Tuesday Morning Post: Gnome appreciation edition

Happy Tuesday morning, everyone! As we settle into the first full week of patch 4.1, I feel we should take a break from all the headers full of trolls and troll dungeons to appreciate the other semi-homeless race of WoW, the gnome. The Alliance loves them because they provide the technological backbone we need to fight back the orcish war machine. The Horde loves them because they're bite-sized and puntable. Plus, apparently, they're pretty good at music.

If you aren't much into the whole gnome thing, don't worry, there's plenty of news to go around. There's a bunch to discuss about patch 4.1, as well as news about patch 4.2, all waiting for in our usual nice tidy roundup. Downtime this morning is from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. PDT, so you should have plenty of time to read up.

Hot news and features

• For $10, you can buy a Cenarion Hatchling pet from Blizzard. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross' quake relief efforts in Japan.

• Children's Week is in full swing, and we have a guide to the achievements, as well as a quick look at some of the new quest rewards.

• Zul'Gurub got you grinding your teeth? Check out our guide to Zul'Gurub for some help! We have a guide to Zul'Aman as well.

• Check out the latest official patch 4.1 patch note updates.

• Check out the patch 4.1 hotfixes for April 26, April 27, and April 29.

• In his latest Dev Watercooler blog, Lead Systems Designer Ghostcrawler opines on the number of abilities players get to use.

• Lead Encounter Designer Scott Mercer recently talked about redesigning the new troll dungeons.

• Ask the Devs round 6 answers are now up. This time, they're talking about guild advancement.

• Mobile guild chat is now on the Android.

• Parents, we have some WoW advice for you.

• Blizzard has released a short story about Vol'jin, leader of the Darkspear trolls.

• Everyone's favorite old grump has a few things to say about dungeon PuGs in patch 4.1.

Patch 4.2 news and previews (Warning! Spoilers abound!)

• Check Blizzard's preview of the new patch 4.2 legendary caster DPS staff, Dragonwrath.

• Ghostcrawler recently gave an interview about patch 4.2.

• Lead Content Designer Cory Stockton offered some more tidbits about the Firelands raid.

• Check out Blizzard's full patch 4.2 Firelands raid preview.

• BlizzCast episode 16 was all about patch 4.2.

• Check out Blizzard's preview of the new patch 4.2 dailies.

• Blizzard's spoiled the epic solo and small group quest line of patch 4.2.

• Blizzard has confirmed that we'll see seven raid bosses in Firelands.

• Check out Blizzard's patch 4.2 tier 12 raid armor preview.

• Blizzard's posted a FAQ about the new dungeon journal feature coming with patch 4.2.

Class news and guides

• Totem Talk discusses Cataclysm restoration shaman raiding. We also have a guide to patch 4.1 for enhancement.

• Lichborne has a rundown of patch 4.1 for death knights.

• Spiritual Guidance has a shadow priest's guide to patch 4.1. We also look at patch 4.1 for healing priests.

• Scattered Shots looks at the patch 4.1 hunter.

• The Care And Feeding of Warriors looks at the arms tree in patch 4.1.

• Arcane Brilliance has a look at patch 4.1 for mages.

• Blood Pact analyzes patch 4.1 for warlocks.

• Encrypted Text unravels the subtleties of the subtlety tree.

• The Light And How To Swing It tanks Blackwing Descent. We also a look at patch 4.1 for holy paladins.

• Shifting Perspectives helps you switch to balance.

• Raid Rx looks for the right moment to use Rallying Cry.

Dungeons, items, professions, PvP, and more

• Combat log addons have been causing frame rate issues in patch 4.1. Update or disable your addons to avoid the same fate!

• In patch 4.1, the dungeon finder attempts to place you with people from your own realm.

• WoW Rookie has a guide to patch 4.1 for newbies and casual players.

• Ready Check looks at dealing with a failing second raid group in your guild.

• Blood Sport has a guide to starting a new character for PvP.

• Gold Capped teaches you how to buy low and sell high.

Odds and ends

• Check out the latest installment of Safe Passage.

• This week in Know Your Lore, learn how Rexxar saved the Horde and how the Alliance fare in Southern Barrens.

• World of WarCrafts interviews Blizzard fan fiction contest runner-up Marika Kermode.

• 15 Minutes of Fame interviews Kristian Nairn, who plays Hodor on HBO's Game of Thrones TV series.

• The Lawbringer looks at the great PSN crash and what it means for online gamers everywhere.