Cataclysm beta removes portals from Dalaran and Shattrath
by Brian Wood 
Sep 26th 2010 at 11:27PM
This is not a terribly surprising move. With the Cataclysm expansion focusing on the old world, the Blizzard developers no doubt want the old Azeroth to feel lived-in. As long as Dalaran (or Shattrath) has convenient portals to every old-world destination, players would continue to set their hearthstones there for ease of transportation.
However, transportation around the old world is not as limited as it was back in vanilla days. Some of the new zones like Deepholm have portals back to Stormwind and Orgrimmar; those capital cities themselves have portals to Deepholm and others that are not yet active. We've also seen signs of new portals being constructed in the Twilight Highlands.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.Filed under: Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 16)
bid Sep 26th 2010 11:29PM
Bah...better add some to the old cities. I am happy to have some life to the old cities though.
Lowangel Sep 26th 2010 11:56PM
I called this one a while ago, when rumors of a event happening to Dalaran crashing into crystal forest was talked about. The city will still exist just slightly damaged. Vindication at last.
Angrycelt Sep 27th 2010 1:01AM
So... what you're saying is that you're pretty good at predicting these things?
:)
Knob Sep 27th 2010 6:14AM
Considering that Orgrimmar and Stormwind both have portals to the new zones and that the CoT portal still exists in Dalaran, I see no reason to fret over this change. There are new guild rewards that port you to Orgrimmar/Stormwind as well.
Oh, and Brian, capitol != capital. ;)
Boz Sep 27th 2010 8:35AM
As long as Shattrath and Dalaran have portals to their respective entrances - the Dark Portal and shipyards, respectively - I see no major issue with this change given we will be able to fly in Azeroth. Otherwise leveling characters are going to have a tough time hitting up their trainers every few levels.
Without requiring at least some travel, though, the world would lose scope; convenient, yes, but not very epic.
Still, I'm glad I kept Engineering.
Boz Sep 27th 2010 8:44AM
Of course, if my reading comprehension was remotely on par this Monday morning, I would have seen that the portals were replaced with trainers, so not a bad change after all.
Now, for some coffee.
kabshiel Sep 27th 2010 3:50PM
The only problem I see is that Shattrath and Dalaran don't have auction houses. Add those and it'll be fine.
Krab Sep 27th 2010 11:45PM
I have always used the AH in Dal. Then again I'm an eng.
Falcon6 Sep 26th 2010 11:28PM
So, Mages, you wanna be friends?
:)
Sacul Sep 26th 2010 11:37PM
Yes, We do.
Qot Sep 26th 2010 11:48PM
I would, but I'm in the LFG queue and joining a group would kick me out. Sorry.
Kylenne Sep 27th 2010 12:13AM
For a nominal fee, sure. ;)
Paulio Sep 27th 2010 1:29AM
Get yourself a [Jaina's Locket] and you'll never lack for friends.
Possum Sep 27th 2010 3:09AM
Ah, still lovin' being a mage.
Sarabande Sep 27th 2010 4:09AM
Ugg . . . while I love the convenience of being able to port myself and friends, I will NOT miss the peace and quiet that I have now. With Trade chat turned off, and parked in Dalaran, I can sort my bank / G bank, my mail, work on professions, chat in guild chat, party, chat, manage a few whispers with some friends (sometimes all at once) and often, wait in queue, often with friends (which as one of the posters above stated, WILL break if someone leaves a group).
Anytime I step into SW (usually to meet friends who are there) I get asked for ports. I don't spend much time in SW. :P
(This is not aimed at the original poster of this comment section - rather, at the public in general). Could be a good time for few refresher points on getting ports. Mages never OWE you a port except to leave a raid or when you are all questing together. Always tip, as much as you can. Always ALWAYS be polite and don't take it personally if they say no - they are probably busy. Mages standing around are probably NOT waiting for business (unless they are advertising in trade for port business). Even with a tip, I have to admit, it's a bit of a bother - tip just softens it a little. If you are my friend (i.e., you have earned REP with ME) you can pretty much count on a free port as long as you don't abuse it. Ports cost a reagent. Yes it's cheap, but NO ONE is obligated to spend their own silver to do you a favor. If you say you'd like to BUY a port, for God's sake BUY a port, don't get grouped and expect a freebie. Don't order around a mage. Ever. EVER!!!
