Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsThe Queue: Pandaria is open on the beta
by Adam Holisky 
Mar 29th 2012 at 11:00AM
Fun times on the beta after last night's patch. Pandaria, which is the level 85-to-90 zones, is open for play (well, at least the Jade Forest is, which is all I can directly confirm). I have to say it was quite fun to run around and kill some boars while learning the new warlock mechanics.
I love being able to be in demon form a bunch. That's going to make a helluva interesting raid mechanic.
Logan asked:
How do you start the new level 85 content in the Mists beta?
Eventually, there'll be a ship or something to take you out there. For now, talk to the pandaren near the main bank and AH in your capital city. They'll teleport you over.
Laim asked:
Do we know, lore wise, how or why the mists around Pandaria have gone away?
We don't, exactly. As Pyromelter pointed out from the March Press Tour FAQ:
Nick asked:Sometime in the wake of the Cataclysm, the mists abruptly vanished. Alliance and Horde naval fleets, engaged in skirmishes around the world thanks to the new Warchief's aggression, suddenly found a new continent where once charts showed open seas. With both factions escalating their feud into a global conflict, the war for Azeroth shifts in a new direction.
Why did the mists collapse at this crucial moment in world history? The answers revolve around the will of the last emperor, and lie at the heart of this strange new continent...
is there any way to change your pose on the armory? mine looks horrendous!
There used to be controls to do that on the armory page, but Blizzard took them away for one reason or another. We've been told they're bringing them back, but no ETA.
Mark asked:
Doesn't this beta feel like an extension of tbe press release? I have yet to hear of anyone else in beta but the fansites. Not even friends and family.
There are more than just press and fan sites in it. I know several people who are unaffiliated players who have gotten beta invites. That said, the first wave was very, very small -- and you're right, a lot of press and fan sites did get in, but by no means are we alone.
If I had to guess, I'd wager the next waves will be happening soon, so just hold tight and everyone will eventually get in.
Datgrl asked:
Based on your past experience, how does this beta compare to BC or Wrath? Does it feel more finished? Are there fewer glitches? What is better about how this beta was handled than in the past? What do you think Blizz could do to improve it? Are beta testers given a method to provide feedback or is it just a topic in the official forums?
I had the chance to play through some of the Jade Forest this morning, and it all feels pretty well done. There are some noticeable issues with almost all the classes still, but that's to be expected in any beta environment. The world itself, though, seems remarkably complete.
I have to add, running around on the ground instead of flying really brings you into the world more. There's much more of a connection to what you're going to do and how you're going to do it, rather than just plopping down and killing whatever boars you need to.
Feedback can be provided in-game or on the forums. We'll have a Beta Testing 101 up on that aspect soon.
Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to answer 'em!
Filed under: The Queue
Reader Comments (Page 7 of 8)
ravyncat Mar 29th 2012 2:02PM
I enjoyed that video too.
Now that little spirit will forever be Catnaros to me. XD
Hopefully they will do the 85-90 quests too so I have something to watch as I wait to see it for myself.
Jaq Mar 29th 2012 2:27PM
Totalbiscuit's videos being good is relative; after all this is the guy who ran normal HoO in a group of heroic premade toons and complained that it was too EASY.
Wowcrendor, though, is good people :D
Kia Mar 29th 2012 12:38PM
Pandaria is open now? Okay seriously blizzard, what the hell. Where are the damn annual pass invites? -.-
Amaxe Mar 29th 2012 12:50PM
Probably take a bit. I think of it as the SWTOR pre-order early entry. Access was sent out in waves (I think I got mine on the 2nd or third day of the early entry) based on time of reserved copy to prevent swamping servers.
I would guess when you get in will depend on:
1) When you signed up
2) How long the beta is planned to run
3) How many people have taken part of this vs the capacity of the beta servers.
Hope it goes well for you.
ash.p.liu Mar 29th 2012 12:56PM
Q4tQ: Saw something on MMO champ that particularly interested me today aside from the pally/lock T14 - a "Black Market Auction House". Any ideas what it could be about?
