Last week, Ahune busted our instance servers. This week, Ragnaros gets the chance to do the same as we fully expect patch 4.2 to go live as of this writing. Now mind you, I'm not saying servers will crash, but hey -- might as well be prepared, right? Yes, I know that's the wrong raid boss's catch phrase, but I used my only "by fire be purged" joke for the title.

As you might expect, downtime is currently scheduled for 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pacific time, so even if everything goes smoothly, you'll still have plenty of time to read up on patch 4.2 before the servers come up. I recommend starting with Mat's excellent patch 4.2 roundup. Then you can check after the break for a quick roundup of all the other good stuff from the past seven days. Don't stop once that's done with, though; we'll have plenty more piping hot patch 4.2 news and info for you in the coming days and weeks.

Hot news and features

• Need to catch up on patch 4.2? Check out our patch 4.2 news roundup.
• Blizzard has unveiled its official preview of the patch 4.2 Dungeon Journal.
• Blizzard has released a FAQ on the War Games feature.
• Blizzard has also released an official Season 10 PVP armor preview.
• WoW Rookie offers a guide to patch 4.2 for the newbie and the casual player.
• Ready Check helps you prepare your raid for patch 4.2.
• The DPS answers for Round 10 of Ask the Devs. Spoiler Warning: If you're not an enhancement shaman, you will probably be disappointed. Also, enhancement shaman will probably be disappointed, too.
• The answers for Round 2 of Ask CDev have been posted.
• WoW Archivist takes a look at patch 1.4, which included the new honor system and a new succubus model.
• Looking to grab a Frostscythe of Ahune during the Midsummer Fire Festival? Beware -- the stats aren't actually all that great.
• Blue poster Bashiok hints that big things will be coming our way for Hallow's End.
• Recruit-A-Friend now grants bonus experience to level 80. There's a good excuse to use that veteran gift account, eh?

Class news and guides

• Check out Lichborne's look at the last round of patch 4.2 PTR DPS death knight changes.
• Totem Talk has a guide to patch 4.2 pre-raid restoration gear. We also have a look at patch 4.2 elemental shaman gear. Finally, learn why you should stay away from haste if you're an enhancement shaman.
• The Light And How To Swing It has a guide to the new patch 4.2 starter gear for paladin tanks. We also take a look at some holy heal balancing.
• Shifting Perspectives guides you through the patch 4.2 bear and tree druid changes. We also have a look at patch 4.2's feral cat changes.
• Encrypted Text offers a rogue's guide to patch 4.2.
• The Care and Feeding of Warriors lurches warriors toward patch 4.2.
• Blood Pact looks at patch 4.2 warlock goodies.
• Arcane Brilliance gets legendary.
• Spiritual Guidance offers guidance on Alliance shadow priest racials and how to pass your healing priest raid tryouts.
• Raid Rx helps you bring the right healers.

Dungeons, items, professions, PVP, and more

• Blood Sport introduces part 3 of our meditation on learning from your betters in the arena.
• Addon Spotlight gives you a few little helpers.
• 15 Minutes of Fame presents a roundup of some of our more famous interview subjects.
• The Overachiever helps you grab some Cataclysm mounts.
• Gold Capped offers a guide to making money with alchemy.

Odds and ends

• KONAMI is teaming up with Cryptozoic for the Japanese launch of WoW TCG.
• Know Your Lore catches up with Magatha Grimtotem.
• About the Bloggers returns with a chat with WoW Insider Senior Editor Adam Holisky.
• The Lawbringer discusses the sticky subject of paying for APIs and addons.

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The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!

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Tags: downtime, extended-downtime, extended-maintenance, maintenance, patch, patch-day, realm-downtime, realm-maintenance, roundup, scheduled-downtime, scheduled-maintenance, server-downtime, server-maintenance, server-status, tuesday, tuesday-downtime, tuesday-maintenance, tuesday-morning, tuesday-morning-post

Filed under: Realm Status, News items