The Pandaren has come a long way since its appearance as an April Fool's Day joke in Warcraft III. The Pandaren Monk is available for purchase at the Blizzard store to be your little buddy in the game, and is now an exclusive action figure!

The limited edition, Pandaren Brewster action figure is available for $49.99 at the Blizzard Store.

"The first pandaren collectible ever!  Capturing the elusive (and world-celebrated) Chen Stormstout for the first time in 3D, the Pandaren Brewmaster Deluxe Action Figure is a limited edition, one-of-a-kind Blizzard online store exclusive!  This premium-sculpted piece stands at a colossal 8", features Chen's signature bamboo Bo staff and Brewmaster's keg and comes packaged in a 4-color, spot UV collectors window box. "

http://us.blizzard.com/store/details.xml?id=1100000802

If you still want in on the Pandaren action but don't want to fork out $50, the Pandaren pet is available for $10.

World of Warcraft will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week for the first time, calling the event, Pilgrim's Bounty. Players can partake in the festivities by sitting at a Bountiful Table, and eating, which can gain characters bonuses. Players can also collect recipes for their own Bountiful Table by talking to NPCs.

The holiday will take place November 22nd - 28th in certain major cities and minor towns (listed below). Bountiful Tables are tables loaded with food and surrounded by chairs that allow players to eat and share food. There are five different Pilgrim's Bounty foods, one at each chair. The chairs are labeled to make it easier to find one's favorite food. The Sweet Potato Chair, The Turkey Chair, The Stuffing Chair, The Cranberry Chair, and The Pie Chair. Gluttony is allowed! Characters can eat as much as like they like, as the food is unlimited. Plus, if players eat five helpings of any single food, they gain Spirit of Sharing which lasts one hour and increases reputation gained by 10%.

Besides just eating and being jolly, players can embark on daily cooking quests during Pilgrim's Bounty. The quests help chefs "master their craft" with season recipes from a Bountiful Cookbook. Players then travel between cities to feed armies with their food. The reward for these quests is a Turkey Caller, a prize that ensures that the accomplished pilgrim will never go hungry again

Pilgrim's Bounty Dish	Cooking Level
Spice Bread Stuffing	1-100
Pumpkin Pie	100-160
Cranberry Chutney	160-220
Candied Sweet Potatoes	220-280
Slow-roasted Turkey	280-340

Another part of the festivities allows players to complete achievements for the reward of the Pilgrim title and a Plump Turkey Pet. Players will also be able to don Pilgrim gear and use a Turkey Shooter if they want to make their own turkey.

Pilgrim's Bounty will take place in:

Major Cities (Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdom Only): Stormwind, Ironforge, Darnassus, Exodar, Orgrimmar, Undercity, Silvermoon City, and Thunderbluff
Minor Towns: Goldshire, Kharanos, Dolanaar, Azure Watch, Razor HIll, Bloodhoof Village, Brill, Tranquilien, Ruins of Thaurissan, Shadowprey Village, Falconwing Square, Stonard, Hammerfall, Revantusk Village, Light's Hope Chapel, Wildhammer Keep, Chilwind Camp, Southshore, Tarren Mill, Sepulcher

Blizzard's newest edition to its online shop is a Pet Store for World of Warcraft. It will feature two new pets at its Grand Opening, including the Pandaren Monk and the Lil' K.T. Half the proceeds from the purchase of the Pandaren Monk, will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation from now until December 31st 2009.

The pets will be non-combat and offer nothing except something cute too look at with animations and fun sound effects. The pets will count towards pet-related achievements, however. Pet Store pets will only be available for purchase and will not be found anywhere in the game.

The pets come with a pretty hefty price tag, the two available now are $10.00 (£9.00, EUR 10,00) each. After you purchase the pet, you'll receive a code that can then be redeemed on any World of Warcraft account via Battle.net Account Management. You don't need to redeem the code on the same Battle.net account that made the initial purchase – feel free to send the code to a friend as a gift. The pet will also be available for every character on the account.

Lil' K.T., the mini-lich is modeled after the Naxxramas raid boss Kel'Thuzad  What Lil' K.T. lacks in size, he more than makes up for in sheer malicious intensity.  Watch with misplaced pride as he randomly freezes critters and laughs maniacally at your vanquished PvP foes.

Possessing the diplomatic humbleness  common to his reclusive race, the Pandaren Monk accompanies you on your journeys throughout Azeroth, returning any /bows he receives from other players.  Half of the proceeds to every Pandaren Monk purchased through December 31, 2009 will be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, further demonstrating his benevolent nature (though, in idle moments, he may still practice his Kung Fu moves).

The Pet Store can be found on the Blizzard Store under the Collectibles tab.

http://us.blizzard.com/store/?rhtml=y

Blizzard launched a new service yesterday that allows World of Warcraft players to change the race of their characters. The change will cost $25, and can only be done on an inter-faction basis. Horde has to stay Horde and Alliance has to stay Alliance. These changes take effect immediately, and can be done every three days.

