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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsPatch 4.3 preview: The all-new Darkmoon Faire
by Mathew McCurley 
Aug 25th 2011 at 1:00PM
This is a huge content update to the Darkmoon Faire. From the preview, this appears to be the Molten Front of the Darkmoon Faire, a huge, fun questing and game experience that involves fun toys, games, and more. Games include Whack-a-Gnoll, Tonk Battle Royale, the ominious-sounding Cannon, a ring toss game, a shooting gallery, and more to be announced. A new Gurubashi Arena-style free-for-all PVP arena called the Darkmoon Deathmatch will be introduced, as well.
One of the most interesting parts of the new Darkmoon Faire is that you will be able to gain experience, prize tickets, and skill points for your professions -- up to five skills points per profession per Faire week. If you've been struggling with those last few points in a profession or want to level up alts' professions without spending too much on the Auction House, the first week of each month at the Faire opens up some new options.
Finally, a new item called the Darkmoon Field Guide will allow players to collect Darkmoon Artifacts from everything from PVE to PVP content. The book also acts as a Darkmoon hearthstone, bringing you to the Faire when it's in town. Collecting artifacts seems that it will be the new way to grind out reputation with the Darkmoon Faire.
Once a month, this new Darkmoon Faire will make its appearance. Carnival barkers will open up portals to Darkmoon Island, and the Darkmoon outposts in Mulgore and Elwynn Forest will offer free rides to the new faire grounds. This update is huge, and patch 4.3 just got even bigger. Pretty exciting stuff is on the horizon.
The all-new Darkmoon Faire, coming in patch 4.3
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Step right up and prepare to be amazed!
It's incredible! It's unbelievable! You'll be dazzled. You'll be amazed! You aren't prepared for the Darkmoon Faire, 'cause it's like nothing you've seen before! Don't be shy now, don't be bashful, step right up for a tantalizing glimpse of what we've got in store for you when patch 4.3 arrives!
That old thing?
No, no, no, Clem. The Darkmoon Faire isn't what it used to be and it isn't where it used to be. The management hasn't changed but the Faire certainly has. It's a whole new animal. Tickets? You don't need those old tickets, just rip 'em right up, 'cause we've got new tickets! Out with the old, in with the new -- new quests, that is! Things have changed 'round here: we've got an island all to ourselves now, and what an island it is. Mist-shrouded Darkmoon Island is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma. It's a place of mystery and wonder, and you wouldn't believe the deals we made to get it... or who we made 'em with. But never mind that, just follow me right through here and I'll show you what the Darkmoon Faire is all about.
All new! All spectacular!
Catch a show at the marvelous main stage or witness a dazzling fireworks display. But don't stare too long or you might miss the stunning spectacles that surround you. Gaze in awe of our magical menagerie, get your fortune told by the amazing Sayge, go on a pony ride, experience the healthful effects of carnival food, and more!
Of course, there's more to the Darkmoon Faire than just fantastic shows and culinary delights. You can still turn in your Darkmoon Cards, but you wouldn't just come here for measly ol' cards when there's so much more to see, experience, and win. Yes, win! You like dancing bears, right? Everybody likes dancing bears. Even bears like dancing bears. How about a dancing bear... you can ride!
That's not all! We have adorable companion pets includin' a fez-wearing monkey, a plethora of profession recipes, toys, balloons, souvenirs, delectable carnival snacks and beverages, heirlooms for the little ones, and even replicas of long-lost suits of armor that we're offering for your Transmogrification needs. You can also make your mark with new achievements and titles. All it takes to earn these fabulous rewards is a few Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets and a good reputation with the carnies. How do ya get your grubby mitts on some tickets? I'm glad you asked!
Step right up! Try your luck! Everyone's a winner!
Have we got games? You bet we've got games, and they're so easy to play an orc could do it. Just head on over to the midway, buy some Darkmoon Game Tokens, and get ready to play. Easy to learn, difficult to master, anyone can play and everyone can win. Just lay your tokens down for a chance at winning Darkmoon Prize Tickets playing games like Whack-a-Gnoll, the Tonk Battle Royale, the Cannon, Ring Toss, the Shooting Gallery, and more! Five games are there to test your skills at any one time. The better you play, the easier it is to win a bucket of Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets! Once a month, you've got a shot at tickets, and the fun never stops 'cause you can play as many times as you like. But that's not the only way to win big!
