Update - The servers are under a lot of stress, it will be fixed as soon as we're done using the heat to keep the coffee pot warm.

Cataclysm Talent Calculator - Introducing WoWTalWoWTal.com is a new project we're launching for Cataclysm, it will ultimately replace the old talent.mmo-champion.com calculator. The class previews posted today are now available there!

I'm sure you'll find a lot of bugs, feel free to report them in comments!

Druid Cataclysm Talent PreviewBlizzard sent a preview of the talents of 4 classes in Cataclysm: the Druid, Priest, Rogue, and Shaman. Quote from Blizzard staff Balance Tree

Tier 1 (Left to Right) Starlight Wrath (5 points) - Reduces the cast time of your Wrath and Starfire spells by 0.1/0.2/0.3/0.4/0.5 seconds. Genesis (5 points) - Increases the damage and healing done by your periodic spell damage, healing effects and Swiftmend by 1/2/3/4/5%.

Tier 2 (Left to Right) Moonglow (3 points) - Reduces the Mana cost of your ..read the full article

Priest Cataclysm Talent PreviewBlizzard sent a preview of the talents of 4 classes in Cataclysm: the Druid, Priest, Rogue, and Shaman. Quote from Blizzard staff Discipline Talent Tree

Tier 1 (Left to Right) Unbreakable Will (5 ranks available) - Reduces the duration of stun, fear, and silence effects done to you by an additional 6/12/18/24/30%. Twin Disciplines (5 ranks available) - Increases the damage and healing done by your instant spells and the damage absorbed by your Power Word: Shield by 1/2/3/4/5%.

Tier 2 (Left ..read the full article

Rogue Cataclysm Talent PreviewBlizzard sent a preview of the talents of 4 classes in Cataclysm: the Druid, Priest, Rogue, and Shaman. Quote from Blizzard staff Assassination Tree

Tier 1 (Left to Right) Improved Eviscerate (3 points) - Increases the damage done by your Eviscerate ability by 7/14/20%. Remorseless Attacks (2 points) - After killing an opponent that yields experience or honor, you receive a 20/40% increased critical strike chance on your next ability. Lasts 20 seconds. Malice (5 points) - Increases your critical strike chance ..read the full article

Shaman Cataclysm Talent PreviewBlizzard sent a preview of the talents of 4 classes in Cataclysm: the Druid, Priest, Rogue, and Shaman. Quote from Blizzard staff Elemental Talent Tree

Tier 1 (Left to Right) Convection (5 ranks available) - Reduces the mana cost of your shock, Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, Lava Burst, and Wind Shear spells by 2/4/6/8/10%. Concussion (5 ranks available) - Increases the damage done by your Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, Thunderstorm, Lava Burst and shock spells by 1/2/3/4/5%.

Tier 2 (Left to Right) Call ..read the full article

Vol’jin Calls for Zalazane's Fall Quote from: Zarhym (Source) Not to be outdone by High Tinker Mekkatorque's showing of gnomish pride in calling for Operation: Gnomeregan to commence, High Chieftain Vol'jin of the Darkspear Tribe has announced his intention to see Witch Doctor Zalazane fall once and for all. With full backing from Thrall, the Darkspears have begun a series of ceremonies in Sen’jin Village while preparing to seize the Echo Isles and free them from the lingering dark voodoo of Zalazane's ..read the full article

MMO-Champion: The CataclysmSomething is happening to MMO-Champion... Something catalysmic.

Very soon, we will be migrating the forums from SMF to vBulletin. This is going to be a very big update to the website and will require at minimum 10 hours of downtime to prepare for it. We're all working very hard on our end to get everything in place and ready for use, but there's some things that you can all do to pitch in and help us with the transition. AvatarsAs ..read the full article

Blizzard survey hints at extra character slots ... potentiallyEarlier this week, a survey was sent to european players to gather data on ... tons of things related to WoW. Hidden among the general WoW questions was a fairly interesting one :

Apparently, Blizzard is seriously considering offering more character slots to players but you might have to pay for that. Just keep in mind that this is just a survey for the moment and it doesn't accurately reflect what we ..read the full article

Update - Small update on the contest, it wasn't very clear in the announcement but apparently only the guild master of the guild is supposed to send the mail.

