They agree with Cataclysm criticisms. They want to create new things to do rather than rehash the old. They hope challenge modes will help.
"Let's get players back into the world." They're sick of Stormwind and Orgrimmar idling. Picture of outdoor raid mob as indication of things to come.
They want to make character progression more fun and balanced for all types of players--from the hardcore to the casual.
They want you to "geek out with more interesting character builds." They streamlined it too much in Cataclysm.
There will be five new zones (plus a new starting zone); it will be a single unified conttinent like TBC and WotLK.
No flying until max level.
Pandaria has been shrouded in a mist. The alliance and horde wash up on the shores of Pandaria during a naval battle.
They immediately want it for their own for the war--so they are going to destroy the pandaren to get its resources!
The starting zone is a giant turtle. Literally.
You will choose your faction at level 10 as a pandaren. You cannot go back.
Jinyu are fish type creatures you kill in Pandaria.
Hozu are a monkey type of race that you also kill.
Verming are a new take on kobolds and you will face them throughout. Instead of candles, they're after vegetables.
Mantids will be an insect race that will be featured in dungeons & raids. They are not like the Silithid, they are intelligent and use weapons.
The Mogu were the original race twelve thousand years ago and they want the island back from the pandaren.
The Sha will be negative energy and it will be a shadow form that players fight; the alliance & horde will actually increase this.
Moving onto zones. First zone is Jade Forest.
Lush rainforests and stone spires.
Temple of the Jade Serpent will be the first dungeon (85-86).
Valley of the Four Winds is the second zone. It is split in two, you choose what side to take (you can come back later).
The Brewery will be the second dungeon.
Three specs for monks! They can be healers!
Brewmaster - Tank
Mistweaver - Healer. It should be like an intense Disc priest, they want it to damage AND heal.
Windwalker - Melee DPS.
Monks are not a hero class, they start at base level. All races except goblin and worgen can do it.
They will use staves and fist weapons plus one-handed axes, maces, and swords. No shields for healers. They wear leather.
Chi (energy) for Jab and Roll. Jab generates Light and Dark force, which is used for everything else.
Monks have no Auto Attack!
Talent trees should let you be different, no more cookie-cutter builds. No hybridization is in-game, either, and they're sorry for that.
They're making spells spec specific, for example, immolation will now be destruction only.
They are letting you change talents as easily as glyphs. Here's an example of the UI:
PvE scenarios. They are glorified group quests only cooler--more elegant to group up and explore the world.
Example scenario: You and some friends must kill kobolds, then you must find children they stole, then kill the boss responsible for it all.
Challenge modes will be like the old Baron run. You will earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals. Gear levels are normalized.
You get gear without stats (brand new tiers with a unique look) just for doing challenge modes to show off!
Pet battles will be your vanity pets fighting!
Works with most existing pets.
Wild pets will be a new type to collect--they may only spawn with raining or during the Spring or in a certain location.
The Pet Journal will let you manage your pets.
There will be 9 new dungeons, 6 specific to Pandaria.
Redone ones from classic will be turned into heroics: Scholomance and Scarlet Monastery (wings 1 & 2).
There will be 3 raids at launch, featuring Mogu and Mantid. They will have Raid Finer, Normal & Heroic difficulties. World raid bosses will be brought back.
They are adding new battlegrounds and coming up with new ideas.
STV Diamond would be a mine with multiple tracks; the first team to get the cart to the end would win.
Players would have to move carts, split the tracks, and escort the carts.
Valley of Power would be located in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.
Murderball where you hold the object for as long as possible, taking more damage the longer you hold it.
Tol'vir Arena would be like Nagrand, only sandy.
ACCOUNT LEVEL ACHIEVEMENTS. ALLOW ACHIEVEMENTS WILL BE SHARED ACROSS COUNTS. This will let them introduce new achievements.
Major class changes.
Resilience. It will be a base stat, so as you level you get some. PvE gear will not be the best, but you will be able to use it for entry-level PvP.
Ranged Weapons. Hunter minimum range is gone. Hunter melee weapon, ranged slot for all classes, and Relics are gone. Wands become MH weapons.
Warlocks will now have a unique resource for each spec. Affliction - Soul Shards. Demonology - Demonic Fury. Destruction - Infernal Embers.
Shaman will no longer have buff totems. All totems will be redone. Earthgrab totem - roots> Repulsion totem - repels. Bulwark totem - absorbs.
Druids now have four specs. feral - cat DPS. Guardian - bear tank.
Spell books for all classes are changed
New with Pandaria
New class: monk.
New race: pandaren. They will be playable for alliance & horde.
New PvE scenarios, talent trees, pet battles & more.
Pandarian Racials
Bouncy: reduces fall damage by half.
Inner peace: double lasting rested XP.
Gourmond: +15 to cooking.
Epicurean: double stats to food buffs.
Quaking Palm: some crowd control, puts enemies to sleep for four seconds then does damage.
Monk Class
They use chi as a resource (similar to energy/rage/etc).
They have stances, like Drunken Tiger/Ox
Talent Changes
The goal is to have everyone have different talents and character customization.
Abilities will be broken into two things: class and spec abilities. All warriors learn Heroic Strike, but only Arms warriors can learn Slam.
There are also class talents where any spec can learn it, but they don't get it by default--it's a conscious choice.
The idea is to make players choose from three talents.
Dungeon Previews
WoW Annual Pass W/ Freebies
Mists of Pandaria wasn't the only epic announcement made. Blizzard also announced the new World of Warcraft annual pass.
Basically, you agree to be billed for 12 months, and you get a bunch of extra goodies. Not just any goodies, mind you.
You get a FREE digital copy of Diablo 3 at launch. You get GUARANTEED beta access for Mists of Pandaria.
And you get a FREE new mount when 4.3 goes live.
The best part is, if you already get charged monthly for the game, then this won't be costing you any extra at all!
We will update this article as more info is released.
