WoW Insiderhttp://wow.joystiq.comWoW Insiderhttp://wow.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gifWoW Insiderhttp://wow.joystiq.comen-usCopyright 2015 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/WoW Insider ShowEvery week, the WoW Insider Show brings you news and views from the World of Warcraft and the site that covers it all, WoW Insider. We introduce a panel of rotating guests, including bloggers from WoW Insider and other WoW blogs, and many popular personalities from around the WoW community. From the live listener chat and polls during the show, to the emails direct from listeners (reach us at theshow@wow.com), right on to the "meat" of the show -- in-depth discussion of the most popular news and posts on WoW Insider -- the WoW Insider Show is a terrific source of news and entertainment about what's going on with Blizzard and their World of Warcraft. Listen live every Saturday at 3:30 pm Eastern on our Ustream page (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wow-insider-show) or subscribe to the feed and let us know what you think by reviewing the show right here in iTunes.Know Your Lore: The hour of the kinghttp://wow.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/know-your-lore-the-hour-of-the-king/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/know-your-lore-the-hour-of-the-king/http://wow.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/know-your-lore-the-hour-of-the-king/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The World of Warcraft is an expansive universe. You're playing the game, you're fighting the bosses, you know the how -- but do you know the why? Each week, Matthew Rossi and Anne Stickney make sure you Know Your Lore by covering the history of the story behind World of Warcraft.

The King of Stormwind wears the crown on a troubled brow. He inherited the mantle as a child, not through a peaceful succession but through bloody violence and the destruction of his home. He wore it in exile and only came home with the death of the man who saved him and carried him away from the sight of his entire world burned to the ground. His entire life has been shaped by violent loss, by tragedy and death -- his mother dead before he even knew her, his father murdered and butchered in front of him, his replacement fathers cut down, his wife taken from him in a moment's passing by an errant rock thrown from a mob.

His early rule was most notable by his lack of desire to actually do much rulership, busying himself by riding the land in search of his father's killer or drifting though a haze of loss after his wife's death, a haze seized upon and manipulated by someone who was supposed to be a close advisor. The circumstances of his disappearance from the throne and his return have been discussed in detail. For now, all we need to do is accept that they did little to encourage him to view the throne as anything but a responsibility to be maintained in the face of constant peril.

Following the Northrend campaign and its heavy cost both to King Varian and the kingdom as a whole (Bolvar's death, as well as the many deaths at the Wrathgate; the invasion of Undercity and the destruction of Putress; Horde troops ambushing Alliance forces engaged with the Scourge; the astonishing cost in lives and resources), it would have been difficult for either the King or the kingdom to quickly recover. The eruption of Deathwing and the Cataclysm he caused did not allow the luxury of time. Reeling from one blow, they suffered another and another.

Continue reading Know Your Lore: The hour of the king

WoW InsiderKnow Your Lore: The hour of the king originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Anduin-LotharAnduin-WrynnfeaturedGaronaGarroshguideguide-to-loreKing-Varian-Wrynnlorelore-guideOrgrimmarrole-playrole-playing-guiderp-guideVarian-wrynnworld-of-warcraft-lorewow-guidewow-lorewow-role-playingwow-role-playing-guidewow-rpwow-rp-guidewow-rpingMatthew RossiWed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 ESTFirst chapter of new Wolfheart novel free to readhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/first-chapter-of-new-wolfheart-novel-free-to-read/http://wow.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/first-chapter-of-new-wolfheart-novel-free-to-read/http://wow.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/first-chapter-of-new-wolfheart-novel-free-to-read/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Varian Wrynn
The Sept. 13 publication date of Wolfheart, the newest WoW novel written by Richard Knaak, draws ever closer. We know surprisingly little about it at the moment. We know that it will take place on Kalimdor but will focus on King Varian Wrynn and his relationship with the wolf spirit Goldrinn and the new members of the Alliance, the Worgen. If you're eager for more information though, you're in luck. Shelfari, a book wiki run by Amazon.com, has the first chapter of the book available to read.

