Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsTuesday Morning Post: 3.0.8 for real this time
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Jan 20th 2009 at 5:30AM
Okay, I know, I know, I said I wouldn't predict 3.0.8 again, but well, now it's safe to do so. So I'm going to like, unofficially say now that I am a bit bummed that I may not be able to sell my Relics of Ulduar for my motorcycle fund, but am happy I will be able to get me some extra Sons of Hodir faction since I've been slacking on those dailies.Anyway, with a patch comes a lot of downtime, so as usual, I'd suggest some WoW Insider reading. You'll find a list of some of the major articles and new stories of the past week after the break, with the 3.0.8 stuff up top so you can get up to speed before the servers come up.
3.0.8 Hot News and Analysis
- If you were planning to reroll a Death Knight on a server where you didn't have a 55 before, 3.0.8's finally going to be your big chance.
- While this is probably patch day, they were patching the test servers up til the last few days. Here's a list of some of the latest changes.
- Rep grinders rejoice! Grey mobs no longer have a reputation gain penalty in 3.0.8.
- Don't panic! There's a few bugs going live with 3.0.8, but they're already working on hotfixes.
- Or do panic. Adam wants you to remember that Patch notes don't always survive the transition from test to live intact.
- Encrypted Text is patiently waiting for 3.0.8. Which is sort of making us nervous. Dang Rogues.
- Shifting Perspectives looked at Druids in 3.0.8.
- Blood Pact is also looking forward to 3.0.8. Which is also sort of making us nervous. Warlocks are creepy.
- Paladins are doing well and about to get better in 3.0.8, says The Light and How to Swing It.
- Some Achievements are getting easier in 3.0.8, Including some dungeon achievements such as Gotta Go!
- There's a minor but actually somewhat disappointing change for the Arcanite Ripper in 3.0.8.
- A nice bonus for engineers: The Scrapbot will be able to repair in "a future patch." We're pulling for 3.0.8.
- Sorry tanks. Titanguard's gone after all.
- Wondering when your server will come back up? Sign up for an Email!
- Here's one of the more controversial subjects we've reported on in a while: WoW downtime insurance. It was such an intriguing topic we even tracked down the founders for a few words.
- Talents were considered one of the greatest new features of WoW when they first comes out. So what happens when you eschew them completely?
- Have you been trying for the Figure Print lottery with no luck? Here's some good news: There's no more lottery.
- Ever wonder how many people actually rolled a Gnome Death Knight? GamerDNA and Massively investigate Death Knight numbers.
- If you're a Warrior or Death Knight tank who's been having less trouble keeping aggro lately, you may have a hotfix to thank.
- Priests have gotten a bit of one-on-one time with Ghostcrawler over on the healing boards.
- Shamans and Warlocks also had a chance to get some TLC from GC (Yeah, I promised myself I'd never use the GC abbreviation, but I couldn't resist).
- The above, of course, got Totem Talk to thinking.
- The Care and Feeding of Warriors continues to look at raid gear.
- Getting ready to tank Naxxramas as a Death Knight? Check out our tanking gear guide.
- We also have a healy priest pre-Naxxramas gear guide.
- Ghostcrawler recently had a few things to say about resilience.
- So you just dinged 80. Are you really ready for Heroics?
- Having trouble with money? Maybe you need some financial discipline.
- Having trouble with loot drama in PuGs? See if some of these tips help smooth things out.
- Here's something to watch during the downtime: A new episode of The Guild!
- Here's a blast from the past for all you veterans and a nice history lesson for you newbies: The Lament of Captain Placeholder.
- What's a healer to do when the tank is unfaithful?
- Lorelol. What does it mean? Is it even really a justifiable turn of phrase? See what the new guy thinks.
Filed under: Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Realm Status, News items
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 5)
Daisil Jan 20th 2009 9:34AM
oh my god; there is a new blizzard launcher; IT IS SO SICK!!!!!!!!
ScytheNoire Jan 20th 2009 10:00AM
NOW the patch is out and downloading.
Perhaps, before WoW Insider makes claims of the patch on all realms, they should make sure it's actually coming.
Perhaps headlines like European Patch, or Possible, Highly Likely, But Not Quite Yet Patch.
Jhestor Jan 20th 2009 10:11AM
They were fairly justified in calling patch 3.0.8, based on actual releases from Blizzard concerning the patch on EU realms.
