lines to open up in the race to the new level cap.

Azeroth Changed Forever

In previous expansion packs new continents and zones have been added for players to explore, but in Cataclysm the world will change completely. Deathwing’s initial attack on Azeroth results in a Great Cataclysm that will change the landscape of Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms once and for all. The new zones of Gilneas and the Lost Isles will be added for the new races, but most of the work will be done on the new landscaping of existing zones. This will include new life springing forth where before it was barren, possibly in areas such as Tanaris and Silithus, and areas such as Darkshore are ripped asunder and laid to waste. Flying mounts will also be usable in Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms.

New Dungeons and Raids

Of course, what would an expansion be without new endgame content? There will be many new dungeons and raids added to the game for those players who like a challenge, and even old instances will be getting a makeover. Dungeons like The Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep will offer a new heroic mode to challenge high level players to revisit this content again. It is probably safe to assume that the last raid added will see players confronting the legendary Deathwing too.

New Secondary Profession

Another addition to the game will come in the form of a brand new secondary profession that all players will be able to take. Archaeology will enable players to find artifacts and play a kind of mini game where they must decipher the artifact. Upon deciphering them, players will receive bonuses such as new plans for professions, money and more. This new secondary profession will also be very closely tied to the new character progression Path of the Titans, as it will provide the means to unlock new glyph slots related to this.

All in all, it looks like Cataclysm is set to change the face of World of Warcraft forever. With so many new features and a whole new world to explore, it seems Blizzard are going all out on making this the best expansion to date. And rest assured, Joana and Zygor will have their guides updated and ready the day this expansion goes on sale.