Click here for your free sample chapter and choose the Read First Chapter Free button below the picture of the book cover on the left side of the page. You'll be able to read the first chapter, as well as the chapter titles for the book (by pushing the back arrow on the pages). There are going to be a lot of spoilers in both the chapter names and the chapter itself, of course, so read at your own risk. For a quick (spoiler-filled) summary and a discussion of the possibilities, check after the break.

Continue reading First chapter of new Wolfheart novel free to read

WoW InsiderFirst chapter of new Wolfheart novel free to read originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>AllianceashenvaleElunegarroshgoldrinnguide-to-loreHordeHumanshyjaljarodjarod-shadowsongkalimdorknaakkromgarlogoshlorelore-guidemagnataurmaievmaiev-shadowsongMalfurionMalfurion-StormrageNight-ElvesnorthrendOrcsrichard-knaakstonetalonTyrandeTyrande-Whisperwindvarianvarian-wrynnwolfheartwolfheart-novelworld-of-warcraft-lorewow-lorewow-novelwow-novelswrynnyetiDaniel WhitcombTue, 06 Sep 2011 09:00:00 ESTSexual dimorphism in Cataclysmhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/sexual-dimorphism-in-cataclysm/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/sexual-dimorphism-in-cataclysm/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/13/sexual-dimorphism-in-cataclysm/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Three years ago, I read this article by Annalee Newitz on sexual dimorphism in WoW, promptly filing it away in my head as one of those interesting quirks about the game and games in general. What really struck me at the time were the alpha pictures of trolls and tauren. While I like the current tauren female model, I'm not terribly enamored of troll ladies, if only because 95 percent of them (not an actual statistic) seem to choose the same blandly "pretty" face. Alpha troll women seemed to share a lot more of the troll male's features, with more pronounced tusks, sharper profiles and more of a hunch like the men. In general, I found these alpha models fascinating.

Also interesting to note was that this trend goes both ways: when blood elves debuted, the males were much closer to the females and were beefed up in The Burning Crusade beta. As Annalee Newitz pointed out, the other race that debuted in BC, the draenei, are extremely dimorphic; males are bigger and more massively muscular than orcs, while their females are far less mesomorphic. What interested me, at least so far as the tauren and troll model changes went, is that players complained that the tauren and troll women weren't to their liking, which most likely had an influence on the design of draenei and blood elves.

Now, with Cataclysm, we have two new races to consider. How do the worgen and goblins stack up on the dimorphism scale?

Continue reading Sexual dimorphism in Cataclysm

WoW InsiderSexual dimorphism in Cataclysm originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threegoblinnext-xpacsexual-dimorphismthird-expansionworgenworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmwow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-cataclysmwow-expansionwow-guidewow-third-expansionMatthew RossiMon, 13 Dec 2010 18:00:00 ESTCountdown to Cataclysm: Why go worgen?http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/countdown-to-cataclysm-why-go-worgen/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/countdown-to-cataclysm-why-go-worgen/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/02/countdown-to-cataclysm-why-go-worgen/#commentsFiled under: ,

This article is part of our Countdown to Cataclysm series, helping you prepare for Cataclysm launch one day at a time.

As Deathwing makes his escape from Deepholm, the Greymane Wall finally collapses, revealing the kingdom of Gilneas. For years, the kingdom had locked itself away behind the wall, shutting out the troubles of the rest of the world. King Genn Greymane, leader of Gilneas, has been dealing with his own problems behind the wall, however, including the spreading of the worgen curse, which is turning his people into ferocious creatures.

Continue reading Countdown to Cataclysm: Why go worgen?