The official patch notes:

The Race Change service lets you change a character's race to another race within their faction. The full range of customization options offered by the Character Re-Customization service is included as well. Each race change costs $25.00 USD. Things to know before you start:

• Under normal conditions, a race change should be ready immediately after rendering payment and completing the steps in this process.
• You can select a new character race only from those in the same faction that have the character's class available. You cannot change a character's class.
• A character's current home city reputation level will switch values with their new home city, and their home city racial mounts will convert to those of their new race. Refer to the Race Change Translation Table for more details.
• A realm transfer is not included in a race change.
• A character can change races once every 3 days.

All World of Warcraft users will be forced to pack up their things and mosey over to Battle.net by November 11, 2009. After an announcement back in March that Battle.net was receiving a huge upgrade to provide a "new way for players to log in to World of Warcraft and future Blizzard games, sign up for upcoming beta tests, shop the online Blizzard Store, and more with just one username and password" the time is drawing near.

All current WoW players must merge their WoW account with a Battle.net account and all users that make the switch (and have already made the switch) will receive a cute little thank you from Blizzard in the form of a brand-new penguin in-game pet. Players can check their mailboxes later this week for their penguins.

The move will be forced on November 11, 2009 when current WoW users will no longer be able to log in without a Battle.net account and new users will have to creat a Battle.net account.

WoW players can go to http://www.battle.net and create and manage their accounts, and follow the instructions. Once the accounts are merged and one logs into Battle.net with their new Battle.net Account information (i.e. the email address and password designated) to log in to World of Warcraft, users will be prompted to select which account they would like to play. The old World of Warcraft account name will no longer be used to log in to the game, the World of Warcraft forums, or the Armory. Players with multiple World of Warcraft accounts are still able to log in and play them simultaneously.

WoW Cataclysm changes the world of Warcraft as we know it. Changes for everyone. The storyline and landscape changes will happen for everyone regardless of expansion purchase. Those purchasing the expansion will access the new zones, races, and the level cap.

A wealth of information on the new WoW expansion was revealed at Blizzcon 2009.

New Races - Goblins (Horde) and Worgens (Alliance)

Goblins will be able to choose from all classes except paladin and druid. Racial abilities include a rocket belt that allows players to activate one of two rocket abilities every 2 minutes. First one enables player to jump up to 20 yards, the second shoots rocket at an enemy player within 30 yards. Also, every 30 minutes a goblin can summon a pack hobgoblin which acts as a personal servant (and grants bank access).

Goblins gain a racial bonus to their alchemy skills, and alchemist players get an increased benefit from health and mana potions. Goblins get 1% increase to attack and casting speed, and receive all of the best possible gold discounts regardless of reputations.

Worgens have a true form and human form. True form is cosmetic and provides no bonuses, and players are automatically transformed into true form during combat. Players who choose Worgens can choose from all classes except paladin and shaman. Worgens have a racial ability called Darkflight. This allows for a temporary increase in movement speed by 70% which can be used every 3 minutes (and this forces a player into true form as well). Worgens gain 1% increase to all damage, reduced duration from the effects of curses and disease, and a bonus to skinning and the ability to do it faster.

Race Class Combos


Horde Options: Troll Druid, Undead Hunter, Orc Mage, Tauren Paladin, Tauren Priest, Blood Elf Warrior
Alliance Options: Human Hunter, Dwarf Mage, Night Elf Mage, Gnome Priest, Dwarf Shamans


Revamp of all zones, five new zones


The Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor have been forever changed due to the Cataclysm. Darkshore to Broken Barrens were sundered in two. With the transformation there will be all new quests, art, items, updates to existing quests, and improved zone-to-zone questing flow, and phased terrain.


New secondary profession: Archaeology

Archaeology allows players to unlock new abilities and rewards by discovering ancient treasures. The profession is used to uncover clues hidden in the world, such as troll relics or map fragments, and decipher the meaning. After manipulating the pieces they will be able to learn the location of a treasure cache or valuable artifact. Artifacts are highly sought after by the Archaeology Society, which is rumored to pay handsomely in gold and items for the return of these artifacts. Masters of archaeology can find Titan artifacts and earn special currency which can be used to unlock character paths and allow further character customization.


Two new starting zones 1-15

New level 1-15 zones have been created. The Lost Isles will be the starting point for the new Goblins and Gilneas for the Worgens.


Will be able to fly everywhere in Azeroth (All cities in Classic world will be flyable)

Players who can fly can now use their flying mounts to go anywhere in Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms.


Path of Titans, alternative advancement where paths are not class dependent

The idea is similar to talents, but rather than earning points on a per-level basis, players will earn points to assign by completing quests, defeating certain raid encounters, and completing other objectives in the game. Paths will be shared among multiple classes and themed around the Titans, creators of Azeroth, such as Aman’Thul, Aggramar, or Khaz’goroth (among others).

