Content Patch BEFORE WotLK

Quote from a Blue post at the official forums --

Quote :

With the release of Wrath of the Lich King approaching, we wanted to provide you with some important information. In preparation for the expansion, we will be issuing a new content patch in the coming weeks. Much like the patch made available shortly before The Burning Crusade's release, this content patch is designed to bridge current game content with that of the expansion and will contain some exciting changes and additions.

We have outlined some of the larger features scheduled to release with the patch below:

New class spells and talents
Stormwind Harbor
Barbershops in capital cities
Zeppelin towers outside of Orgrimmar and Tirisfal Glades
Two brand-new Arenas featuring challenging new layouts, terrain hazards, and moving obstacles
Guild calendar
Hunter pet skill revamp
New profession: Inscription

As mentioned above, this is not a comprehensive list, just some of the major highlights. We’ll post the full patch notes as soon as they’re available. Regarding Inscription, please note that all Burning Crusade players will be able to select Inscription as one of their two professions and level up to a skill level of 375 with it. Upon the release of Wrath of the Lich King, players who purchase and install the expansion will be able to continue leveling in Inscription and the other professions beyond 375.

Inscription before the Xpac. Able to be leveled. Eeeeeeeeee!!!!

BARBER SHOPS?!

Kilshevex wrote:

BARBER SHOPS?!

Yep, changing hairstyles will now be possible. May have to hold Hilly down and see what he looks like under all that brush.

HEHE first have to catch the little bugger

Change your hair AND change your dance?

Woot woot.

They are making many hair styles available across the board for all races. For instance, femme Humans and Blood Elves alike will be able to enjoy the cutesy pony-tails that only Gnomes had before. Human males will have all the wild anime hair afforded to Blood Elves.

I'm not seeing any NEW hairstyles yet, outside a new pair of horns for Tauren. Still, it's not out of beta yet and we might see more.

That's not the least of changes upcoming. The entire buff/debuff system has been revamped. This has enormous impact on raid/group dynamics, as all buffs are now raid-wide and many debuffs do not stack the same way anymore.

It's all an effort to slightly homogenize the class system so that groups are based more on the PEOPLE you want to bring instead of that CLASS you just gotta have a certain silly buff for. Sounds promising, in theory.