It looks like the official news are calming down, it can only mean one thing: We're back to datamining!
Epic crafted items in Cataclysm - Updated
The first batch of crafted epic items was released when the NDA was lifted, due to some technical issues it was ... difficult to get the new ones. This is now fixed and I should have a couple of interesting previews for you in the next few days. (or you can spoil my fun and lurk on the latest additions but not everything is listed there)
Important - This is datamined from an early beta, stats aren't final, items aren't final. I will punch you in the face if you whine about it on the official forums.
Alchemy
Apparently, Alchemists will finally get another epic stone in Cataclysm. That's also where you realize how useful Mastery Bonus is, the item is just great for everyone.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359TrinketAllTrinketLifebound Alchemist Stone
Blacksmithing
Blacksmith get all the happy-fun-stuff again and will create the weapons that a lot of people will use when they start raiding. Don't expect them to be easy to craft.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359PlateTankChestHardened Elementium Hauberk 359PlateTankWaistHardened Elementium Girdle 359PlateMeleeChestElementium Deathplate 359PlateMeleeWaistElementium Girdle of Pain 359PlateSpellChestLight Elementium Chestguard 359PlateSpellWaistLight Elementium Belt 359DaggerSpellMain HandElementium Spellblade 359MaceHealMain HandElementium Hammer 359PolearmPhysicalTwo-HandElementium Poleaxe 359AxeMeleeOne-HandElementium Bonesplitter 359DaggerPhysicalOne-HandElementium Shank 359ShieldTankOff HandElementium Earthguard 359ShieldSpellOff HandElementium Stormshield
Engineering
All 3 types of ranged weapons are craftable and your epic helms ... are actually even more epic than we thought in the first place, they are socketable with Cogwheels and Hydraulic Pumps, engineer-only gems.
Engineers are definitely getting some love in Cataclysm ... an updated preview of the profession will be up soon, with all your new toys. (Assuming they reach the live servers ...)
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359BowPhysicalRangedOverpowered Chicken Splitter 359CrossbowPhysicalRangedFinely-Tuned Throat Needler 359GunPhysicalRangedKickback 5000 359PlateMelee,TankHeadReinforced Bio-Optic Killshades 359PlateSpellHeadSpecialized Bio-Optic Killshades 359ClothSpellHeadLightweight Bio-Optic Killshades 359LeatherSpellHeadCamoflauge Bio-Optic Killshades 359LeatherPhysicalHeadAgile Bio-Optic Killshades 359MailPhysicalHeadDeadly Bio-Optic Killshades 359MailSpellHeadEnergized Bio-Optic Killshades
Jewelcrafting
Your epic gems are back, for the moment they have different colors but I assume they'll be flagged as Prismatic when they're finally implemented.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 85RedN/AGemBrilliant Chimera's Eye 85RedN/AGemDelicate Chimera's Eye 85RedN/AGemFlashing Chimera's Eye 85RedN/AGemPrecise Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemSolid Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemSparkling Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemStormy Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemRigid Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemSubtle Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemSmooth Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemMystic Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemQuick Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemFractured Chimera's Eye
Leatherworking
The Mail/Leather gear is back, you also get the Tanking and Physical DPS cloak just like in Wrath of the Lich King.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359MailSpellWaistStormleather Sash 359MailPhysicalWaistCorded Viper Belt 359MailSpellChestTwilight Scale Chestguard 359MailPhysicalChestDragonkiller Tunic 359LeatherSpellWaistLightning Lash 359LeatherPhysicalWaistBelt of Nefarious Whispers 359LeatherSpellChestChestguard of Nature's Fury 359LeatherPhysicalChestAssassin's Chestplate 359CloakPhysicalBackRazor-Edged Cloak 359CloakTankBackTwilight Dragonscale Cloak
Tailoring
Your epic items aren't in-game yet, don't hate me!
BlizzCon 2010 Online Contests Begin
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Source)
The BlizzCon 2010 Fan Art, Original Song, and Movie contests have begun! To enter, simply submit your original Warcraft, StarCraft, or Diablo-themed work before September 27. We have over $25,000 worth of prizes to give away between these and our Dance and Costume contests on Friday night at BlizzCon, and winning entries will be showcased live at this year's show.
Head over to the Fan Art, Original Song, and Movie contest pages to see the submission requirements, read the official rules, and check out the prizes. Information and online sign-ups for the BlizzCon 2010 Dance and Costume contests will be coming soon, so keep an eye on BlizzCon.com for details.
Blue Posts
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Additional raids before Cataclysm
There are no plans for any additional raids before Cataclysm ships. With that said, there will be at least one major patch leading up to Cataclysm with a lot of core features and framework being added for the new expansion for players to explore. There will also be various limited-time events to set the tone for the release of Cataclysm. (Source)
Warlock (Forums / 3.3.5 Talent Calculator / Cataclysm Talent Calculator / Beta Skills/Talents)
Making Soul Shards "exciting"
That is still the goal, but we don't think just hooking up a big +damage buff or spell is going to feel that way. It will just be done on cooldown without some kind of situational requirement for doing so. We haven't given up on the idea at all, but it's not a trivial one to resolve. (Source)
Concept Art
The Concept Art Gallery has been updated but if you're addicted to artworks, you probably saw a lot of them before.
More...