WoW InsiderCountdown to Cataclysm: Why go worgen? originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newscountdown-to-cataclysmexpansionexpansion-threegilneasgilneas-factiongilneas-lorenext-xpacthird-expansionworgenworgen-raceworgen-racialsworgensworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmwow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-cataclysmwow-expansionwow-guidewow-third-expansionMathew McCurleyThu, 02 Dec 2010 15:00:00 ESTCryptozoic previews new goblin and worgen allies for WoW TCG Worldbreaker sethttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/cryptozoic-previews-new-goblin-and-worgen-allies-for-wow-tcg-wor/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/cryptozoic-previews-new-goblin-and-worgen-allies-for-wow-tcg-wor/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/29/cryptozoic-previews-new-goblin-and-worgen-allies-for-wow-tcg-wor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Cryptozoics' posterous blog has been nothing short of an amazing wealth of information about Worldbreaker, the newest expansion for the WoW Trading Card Game. Loads of new abilities, cards, allies, heroes and more are being shown off, and for TCG fans, all of this new stuff looks to be pretty dang fun.

In addition, worgen and goblin allies have been introduced! Each new race has a cool new ability associated with it: worgen allies with the Aberration keyword cannot be dealt non-combat damage, and goblins allies with the Time is Money keyword can use exhaust abilities as soon as they enter play. These new allies, as well as all of the revealed information, are bringing some fascinating new play mechanics to the trading card game.

Check out the new worgen ally Rolan Phoenix, along with a new version of Magni Bronzebeard, here. The new goblin ally Exxi the Windshaper, along with orc mage Ceraka and Cairne, Earthmother's Chosen, can be previewed here.

WoW InsiderCryptozoic previews new goblin and worgen allies for WoW TCG Worldbreaker set originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>breakercryptocryptozoiccryptozoic-entertainmenttcgtcg-settcglootworldworld-breaker-tcgworldbreakerworldbreaker-tcgwow-tcgwow-tcg-worldbreakerMathew McCurleyMon, 29 Nov 2010 18:00:00 ESTShifting Perspectives: Why (or why not) to play a worgen druidhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/shifting-perspectives-why-or-why-not-to-play-a-worgen-druid/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/shifting-perspectives-why-or-why-not-to-play-a-worgen-druid/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/16/shifting-perspectives-why-or-why-not-to-play-a-worgen-druid/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Every week, WoW Insider brings you Shifting Perspectives for cat, bear, restoration and balance druids. This week, you might want to get that bite looked at.

Today, we're going to tackle the subject of worgen druids, whose lore is an even bigger rat's nest than the contentious subject we discussed last week. As a note on that, I feel obligated to stick to the official line, which is that night elves were the first druids. Read Xarantaur's flavor text again. Not only does he skirt the issue, but his own story is an oblique confirmation that he probably wasn't among the first druids if the Warcraft RPG's information on racial lifespans is still canon.

Malfurion Stormrage is a young adult by the War of the Ancients. Xarantaur references the War, the Sundering, and a lengthy period spent traveling Kalimdor in search of stories. He was about to die when he was gifted with immortality by Nozdormu, so it's probable that he, too, was a young adult when the War began. By night elf reckoning, a "young adult" (even before the immortality granted by the World Tree) is between 100 and 300 years old; a tauren with a vastly shorter natural lifespan would be between 30 and 50. Even allowing for the smallest natural age gap, Malfurion predates Xarantaur by at least 50 years, and probably a lot more, given that he and a host of other night elf druids enter Ysera's service in the Emerald Dream after the Sundering. While it's likely that the tauren weren't taught druidism long after the night elves, Blizzard's official line is that night elves were the first druids. They may retcon this in the future or at the very least clarify (and I hope they do), but Xarantaur's existence doesn't conflict with the idea of night elves being first.

The full series is available here:
  1. Shifting Perspectives: Why (or why not) to play a night elf druid
  2. Shifting Perspectives: Why (or why not) to play a tauren druid
  3. Shifting Perspectives: Why (or why not) to play a worgen druid
  4. Shifting Perspectives: Why (or why not) to play a troll druid

