That's right, it's just about that time. After I finish writing this article, I'll be right back to packing, and in a few days later, I'll be on a jet plane headed for Sunny Southern California and BlizzCon. Unfortunately, it's no Brood of Onxyia mount, but it'll have to do. Which brings me to one of the top stories of the week: Onyxia's going level 80 in Patch 3.2.2, complete with a 310% speed flying mount and some awesome buffed old school loot.

And there's other news. Oh yes, there is other news. All we have to deal with today is some rolling restarts at 5 AM Pacific, but hey, there's new to be had, and that dungeon run can wait. Let's check out what's going in this, the last Tuesday Morning Post before the 2009 BlizzCon:


Hot News and Features

• Felicia Day has a question for you. You'll like the way she asks it, I promise.
  
• With BlizzCon only days away, now's a good time to review our Preparing for BlizzCon series if you're planning to go or to keep track of it.
  
• The BlizzCon goody bag has some really droolworthy stuff this year.
  
• Patch 3.2.2 is on the PTR, and we have the patch notes.
• Patch 3.2.2 Datamining has revealed some possibilities for new race and class combinations.
  
• We also had a few people tackle Onyxia on the PTR. Here's some impressions.
  
• It's official: Ozzy will be playing at the 2009 BlizzCon.
• The Blizzard franchises now have their own twitter accounts.
• MMO Champion has some pretty extensive leaks regarding the content of the new expansion.
• Creative Labs has posted a Warcraft-related teaser on their site, but it may tease about expansion details as well.
  

Class News and Guides

• Paladins got a decent amount of changes in Patch 3.2.2, and we have a rundown.
  
• Encrypted Text reviews the Rogue Q&A.
• Arcane Brilliance looks at the Mage changes in Patch 3.3.2.
  
• Care and Feeding of Warriors looks at Trial of the Champions loot.
  
• Matthew Rossi makes the case for scrapping spellpower plate.
• The Light and How to Swing it helps you hit 80 on your Paladin.
• Totem Talk goes back to the beginning and starts up a Shaman.
• Raid Rx looks at those old bosses that give healers nightmares.
  

Items, Dungeons, Professions, PvP, and More

• Arena Season 6 is finally winding down, and could end as soon as August 25th.
• Ready Check helps you take on the granddaddy of all Gnomes, Mimiron.
• WoW Rookie discusses the fine art of being a packrat for fun and profit.
• For better or for worse, achievements have come a long way.
  
• Hit rating is sexy.
• Onyxia has Insider Trader nostalgic for some old crafting ideas again.
  

Odds and Ends.

• WoW China has relaunched on a Beta only basis, but there's even more censorship and more government red tape to slog through.
• Eurogamer looks at the early days of the game.
• This week in Drama Mamas: What do you do when its time to exit stage right?
• Speaking of Onyxia, all the talk over the old brood mother has has us nostalgic. And losing 50 DKP.
• Warcraft did have a presence at GenCon 2009, and we have pictures.
  

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

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