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Cataclysm: The exhaustive list of old-world changes (so far)

Michael Sacco
Updated ·6 min read


World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is coming. Sometime. We're at that point now where BlizzCon has been over for a few months and Blizzard is being pretty stingy with new information in the meantime. It's a definite dry spell, but the same thing happened with Wrath -- and then the Friends and Family Alpha began, and all bets were off.

And while the F&F Alpha for Cataclysm hasn't started yet (believe me, we'd know), that doesn't mean you can't stay informed. There've been bits and pieces of new info released, in PC Gamer magazine, on Twitter, and elsewhere on the internet. And we like to keep track of that! What's come out is mostly new information on what's going to happen to Azeroth. And we just recently decoded this planning map of Cataclysm zones, which is where some information comes from.

So what this article is meant to be is a compendium of all known changes to old-world zones that'll occur in Cataclysm, sorted by continent and zone. We'll update whenever new information is released.

Hit the jump to get caught up!

Disclaimer: Some information may be outdated or incorrect by this stage in Cataclysm's development!



KALIMDOR

  • Ashenvale
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    Levels 20-25.

    Increased orc presence in Ashenvale has resulted in severe deforestation around the Warsong Lumber Camp.
    Horde forces have begun to move in on Silverwind Refuge.
    Astranaar is being assaulted from the air by the Horde.

  • Azshara
    Overhaul level: High.
    Levels 10-20.

    Goblins have claimed Azshara for the Horde and have reshaped the land into a giant Horde symbol.
    The mountains have been mostly destroyed by goblin mining.
    The goblins have built a city there, linked directly with Orgrimmar.

  • The Barrens
    Overhaul level: Moderate (North) to High (South).
    North Barrens: 10-20; South Barrens, 30-35.

    The Cataclysm has split the Barrens into two separate zones, North and South Barrens.
    The two zones are divided by a huge lava fissure.
    The Alliance will be moving into South Barrens, setting up camps there.
    Some of the Barrens, such as the area around Wailing Caverns, will be lush and verdant due to druidic intervention.
    Entryway into Mulgore has been reinforced by the tauren.
    Camp Taurajo razed by the Alliance.

  • Darkshore
    Overhaul level: High.
    Levels 10-20.

    Auberdine has been destroyed by tidal waves.
    The cataclysm has ravaged much of the zone.
    The night elves have retreated to the north end of the zone.
    The Horde is encroaching from the south.

  • Desolace
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    Levels 30-35.

    The cataclysm has cracked a hole in the sea wall, allowing water into the zone.
    Some of the zone has regrown due to the water coming back.
    The covens in the zone appear to have been partially successful in summoning in Burning Legion demons.

  • Durotar
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    Levels 1-10.

    Orgrimmar is reinforced with black iron a la Warsong Hold.
    Some damage is done to the landscape.

  • Dustwallow Marsh
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 35-40.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Felwood
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    New level range unknown.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Feralas
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    Levels 35-40.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Moonglade
    Overhaul level: Light.
    No level range.

    Changes, if any, unknown at this time.

  • Mulgore
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 10-20.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Silithus
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 55-60.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Stonetalon Mountains
    Overhaul level: High.
    Levels 25-30.

    The goblins have nearly leveled Stonetalon in with their mining operation.
    A canyon has been cut through the mountains leading to Ashenvale.
    An eruption has caused the Charred Vale to spread even further.

  • Tanaris
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 45-50.

    It is now possible to travel to Uldum, the new high-level zone, via Tanaris.
    Some Tanaris goblins wisely invested in desert real estate and reaped the benefits when it became beach-front property.
    A new Caverns of Time instance will be opening.

  • Thousand Needles
    Overhaul level: High.
    Levels 40-45.

    The cataclysm has resulted in Thousand Needles completely flooding.
    Shimmering Flats is now a lake.
    The planning map indicates a new instance in Thousand Needles.

  • Un'Goro Crater
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 50-55.

    Changes unknown at this time.


EASTERN KINGDOMS

  • Alterac Mountains
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 20-25.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Arathi Highlands
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 25-30.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Badlands
    Overhaul level: High.
    New level range unknown.

    Heavily affected by Deathwing's emergence. Details unknown.

  • Blasted Lands
    Overhaul level: High.
    New level range unknown.

    Cataclysm opens the coastline for a new area.
    New worgen hub near the Tainted Scar.

  • Burning Steppes
    Overhaul level: Unknown.
    New level range unknown.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Deadwind Pass
    Overhaul level: Unknown.
    New level range unknown.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Dun Morogh
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 1-10.
     Changes unknown at this time.

  • Duskwood
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 20-25.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Eastern Plaguelands
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    Levels 40-45, 45-50.

    Changes unknown at this time; likely related to the death of Arthas.

  • Elwynn Forest
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 1-10.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Eversong Woods
    Overhaul level: Unknown.
    Levels 1-10.

    Changes, if any, unknown at this time.

  • Ghostlands
    Overhaul level: Unknown.
    Levels 10-20.

    Changes, if any, unknown at this time.

  • Hillsbrad Foothills
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 20-25.

    Southshore lost to tidal waves.

  • Loch Modan
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 10-20.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Redridge Mountains
    Overhaul level: Unknown.
    Levels 20-25.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Searing Gorge
    Overhaul level: Unknown.
    Levels 45-50.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Silverpine Forest
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 10-20.
     The Greymane Wall has been destroyed, opening the kingdom of Gilneas.
    Shadowfang Keep questline getting redesigned for high-level players.

  • Stranglethorn Vale
    Overhaul level: High.
    New level range unknown.

    Blizzard indicated that STV would be one of the most overhauled zones.

  • Swamp of Sorrows
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    New level range unknown.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • The Hinterlands
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 30-35.

    Changes unknown at this time.

  • Tirisfal Glades
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 1-10.

     Changes unknown at this time.

  • Western Plaguelands
    Overhaul level: Light.
    Levels 35-40.

    The plague will recede from the Western Plaguelands following Arthas' defeat.

  • Westfall
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    Levels 10-20.

    Changes to Deadmines questline for high-level players.

  • Wetlands
    Overhaul level: Moderate.
    Levels 20-25.

    Heavy landscape changes to the zone due to the emergence of Deathwing.
    Passage to Twilight Highlands to the east opened.


World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From Goblins and Worgens to Mastery and Guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.