Cataclysm rumours/info now in PC Gamer UK VERY BIG SpoilersIn the latest issue of PC Gamer (UK) is a 6 page article named '50 reasons to play Catalysm'. The vast majority of what is covered is already known/confirmed, however, there appears to be verifcation of certain rumours first made here on MMO-champion in the days before Blizzcon but that were never confirmed nor denied.

Just a note on the source before everyone starts screaming for links for scans. I don't have ..read the full article

Patch 3.3.3 - PTR Build 11655A new build has been deployed on test realms! So far it looks like the only changes are the ones from the official notes, but I'm digging.

Official Notes ChangesThe official notes have been updated once again! Quote from Blizzard staff Druid (Forums / Talent Calculator)Glyphs Glyph of Focus: Now increases the damage done by Starfall by 10%, down from 20%.

Hunter (Forums / Talent Calculator) Heart of the Phoenix: Cooldown reduced to 8 minutes, down from 10 ..read the full article

Mastery System Preview Quote from: Eyonix (Source) Last week, we gave you an early look at the changes we’re making to the stat system in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, and explained how these changes will ultimately provide players with more interesting gear choices and make stats easier to understand. Today we’d like to go into more detail about a brand-new feature that’s an integral part of this overhaul: the Mastery system, a set of new game mechanics designed to allow players to ..read the full article

Patch 3.3.3 - PTR Build 11643A new build has been deployed on test realms. So far it doesn't look like there are a lot of changes out there but stay tuned, test realms can be full of surprises!

Pets / MountsLil' XT finally got its own model, the name is VERY similar to Lil' K.T. and it wouldn't be surprising to see this pet appear on the Blizzard Store at some point.

On a sidenote, both Celestial Steed and X-53 ..read the full article

The weeks starts slowly because it's pretty hard to connect to the PTR these days, hopefully we will see a new PTR build very soon to fix the current issues.

Is Patch 3.3.3 going live this week?Not a chance. The last 2 ptr builds were fairly unstable and Blizzard would never risk pushing it live this week, especially with some of the developers and lead developers attending the GDC in San Francisco this week.

Blue posts Quote from Blizzard staff Healing and Mana ..read the full article

Ruby Sanctum - Info Compilation / Preview [Spoiler]Most of the Ruby Sanctum have been pushed in this patch and it looks like I have enough data in my hands for a small preview. As usual keep in mind that: This is only a preview based on game files, I could be wrong on a few things. Ruby Sanctum isn't even scheduled for release for Patch 3.3.3, it will be added with Patch 3.3.5 and a LOT of things can change in so ..read the full article

Lich King (10) Heroic World First Kill by ParagonThe Lich King finally died in Heroic Mode! Paragon finally defeated him in 10-man mode (the 5% Hellscream's Warsong was used for the kill). Congratulations to them!

From ParagonWe have now killed The Lich King on hard mode in 10-man Icecrown Citadel. Good job everyone who were on the kill and those who participated on the endless strategy discussion.

This encounter had a bug on the spirit phase which we reported 2 ..read the full article

World First Glory of the Icecrown Raider (25) by ExorsusThe russian guild Экзорсус (EU-Ревущий фьорд) is back and was the first guild in the world to complete Glory of the Icecrown Raider (25 player) a few hours ago (and before the zone-wide buff was activated in Europe, if you're wondering), they were rewarded with a brand new Icebound Frostbrood Vanquisher. They also got the World First Glory of the Icecrown Raider (10) 2 weeks ago. Congratulations to them!

Icecrown Citadel ..read the full article

Icecrown Citadel Zone-Buff is hereThe optional zone buff in the Icecrown Citadel is now available and will make the instance easier for whoever wants to use it. The buff currently increases total health, healing done and damage dealt by 5% but higher versions are in-game and will probably be activated later.

