Cataclysm Beta: New level up UI video
by Mathew McCurley 
Jul 3rd 2010 at 4:00PM
One of my favorite user interface changes in Cataclysm are the new level up features. A huge complaint over WoW's lifetime has been that players must go back to a trainer to see if they had learned any new skills or ranks of skills, or check a website such as WoWhead to find out their skills. Not anymore!
We previously gave you a peek at the new changes to the level up notifications. The new level up interface announces bold and clear your level, and then gives a list above your character of the new skills, talent points and other relevant information. Since skill ranks are gone, you won't have to worry about training those over your leveling experience, and new abilities will come more spaced out.
Take a look at the video we have captured for you guys, and marvel at how a nice, neat, new UI change can make all the difference in the leveling game. Notice how the game now alerts you to your new level, abilities gained at that level, features unlocked like battlegrounds and your new talent points. Cataclysm is really shaping up to be an awesome expansion, and adding even more polish to an already smooth experience.
If you're looking for more content like the video above, WoW.com has an ever-growing YouTube channel with lots of great content from Cataclysm and more! Subscribe for all of the latest videos. It's getting exciting around here with tons of information about the new expansion all over the place, and we don't want you to miss a minute of it!
Filed under: Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Molly Jul 3rd 2010 4:02PM
uugggh sooo excittteddd
Abbadon Jul 3rd 2010 9:52PM
I agree!! While I've leveled several toons, there are still some classes that I want to learn. I'm very excited about these changes; leveling new toons will go a lot smoother without having to constantly wonder what abilities are available (without visiting a trainer, looking it up or nagging guildies)!
And I'm a 5 year veteran... I can see a lot of these changes making the game WAY more accessible to new comers. Probably not right away but maybe a few months thereafter, I would guess that the subscriber plateau will finally start climbing again as old players return and new ones come on board. Great job Blizz!
Valt Jul 3rd 2010 4:17PM
I hope they dont remove class quests for warriors about def and berserk stance. I think fray island questline was one of the best I did as lowlevel first alt warrior nelf. So much travelling. I have no freaking idea how I even ended up to barrens bececause I had no idea about anything. But there I was.. brawling.
I think the UI looks pretty sweet! I really am excited about the new stuff and new UI. Makes it look more "back to basics with modern hints" with all the changes. (less stats, simple yet pretty UI, more info but not cluster%#&)
Giz Jul 3rd 2010 4:28PM
Who's to say Fray Island exists anymore in Cataclysm? =o
Valt Jul 3rd 2010 4:32PM
Yeah naturally it prolly wont be. But I hope theres some sorta brawl quest for berserk stance
sccorp.sc Jul 3rd 2010 4:44PM
Garrosh: "ONLY A TRUE WARCHIEF TANK'S 5-MAN'S IN BATTLE STANCE!!!"
:D
Ronin Jul 3rd 2010 5:55PM
I enjoy class quests, but thought that one was a lot of to-do over nothing. But maybe that's because mine was an Arms warrior.
Also not very logical:
"Let's see if you can take on all comers with your existing skills! Oh, you can? Well, then you need this _new_ ability-- here it is!"
And, "Hey, whenever we see an up-and-coming warrior, we like to duel TO THE DEATH-- you know, to see if he has what it takes. Getting harder and harder to find people to duel him, though." o.0
Possum Jul 4th 2010 9:56AM
sccorp.sc he'd tank it in Berserkers stance with deathwish up.
Jo Jul 3rd 2010 4:18PM
I wish I could get a refund for the 9 80s a have and all the gold I spent learning new ranks. boo
Artificial Jul 3rd 2010 4:25PM
You didn't use the new ranks at all? (If you did, you really shouldn't feel like you ought to get a refund.)
Aceman67 Jul 3rd 2010 4:35PM
you still have to go and learn the new ranks of spells just like you do now. You don't automagically learn them when you level. That would be too easy.
Krotukk Jul 3rd 2010 4:58PM
@Aceman: New skills, yes. New ranks of skills we already know, no. We've already been told in several places by blues that spell ranks are going to be gone. Basically, he's sharing the same sentiment that many people did when Blizz changed the level requirements and costs for standard and epic mounts, making the pre-patch cost of X seem unfair when compared to the post-patch cost of Y.
Squatstopee Jul 3rd 2010 5:13PM
@krotuk you mean qq because he had to walk uphill in the snow barefoot both ways?
Orlan Jul 3rd 2010 4:25PM
Hmm. But people frequently level up in the middle of a fight. And those fancy windows just seem to appear and go. Is there a way to actually look at them again after you have a time for that?
Orlan Jul 3rd 2010 4:27PM
Oh, just noticed they're in the chat also
Brett Jul 3rd 2010 4:31PM
Not only in the chat, but also in your spellbook! There are three types of spells listed, with different icons each: those you know, those you can learn but haven't yet, and those you can't learn yet. A very nice improvement indeed.
Aceman67 Jul 3rd 2010 4:32PM
what'll be sweet is that blizz will most likely add the new UI elements in the content patch right before Cat comes out, like they did right before Wrath.
Jack Jul 3rd 2010 9:48PM
Yes they will and they also will include all old world changes in that same patch like there will be only one version of the client like always! Even people that will not buy Cataclysm (mostly new players) will can enjoy the revamped old world! How ever they will not be able to start a dwarf shaman like new class combos and new races will only be unlock on Cataclysm accounts
Etreya Jul 3rd 2010 4:36PM
I could see that window getting fairly annoying for instances where you become elligable for a multitude of new skills/skill ranks.
Still a nice touch and I'm liking the UI changes i've seen so far.
Ronin Jul 3rd 2010 5:36PM
Except there aren't different ranks of skills to be learned any more. Instead, once you have a skill, it'll incrementally improve each time you level. No more "Gee, this rank is getting pretty weak for my level, I sure hope I can go upgrade it soon!"
So, no need for notifications on those-- just when a _new_ skill becomes available.
Nevertheless, I can see where it might not come at an opportune time (in the middle of a fight/dungeon etc.) to have extra messages taking up screen real-estate.