A Cataclysm 101 guide for reputation rewards

Along with new zones, new dungeons, new raids, and new levels, Cataclysm is bringing us eight new reputations (four of which are Alliance- or Horde-only). Each of these new groups offer different rewards at different reputation levels, and of course, we have new arcanum helm enchants and new shoulder enchants.

Most of these new reputations also offer tabards at friendly rep that you can use to gain reputation while running heroics. Join us after the cut for a rundown of all the new reputations available in Cataclysm, what zones you'll need to go to to gain rep with them, where to find their quartermasters, and what rewards they have to offer.

Guardians of Hyjal

Located in one of the two new Cataclysm starting zones, the Guardians of Hyjal are made up primarily of druids who serve the Ancients of Hyjal. You will quickly gain a lot of rep with them by questing in the new Hyjal zone, and in fact, you can get to friendly with them in only 20 minutes or less of questing.

The Guardians of Hyjal provide the spellcaster helm enchant, and they offer a tabard at friendly reputation to help you gain rep through dungeon runs.

Earthen Ring

Located primarily in the other of the two starting zones in Cataclysm, the Earthen Ring are a group of shaman dedicated to preserving the the balance of the elemental forces in the the world. In the wake of Deathwing's rise, Thrall joined the Earthen Ring to help try to stabilize the Maelstrom.

Earthen Ring reputation is primarily gained through questing in the new underwater Vashj'ir zone, and this reputation provides the tanking helm enchant.

Ramkahen

The Ramkahen are the cat people of Uldum and descend from the Tol'vir. Reputation with the Ramkahen is gained through questing in Uldum and can be bolstered by wearing their tabard. The Ramkahen provide the physical DPS head enchant as well as two new camel mounts.

Therazane

Therazane is a quest giver in Deepholm, and you will start with hated reputation. After finishing the Therazane quest line, you will end at honored reputation; you'll have to grind the rest out through dailies or by wearing the Therazane tabard in dungeon runs.

Therazane provides the shoulder enchants for all roles, much like the Wrath Sons of Hodir. At honored, you will get the lesser version of the enchant, with the full version following at exalted.

Dragonmaw Clan (Horde)

Once servants of Illidan in The Burning Crusade, the Dragonmaw Clan of orcs have rejoined the Horde in Cataclysm and are in a heated battle with the Wildhammer in the Twilight Highlands and the new Twin Peaks battleground. They provide the strength DPS helm enchant for the Horde side.

Wildhammer (Alliance)

The Wildhammer clan of dwarves are in a heated battle with the Dragonmaw Clan of orcs in the Twilight Highlands and the new Twin Peaks battleground. They provide the strength DPS helm enchant for the Alliance side.

Baradin's Wardens (Alliance) and Hellscream's Reach (Horde)

Baradin's Wardens and Hellscream's Reach are the two factions associated with the new Tol Barad contested PvP area. Much like Wintergrasp in Wrath, Tol Barad battles start at regularly scheduled times, and the winning faction then holds the area until the next battle. Baradin's Wardens and Hellscream's Reach both offer identical reputation rewards.

In addition to gaining rep for participating in the battle, Tol Barad offers daily quests to increase reputation. The reputation rewards include many items excellent for PvP or PvE, as well as two mounts. Baradin's Wardens and Hellscream's Reach are the only new Cataclysm reputations that do not offer a tabard as a way to gain rep.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion (available Dec. 7, 2010), from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.