Patch 4.2: Rage of the Firelands guides and patch notes now available

Patch 4.2 is on the horizon as Blizzard has made guides and patch notes available for Rage of the Firelands, the next exciting chapter in the Cataclysm story. Players can go the WoW community website for content and feature guides on everything from the dungeon journal and Thrall's epic quest Elemental Bonds, to Firelands armor set previews and explanations about the new daily quest hubs. Also available are the PVP content features, the developer balance changes and casual content blogs, as well as a dedicated section (that is not yet updated) for troubleshooting and known patch issues. Everything is available in one place, a new, comprehensive listing that Blizzard hasn't really done for other patches before. It's a really nice touch.

Oh, and there's a whole bunch of official patch notes.

Here's your definitive link guide to patch 4.2:

• The full, definitive list of patch 4.2 patch notes.

• Patch 4.2 introduces the Dungeon Journal feature. Check out WoW Insider's coverage of this cool new tool.

• Thrall's epic quest, Elemental Bonds, will shake your perception of the former warchief and his powers. WoW Insider also pondered what this means for the greatest shaman on Azeroth.

• Raiders are anxiously awaiting the newest raid tier, The Firelands. WoW Insider columnist Matticus shared his impressions of Beth'tilac, Lord Rhyolith, and Alysrazor.

• Looking good is as important as downing bosses. Blizzard posted previews of each and every classes' tier 12 armor sets.

• Two videos previewed The Firelands early on in the announcement of the tier, putting us Through the Fires and Flames.

• Read all about the new legendary staff coming with patch 4.2, Dragonwrath, Tarecgosa's Rest. Accompanying the staff is an epic quest involving the fate of the blue dragonflight.

• Learn everything you need to know about the two new daily questing hubs, the Molten Front and the Regrowth, from Blizzard's official preview. WoW Insider previewed some of the new dailies you will be completing, as well as finding the new rare hunter pets roaming these areas.

• Your valor points are becoming justice points when the patch hits. Check out the valor to justice conversion procedure.

For PVPers, Blizzard has got you covered with loads of news:

• Two new mounts, the Vicious War Wolf and the Vicious War Steed will be rewards for 75, 150, and 300 Rated Battlegrounds wins. They are even bind-to-account, so you can mail them off to your alts.

• Season 10's armor sets got a nice preview and are looking as ferocious as ever.

• Before a new PVP season begins, the previous one has to end. Check out how the transition happens and what players who are expecting rewards from season 9 should be cautious of while the results are being tallied.

• The War Games system got an overhaul and is back with patch 4.2.

Blizzard has had a lot to say about the newest patch and what it means for players:

• Ghostcrawler went all out, explaining each and every balance change, spelling out what it means to be a developer on a game this daunting. Phew. Good on you, crabs.

• Dave "Fargo" Kosak penned his first Dev Watercooler, discussing how patch 4.2 brings in a bunch of content for casual 85s and what Blizzard's philosophy relating to the casual player really is. We were excited to find out that Fargo is now the lead quest designer for World of Warcraft!

Remember, happy patch day everyone.

The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!