Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 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 8 of 11)
AudreyR Aug 25th 2011 5:18PM
Local politicians and firefighters are often paid from the same pool of money, as well.
Guess who I'm calling when there are flames.
loop_not_defined Aug 25th 2011 5:27PM
@Audrey
Depending on how much their budget got cut, it might actually be the same people. :)
Badgelooter Aug 25th 2011 5:31PM
Well Don, the only thing I think I'm entitled to is a voice which is heard by Blizzard. Every casual player is entitled to the same. For the reasons I've stated, I think there needs to be a greater focus on high-end group content (lvl 85 dungeons and raids) rather than cosmetic reskins of old quest hubs. (please note that I don't mind the revamped dungeons i.e. Deadmines, ZA/ZG, etc. New mechanics, new dynamics on 5 man vs the old raid all equate to "new" content for me.) I think that the tyranny of the majority has led Blizzard down the path of making rather inconsequential changes which have no real effect on game play (why does it matter if you look lke you're wearing T12 or T6 or whatever other combo folks are going to trannyfy into?). So, as a member of the minority, I think that casual players get plenty of what they ask for. I wish I felt like my voice was as important as theirs.
As far as the remainder of your post, I'm sorry you perceive me that way. I suppose making an ad hominem attack is the easiest way to score another point or 2 in your head. Cheers to you.
@ Daed: I'm not demanding 100% of anything. As far as the programming goes, I've no clue. I'll defer to your experience there. It seems as though at least some time will have to be invested to make sure everything works as planned (even though it won't work as planned, but hey, whaddaya do?).
Catering to the masses may be fine for now. I'm concerned about the eventual dumbing down of a game I rather enjoy. The whole slippery slope argument and all. Raiding is already somewhat easier than it used to be (back in Vanilla and BC). I really don't care that they've at least partially torn down that fence because Blizzard was good enough to include heroic modes to satisfy the hard-core raider. Again, I just wish they paid as much attention to those of us on that grind as they did the folks who demand they be able to reskin their armor.
Smart business model? Maybe. The customer is always right. Which customer though? You'll also lose people (typically the ones who've been around the block for a while) if you take away the parts of the game they enjoy. I'm sure you've lost friends who didn't think the game was a challenge any more. I know I have. Spending your resources unwisely will lead to your downfall.
By the logic of some posters to my little maifesto, there shouldn't even be raids. Only whatever-small-number-you-want-to-put-on-it percent of the player base is seeing that content. They're already utilizing an inordinate amount of resources relative to the number of players experiencing the content. Like you said, raiding is an essential part of the game. I hate to see it suffer because people who will never do it when it's relevant think it's trivial.
Sun, it may not have been an argument until I brought up my views, but it's pretty clear to whom this addition is directed. I'll be catch up on whatever DMF has to offer after I'm done with T13. I have to think my raiding friends will do the same because we prefer to concentrate on the raiding. Some will do both, but I don't have that much time.
As far at the 3/4 year-old arugment, perhaps I didn't express myself very well. I'm attempting to make the point that the squeaky wheels who effected this change will be crying about how *insert whiny adjective here* DMF is and why Blizzard needs to be working on *insert anything other than raiding, because we don't do that.* If making unpopular arguments is whining, then I suppose I am a big fat whiner. Sorry.
I thought the expansion was well done. As I said, I don't care that they've reworked old zones, instances, or fights. That's an example of taking an unused asset and putting it to work for you. As far as patience, that's what the raiders are frequently told. "We'll get around to you after we handle this mass of open tickets complaining about our new pet bears not dancing in time with the game music."
Audrey, I don't really know how your comment ties into this discusson, but good thinking.
AudreyR Aug 25th 2011 6:06PM
My point was about something you said further up. Look the design team gets paid to design things. It's their job. It has little effect on whether or not bugs get fixed.
As to what you said at the beginning of this last response, your voice would be better heard if you actually direct it at Blizzard. While some working there may read this blog, it is still a blog that does not actually report to Blizzard. It's owned by AOL.
Badgelooter Aug 25th 2011 7:21PM
@ Audrey:
And my point is that Blizzard isn't required to have X amount of either. They could spend their entire budget on artists, and have some really kick ass graphics. Problem is, you'd never see it on live because, as has been noted, the Art Devs can't program. Or in the context of your firefighter/politician metaphor:
Firefighters can put out x fires per day. The city has 10 firefighters and 10 politicians. They're paid the same, and are in all respects interchangable except for the jobs they do. Now imagine that there are more than 10x fires per day. You'll need an additional firefighter to handle the overflow, or things are going to keep burning. If all 10 politicians are busy running their departments and performing essential, useful tasks to ake the city run well, you're kind of stuck. But if some of the politicians are working on projects that aren't really that pressing, you could get rid of one of them and hire yourself a firefighter in his place.
