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WoW: Cataclysm Creeps Closer To Launch
World of Warcraft's public test realms have been updated with version 4.01 of the game, indicating that the developers feel that Cataclysm's major mechanics are just about ready for primetime. We can't have much longer to wait for the expansion's launch.
This PTR build (patch notes here), like the pre-expansion patches before it, includes class, ability, and UI changes but none of the new content. That means that you can't yet fly in Kalimdor or the Eastern Kingdoms, and none of the revamped zones or new races are implemented. The new talent trees are in, though, which is a huge change by itself.
One thing that I haven't heard much about in all my rabid Cataclysm tracking is the new raid frames that are part of the default UI. Call me the eternal optimist, but I'm hopeful that the vanilla frames will finally be useful. Raid healers will probably still go with Grid, Vuh'do, or Healbot to make their lives easier, but we'll see. I plan on trying the new frames out as soon as I can actually get on the PTR.
What are you most looking forward to in WoW 4.01?
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