Monster WOW patch enters testing

By Oli Welsh Published 15 September, 2008

Lich King features included.

World of Warcraft patch 3.0.2 - the update that will prepare the game for the arrival of Wrath of the Lich King (which could be as early as November) - has gone live on Blizzard's public test servers.

The patch, announced last month, includes the new talent trees for every class, new Arenas, and adds a harbour to Stormwind City.

It also includes two major features initially thought to be reserved for Lich King itself - the new Inscription profession, and barbershops where you'll be able to change your character's hairstyle.

If you've been unsuccessful getting into the Wrath of the Lich King beta, console yourself by copying a character over to the test realm and indulging in a few experimental re-specs.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (10) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • rudedudejude #1 3 years ago

    Any idea of how big this will be?

  • shamblemonkee #2 3 years ago

    from what i hear, around a gig

  • actionfitz #3 3 years ago

    yeah. I can confirm that.
    downloading as we speak.
    around a gig.

  • z3r0 #4 3 years ago

    They just announced the release date for WotLK.

    13.11.08
    Edited by 1 at 15/09/08 @ 10:08

  • iokthemonkey #5 3 years ago

    Barbershops are finally in.

    Too bad I quit WoW last month.

    Never mind, I'll go to the Barbershop in LOTRO instead... :)

  • gremly #6 3 years ago

    "Does the new patch include the Outland XP changes? Rumour had it there was going to be a 30% reduction in the amount of XP needed to get from 60-70."

    Confirmed

  • a8a #7 3 years ago

    I have serious concerns about this - I'm on the beta, and things are looking pretty good... but they're rushing it. Theres clearly some pressure to get this stuff out ( content patch and WOTLK release date ) by WAR's launch. Frankly, they need more time.

    Balancing takes time, and they have a lot to do. They are only starting to do the number passes on classes now, and many classes are still receiving rather fundamental changes to design. They are revitalising the group mechanics, in terms of buffs, threat, statistics and utility, and that takes more time than they have. What they are putting on the PTR will be subject to change iteratively alongside the beta now, which is quite irregular.

    Oh, and the beta servers are 90% unplayable.

    Still, I hope it works.

  • spudsbuckley #8 3 years ago

    'Never mind, I'll go to the Barbershop in LOTRO instead... :)'

    Yeah, you and the 4 other people who still play the game :(

  • iokthemonkey #9 3 years ago

    Yeah, you and the 4 other people who still play the game :(

    ---------------------

    Granted, it doesn't have WoW's numbers, but that's not to say it's not as good as WoW. If you want to apply the Numbers Argument, then you'll also have to concede that "American Idol" is the best TV show ever made.

    In many areas, LOTRO surpasses WoW, as witnessed by the fact that WoW is now incorporating a lot of features that are already in LOTRO. And before anybody starts the "LOTRO copied WOW!" arguments, I'll further point out that WoW "copied" a lot from EQ and earlier games, so let's not treat WoW as if it's some sort of wholly original idea or the One True Game.

    I played WoW for a lot of years and enjoyed it, but it's basically the McDonalds of MMOs.

  • spudsbuckley #10 3 years ago

    Oh, i agree entirely. WoW owes a LOT to EQ and LOTRO is quiet good but incredibly lonely.

    However, the only thing i see beating WoWs numbers or even competing with them is WoW 2.