Continue reading Shifting Perspectives: Why (or why not) to play a worgen druid

WoW InsiderShifting Perspectives: Why (or why not) to play a worgen druid originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>class-helpdruid-guidedruid-infodruid-racesdruid-talentsfeaturedgilneasgilneas-loreguideguide-to-druidsnight+elf+druid+vs+worgen+druidnightelfdruidvsworgendruidtalenttalentswhy-or-why-not-to-play-a-worgen-druidwhy-to-play-a-worgenworgen+druidworgen+druid+guideworgen+druid+vs+night+elf+druidworgen-druidworgen-druid-loreworgen-druid-roleplayworgen-druidsworgen-loreworgen-racial-bonusesworgen-racialsworgen-roleplayworgendruidworgendruidguideworgendruidvsnightelfdruidworld-of-warcraft-class-guideworld-of-warcraft-guidewow-class-guidewow-class-helpwow-druidwow-druid-infowow-druidswow-guidewow-talent-guidewow-worgen-loreAllison RobertTue, 16 Nov 2010 18:00:00 ESTRecruit-a-Friend benefits will apply to goblins and worgenhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/recruit-a-friend-benefits-will-apply-to-goblins-and-worgen/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/recruit-a-friend-benefits-will-apply-to-goblins-and-worgen/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/11/recruit-a-friend-benefits-will-apply-to-goblins-and-worgen/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Yet another frabjous day for those of you who are planning to get your goblin or worgen to level 85 as fast as a bullet train with a rocket strapped to the back and a wormhole generator up front. "That's very fast," you might be saying. Well, so will your goblin or worgen, once he gets hold of all that sweet, sweet Recruit-A-Friend candy. Calloo and callay both, man.

Lylirra - Will RAF work with worgen/goblins?
New goblin and worgen characters will indeed be eligible for Recruit-A-Friend benefits including increased experience gain and grantable levels. As we've no current plans to modify the Recruit-A-Friend program at this time or increase the level range for which the benefits apply, goblin and worgen characters (as with all other characters) will only be able to receive the in-game bonuses up to level 60.

This excites me because I'm trying to lure back a few old friends for Cataclysm, and I'm pretty sure some RAF action could smooth that process along. Lylirra points out that this is all contingent on said goblins or worgen qualifying for the process, that there's no plan to advance the benefits past level 60, and that there will be no realm-first goblin or worgen (or indeed any race) to 85 achievements any longer. So level your worgen friends with alacrity, as fast as Running Wild after a sugar rush.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion (available Dec. 7, 2010), from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.

WoW InsiderRecruit-a-Friend benefits will apply to goblins and worgen originally appeared on WoW Insider on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threeGoblinnext-xpacRAFrefer-a-friendthird-expansionWorgenworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmwow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-cataclysmwow-expansionwow-guidewow-third-expansionMatthew RossiThu, 11 Nov 2010 18:00:00 ESTRace changes to worgen and goblins will be available on launch nighthttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/race-changes-to-worgen-and-goblins-will-be-available-on-launch-n/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/race-changes-to-worgen-and-goblins-will-be-available-on-launch-n/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/race-changes-to-worgen-and-goblins-will-be-available-on-launch-n/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Short and sweet here, folks: Blizzard has announced that race changes to goblins and worgen will be available immediately upon Cataclysm launch. That's 12:01 a.m. PST Dec. 7. Additionally, there will no longer be any achievements for being the first of your race to hit level 85; the achievements are now class-only.

Great news for people who want to switch from their terrible male night elf druid into a dashing (literally) male worgen druid, or basically anyone who's tired of playing a troll of either gender.

WoW InsiderRace changes to worgen and goblins will be available on launch night originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>breakingcat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threegoblingoblinsnext-xpacpaid-race-changerace-changethird-expansionworgenworgensworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-betawow-cataclysmwow-cataclysm-betawow-expansionwow-expansion-betawow-guidewow-third-expansionMichael SaccoWed, 10 Nov 2010 00:02:00 ESTWorgen druid flight form video from Wowheadhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/worgen-druid-flight-form-video-from-wowhead/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/worgen-druid-flight-form-video-from-wowhead/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/worgen-druid-flight-form-video-from-wowhead/#commentsFiled under: ,


Well, what do you know! We figured that worgen and troll druids would just get recolors of existing druid flight forms, but it looks like we were wrong. The latest Cataclysm beta patch added a brand new Swift Flight Form model for worgen druids, so it's safe to assume that trolls will have one soon as well.

