Patch 3.0.2 Release Date Confirmed

Everyone’s speculations were finally laid to rest today as Blizzard officially confirmed the release date for the massive patch 3.0.2…./drum roll

This Tuesday! October 14th, 2008.

The announcement came during day 2 of Blizzcon and was quite down played. Possibly meaning they aren’t 100% sure, but who really knows. Either way the current launch day for patch 3.0.2 is this Tuesday the 14th.

What are the big features for patch 3.0.2?

• Free talent respec for everyone
• Dalaran no longer resides in Hillsbrad, it has been moved to Northrend.
• Barber shops have been introduced to all capital cities.
• Achievement system has been implemented.
• Hit, critical strike, and haste rating now modify both melee and casters.
• Spell pushback has been changed.
  • When casting a spell:
    • The first and second hit will add .5 secs each to the cast time.
    • All hits after the second will have no effect.
  • When channeling a spell:
    • The first and second hit reduces current duration by 25% of total duration each.
    • All hits after the second will have no effect.
• Spell Power has been implemented. Read this guide for a full break down on how this works, spellpower changes explained.
• Inscription has been implemented and you can train it up to 375

Additional Patch 3.0.2 Information

• Analysis and Breakdown
• Patch 3.0.2 Notes

Wrath of the Lich King Achievements System

One of the most interesting new features coming out of the for Wrath of the Lich king is the achievements system. The new achievements tab will appear on your character screen and will serve as a permanent marker to your in-game accomplishments when other people inspect you.

Achievements vary dramatically, some are incredibly easy and can be completed in a few minutes, while others may require weeks or months for you to complete all the tasks associated with the task.

WoW Achievement Categories

Feats of Strength

Feats of Strength represent the past glories of Azeroth, and as such, players will find them very difficult — if not impossible — to earn. They’re worth no points, and unlike normal achievements, unearned Feats are not displayed in the achievements interface. Feats include old-world player-vs.-player ranks, obtaining rare mounts, special titles, and more. Feats of Strength will be awarded retroactively (that is, they’ll be immediately granted to your character if you qualify) since many of them will be impossible to earn in Wrath of the Lich King.

Player vs. Player

These include accomplishments related to arena, battlegrounds, and other world PvP scenarios. Here’s a few just for example.

• Arena Hot streak – win 10 arena matches in a row
• Alterac Valley All Star – capture towers, graveyards, and kill the enemy leader all in one game
• City Defender – kill 50 players in your faction’s capital cities

Dungeons and Raids

• Kill X dungeon boss – every boss, event, dungeon, etc. will have a achievement associated with it

Professions

• Advancing to each new tier of your professions will function as it’s own achievement

Quests

• Quest-based achievements include completing a certain number of quests and completing specific quest lines. This category contains zone-specific subcategories.

Events

• All seasonal events will have associated achievements, mid summer, brewfest, christmas, etc

World Exploration

• You earn achievements by exploring each zone

Reputation

• attaining exalted reputation with each faction

General

• This category could be better summed up as “stupid shit”. These achievements are things like a hair cut, give a /hug, falling off the great lift, etc.