Happy Tuesday morning, everyone. This week continues the trend of last week. While there is no earth-shattering news, per se, there's a steady stream of cool stuff to read and discuss, from great patch 5.1 guides, to even more tidbits of intriguing patch 5.2 news. Could we be seeing a preview or a PTR soon? It seems possible, but it could just be wishful thinking, too.

In addition, the devs have been hitting the interview circuit, so there's a lot of great patch 5.1 stuff straight from the horse's mouth. Downtime today starts at 1 a.m. PST and is expected to last for 10 hours, so you will have plenty of time to catch up. Keep reading for all the latest, and keep a browser window tuned here for even more stuff throughout the day.

Hot news and features

• Check out the latest patch 5.1 hotfixes for December 5.
• Check out the official patch notes for patch 5.1.0a.
• We recently sat down with Lead Content Designer Cory Stockton and Lead Quest Designer Dave Kosak to talk about patch 5.1.
• We weren't the only WoW site to get a crack at talking with the devs. Check out this roundup for more interviews.
• The Cinder Kitten is now available on the Blizzard Pet Store. Remember, all purchases of this pet from now until Dec. 31 will be donated in full to Superstorm Sandy relief efforts.
• We crowdsourced some great Mists of Pandaria tips from you, our readers.
• Patch 5.1 allows you to shapeshift into a baby panda.

• Check out some of the possible monk changes coming with patch 5.2.
• Want even more fun trinkets? Sure, we all do! Here's a list of stuff for you to track down.
• Challenge Modes may be coming to old dungeons.
• Blizzard recently clarified the intent behind all those old world raid boss nerfs in patch 5.1.
• Blizzard also stood firm behind their stance on pre-made battleground groups.
• Is it time for the death penalty to go?
• Anne discusses the pros and cons of lifting transmogrification limits.
• Do Elder Charms of Good Fortune distort how we view getting raid loot?

Class news and guides

• We run down the latest monk class changes from patch 5.1.
• Scattered Shots wants to cut down on hunter buttons.
• Lichborne takes some death knight lessons from other classes.
• Totem Talk heals Gara'jal and the Spirit Kings.
• Encrypted Text compares rogue theory to rogue performance.
• Spiritual Guidance has an in-depth guide to priest talents.
• We have a grab bag of warrior topics this week.
• Blood Pact helps you spec your warlock for some old world raiding.
• Death Knights have been hitting the solo circuit hard this week. We've seen a solo kill of 10-man Madness of Deathwing and a level 80 kill of heroic 25-man Baelroc.

Dungeons, items, professions, PvP, and more

• Is your Grand Commendation active?
• Blood Sport wonders if patch 5.1 has broken PvP.
• Addon Spotlight answers your questions.
• WoW Archivist looks back at all those keys we used to carry around.
• Blizzard hotfixed PvP trinkets to be a little less powerful, but has since admitted that wasn't enough to solve burst damage issues in PvP.

Odds and ends

• Know your lore has lots of theories and opinions about what all this Sha stuff is really leading to.
• 15 Minutes of Fame interviews fantasy artist Michael Whelan.
• Li Li's Travel Journal now heads to the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.

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