Epic crafted items in Cataclysm - Updated
The first batch of crafted epic items was released when the NDA was lifted, due to some technical issues it was ... difficult to get the new ones. This is now fixed and I should have a couple of interesting previews for you in the next few days. (or you can spoil my fun and lurk on the latest additions but not everything is listed there)
Important - This is datamined from an early beta, stats aren't final, items aren't final. I will punch you in the face if you whine about it on the official forums.
Alchemy
Apparently, Alchemists will finally get another epic stone in Cataclysm. That's also where you realize how useful Mastery Bonus is, the item is just great for everyone.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359TrinketAllTrinketLifebound Alchemist Stone
Blacksmithing
Blacksmith get all the happy-fun-stuff again and will create the weapons that a lot of people will use when they start raiding. Don't expect them to be easy to craft.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359PlateTankChestHardened Elementium Hauberk 359PlateTankWaistHardened Elementium Girdle 359PlateMeleeChestElementium Deathplate 359PlateMeleeWaistElementium Girdle of Pain 359PlateSpellChestLight Elementium Chestguard 359PlateSpellWaistLight Elementium Belt 359DaggerSpellMain HandElementium Spellblade 359MaceHealMain HandElementium Hammer 359PolearmPhysicalTwo-HandElementium Poleaxe 359AxeMeleeOne-HandElementium Bonesplitter 359DaggerPhysicalOne-HandElementium Shank 359ShieldTankOff HandElementium Earthguard 359ShieldSpellOff HandElementium Stormshield
Engineering
All 3 types of ranged weapons are craftable and your epic helms ... are actually even more epic than we thought in the first place, they are socketable with Cogwheels and Hydraulic Pumps, engineer-only gems.
- Fractured Cogwheel - +132 Mastery Rating
- Quick Cogwheel - +132 Haste Rating
- Smooth Cogwheel - +132 Critical Strike Rating
- Subtle Cogwheel - +132 Dodge Rating
- Flashing Hydraulic Pump - +132 Parry Rating
- Precise Hydraulic Pump - +132 Expertise Rating
- Rigid Hydraulic Pump - +132 Hit Rating
- Sparkling Hydraulic Pump - +132 Spirit
Engineers are definitely getting some love in Cataclysm ... an updated preview of the profession will be up soon, with all your new toys. (Assuming they reach the live servers ...)
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359BowPhysicalRangedOverpowered Chicken Splitter 359CrossbowPhysicalRangedFinely-Tuned Throat Needler 359GunPhysicalRangedKickback 5000 359PlateMelee,TankHeadReinforced Bio-Optic Killshades 359PlateSpellHeadSpecialized Bio-Optic Killshades 359ClothSpellHeadLightweight Bio-Optic Killshades 359LeatherSpellHeadCamoflauge Bio-Optic Killshades 359LeatherPhysicalHeadAgile Bio-Optic Killshades 359MailPhysicalHeadDeadly Bio-Optic Killshades 359MailSpellHeadEnergized Bio-Optic Killshades
Jewelcrafting
Your epic gems are back, for the moment they have different colors but I assume they'll be flagged as Prismatic when they're finally implemented.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 85RedN/AGemBrilliant Chimera's Eye 85RedN/AGemDelicate Chimera's Eye 85RedN/AGemFlashing Chimera's Eye 85RedN/AGemPrecise Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemSolid Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemSparkling Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemStormy Chimera's Eye 85BlueN/AGemRigid Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemSubtle Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemSmooth Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemMystic Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemQuick Chimera's Eye 85YellowN/AGemFractured Chimera's Eye
Leatherworking
The Mail/Leather gear is back, you also get the Tanking and Physical DPS cloak just like in Wrath of the Lich King.
ilvl Type Spec Slot Item 359MailSpellWaistStormleather Sash 359MailPhysicalWaistCorded Viper Belt 359MailSpellChestTwilight Scale Chestguard 359MailPhysicalChestDragonkiller Tunic 359LeatherSpellWaistLightning Lash 359LeatherPhysicalWaistBelt of Nefarious Whispers 359LeatherSpellChestChestguard of Nature's Fury 359LeatherPhysicalChestAssassin's Chestplate 359CloakPhysicalBackRazor-Edged Cloak 359CloakTankBackTwilight Dragonscale Cloak
Tailoring
Your epic items aren't in-game yet, don't hate me!
BlizzCon 2010 Online Contests Begin
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Source)
The BlizzCon 2010 Fan Art, Original Song, and Movie contests have begun! To enter, simply submit your original Warcraft, StarCraft, or Diablo-themed work before September 27. We have over $25,000 worth of prizes to give away between these and our Dance and Costume contests on Friday night at BlizzCon, and winning entries will be showcased live at this year's show.
Head over to the Fan Art, Original Song, and Movie contest pages to see the submission requirements, read the official rules, and check out the prizes. Information and online sign-ups for the BlizzCon 2010 Dance and Costume contests will be coming soon, so keep an eye on BlizzCon.com for details.
Blue Posts
Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Additional raids before Cataclysm
There are no plans for any additional raids before Cataclysm ships. With that said, there will be at least one major patch leading up to Cataclysm with a lot of core features and framework being added for the new expansion for players to explore. There will also be various limited-time events to set the tone for the release of Cataclysm. (Source)
Making Soul Shards "exciting"
That is still the goal, but we don't think just hooking up a big +damage buff or spell is going to feel that way. It will just be done on cooldown without some kind of situational requirement for doing so. We haven't given up on the idea at all, but it's not a trivial one to resolve. (Source)
Concept Art
The Concept Art Gallery has been updated but if you're addicted to artworks, you probably saw a lot of them before.
More...