BlizzConn 2011 kicked off yesterday and Blizzard Entertainment announced the next expansion of World of Warcraft, titled Mists of Pandaria. The new expansion is bring some new content as well as revamping some of the current game systems. Here is a quick run-down on what you’ll find in the expansion:
New Pandaria Region
New Pandaren Race
New Monk Class
Level Cap Raised to 90
Talent System Revamped
Dungeon Challenge Mode
PVE Scenarios
Pet Battle System
The new race will be available on both Alliance and Horde sides. The new Monk class is damage, defense and healer class and seems to be a close combat styled class.
The talent system revamp is a pretty big change. Basically the talent trees are gone, the various spec abilities will be learned as you level. Once you hit level 10 you will choose your specialization, then at every 15th level, starting at level 15 you get one talent point, that point can be spent on 3 different talents. Once you choose a talent at that level you can not choose another talent on the same level, instead at level 30 you’ll have 3 different talents to choose from. Most of the current talents are going to be redesigned, so names might be the same but the effect might be very different.
Challenges sounds neat, these dungeons will be timed, if you finish in the stated time you win a medal. It seems right now these medals are just for show and they are the only reward, though it would be nice to see some in-game rewards associated with the challenges, maybe challenge points that you can use for challenge gear or something.
PVE Scenarios are pretty straightforward. They are kinda like mini dungeons, which will have their own finder tool. These areas will be instanced and take place in some classic areas you might not have visited in a long while. The objectives vary, from slaying mobs to taking out structures and bosses.
Pet Battles are pretty much a mini-game within WoW. You’ll be able to fight your pets against other players in a separate turned based system. No longer are those furry vanity pets worthless. You will be able to train them and raise their skills. Also beyond buying these vanity pets, you will be able to collect them as drops and also capture them in the wild.
All in all there is some interesting things coming for World of Warcraft players. A new class is a nice addition and a new region to explore with lush jungles and landscapes will be fun. I think the talent system overhaul might receive some cries form the community, but it seems to be much more streamlined than the current system. Either way the new expansion will more than likely hit sometime next year for now check out the trailer.