I'm liking the Gilnean flag on the back of the form, as well as the serrated beak and big feathery mane. Wonder what kinds of touches the troll form will get? Guess we'll have to wait and see! And hey, maybe this means we'll see new moonkin forms too. A dog can dream.

WoW InsiderWorgen druid flight form video from Wowhead originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threeflightflight-formnext-xpacswift-flight-formthird-expansionworgenworgen-druidworgen-druid-flight-formworgen-druid-swift-flight-formworgen-flyingworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-betawow-cataclysmwow-cataclysm-betawow-expansionwow-expansion-betawow-guidewow-third-expansionMichael SaccoWed, 03 Nov 2010 20:15:00 ESTFemale worgen now available on the betahttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/female-worgen-now-available-on-the-beta/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/female-worgen-now-available-on-the-beta/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/female-worgen-now-available-on-the-beta/#commentsFiled under: ,

Female worgen are now available as of the beta build (13221) that just hit tonight. I haven't checked yet to see whether you can just make a new female worgen, but I was lucky to get a character redesign option on a male worgen I've played previously for a Shifting Perspectives column. Many of the animations and emotes were glimpsed in May on untextured models, but some are new. Running Wild currently appears to be a bit bugged (that's the extra limb or two you'll see). Their Two Forms animation also differs from the male worgen version.

Above, you'll see a video of the Two Forms and Running Wild animations. Past the cut you'll find a much longer video of all the model's current animated emotes, casting and channeling animations.

Continue reading Female worgen now available on the beta

WoW InsiderFemale worgen now available on the beta originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>beta-build-13221breakingbreaking-newscat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-beta-build-13221cataclysm-beta-female-worgenfemale-worgenfemale-worgen-animationfemale-worgen-dancefemale-worgen-emotesfemale-worgen-modelrunning-wildrunning-wild-animationtwo-formsworgenworgen-animationworgen-animationsworgen-emotesworgen-transformworgen-two-formsworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-betawow-cataclysm-betawow-cataclysm-worgenwow-expansion-betaAllison RobertWed, 27 Oct 2010 22:10:00 ESTCataclysm Beta: Female worgen dance videohttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/cataclysm-beta-female-worgen-dance-videp/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/cataclysm-beta-female-worgen-dance-videp/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/cataclysm-beta-female-worgen-dance-videp/#commentsFiled under: ,

The female worgen dance appears to have finally been finished and put into the latest beta build. She is going to be doing Lady Gaga's Poker Face. Wowhead has datamined the dance out of the latest patch files and has a few animated .gifs up on its site showing the dance moves. You can also see it in the video above.

For those of you keeping score at home, the female worgen model has been delayed, put in, pulled out and generally not finished for most of the beta. It appears Blizzard is starting to get things ready for Cataclysm's ship date. Now, if only it would fix the really strange way her jaws sit.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion (available Dec. 7, 2010), from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.

WoW InsiderCataclysm Beta: Female worgen dance video originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>breakingfacebookfeedfemale-worgenfemale-worgen-animationfemale-worgen-dancefemale-worgen-modelworgenworgen-danceworgen-femaleworgen-female-dancewowheadwowhead.comGregg ReeceWed, 27 Oct 2010 17:43:00 ESTCataclysm Beta: Worgen Running Wild animationhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/cataclysm-beta-worgen-running-wild-animation/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/cataclysm-beta-worgen-running-wild-animation/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/cataclysm-beta-worgen-running-wild-animation/#commentsFiled under: ,


The latest build of the Cataclysm beta has finally added the animation for the worgen racial ability Running Wild, the mount replacement skill that lets them drop to all fours and run at increased speed. You can see it in the video above. Note that beta servers are still down, so we can't get a good video of it in the wild quite yet.

So far, I'm impressed -- can you imagine 20 or 30 of these guys running at you in a battleground?
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion (available Dec. 7, 2010), from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.

