The Best of 3.0/WotLK Information

Written by Anna on October 8, 2008 – 10:28 am

Or at least, the best that I’ve found.

I’ve been following all this expansion and 3.0 brouhaha more closely lately, given that we’re about a week before this thing lands (*hums* it’s the end of the world as we know it…).  Unfortunately, all of the best info is - as you’d expect - scattered across the blogosphere, with many blogs contributing excellent information, making it hard to keep tabs on what’s happening where.  Also, its hard to find information that’s more than just a list of patch notes!

So here it is: a list of interesting, thought provoking, or rear-end saving posts about the upcoming patch from people who (unlike me) spend time in the beta!  If you’ve read something awesome and I’ve not listed it here - PLEASE comment or email me (toomanyannas at gmail dot com) and let me know.  I plan to keep this updated.

DISCLAIMER:  This information may be out of date, due to the constant influx of new information, changes and Blizzard not being able to make up their mind about whether or not this icon should be blue or yellow.  You can always read the live patch notes here, and the most updated PTR patch notes here.

The Patch Notes for 3.0.2 have been released, and you can find them here, at mmo-champion.com.

Class Information:

• PALADINS -
  • Honor’s Code presents a 10 part guide to preparing your Tankadin for 3.0 - this is part one (check back on this one, these are really good guides)
  • Ardent Defender has a list of level 80 tanking gear
  • Blessing of Kings addresses the most recent changes to Holy spells and gives some suggestions to new healing spell rotations, plus a sample of possible 3.0 builds.
  • Siha talks about spellpower changes and how holy paladin gear is going to look in 3.0
• WARRIORS -
  • Ciderhelm gives a protection warrior 3.0 overview
  • Dezdemone, from Will Tank for Heals, breaks down warrior tanking rotations.
  • Kadomi’s overview of tanking glyphs, as well as how to prepare for the defense changes and three major talent/ability changes.  Check back to Tank like a Girl often before 3.0 - there’s great stuff here, and she’s updating frequently!
  • BloodRaginGirl dissects WotLK Warrior PVP.
  • Talldar tells you how to reach that uncrittable mark with the new gear in 3.0.
• HUNTERS -
  • Bremm’s 3.0.2 Hunter Survival Guide - all of the changes to expect from the patch
  • Lassira’s 8 Things Hunters can Look Forward To
  • Mania’s 3.0/WotLK Hunter Pet Guide of Doom!
  • Lienna ponders Cunning pets
  • Big Red Rhino talks about rhino pet stats and skills
  • BRK’s Hunter Guide Movies - Pets - and his Hunter Pets in 3.0 Guide!
    • Sporebat, Wind Serpent, and Worm
    • Crab, Cat, and Serpent
    • Turtle and New Wasp
    • Gorilladin and Gorilla
    • Wolf, Eagle/Bird of Prey, Bear
    • Rhino Bowling -  you should watch this even if you’re not a BM Hunter.  It’s full of win.
• MAGES -
  • SpicyTunas gives you the rundown on Fingers of Frost, Mirror Image, Blizzard, Talent point changes, Focus Magic, and Deep Freeze
  • Tachyon tackles the PTR and a potential Frost Spec
  • KrizzlyBear discusses the current state of Frost Mages, and how maybe it’s not all doom and gloom - and an update of what he’s seen since 3.0
  • Euripides, from CriticalQQ, goes through the new talents in the Arcane tree, plus a look at some build ideas
• WARLOCKS -
  • Romil discusses Inscription and which Glyphs are best for Warlocks.
  • Yet Another Warlock Nerf parses the Patch Notes, and what they mean
  • Draele talks about the latest warlock beta updates.
  • The Stoppable Force explains how to be hit capped at level 80 with only reputation and 5-man dungeon loot
• ROGUES -
  • Jenny, over at Spastic Matters, talks about her talent choices
  • Nhani, from Thoughts for Food, talks about her opinion of some of the changes
  • Valenna, the very stabby writer beind Parry! Dodge! Spin!, tackles the Beta Rogue Updates as well as a list of 3.0.2 changes
• PRIESTS -
  • DwarfPriest’s 3.0.2 Priest Survival Guide - everything you need to know, all in one convenient place.  Fantastic guide to specs, mechanics, professions - the whole bit!.
  • Matticus brings you everything you ever wanted to know about healing in the beta - or at least the parts he’s figured out so far
  • Ego is getting used to the changes in 3.0
  • Seri, from World of Snarkcraft, goes over shadow priests!
• DRUIDS -
  • Big Bear Butt gives you a taste of tanking in 3.0 - and his first impressions of how things are going.
    
  • Sydera, from World of Matticus, takes a look at Lifebloom and the changes to Resto Druids
  • The ever informed Phaelia, from Resto4Life, takes on Wild Growth, Lifebloom and Healing Changes, and Glyph Changes that affect Healing
  • Greylo, from GreyMatter, takes on the spell rotation issue for boomkins - Part One covers the various spells, and Part Two covers rotations and DPS
• SHAMANS -
  • Blackcud gives you Resto, Elemental, and Enhancement raid specs - the spec he has listed for Resto is the one that I’ll be using to raid (as of right now).
  • October 7th shaman changes and updates, from Spooncraft.
  • Keep your eyes open for stuff here at Too Many Annas (which I won’t be posting until the patch actually goes live)
  • Jagerbombz has updated his Karazhan Guides for 3.0
• DEATHKNIGHTS (ZOMG) -
  • Of Light and Fury tries to figure out how Specs will work for Deathknights
  • Frogins, over at WotDK, goes over talent updates as well as his strategy for dueling.
  • JadeFury talks about the latest build changes, Deathknight PVP, and the Unholy tree.

Profession Guides:

• Siha’s Inscription Guide - updated, and SCARY.  Be warned - if you thought you had enough herbs before… you probably don’t.
• Anna’s Where to Get the Herbs Guide - don’t let your mount find out you’ve read this, or they just might go on strike
• Siha’s Professional Advantages - which professions give what bonuses to players
• Blessing of Might gives a nice Glyph Q&A
• Horns, from Yet Another Warlock Nerf, has a guide to various profession bonuses and their potential outcomes.

Other Pertinent Stuff:

• Spellpower - what is it, what does the change mean, and what to expect - from Siha, at Banana Shoulders (I know I linked this earlier, but it belongs here too).
• Spell Pushback Changes - from Yet Another Warlock Nerf
• Aesthetic Changes - fun things to do that help you look different, by SpicyTunas
• All about Crowd Control, from Tachyon’s Tales of a Frost Mage
• Weapon Leveling - and why you should do it NOW, and not after 3.0
• Healing guide for 10 man Naxxramas - by the gremlins over at World of Matticus
• The Stoic Guardian gives a nice overview of Becoming Exalted with the Argent Dawn
• Raid Buffs 101, from the ever informative DwarfPriest

Once again, if you have anything that needs to be added to this list (even if you wrote it yourself), let me know!

*image thanks to Blaize