What a week for WoW news, eh? Not only did we get a very intriguing sneak preview of the Icecrown Citadel 5-mans, but we also got a fresh new PTR Patch. From there, the patch notes and game files revealed a lot of pretty juicy stuff. Newbies get it ever easier. There's craftable nature resist gear (resist boss fight, anyone?). There looks to be a pretty epic 5-man quest line for the Quel'Delar (Here's a picture of the blade, for the record. Yeah, it's sweet). There's new racial shaman totem graphics. It looks like a Valentine's Day holiday event boss may be in the works. In what may be my favorite development, there's new weekly raiding quests coming. Even the names of datamined NPCs offer their own intrigue.

Yeah, anyway, there's a lot of stuff to digest, and with this 5 AM - 11 AM pacific downtime, hopefully you have time to do so. Follow the break for even more news:

Hot News and Features

• That's right, Patch 3.3 is on the PTR. We have Patch notes, and you'll want to keep a bookmark on our consolidated Patch 3.3 information page as well.
• We have impressions, straight from the PTR, of the Pit of Saron, the first dungeon up for testing.
  
• Kisirani has some interesting comments on post-Icecrown lore.
• Speaking of lore, there's been some interesting Tauren tribal war-paint patterns found on the PTR.
  
• Blizzard has a Youtube channel. For now, it's mostly old cinematics, but who knows what the future could bring!
• The Mobile Authenticator is back on the App Store for iPhone, but buyer beware: the bugs ain't fixed yet.
  

Class News and Guides

• Rogues rejoice, Vanish may finally be fixed in Patch 3.3.
• Here's the lowdown on the Patch 3.3 PTR shaman notes.
• We also have a look at the priest Patch 3.3 PTR changes.
• Here's a look at the druid-related PTR patch notes, as well as the undocumented changes.
  
• Here's the warrior's patch notes from the PTR.
• We also have news of death knight changes in Patch 3.3.
• Here's a look at the undocumented Paladin changes.
• Arcane Brilliance takes a look at the Patch 3.3 mage changes on the PTR.
• Scattered Shots looks at what's coming up for Hunters.
  
• Encrypted Text has some advice on rogue macros.
  
• Lichborne looks at Emblem of Triumph gear for death knights.
• Shifting Perspectives finishes out the druid leveling curve.
• Totem Talk discusses levels 21-40 for Shamans.
• The Care And Feeding of Warriors looks at the lessons of the Trial of the Crusader.
• Blood Pact explores the hidden power of demons.
• Spiritual Guidance takes a look at Prayer of Mending.
  

Items, Professions, Dungeons, PvP, and More

• Check out maps of the new Icecrown 5-man dungeons.
  
• Ready Check gets you ready for Lord Jaraxxus.
• Time is Money recommends aiming for angelfish.
• WoW, Casually has a few tips for PvP leveling.
  
• The Art of War(craft) has a look at the Isle of Conquest.
• The Drama Mamas discuss the dreaded burnout.
  

Odds and Ends

• WoW psychology, of both the professional and aimchair variety, continues to be in vogue. This time, it's all about the Jante Law.
• WoW Rookie discusses the basics of a good computer.
• The Guild has released episode 5 of their third season. In addition, you can buy the DVD of the first two seasons in those quaint little brownstone things they call stores.
• FigurePets has a few new offerings out, fresh from Children's Week.
  

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

Filed under: Realm Status, Odds and ends, News items