To get into a internet bickering match about it based on how you've perceived previous patch download behavior is even more ridiculous than calling WI out for announcing it in the first place.
Give me a break.
Antonia Jan 20th 2009 10:05AM
So you guys put in the bit about GC talking about totems but you didnt link any thing about the shaman changes in the patch..not even the pitiful article we got about it.. honestly this patch is going to be big for elementals and the coverage the site has been providing on the issue is piss poor at best. but we do get 2 articles about how to roleplay a shaman, that's useful!.. thanks alot..
I'm sooooo happy to see that a few bug fixes for rogues, a change in staves for druids, pally tanks getting a REAL taunt to go with the changes to their already op bubbles, and who knows what for warlocks, all take higher priority over THE COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF AN ENTIRE TREE AND DPS SYSTEM OF A CLASS...(hope you enjoy the sarcasm).. That's got to be bigger news then GC asking about totems and us not having a clue to why or what they're really looking to do with them DOWN THE LINE.. this change is NOW, the totem one ISN'T..
I swear you guys are pitiful sometimes, borderline bias.. people always blame blizzard for hating shaman with "anti-shaman coding" you guys hate on them with "no press".. even bad press would be better then that.
hell DK's and all that's changing with them didn't even get mentioned in this article..
you guys are dropping the ball big time . i don't really even want to see someone perk up with "well it was a hasty list", time can be put into these things like any others patch or no patch and even stupid things like "ever wonder how many gnome dk's were really rolled?" made the list.. fun, sure, important and informative, not really.. for a news site of any kind you guys don't cover your bases well.
Rob Jan 20th 2009 1:49PM
you should really have that rage problem looked at. It can't be healthy.
...high blood pressure and all that.
stqn Jan 20th 2009 3:47PM
I'd like an article that explains how not to die with an elemental chaman. I mean, not all the time. My chaman is stuck at lvl 65 because I can't get a quest done without dying at least 3 times... :'(
(Bad pull / unwanted aggro -> dead. Not so the case with my rogue, or many other classes...)
(Plus having to drink/eat after every fight gets boring.)
Diablo Jan 20th 2009 10:07AM
I love all the speculation bickering. Even better is the people who have no idea what they are talking about, making guesses and speculating, and wind up being wrong, and cling to their original position with grim death.
Too funny!
Anggrath Jan 20th 2009 10:10AM
Yeah, they are all suckers.
Jhestor Jan 20th 2009 10:12AM
Too right, Diablo!
I was just snickering about the tail-between-their-legs-but-still-defiant reaction of those who either swore the patch wasn't coming, or simply wanted to shake their fist at WI and angrily declare that they'd believe it when they saw it.
Tim gibson Jan 20th 2009 10:19AM
i'm gonna make a dk on that new relm Borean tundra i think it was so that i can do the gates of AQ event.
Anggrath Jan 20th 2009 10:21AM
You won't be able to. Only new characters allowed. No transfers or DKs for 3 months.
Adorialea Jan 20th 2009 10:58AM
Hope ya'll got your boot flask! ^.^
Drfumanchu Jan 20th 2009 2:09PM
Why? they will still cost just 10 relics of ulduar.they are not changing relics they r still useless axcept for Frosthold items.............. ;( incase u didnt know
infection Jan 20th 2009 11:03AM
"Some Achievements are getting easier in 3.0.8, Including some dungeon achievements such as Gotta Go!"
What other achievements are getting easier besides this one? I haven't heard of any.
Joe Jan 20th 2009 1:05PM
Reading patch notes FTW!!
- The Loremaster of Kalimdor Achievement has had its quest amount reduced
- The Perma-Peddle Achievement is no longer a part of the "Fool for Love" meta-achievement
- The winds of the North has had its requirements changed. This achievement is now earned by getting exalted with the Alliance Vanguard or Horde Expedition
Rob Jan 20th 2009 1:49PM
"So I'm going to like, unofficially say now that I am a bit bummed that I may not be able to sell my Relics of Ulduar for my motorcycle fund, but am happy I will be able to get me some extra Sons of Hodir faction since I've been slacking on those dailies."
I loled so hard... because this is EXACTLY, almost word for word what I said. I, too, have been hoping to sell Relics to pay for my Motorcycle, and have been slacking on Sons dailies.
Still, some exciting stuff this patch. I'm looking forward to it.
As to the extended maintenance, remember: patience. Dun wury, it's gun be k.