WoW InsiderCataclysm Beta: Worgen Running Wild animation originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>breakingcat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threenext-xpacrunning-wildrunning-wild-animationthird-expansionworgenworgen-animationworgen-animationsworgen-maleworgen-mountworgen-running-wild-animationworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-betawow-cataclysmwow-cataclysm-betawow-expansionwow-expansion-betawow-guidewow-third-expansionMichael SaccoWed, 27 Oct 2010 17:00:00 ESTKnow Your Lore: The Tinfoil Hat worgen editionhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/know-your-lore-the-tinfoil-hat-worgen-edition/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/know-your-lore-the-tinfoil-hat-worgen-edition/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/10/27/know-your-lore-the-tinfoil-hat-worgen-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The World of Warcraft is an expansive universe. You're playing the game, you're fighting the bosses, you know the how -- but do you know the why? Each week, Matthew Rossi and Anne Stickney make sure you Know Your Lore by covering the history of the story behind World of Warcraft.

While we certainly have heard quite a lot about the worgen lately, one thing we haven't really outlined in any detail is who and what they were and are, especially in light of the new revelations about them in the Gilneas starting zone. Our 2009 post was working with the information we had at that time. Since then, there's been a lot more revealed in the beta, and it's time to take a look at what we've discovered. Note: there will be so many spoilers for Cataclysm starting as soon as this sentence ends that you could eat them with a fork.

If you're not familiar with the Tinfoil Hat concept (as created by our own Anne Stickney), this week's KYL is going to take in-game lore as it currently exists and then jump around with it, making unfounded leaps of speculation as to what it might all mean.

First off, let's cover what we have found to not be entirely true: The worgen do not come from another world or dimension -- at least not originally.

Continue reading Know Your Lore: The Tinfoil Hat worgen edition

WoW InsiderKnow Your Lore: The Tinfoil Hat worgen edition originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threefeaturedguideguide-to-lorelorelore-guidenext-xpacNight-Elf-Lorerole-playrole-playing-guiderp-guidethird-expansionWorgen-0Loreworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-lorewow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-cataclysmwow-expansionwow-guidewow-lorewow-role-playingwow-role-playing-guidewow-rpwow-rp-guidewow-rpingwow-third-expansionMatthew RossiWed, 27 Oct 2010 16:00:00 ESTCataclysm Beta: Worgen emotes and back flip videohttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/cataclysm-beta-worgen-emotes-and-back-flip/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/cataclysm-beta-worgen-emotes-and-back-flip/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/cataclysm-beta-worgen-emotes-and-back-flip/#commentsFiled under: ,


Worgen have recently gotten a little bit of an upgrade in the Cataclysm beta. All of their voice emotes now have appropriate sounds to go along with them, and some of their emotes have new animations. Also, like the night elves, worgen now do a flip randomly while jumping. This is, however, a back flip -- and it looks pretty cool. The video above contains a complete catalog of all the available emotes and audio and shows off the new worgen back flip. You also get a chance to see the male worgen dance in action if you've missed it before -- and it is all done with a spiffy top hat to add that little touch of class.

Female worgen have yet to be fully implemented in the beta, so we will just have to wait to see if they get any special emotes or animations to go along with them.

Be sure to have your speakers turned up a bit, the sound came out a little soft.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.

WoW InsiderCataclysm Beta: Worgen emotes and back flip video originally appeared on WoW Insider on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsemotesexpansionexpansion-threenext-xpacthird-expansionworgenworgen-raceworgensworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-betawow-cataclysmwow-cataclysm-betawow-expansionwow-expansion-betawow-guidewow-third-expansionJoe PerezMon, 27 Sep 2010 14:00:00 ESTCataclysm Beta: Worgen are their own mounts? [Update: Confirmed!]http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/18/cataclysm-beta-worgen-are-their-own-mounts/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/18/cataclysm-beta-worgen-are-their-own-mounts/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/18/cataclysm-beta-worgen-are-their-own-mounts/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Update: Zarhym has confirmed Running Wild as the worgen "mount" in Cataclysm.