The Darkmoon Faire Field Guide
It's your passport to riches, my friend. Y'see, we need a few things -- just some junk, nothing valuable to a big hero like you. We call 'em Darkmoon Artifacts, and there's all different kinds to be found all over Azeroth. The Darkmoon Field Guide helps you discover artifacts while you're explorin' dungeons, slayin' monsters, and fightin' in Battlegrounds. Without a guide, you'd never notice 'em, and it'll help keep you focused on the stuff we want. Whether you just reached level 10, or you've crushed the biggest baddies in the land, we need somethin' from nearly everybody. You won't have to go too far out of your way to get 'em and each month you'll get a new opportunity to seek out an Artifact for us. What do you get out of the deal? Don't you worry, you'll get your cut. When you bring a Darkmoon Artifact back to us, you'll get valuable experience (it builds character, you know!), earn a better reputation, and possibly earn precious Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets too!
Oh, did I mention that you can use the Field Guide to get to Darkmoon Island whenever the Darkmoon Faire's monthly extravaganza is up and running?
So, you want to work in show business?
Maybe you'd like a little peek behind the scenes, eh? Want to see what it takes to run the greatest show on Azeroth? Well, it's not all sunshine and cotton candy, my friend. There are beasts to heal, food to cook, and buildings to fix. If you're willing help keep the show going and put your skills to work, you'll not only impress us, but you can get experience, Darkmoon Prize Tickets, and even polish up your skills -- up to five skill points per profession, per Faire week, if you're good at what you do!
Darkmoon Deathmatch!
Like any good carnival, the Darkmoon Faire has a shady side. You can leave the skilled labor to the suckers and go for a faster score instead. If you've got the minerals, the Darkmoon Deathmatch offers an experience unparalleled since the Gurubashi Arena. Pitmaster Pei has a big old treasure chest just brimming with goodies and Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets that he'll drag out into the Darkmoon Deathmatch Pit every three hours or so. Everybody wants it, so if you want a piece of the action you'll just have to jump in and prove that you're the toughest one in the Pit.
Oh, the Faire is perfectly safe, Clem. Just don't wander into the woods.
Now, now, don't panic. Darkmoon Isle might be a bit spooky, but except for the Deathmatch Pit, the Faire itself is completely safe, I guarantee it. It's a sanctuary even, and we won't let anybody's beef ruin the fun. The shadowy woods surroundin' the fair are another thing entirely, though. I wouldn't say that people have disappeared into those woods never to return, but, well... people disappear into those woods never to return. So watch your step , and your back, when you leave the Faire. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
Mark your calendar
Now that you know how amazing the new Darkmoon Faire is, you won't want to miss it. Just take a look at your in-game calendar, and the Darkmoon Faire dates will show up there on the first week of every month. Darkmoon Faire barkers and displays will also pop up in every capital city to herald the arrival of the Faire. Silas Darkmoon himself has even started up a mailer to make sure that no one misses out!
Hitch a ride
During the first week of each month, convenient Darkmoon Faire outposts with Darkmoon Portals will appear in Elwynn Forest and Mulgore, offering free rides to Darkmoon Island and the Faire!
Darkmoon Mages in capital cities and on Darkmoon Island will also be around to help you get between the Faire and various capital cities. There's no such thing as a free lunch, so naturally you're obliged to compensate them for their services.
The all new Darkmoon Faire is coming to Darkmoon Island in patch 4.3. Don't miss it!
It's incredible! It's unbelievable! You'll be dazzled. You'll be amazed! You aren't prepared for the Darkmoon Faire, 'cause it's like nothing you've seen before! Don't be shy now, don't be bashful, step right up for a tantalizing glimpse of what we've got in store for you when patch 4.3 arrives!
That old thing?
No, no, no, Clem. The Darkmoon Faire isn't what it used to be and it isn't where it used to be. The management hasn't changed but the Faire certainly has. It's a whole new animal. Tickets? You don't need those old tickets, just rip 'em right up, 'cause we've got new tickets! Out with the old, in with the new -- new quests, that is! Things have changed 'round here: we've got an island all to ourselves now, and what an island it is. Mist-shrouded Darkmoon Island is a conundrum wrapped in an enigma. It's a place of mystery and wonder, and you wouldn't believe the deals we made to get it... or who we made 'em with. But never mind that, just follow me right through here and I'll show you what the Darkmoon Faire is all about.
All new! All spectacular!
Catch a show at the marvelous main stage or witness a dazzling fireworks display. But don't stare too long or you might miss the stunning spectacles that surround you. Gaze in awe of our magical menagerie, get your fortune told by the amazing Sayge, go on a pony ride, experience the healthful effects of carnival food, and more!
Of course, there's more to the Darkmoon Faire than just fantastic shows and culinary delights. You can still turn in your Darkmoon Cards, but you wouldn't just come here for measly ol' cards when there's so much more to see, experience, and win. Yes, win! You like dancing bears, right? Everybody likes dancing bears. Even bears like dancing bears. How about a dancing bear... you can ride!