I think the new dailies are a make-work project because I personally don't participate in that part of the game until I've handled my business raiding. My choice. My perspective. My opinion. There are things that need to be fixed in Firelands. Blizzard should allocate resources such that those things are (to the degree reasonably possible) fixed before allocating resources elsewhere. I feel that the casual player is the cause of this misallocation. My perspective. My opinion. Squeaky wheels get the grease. I think sometimes you have to ignore the complaints of one set in order to meet the needs of another set. I think it's the raiders' turn for a little love.
Trust me when I say I've addressed this to Blizzard. Nice thing about freedom of speech is that you can say what you want in more than one forum. I'm not trying to change Blizzard, I'm trying to speak my mind about something that affects the way I experience the game. I'm trying to be nice about it, not calling anyone "baddies" or "noobs" or "fails." If anything I've said is interpreted in a negative light (i.e. people who won't do the content when it's relevant anyway"), it's not said in disdain, it's said as neutrally and factually as possible.
I rephrase my opening statement to "Blizzard places too much emphasis on the requests of casual players, when their resources should be allocated to improving the raiding experience of raiding players, who I feel are overlooked when it comes to quality of life improvements."
Tirrimas Aug 25th 2011 2:08PM
OMGYAY!
Daedalus Aug 25th 2011 2:09PM
Sounds like it didn't take as long as they though for Blizzard to find a way to "make those older armor sets available."
Or, more likely, they've known all along they were planning to do this, and just didn't want to tell us because they like tormenting us by giving us news in tantalizing little bites. Damn you Blizzard!!!
Still, this sounds awesome.
I noticed the article didn't call attention to one of the things I was most excited to see: "a plethora of profession recipes." Part of me is hoping that this will give us a way to get some old recipes that are hard to come by, and part of me isn't, as that would make the thousands of gold I've spent making dense grinding stones and thorium widgets to get the Greater Darkmoon Prizes for the 1 in a million chance at the Lifelike Mechanical Toad recipe seem like a bit of a waste. (Okay, EVEN MORE of a waste.)
Mr. Crow Aug 25th 2011 3:06PM
There needs to be an alchemy recipe in there. I have held onto alchemy for SO LONG wanting something other than the Vial of the Sands to make with it that was cool and unique to my profession. Tailors got Magic Carpet Ride, other crafters get to have their profession throughput bonuses stack with the flasks I make, and what do alchemists get? Their bop Flask (Flask of Enhancement) DOESN'T stack with other flasks... instead, Alchemy just makes the flask lasts longer. If I had to choose, I'd take the +80 throughput bonus.
loop_not_defined Aug 25th 2011 3:16PM
I'm wondering if this will open up stuff like the Northrend...uh, book thing, which is super-hard to find on the AH these days (sorry, I know Blacksmithing and Alchemy, that's about it).
Badgelooter Aug 25th 2011 3:37PM
Crow, Alc gets Mixology, which, in addition to doubling the effective time of your flasks, increases their throughput by 80. Same as every other profession except JC.
Philster043 Aug 25th 2011 2:09PM
Actually, the more I think about this, it sounds suspiciously a lot like how the Argent Tournament works. Hopefully there's no jousting involved because I'm sort of sick of the latter right now lol.
But I'm always up for more potential rewards.
Mr. Crow Aug 25th 2011 2:41PM
You're sick of jousting two years after it was released?
StClair Aug 25th 2011 2:48PM
Some wounds run deep.
Ilmyrn Aug 25th 2011 3:04PM
No matter how it shakes out, it can't be THAT bad, if only because it'll only be accessible one week out of the month.
Philster043 Aug 25th 2011 3:59PM
I've been off and on working on the Argent Tourney the past two summers, Mr Crow. I'm currently at 99 mounts and want that last mount. But yeah, been jousting a lot lately.
VioletArrows Aug 25th 2011 4:25PM
Good luck and early congrats :D
RetPallyJil Aug 25th 2011 4:30PM
You sound like someone who sucked at jousting.
I'll take you ALL ON!!!
DonNochay Aug 25th 2011 4:42PM
@RetPallyJIl
Good god, if you are trying to inject the idea that jousting was at all a skill based endeavor, you're wrong.
AudreyR Aug 25th 2011 5:14PM
I'm still hoisting and despising it. Two years after release.
Mostly because I was on a 7 month hiatus from the game and then came back to start a new account.
Philster043 Aug 25th 2011 6:25PM
I have no problem jousting for the 4 champion's marks, it's the Boneguard Commanders I'm sick of - going there, having to take down three of them, and the anxiety that comes with always thinking I'm going to draw the attention of some gargoyle that'll spawn nearby.
Thankfully that is not as big a problem as it used to now that we've hit level 85, the gargoyles aren't so quick to notice us, and I've actually been soloing that quest all summer long. But when you've done the same thing every day for two months at least (this summer for me), it gets old. I'm glad that I can take a break from it soon.