There have been a lot of people anxiously awaiting the arrival of worgen mounts on the beta. Goblins have had their mounts for a little while now, and most people are still curious what the worgen mounts will even look like. With some of the information mined out of the most recent beta build, it looks like a worgen mount will end up being the worgen themselves.

A new racial ability called Running Wild has been added for worgen, with a 1.5-second cast time that adds the "mounted" aura to the player. The description says, "Drop to all fours to run as fast as a wild animal." However, worgen already have their own version of Sprint called Darkflight, which gives them a temporary speed boost, but this new racial implies mounted speeds.

If this is true, then it will mean different things for different groups. For worgen druids, you never have a reason to buy a mount of any type now. For those Alliance players out there, this might mean a lack of worgen racial mounts, which will probably be compensated elsewhere to keep the number of mounts equal between Horde and Alliance. For tauren players, yes, someone else appears to be getting Plainsrunning before you.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.

WoW InsiderCataclysm Beta: Worgen are their own mounts? [Update: Confirmed!] originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>alliancecat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsdarkflightexpansionexpansion-threegoblingoblin-mountnext-xpacplainsrunningrunning-wildsprinttaurenthird-expansionworgenworgen-mountworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-betawow-cataclysmwow-cataclysm-betawow-expansionwow-expansion-betawow-guidewow-third-expansionGregg ReeceSat, 18 Sep 2010 19:00:00 ESTBreakfast Topic: Transformed by the bloodhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/08/29/breakfast-topic-transformed-by-the-blood/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/08/29/breakfast-topic-transformed-by-the-blood/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/08/29/breakfast-topic-transformed-by-the-blood/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This Breakfast Topic has been brought to you by Seed, the Aol guest writer program that brings your words to WoW.com.

Spoiler alert: This post contains fairly heavy lore spoilers for the Cataclysm expansion. If that's not your thing, you should stop reading now.

In Cataclysm, during the quests in Silverpine Forest, Horde players learn that human refugees from Hillsbrad have fled to Fenris Keep, and our glorious Banshee Queen Sylvanas sends us with a loyal val'kyr to kill and raise the poor humans as Forsaken, to bolster their forces in Silverpine. Using the new on-the-go questing feature, Sylvanas informs players to find and convert the human leaders inside their keep.

This is when things get a little hairy, as the keep is guarded by elite worgen guards. Battling through, the players find themselves arriving at the middle of a meeting between the big names of Southshore and Lord Darius Crowley.

Continue reading Breakfast Topic: Transformed by the blood

WoW InsiderBreakfast Topic: Transformed by the blood originally appeared on WoW Insider on Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>banshee-queenblood-cursedarius-crowleyfacebookfeedfenris-keepforsakengame-discussiongamer-discussionhillsbradlady-sylvanaslord-darius-crowleylordaeronsilverpine-forestsouthshoresylvanasval-kyrvalkyrworld-of-warcraft-discussionworld-of-warcraft-topicswow-discussionwow-hot-topicswow-issueswow-topicsDavid FulkersonSun, 29 Aug 2010 08:00:00 ESTCataclysm Preview: Darkshorehttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/cataclysm-preview-darkshore/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/cataclysm-preview-darkshore/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/cataclysm-preview-darkshore/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wryxian (European community manager) just released a question-and-answer session done with Blizzard game designers Luis Barriga and Craig Amai about the changes Darkshore has in store in Cataclysm, as well as complications that come with redesigning an existing zone.

While the full quote is behind the break, I figured I'd give you a few highlights:
  • Darkshore is designed for Alliance players, primarily night elves and worgen, from level 11 through 20.
  • Lor'danel is a new night elven town just to the north of current Auberdine.
  • This was one of the first zones Blizzard tackled that centered on the effects of the Cataclysm.