It sounds stern, bur for anyone complaining about mages who are grumpy, it's probably because we've not always been treated well in these cases.
And I hope mages will be polite to those who are nice to them - either taking the request and porting them to the place they requested, or turning them down politely ("I'm sorry - I'm in dungeon queue - good luck though." or something like that). But mages have no obligation to take s**t from people who feel entitled to a free service and talk to them like some lackey. It's even OK to put them on ignore.
On my Warlock, if I need a port badly, I will get a Rune of Portals. I will find a Mage in a city where I am at. (I use the WHO feature to do a search - find a mage of the apporpriate level close to your location). I will whisper the person politely and request a port - I will name what I am prepared to pay (10 to 15 g usually) and offer to come to them. When we are grouped, I will open the trade window and put in the gold and one Rune of Portals. I will make sure to thank the person (either as they are casting or right before I click on port). I quickly click on the port, say a polite goodbye or another thanks, and leave the group as soon as I do.
Be kind and courteous to mages, and it could get you far. (Literally). :D
Troopcd Sep 27th 2010 5:37AM
@ SnackPatrol
1) You can lockpick outside a group, we can't.
2) You also have the possibility of a tip, ask.
3) They're 20s each, 16s eith Exalted. Learn to research.
4) Just because you weren't "busy" ingame, doesn't mean other people do nothing.
5) Healers ressing and mages portaling. Where is the link here? Please?
6) He never acted all "high-and-mighty". He kindly asked people to be polite and consider the mages view, something you clearly haven't done.
7) Since you "quit", why are you even interested in that post?
Yep. 7 replies to block text. If I look back at my WoW window, I wonder how many portal requests I have...
zymry Sep 27th 2010 5:38AM
@snackpatrol
Did you quit before the LFD tool was implemented ? If so then your post is excusable as you may not know about "sitting around waiting for a dungeon to pop". As a dps this can take anywhere from 1 minute to 30 or 45 minutes. Joining a group to make a portal for someone throws you out of this queue and makes you requeue once the portal is done ostensibly resetting and lengthening the amount of time you have to wait.
So umm yeah unless you are my wife, or someone that lives close enough to offer me food or sex, resetting my LFD wait time isn't happening.
manda Sep 27th 2010 5:43AM
This is in response to SnackPatrol. I have been signed up for a long time, and decided to respond to your comment:
I'm not sorry. I don't like your attitude. It's the sort of attitude I'd expect from people who play annoying classes. I was surprised you weren't a fury warrior.
Good job, you were nice enough to lockpick stuff for people when you played the game. Too bad some of that kindness couldn't have crossed over to the way you addressed Sarabande's comment. Additionally, I find it pretty funny that you complained about people acting "all high and mighty" when you're the one throwing insults at somebody because they don't play the game exactly the way *you* would like.
People who play Mages pay just as much for the game as you do/did. If they don't want to port people, that's their business. It's just as easy for you to ask another mage for a port as it is for them to throw you on /ignore--especially when someone as childish and angry as you has something to say about it.
Get your own reality check. You say you don't play anymore? Then why is this such a huge issue for you? Stop spreading your negativity around. And for the record, Portals take 10 seconds to cast. :) Have a nice day.
George Sep 27th 2010 5:45AM
@ Snackpatrol
Ome more thing. On those days that I am feeling generous enough to give a dollar, I'm certainly not giving it to anyone but the most courteois, respectful recipient. I'm not wasting generosity on jerks.
And yelling at me, begging harder, or insulting me will not change my mind.
Troopcd Sep 27th 2010 6:34AM
@SnackPatrol
As hard as it'll be for you to believe, I do give portals, and even when people ask to pay, I simply do it for free.
What my point is, in cases where we are busy, which believe it or not for me, is quite often, people asking for portals should at least understand that we're not slaves. For example, when standing around I could be in a raid group, waiting for it to fill. That, or I'm usually in a dungeon group, so I end up replying back to them that I can't at the moment.
And yes, I read your post. Fully. Several times. That's why I had to go into a list to explain what I felt of your post. I'm sorry that we disagree, but my view remains unchanged, as does yours.