That's not all! We have adorable companion pets includin' a fez-wearing monkey, a plethora of profession recipes, toys, balloons, souvenirs, delectable carnival snacks and beverages, heirlooms for the little ones, and even replicas of long-lost suits of armor that we're offering for your Transmogrification needs. You can also make your mark with new achievements and titles. All it takes to earn these fabulous rewards is a few Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets and a good reputation with the carnies. How do ya get your grubby mitts on some tickets? I'm glad you asked!
Step right up! Try your luck! Everyone's a winner!
Have we got games? You bet we've got games, and they're so easy to play an orc could do it. Just head on over to the midway, buy some Darkmoon Game Tokens, and get ready to play. Easy to learn, difficult to master, anyone can play and everyone can win. Just lay your tokens down for a chance at winning Darkmoon Prize Tickets playing games like Whack-a-Gnoll, the Tonk Battle Royale, the Cannon, Ring Toss, the Shooting Gallery, and more! Five games are there to test your skills at any one time. The better you play, the easier it is to win a bucket of Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets! Once a month, you've got a shot at tickets, and the fun never stops 'cause you can play as many times as you like. But that's not the only way to win big!
The Darkmoon Faire Field Guide
It's your passport to riches, my friend. Y'see, we need a few things -- just some junk, nothing valuable to a big hero like you. We call 'em Darkmoon Artifacts, and there's all different kinds to be found all over Azeroth. The Darkmoon Field Guide helps you discover artifacts while you're explorin' dungeons, slayin' monsters, and fightin' in Battlegrounds. Without a guide, you'd never notice 'em, and it'll help keep you focused on the stuff we want. Whether you just reached level 10, or you've crushed the biggest baddies in the land, we need somethin' from nearly everybody. You won't have to go too far out of your way to get 'em and each month you'll get a new opportunity to seek out an Artifact for us. What do you get out of the deal? Don't you worry, you'll get your cut. When you bring a Darkmoon Artifact back to us, you'll get valuable experience (it builds character, you know!), earn a better reputation, and possibly earn precious Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets too!
Oh, did I mention that you can use the Field Guide to get to Darkmoon Island whenever the Darkmoon Faire's monthly extravaganza is up and running?
So, you want to work in show business?
Maybe you'd like a little peek behind the scenes, eh? Want to see what it takes to run the greatest show on Azeroth? Well, it's not all sunshine and cotton candy, my friend. There are beasts to heal, food to cook, and buildings to fix. If you're willing help keep the show going and put your skills to work, you'll not only impress us, but you can get experience, Darkmoon Prize Tickets, and even polish up your skills -- up to five skill points per profession, per Faire week, if you're good at what you do!
Darkmoon Deathmatch!
Like any good carnival, the Darkmoon Faire has a shady side. You can leave the skilled labor to the suckers and go for a faster score instead. If you've got the minerals, the Darkmoon Deathmatch offers an experience unparalleled since the Gurubashi Arena. Pitmaster Pei has a big old treasure chest just brimming with goodies and Darkmoon Faire Prize Tickets that he'll drag out into the Darkmoon Deathmatch Pit every three hours or so. Everybody wants it, so if you want a piece of the action you'll just have to jump in and prove that you're the toughest one in the Pit.
Oh, the Faire is perfectly safe, Clem. Just don't wander into the woods.
Now, now, don't panic. Darkmoon Isle might be a bit spooky, but except for the Deathmatch Pit, the Faire itself is completely safe, I guarantee it. It's a sanctuary even, and we won't let anybody's beef ruin the fun. The shadowy woods surroundin' the fair are another thing entirely, though. I wouldn't say that people have disappeared into those woods never to return, but, well... people disappear into those woods never to return. So watch your step , and your back, when you leave the Faire. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
Mark your calendar
Now that you know how amazing the new Darkmoon Faire is, you won't want to miss it. Just take a look at your in-game calendar, and the Darkmoon Faire dates will show up there on the first week of every month. Darkmoon Faire barkers and displays will also pop up in every capital city to herald the arrival of the Faire. Silas Darkmoon himself has even started up a mailer to make sure that no one misses out!
Hitch a ride
During the first week of each month, convenient Darkmoon Faire outposts with Darkmoon Portals will appear in Elwynn Forest and Mulgore, offering free rides to Darkmoon Island and the Faire!
Darkmoon Mages in capital cities and on Darkmoon Island will also be around to help you get between the Faire and various capital cities. There's no such thing as a free lunch, so naturally you're obliged to compensate them for their services.
