The Daily Blues

We have actually changed Retribution's mastery. Having both it and Inquisition boost Holy damage was giving too much power to things like Exorcism (over which you have very little control) and not enough to things like Templar's Verdict (which is supposed to be the centerpiece of your rotation). The new mastery will emphasize Templar's Verdict more.

We're starting to think that the ship has just sailed on Pestilence. As I said, our original intent was that Blood Boil be the main AE attack, but now we're considering making Blood Boil more for tanking, letting Frost use Howling Blast and letting Unholy use Pestilence, because, you know, diseases.

Signups are now open for the BlizzCon 2010 Costume ( http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/contests/blizzcon10-costume/index.html ) and Dance ( http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/contests/blizzcon10-dance/index.html ) contests! Eligible entrants are invited to strut their stuff live on stage, with the festivities being hosted by our master of ceremonies, comedian Jay Mohr. You have until October 4 to sign up for the live contests, and you must sign up online if you want to participate. With over $25,000 in prizes for our Friday night contests, this is one you don't want to miss.

Speaking of which, submissions for the Fan Art, ( http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/contests/blizzcon10-fanart/index.html ) Original Song, ( http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/contests/blizzcon10-song/index.html ) and Movie ( http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/community/contests/blizzcon10-movie/index.html ) contests close in less than a month on September 27, so if you haven't entered yet, you'd better get cracking!

If you aren't attending BlizzCon you can still check out these contests, all panels and tournaments, and even receive extra goodies including the "Deathy" World of Warcraft in-game pet by purchasing a BlizzCon 2010 Virtual Ticket.

Community News
Vaneras, Slorkuz & Wryxian 03/09/2010

Fansites:

Wow.herniweb.cz continues their short story about Vindicator Nobundovi in the third chapter of Unbroken.
http://wow.herniweb.cz/novinky/unbroken-chapter-3-cast-prva/1/
Another story found on this site is the tale known as Fragments of Memories.
http://wow.herniweb.cz/novinky/dalsi-pribeh/1/
Wow.herniweb.cz also has a lot of Cataclysm beta updates this week, and amongst them you can find an article about the Worgen and Gilneas.
http://wow.herniweb.cz/novinky/worgeni-z-gilneasu-necekane-shledani/1/
Their beta coverage also features screenshots, some from the Bastion of Twilight
http://wow.herniweb.cz/novinky/bastion-of-twilight-beta-build-12803/1/
And some showing the Goblin mounts.
http://wow.herniweb.cz/novinky/mounti-goblinu/1/

WoW-Serbia has been very busy creating a lot of awesome reviews of the many Zones in the Cataclysm beta, which includes footage from:
Stonetalon Mountains - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-stonetalon-mountains-201009022323/
Northern Stranglethorn - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-northern-stranglethorn-201009022324/
Cape of Stranglethorn - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-cape-of-stranglethorn-201009022325/
Elwynn Forest - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-elwynn-forest-201009022326/
Loch Modan - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-loch-modan-201009022327/
Eastern Plaguelands - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-eastern-plaguelands-201009022328/
Badlands - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-badlands-201009022329/
Wetlands - http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/zones/cataclysm-wetlands-201009022330/
You can also find an update about the new mounts that people can get in Cataclysm
http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/npc-model/cataclysm-mounts-201008292312/
And don't miss out on the preview of the new Cataclysm Glyph Interface.
http://www.wow-serbia.com/cataclysm/interfaces/cataclysm-glyph-interface-preview-201009022331/

Battlecraft also has a lot of new beta footage this week. Check out their preview on the Vortex Pinnacle dungeon located in the Skywall complex
http://www.battlecraft.it/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1343
And don't miss out on the new screenshots from Stormwind.
http://www.battlecraft.it/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1342
Of other news on this site is their weekly column, AddOnZ, which speak about inventory addons this week
http://www.battlecraft.it/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1335
And they also have an interesting update about Role-playing in WoW.
http://www.battlecraft.it/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1292
Last, but not least, they have a cool little piece on Death Knights in the Arenas.
http://www.battlecraft.it/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1310

Wow.battlenet.pl has updated their extensive Cataclysm Preview Summary, which now contains even more information from the beta.
http://wow.battlenet.pl/portal/wow/1/696/Podsumowanie_zapowiedzi_zwiazanych_z_Cataclysm.html
Speaking of the beta, they're hosting a big Cataclysm beta key giveaway event for their Facebook fans.
http://wow.battlenet.pl/portal/wow/1/799/Wygraj_klucz_do_zamknietej_bety_Cataclysm.html

Be sure to check out our other official fansites for their latest news and information.
http://www.wow-europe.com/en/links/fansites.html


World of ComicCraft:

Self-stabbing for safety!
http://www.lfgcomic.com/page/388

This is why they call it the Wailing Caverns!
http://www.tehgladiators.com/?p=163

If you do not want your packages to be damaged in the mail, they must be wrapped properly!
http://www.darklegacycomics.com/253.html

That doesn't sound good...
http://beyondthetree.wordpress.com/2010/09/02/222-shield-shocked/

It looks like all her efforts have been for naught.
http://woweh.com/?p=852

Is it a drake, a dragon or a half-drakonid?
http://www.arena-inside.com/?p=664


Other Stuff:

Tylee of Eonar has created a neat little video where you can see a great gathering of players riding rare and hard to get mounts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvSvxbfqhek

Melodée of nagrand has posted a new WoW machinima, which is a Parody of "Love the Way You Lie" By Eminem ft. Rihanna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTkdzVyfFGI

Cheshin of Spinebreaker has posted some more images of her awesome homemade Doomguard sculpture. She also made a mean looking Felhound.
http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=14469477984&postId=144679492659&sid=1#2

What would it look like if World of Warcraft and StarCraft II was merged into a single game? Perhaps it would look something like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfoU_EC9Ul8


Community Events:

Event: Farewell to old world event – September 6th - 18:00 realm time
[u]Description: Cataclysm is coming soon, so this is a chance to gather up with friends and see the old world for the last time before the expansion changes it forever.
Realm: Thunderhorn
Organized by: Akcope
More Information: http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?sid=1&topicId=14332788011

Event: The Ironforge Bank Job! – September 11th - 15:00 realm time
Description: The Horde has decided to take a look at what's inside the Alliance safety deposit boxes of Ironforge. The Alliance better prepare to defend their bank if they don't want to lose their savings.
Realm: Agamaggan
Organized by: Uroo
More Information: http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=14469499930&sid=1

Event: Defias Brotherhood Anniversary War no. 5 – September 13th & 14th - 20:00 realm time
Description: The Defias Brotherhood realm has been around for five years, which will be celebrated with some epic World PvP for all to enjoy.
Realm: Defias Brotherhood
Organized by: Orcs of the Red Blade
More Information: http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=14469529208&sid=1


Have a glorious weekend everybody! :-)