Second Q: How can I get my username to show up instead of my email when I comment, and how can I change my avatar?
Defias Bandit Mar 29th 2012 1:45PM
I'm getting reports that the Blue Child has returned in MoP. Can anyone confirm this?
Spelio Mar 29th 2012 3:04PM
I can find only forum posts...nothing official yet.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/4253969102
Pyromelter Mar 29th 2012 3:32PM
WOOT!
Am I the only one who is outlandishly excited about this?
Spelio Mar 29th 2012 4:36PM
@Pyro
No...you are not the only one. (O.o)
RetPallyJil Mar 29th 2012 6:01PM
About damn time.
xenothaulus Mar 29th 2012 3:16PM
"I have to add, running around on the ground instead of flying really brings you into the world more. There's much more of a connection to what you're going to do and how you're going to do it, rather than just plopping down and killing whatever boars you need to."
That was something I really liked about Wrath, and I suspect was one of the things that killed Cataclysm for me.
Ironhammer Mar 29th 2012 3:25PM
Q: When will Pyromelter be put on the WoW Insider payroll? Has anyone offered him his own column yet?
Mackenzie Mar 29th 2012 4:18PM
Maybe you should rename this entry, mainly because one zone of Pandaria is open and that's it.
Cambro Mar 29th 2012 5:57PM
It's like walking into a brand new shopping mall, where you can enter certain areas but other areas are closed off because there aren't businesses to occupy them. You'll say, "Hey, the mall is open now!" You don't likely say, "Hey, a portion of the mall is open!" unless you get in a discussion about the mall and start talking details. It's called synecdoche, where a whole thing is understood to mean some collective number of parts of that whole. :)
techno-warrior6 Mar 29th 2012 4:36PM
Will we get top hats in mists?
Batleth Mar 29th 2012 4:37PM
Anyone else seen the newest pics over at MMO-C? There's one that shows a great pic of the "Sha of Doubt". This reminds me heavily of the Carnage and Venom "suits" in the Spiderman stories. Sentient beings that can envelope and control a host body. Has anyone else seen more Sha pics? Is there one for every negative emotion?
Delerowen Mar 29th 2012 5:22PM
Is there going to be a BOA tome for characters that are 90 for 85 alt characters? I really hope not.
Imfrombelgium Mar 29th 2012 5:42PM
This question probably has very little chance of getting aswered since this is a wow site and blizzard would have to delete priests before their actions are questioned here, but let's give it a try.
Blizzard recently replied on twitter that it's possible that annual pass holders won't get in the beta until the very last month.
Source: http://i41.tinypic.com/1iei5l.png
yes, if you check on twitter under the random twitter person's name it's there.
Should people who only bought the annual pass just to get in the beta (to help improve the game in any way they can, to get a better chance at a world first, to see what the fuss is about, ...) be mad?
P.S. i know it wasn't it the contract, but it was definetly implied. Local consumer offices in the EU have been confirming you could get a refund for the contract under the claim of false advertisement.
dj_be_cool Mar 29th 2012 5:49PM
Oops, forgot to put in there it was about the instant access part people are complaining about.
I just wanted to be part of the magic of creation (don't feel bad about not getting in) and mostly free Diablo 3.
Shinae Mar 29th 2012 6:37PM
"This question probably has very little chance of getting aswered since this is a wow site and blizzard would have to delete priests before their actions are questioned here, but let's give it a try."
FYI WoW Insider is not an official WoW fansite. Blizzard's actions are in questioned here. Any positivity you see from writers towards Blizzard's actions is because they actually feel that way, not because they are are obligated.
As to your question: http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/does-the-annual-pass-guarantee-instant-beta-access/
Even though I've been playing since TBC and I signed up for the Annual Pass right away, I still might not get a beta invite until the last wave. Sure, I'll be sorely disappointed, but I won't accuse Blizz of being unjust. They're within their rights, so I'll simply deal.