The Cataclysm Begins Today with The Shattering

[Shawn Zipay]

World of Warcraft subscribers will get to enjoy the beginning of the end today when patch 4.0.3a is rolled out to servers. Yes, the start of the events leading up to the release of the upcoming WoW expansion, Cataclysm are set to kick off in grand fashion.

* Portals in Dalaran/Shattrath Removed
* Class trainers in Dalaran where portals once were
* New race-class combinations (excluding worgen/goblin)
* New Gnome/Troll starting areas
* Changes to existing zones
* New cata load screens
* New cata intro cinematic
* New cata login screen
* New music
* City Quartermasters, with rep tabards
* Bug fixes
* Class balancing
* Druids, paladins, priests, and shaman will have their talent trees reset
* Experience required to gain levels 71 through 80 is being reduced by 20%
* New tamable hunter pets (Monkey, fox, dog, and beetle, as well as new skins for existing pet classes.)
From MMO-Champion

The patch, entitled "The Shattering" will drastically alter the very World (of Warcraft), transforming the old lands into vastly transformed areas. This patch is free to all subscribers.

Say goodbye to the hills you once thought you knew. After tomorrow, nothing will be the same again.