Strength of Wrynn (5%) / Hellscream's Warsong (5%) Strength of Wrynn (10%) / Hellscream's Warsong (10%) Strength of Wrynn (15%) / Hellscream's Warsong (15%) Strength of Wrynn (20%) / Hellscream's Warsong (20%) Strength ..read the full article

Cataclysm Stat & System Changes Quote from: Eyonix (Source) As many of you know from panels at last year’s BlizzCon and posts here on the forums since then, Cataclysm will bring about major changes to familiar character stats such as Intellect, Armor Penetration, Defense, and others, ultimately designed to make the effects of stats more easily understandable and make gear choices more interesting. As these changes will have a significant impact on how stats work and relate to one another, today we ..read the full article

Trojan succesfully hacks Authenticator Protected AccountsA new virus spawned on the internet a few days ago and seems to be the first trojan capable of hacking a WoW account protected by an Authenticator. It was confirmed by Blizzard a few hours ago. Quote from: Kropacius (Source) After looking into this, it has been escalated, but it is a Man in the Middle attack.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man-in-the-middle_attack

This is still perpetrated by key loggers, and no method is always 100% secure.

Basically, what the virus does ..read the full article

This news post will be updated constantly with new questions and answers

#BlizzChat Developer Chat on Twitter 2/26 Quote from: Bornakk (Source) Our next developer chat on Twitter is about to begin! Be sure to sign up for a Twitter account at https://twitter.com/signup and follow account @Warcraft in order to participate!

Please be sure to include the hashtag #BlizzChat when submitting your questions on Twitter so that we can find it.

Due to the limitations of providing complete answers within Twitter, all answers will be ..read the full article

BlizzCast #13 Quote from: Zarhym (Source) In our thirteenth BlizzCast episode, we focus on the recent start of the StarCraft II beta! An interview with the StarCraft II's production director and game director discusses what beta testers and the overall StarCraft community can expect in the latest multiplayer version of the game. The developers also provide some insight into other topics such as the single player campaign, eSports, and macro mechanics. In our second segment, World of Warcraft and Diablo community managers ..read the full article

Developer Chat on Twitter -- 2/26/10 Quote from: Bornakk (Source) We will be holding our next Developer Chat on Twitter on Friday, February 26, at 5:00 p.m. PST with World of Warcraft's lead content designer and lead systems designer. This chat session will focus on Icecrown Citadel and other Fall of the Lich King content.

Questions will be taken live through Twitter, so be sure to sign up for a Twitter account at https://twitter.com/signup and follow account @Warcraft in order to participate!

To submit ..read the full article

Update - Added official notes update at the bottom of the post. Some of these changes aren't on PTR yet as far as I know and aren't included in the spell comparison below. Make sure you check both.

Patch 3.3.3 - PTR Build 11599A new PTR build has been deployed on test realms. Stay tuned for changes! Quote from Blizzard staff Misc Gnomeregan Pride - Transform into Gnomeregan Infantry. Darkspear Pride - Transform into a Darkspear Warrior.

Achievements Zalazane's Fall - You assisted Vol'jin in the ..read the full article

Heroic Professor Putricide US First Kill by ExodusA few hours ago, Exodus (US-Ysondre) took down Professor Putricide in heroic mode and became the first guild to reach the Lich King in heroic mode on US servers. Congratulations to them!

So far, only 5 guilds went that far in Icecrown Citadel : Paragon (EU-Lightning's Blade) For The Horde (EU-Nazjatar) Ensidia (EU-Tarren Mill) Wraith (EU-Sargeras) Exodus (US-Ysondre)

Also, Paragon released a video of the fight against Putricide in Heroic Mode, check it out for more details!

More PTR 3.3.3 ..read the full article

Cataclysm Prologue - Gnomeregan and the Echo IslesPatch 3.3.3 introduced a lot of data for the prologue, or at least a part of it. If you checked the site when the patch was first release you already know that players will be able to recapture Gnomeregan (Alliance) and the Echo Isles (Horde).

Achievements and OvercloaksThis is where it all started, the new achievements were discovered instantly on the Item Database Latest Additions.

Gnomecoming King - You assisted High Tinker Mekkatorque and ..read the full article

Let's start the week slowly with cute and funny things!

Plush Wind Rider Cub and Gryphon Hatchling RevealedApparently, the new Plush Wind Rider Cub and Gryphon Hatchling were sent to a few selected gaming websites and a few pictures (and even a video) are now available! They should be for sale in the Blizzard Store shortly. You can find more pictures on GameInformer.com.

ComicsIt's monday! Dark Legacy Comic #226 and Teh Gladiators #114 are out! Also included this week