WoW Insider's Patch 3.1 FAQ
Our own Elizabeth Harper has been hard at work gathering together all of the most frequently asked questions that we've received over the last few weeks regarding patch 3.1. Now that the realms are finally coming up, it's a good time to get these out to you all because many of you will probably be asking them soon, too!
Our FAQ is listed below, and if you ever want to find it again just bookmark this page. It will always be there, and should there be a need to update it at any point, we'll be sure to do so! Thanks for sticking with us today, ladies and gentlemen.
Q: When is patch 3.1 going to hit the live realms?
A: Patch 3.1 is launching on US realms on Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 and on EU realms on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009.
Q: The Blizzard downloader isn't working for me! Where else can I get the patch?
A: Our sister site Big Download has patch 3.1 available for your downloading pleasure. Blizzard also has a variety of patch mirrors listed.
Q: I'm having trouble applying the patch! What should I do?
A: Check out our post on common patch problems and their solutions. If nothing there solves your problem, Blizzard's downloader support page has some good advice and the technical support forums are a source of numerous questions as well as the occasional answer.
Q: What's changing in patch 3.1?
A: Lots of things! Players will have access to dual specs, a new raid dungeon called Ulduar, new solo content in the Argent Tournament, significant changes for all classes, plenty of profession tweaks, and some additions to the user interface. Take a look at the final patch notes or our guide to patch 3.1 for the full details.
Q: I've been following all of the 3.1 news, but is there anything that's changed from the PTR version and the version that's going live?
A: Just a few things that we've seen. And, though the patch notes say we're getting the Equipment Manager this patch, I'm afraid it's not actually in 3.1. For your equipment management needs, take a look at the popular (and not dead yet!) addon Outfitter or any of these Outfitter alternatives.
Q: What the heck is an Ulduar, anyway?
A: Ulduar is a new raid dungeon meant to be the most challenging in the game. It's located in Storm Peaks, near Halls of Stone and Halls of Lightning. There is a 10-player and 25-player heroic version of the dungeon.
Gallery: WoW 3.1 PTR: Ulduar
Q: What's the story behind this Ulduar place?
A: Blizzard introduces Ulduar thusly:
For millennia, Ulduar has remained undisturbed by mortals, far away from their concerns and their struggles. Yet since its recent discovery, many have wondered what the structure's original purpose may have been. Some thought it a city, built to herald the glory of its makers; some thought it a vault containing innumerable treasures, perhaps even relics of the mighty Titans themselves. Such speculations were wrong. Beyond Ulduar's gates lies no city, no treasure vault, no final answer to the Titan's mysteries. All that awaits those who dare set foot in Ulduar is a horror even the Titans could not, would not destroy, an evil they merely... contained.
Beneath ancient Ulduar, the Old God of death lies, whispering.... Tread carefully, or its prison will become your tomb.
If you're interested in the lore (and don't mind a few spoilers), we've got some details on Ulduar's quest chains that give you all the backstory you'll want about the place. For those less interested in spoilers, Ulduar's cinematic trailer will get you started.
Q: When can I start running Ulduar?
A: See if your guild ready for Ulduar, how to get prepared for your first Ulduar raid, and what healers should expect from Ulduar. You may also want to read up on specific boss fights and strategies -- though bear in mind this information was compiled on the PTR and may have changed -- we have write-ups on Kologarn, Ignis the Furnace Master, Flame Leviathan, The Iron Council, and Hodir.
Q: What sort of cool stuff can I get from Ulduar?
A: Ulduar is home to more pieces of loot than all of the Burning Crusade raids combined -- and if that doesn't impress you, there's Tier 8 armor, a tribute to former Druid blogger Phaelia, and a new legendary weapon called Val'anyr.
Gallery: Tier 8 Armor
Q: What's this Argent Tournament thing all about?
A: The Argent Tournament will be a new permanent PvE orientated activity placed in the northeastern part of Icecrown. The Tournament will have players fighting for their faction's cities (mounted combat, of course), championing their flags alongside other adventurers.
Gallery: Patch 3.1: The Argent Tournament
Q: What do I get out of the Argent Tournament?
A: Loot of all sorts (including mounts, tabards, and weapons), achievements, reputation, and plenty of daily quests to kill time with while you're waiting for your Ulduar group to form.
Gallery: Argent Tournament racial weapons
Q: I've heard I'll be able to have two talent specs in patch 3.1. How? When? Where?!
A: You can pick up a second talent spec in three easy steps! Just visit your class trainer and fork over 1000 shiny gold pieces. Have more dual spec questions? See our dual spec guide.
Gallery: Patch 3.1 Dual Spec walkthrough
Q: 1000 gold!? Isn't that a bit much?
A: The cost probably won't be worth it for everyone. But for people who switch talent specs several times a week -- say to jump from tanking to DPSing or from PvE to PvP -- the 50 gold a respec adds up quickly. And, of course, the convenience of being able to change talent specs at the drop of a hat is pretty darned nice.
Q: What if I want to change my talents? Is that another 1000 gold?
A: After you've set up your dual specs, tweaking them will cost a standard respec fee.
Q: Now that I can dual spec, what should my second spec be?
A: See our dual spec advice for each class:
Q: What about Noblegarden? Wasn't it supposed to start a week ago?
A: Yes, but changes to the holiday included with 3.1 delayed the event's launch until after 3.1 could hit the live realms. Currently, the in-game calendar tells us Noblegarden will start on April 26th.
Q: Mounts can swim? Which mounts? How fast?
A: All ground mounts can swim in patch 3.1. (But your flying mounts still fear water.) They don't move you through the water any faster than you'd move without them, but this feature does save you the nuisance of dismounting and remounting whenever you run over a river.
Q: What about class changes? Is my favorite class getting nerfed?
A: Patch 3.1 has more nerfs and more buffs than you can shake a stick at. Look up what's happening for your class in our class changes round-up.
Q: With all those class changes, will we get free respecs?
A: Yep!
Q: What about professions?
A: Check out Insider Trader's professions round-up.
Q: I have a patch 3.1 question you haven't answered here!
A: Send us a tip with your question and we'll get it added.
Patch 3.1 is live and it takes us into Ulduar, delivers us dual specs, and brings significant changes to all the classes! We've got you covered from top to bottom with our Guide to Patch 3.1 and the official patch notes!