Continue reading Cataclysm Preview: Darkshore

WoW InsiderCataclysm Preview: Darkshore originally appeared on WoW Insider on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>auberdinecataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newschris-amaidarkshoreexpansionexpansion-threelordanelluis-barriganext-xpacnight-elfthird-expansionworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmwow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-cataclysmwow-expansionwow-guidewow-third-expansionwryxianGregg ReeceTue, 10 Aug 2010 13:00:00 ESTNew non-combat pet in Cataclysm: Withershttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/new-non-combat-pet-in-cataclysm-withers/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/new-non-combat-pet-in-cataclysm-withers/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/new-non-combat-pet-in-cataclysm-withers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

That's right, in addition to a faceless worgen and a gnome for scale, this image shows off Withers, the new noncombat pet available through questing in Darkshore in Cataclysm.

As Breanni of WarcraftPets points out, Withers is a relatively large noncombat pet when you first summon him and then shrinks over time, growing back to his full size when he's near a body of water. (We had trouble getting him to do his emotes, although we did see him noticeably shrink several times.) Unlike the Teldrassil Sproutling, which he resembles, he's got a worn, weatherbeaten look and the amusing size change process. Since he seems to be only available from an Alliance quest, he's most likely Alliance only. No word on Horde-only pets so far, but we'll keep an eye out.

WoW InsiderNew non-combat pet in Cataclysm: Withers originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threenext-xpacthird-expansionworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmwow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-cataclysmwow-expansionwow-guidewow-third-expansionMatthew RossiWed, 21 Jul 2010 11:00:00 ESTTwitter developer chat for July 16, 2010, organized by categoryhttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/twitter-developer-chat-for-july-16-2010-organized-by-category/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/twitter-developer-chat-for-july-16-2010-organized-by-category/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/twitter-developer-chat-for-july-16-2010-organized-by-category/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This twitter developer chat was focused on the recent beta talent tree overhaul announced for Cataclysm. Lots of information came out including drastic changes to the paladin class. A lot of the answers had to do with the fact that a couple classes aren't very done in the current beta build that everyone has been poring over.

Some highlights:
  • paladins will be using a new Holy Power resource system in addition to mana
  • all death knights will gain Runic Empowerment via trainers for all specs
  • no planned hard cap for the new Mastery stat
  • still no guild housing
The full categorized round-up is after the break.

Continue reading Twitter developer chat for July 16, 2010, organized by category

WoW InsiderTwitter developer chat for July 16, 2010, organized by category originally appeared on WoW Insider on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>breakingcat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-class-changescataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsexpansionexpansion-threenext-xpacthird-expansiontwittertwitter-dev-chatworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-betawow-cataclysmwow-cataclysm-betawow-expansionwow-expansion-betawow-guidewow-third-expansionGregg ReeceFri, 16 Jul 2010 23:00:00 ESTCataclysm Beta: Worgen /silly and /flirt soundshttp://wow.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/cataclysm-beta-worgen-silly-and-flirt-sounds/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/cataclysm-beta-worgen-silly-and-flirt-sounds/http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/cataclysm-beta-worgen-silly-and-flirt-sounds/#commentsFiled under: ,

Cataclysm beta is active, as you might have guessed, and we just keep getting more great info thanks to diligent dataminers. Case in point: someone dug up the voice clips for male and female worgen doing /flirt and /silly emotes. If you were hoping for jokes about bacon, hairballs, butt-sniffing, and multiple nipples, you basically won the emote lottery on this one.

If some of the flirts seem a little risqué, you're probably not alone; sadly, all of the best (read: most suggestive) draenei and blood elf flirts never made it past beta, either.

More clips after the break.

Continue reading Cataclysm Beta: Worgen /silly and /flirt sounds

WoW InsiderCataclysm Beta: Worgen /silly and /flirt sounds originally appeared on WoW Insider on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>breakingcat-betacata-betacataclysm-betacataclysm-gamecataclysm-guidecataclysm-newsclipsexpansionexpansion-threefemale-worgenflirtflirtsjokesnext-xpacsillythird-expansionvoicevoicesworgenworgen-femaleworld-of-warcraft-betaworld-of-warcraft-cataclysmworld-of-warcraft-cataclysm-betawow-4.0wow-4.0.2wow-betawow-cataclysmwow-cataclysm-betawow-expansionwow-expansion-betawow-guidewow-third-expansionMichael SaccoWed, 30 Jun 2010 23:40:00 EST