Level Cap at 85

80-85 will be able to access newly opened areas such as Uldum and Deepholm (where Deathwing emerged). Max-level players will have more content from the start than previous expansions such as optional harder modes of all raids, new achievements (including guild-based achievements as part of the new guild-progression feature). Other zones Uldum -- Unearth the answers to some of Azeroth’s greatest mysteries in the land of Uldum, a vast repository of ancient Titan knowledge, The Sunken City of Vashj’ir (Underwater Zone) -- This great lost city lies on the ocean floor and contains the entrance to the Abyssal Maw, Deepholm -- Subterranean dangers await within the twisted caverns of Deathwing’s domain, the elemental plane of earth, Mount Hyjal -- This land, still scarred by the battle that took place here against the Burning Legion, is home to the regrowing World Tree, Nordrassil, and contains the gateway to the Firelands, Twilight Highlands -- The dangerous Twilight’s Hammer clan dwells here, working in the shadow of the fabled stronghold of Grim Batol.

Blizzcon opened with the announcement of the new World of Warcraft Expansion "Cataclysm" due out in 2010. The internet has been buzzing about this highly rumored expansion which will be 1 of 2 releases for Blizzard next year (the other being Starcraft II).

Included in the expansion:

• New Races - Worgen for Alliance and Goblins for Horde
• Level Cap at 85
• Race Class Combos - Tauren Paladins, Human Hunters, Night Elf Mages, Gnome Priests, Tauren Priests, Dwarf Shamans
• Revamp of all zones
• 20 Guild Levels, Guild advancement, guild talent tree, Guild Perks (Slower durability loss, cheaper repairs, mass res)
• Phased Terrain (like in Wrath of the Lich King)
• New secondary profession: Archaeology
• Path of Titans, alternative advancement where paths are not class dependent
• New mastery system
• New dungeons, raids, creatures, quests, artifacts, items
• Two new starting zones 1-15, plus a new zone for 78-85
• Will be able to fly everywhere in Azeroth (All cities in Classic world will be flyable)

Land/Storyline:

• Alliance has lost the Southshore
• Barrens split in half, covered with trees and vegetation
• Leveling in classic zones will be entirely new/different
• New land pieces rising
• Auberdine has been destroyed
• Horde base in Zoram's strand
• Goblins have cut path from Ashenvale into Stonetalen from a small cave to a normal passage
• Azshara is the Golbin 10-20 zone, mountain completely moved
• Undercity flyable
• Underwater mounts (will feel like flying mounts) ability to walk underwear or swim
• Deepholm, elemental plane, use scar left by Deathwing's passing to get into it
• Twilight's Hammer now serves Deathwing
• Deppholm Trogg Town, travel ports
• Two Level 83-84 in Uldum, rumored to hold a Super Weapom
• New creature race, Tol'vir (stonelike cat creature)

Check back for more updates, and for a look at the trailer beginning with "As the terrible war against the Lich King continues, the proud defenders of Azeroth fight to secure a lasting peace. But there can be no peace when the world itself is devoured by rage," and concluding with the ominous message "Deathwing has returned". View the debut trailer here: WoW Cataclysm Debut Trailer

Blizzard announced WoW boss Onyxia will be receiving a makeover in honor of the game's 5th Anniversary. Formerly fear inspiring Onyxia will be updated to meet modern raiding standards (and today's Level 80 characters). It will be included in the big 3.2.2 content patch.

Included will be a permanent update to Onyxia's dungeon, converting it into a normal 10-player mode and a Heroic 25-player model. Items from the classic loot table will have stats updated and a new normal drake-sized 310% speed flying mount (modeled after Onyxia) called an Onyxia Broodling will be added.

According to the WoW website: "For a limited time, after the 5-year anniversary event officially begins in November, anybody who logs in will receive an Onyxia Brood Whelpling pet."

World of Warcraft's title as the biggest MMO game is in jeopardy. Finland's Sulake Corp. has announced it's web-based Habbo Hotel has reached 9.5 million and believe they will have 10 million users by the end of the month. Blizzard's last reported userbase was at 10 million.

The fight isn't over yet. New figures on users haven't been announced for WoW since January. After Habbo Hotel's announcement we'll see if Blizzard comes out with their gloves on.

Should be an exciting fight for the title! Let's get ready to rumble!

"We wanted to give everyone a very early heads-up that, in response to player requests, we're developing a new service for World of Warcraft that will allow players to change their faction from Alliance to Horde or Horde to Alliance. There's still much work to do and many details to iron out, but the basic idea is that players will be able to use the service to transform an existing character into a roughly equivalent character of the opposing faction on the same realm. Players who ended up creating and leveling up characters on the opposite factions from their friends have been asking for this type of functionality for some time, and we're pleased to be getting closer to being able to deliver it.

"As with all of the features and services we offer, we intend to incorporate the faction-change service in a way that won't disrupt the gameplay experience on the realms, and there will be some rules involved with when and how the service can be used. The number of variables involved increases the complexity of implementing this service, but we plan to take the time needed to ensure that it lives up to expectations before officially rolling it out. We'll go into much more detail on all of this here at http://www.WorldofWarcraft.com as development progresses. In the meantime, we wanted to let you know that because this type of functionality requires extensive internal testing well in advance of release, you may be seeing bits and pieces of the service in the test builds we use for the public test realms moving forward."