Cataclysm Beta -- Guild Contest Quote from: Zarhym (Source) If you think you and your guildmates have what it takes to make invaluable beta testers, take a stab at our Cataclysm Beta -- Guild Contest. All you need to do is tell us in a short essay why you and nine of your ..read the full article

Reminder - Blizzard released a Preview of the Twin Peaks Battleground in Cataclysm on Friday. Apparently it went down the front page a little too fast and a couple of people missed it.

Facebook/Twitter TCG Loot Code GiveawayIt's time for another TCG Loot giveaway, courtesy of WoWTCGLoot.com once again.

People who liked the MMO-Champion Page on Facebook will have a chance to win 2 x Landro's Pet Box! Following me on Twitter.com will give you a chance to win 2 x ..read the full article

MLG Columbus WoW 3v3 Arena TournamentThe 2nd day of the tournament has just started!

Live StreamThe live stream is available on MLGPro.com.

Day 2 Schedule Saturday8:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Warm-Up10:00 AM - 10:35 AM - Pool Play10:35 AM - 11:10 AM - Pool Play11:10 AM - 11:45 AM - Pool Play     11:45 AM - 12:20 PM - Pool Play12:20 PM - 1:00 PM - Break1:00 PM - 1:35 PM - Pool Play1:35 PM - 2:10 PM - Pool Play2:10 ..read the full article

MLG Columbus WoW 3v3 Arena TournamentFrom June 4-6 in Columbus, Ohio, 16 of the top World of Warcraft 3v3 Arena teams from around the world will compete for over $15,000. Teams will compete in two groups of eight teams each, in a round robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to a double-elimination Championship Bracket. The competition will be fierce, and only the best will remain standing in the end.

StreamThe live stream is available on MLGPro.com.

Competition ..read the full article

Cataclysm: Twin Peaks Battleground Quote from: Blizzard (Source) Located within the Twilight Highlands, the Twin Peaks remains a crucial point of high ground for staging effective and debilitating attacks against the black dragonflight and the Twilight's Hammer, who dominate this foreboding environment. And now, two previous occupants of the nearby city of Grim Batol vie once again for control of the peaks' defenses. The Wildhammer clan, architects and original owners of the once-great fortress city, maintains some operations in forested outposts of ..read the full article

Cataclysm Screenshot of the DayThe Screenshot of the Day Gallery has been updated with a new screenshot of the Speed Barge in the Shimmering Flats (Thousand Needles)

Concept ArtsThe official Concept Art Gallery has been updated with two new pieces of artwork.

Blue posts Quote from Blizzard staff Numbers scaling up over timeThey are just numbers. Automobiles used to cost hundreds of dollars a few generations ago and now they cost tens of thousands of dollars. But most everything else economic related ..read the full article

Cataclysm Screenshot of the DayThe official Screenshot of the Day Gallery has been updated with a new screenshot of the Stonetalon Mountains.

First Batch of BlizzCon Tickets Sold Out Quote from: Zarhym (Source) The initial allotment of tickets for BlizzCon 2010 has now been sold out. If you weren't able to get tickets this time, you'll have another chance on Saturday, June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, when a second batch goes on sale. Coverage of the gaming festival will also ..read the full article

Update - We have winners for the Twitter and Facebook TCG Loot giveaway! The next one will be very soon, thanks again to WoWTCGLoot.com for the codes!

First Batch of Blizzcon Tickets Sold OutThe first batch of Blizzcon tickets is sold out. A second batch will go on sale June 5 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.

Patch 3.3.5 - Ruby Sanctum AvailabilityAnd here comes the end of any "OH GOD US WILL GET ALL THE FIRST KILLS" drama. It was fun while it lasted. Quote from: Zarhym (Source) Due to the fact that we will be delaying the release of patch 3.3.5 in Europe, Korea and Taiwan in order to ensure the patch process in all regions is as smooth as possible, the Ruby Sanctum will not immediately be available on North American realms upon the release ..read the full article

Patch 3.3.5 Regional Release Information Quote from: Slorkuz (Source) In patch 3.3.5, we will be introducing our new Battle.net system, which opens up new communication options for World of Warcraft players and lays the groundwork for integration with future Blizzard games, such as StarCraft II. In order to ensure that the implementation of this major new system goes as smoothly as possible, we plan to release the patch to North American realms first, with Europe, Korea, and the region of Taiwan following ..read the full article