The all new Darkmoon Faire is coming to Darkmoon Island in patch 4.3. Don't miss it!
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Look at what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back! Filed under: News items, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 11)
chrisdick Aug 25th 2011 1:48PM
Not to hijack you at all (or too much! :) ), but I have been waiting since the Faire was appearing as part of the World achievements (before it turned into the Argent Tourney), that this would come back to the achievements again.
I was disappointed when it was removed from the World Achieves, but now we can see its return.
Also - big bonus to everyone who already has their Insane title - you do not have to worry about rep with the Faire, already have it all!! (unless Bliz somehow decides to introduce a new kind of Faire rep)
Revnah Aug 25th 2011 1:18PM
Did he actually just tell us that we "are not prepared"?
Fletcher Aug 25th 2011 1:18PM
This seems ... interesting. I guess it's meant to be our quest hub for 4.3. I have to admit, the image of a bunch of heavily armed mercenary killers going to the fair amuses me.
(cutaia) Aug 25th 2011 1:21PM
Why not? Military get a discount at Disney World, too. :D
Daedalus Aug 25th 2011 1:53PM
I doubt it's the main quest hub. It sounds like it's only going to be available one week a month, so any quests or dailies there are likely to be "bonus" type stuff.
I'm sure there will also be a "real" quest hub with a full complement of dailies.
Fletcher Aug 25th 2011 2:03PM
I'm not convinced, Daedalus - ICC didn't have a quest hub, whereas ToC did. The quest hub is a fairly uncommon phenomenon - IQD, ToC, TB, and the Molten Front are all that exist currently.
Batleth Aug 25th 2011 1:18PM
Can't wait for this...yet another awesome thing coming in 4.3! Has anyone heard as to WHERE on Azeroth is this Darmoon Isle?
Shinae Aug 25th 2011 1:29PM
Alcaz Island is a possibility, since it is no longer needed for the Missing Diplomat questline.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/2973256080
Deathknighty Aug 25th 2011 1:31PM
Somewhere "Mist"...
*cough*pandas*cough*
Deathknighty Aug 25th 2011 1:31PM
Somewhere "Misty"...
*cough*pandas*cough*
The Dewd Aug 25th 2011 1:32PM
My suspicion is that wherever it is, it'll be out of flight range so we can't get their on our own. Or it'll be like the pre-Cata Gilneas where you can't get ashore without help.
That having been said, I hope it's somewhere we can fly to when the Faire isn't up - I want to go poking my feral kitty nose around.
Deathknighty Aug 25th 2011 1:32PM
Oh crapnuggets...
Noyou Aug 25th 2011 2:57PM
Who says it has to be on Azeroth? I think this will be linked with the Pandaren. If it is on Azeroth I think it will be a totally new island. But I think it will be a totally new zone like the outland was.
loop_not_defined Aug 25th 2011 3:12PM
After reading The Dewd's comment, I'm wondering if the entire island will be closed off outside of the event schedule. Like, logging off during the event and logging back in after it closes would put you back at your hearth location. This means they wouldn't have to bother making a "closed" version of the fairgrounds.
quickshiv Aug 25th 2011 1:20PM
So much love for the monkey with fez but DANCING BEAR MOUNT is pure WIN!
The Dewd Aug 25th 2011 1:38PM
I want to ride the dancing bear mount while in bearform. We could have a parade of druids on bears mounts dancing around the island.
Yo dawg, I heard you like bears...
Al Aug 25th 2011 3:02PM
Colbert just broke into a cold sweat, and he doesn't know why.
The Dewd Aug 25th 2011 1:27PM
I'm a little disappointed as I was hoping that the changes to the Faire would allow it to be accessible more than just one week a month. I realize that with all these changes, especially the bits that will help you level professions like cooking, they don't want to make it too easy but when I read that it'd be on its own island I was hoping it'd be somewhere we could get to on our own. That does raise the question, however, of what will be there if you log out at the Faire on the last night and then log in the next day - an empty patch of ground or will it be full of level 85 mobs?
I'm really looking forward to the, whatever it is, the item that lets you proc drops for turnins. Once I can put a bunch of my old gear and toys and archaeology stuff into Void Storage and then use my bank for more everyday stuff, I'll actually have the bagspace for it. :)
Noyou Aug 25th 2011 3:00PM
Yeah. I kind of selfishly wanted it to be an everyday thing. but then you would have people there all the time. I would stay there and screw leveling somewhere else. I am guessing they don't want this.
zaababy Aug 25th 2011 1:24PM
yay this sounds so much more fun that the way it is now! Really looking forward to this!