So it's been a week since 3.0.9 dropped, but whether by design or coincidence, the attention of the WoW community has been turned away from such paltry issues as class balance and bug fixes in favor of the RNG issues with Love is in the Air and the new information about dual speccing and the whole thing with the Ice Stone.

Certainly, those debates will probably rage into the future, but the news we're really hoping for is a 3.1 PTR. We've had a few false starts, but it's getting about time. Hopefully before March, at the least?

Regardless of whether we're getting a PTR or not, we do have downtime, from 5 AM to 11 AM Pacific time. That's a nice six hour chunk where you'll have to find something to do that is not playing WoW. May we suggest browsing WoW Insider? As always, we have a list of some of the week's hottest news after the break.
Hot News and Features

• The 2009 WoW Arena tournament was announced, and to sweeten the pot, participants will have a chance to win an armored Murloc pet.
• So you're level 80 -- Now What?
• Jeff Kaplan, aka Tigole, is leaving WoW to work on that secret MMO project.
• Raid Rx discusses the effects of dual specs on healing squads.
• Looking to take down Sartharion? We have a guide for you.
• Dual speccing is currently restricted to level 80. Some people aren't sure that's a good idea.
• Reader UI of the Week is back, and this week we have 5 Death Knight UIs for you.
  

Class News and Guides

• Sorry Hunters, It looks like they're going to have to hold off on nonconsumable ammo a while longer.
• Rossi took a look at Warrior dual specs recently.
• We also have a look at Paladin dual specs.
• Mages, we have a dual spec guide for you as well. Also: More Arcane Barrage nerfs.
• We also have a look at Death Knight dual speccing.
  
• Bear Tanks, looking to gear up now that you're 80? We have a guide for you.
• Encrypted text examines the 3.0.9 Rogue changes.
• Totem Talk is talking about where Shamans are headed again.
• Here's a question that is always on the mind of many Warlocks and their healers: When should you Life Tap?

Professions, Items, Dungeons, PvP, and more

• Are Death Knights a little too good in PvP? Zach Yonzon examines the question.
• Note to desperate DPS: The healers heard you the first time.
• Another note to DPS: Thou shalt follow the 10 commandments.
  
• It's a debate that's probably as old as MMOs themselves, but here's another chapter in the gear vs. skill battles.
• Looks like we've seen just about our last black battle tank.
• It was bound to happen sooner or later: A Warlock has a Thunderfury.
• If you're not too achievemented out because of Love is in the Air, you might like our Arathi Basin achievement guide.
• Voidwalker raid tanking is pretty awesome, but don't expect it to stick around.
  

Odds and Ends

• Things have changed a bit since the original WoW Manual was released.
• We're still not sure whether to be scared or flattered that people have started impersonating us.
• Is WoW a new "third place?"
• Dating services? In my Battlegrounds? Well... Sort of.
• Is it possible to actually sort of miss the grind?
  

Tags: downtime, maintenance, roundup, scheduled-downtime, scheduled-maintenance, server-downtime, server-maintenance, tuesday, tuesday-morning, tuesday-morning-post

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Realm Status, Odds and ends, News items