Dev Team Answers Faction Change Service Questions [World of Warcraft]





As we reported, Nethaera announced on Monday that Blizzard is working on a service that will allow players to change their faction from Alliance to Horde or Horde to Alliance. Even though this announcement was a "very early heads-up," the upcoming service has received much attention from the WoW community. In response, Nethaera has edited the original post with answers to some frequently asked questions.

You can read the full Q&A after the jump. You'll only be able to switch to a race that has your class type available to it, there's no information on how much it will cost yet, and there will be restrictions on how often you can change your faction.

Q. Will we be able to switch between the races on our own faction?
A.. No. Players will only be able to switch to a race of the opposite faction.

Q. Will I be able to choose the race on the opposite faction that I want to change to?
A.. Yes, but you will only be able to switch to a race that has your class type available to it. So if you play a human paladin, you’d only be able to change to a blood elf paladin.

Q.How much will it cost?
A.. We do not have further information on this at this point in time.

Q.Will I be able to switch back to my original faction but a different race?
A.. No. You will only be able to switch back to your originally chosen race.

Q.. How will the switch between reputation, gear, mounts, etc be handled?
A.. We’ll have more details for you at a later point in time, though we plan to keep these as close to a reflection of the other faction as much as possible.

Q.How often can you change your faction?
A..We do not have any information to share on this at this point in time, however we will have restrictions on the frequency by which players can change their faction.

Q. How will this affect the balance of Horde and Alliance on the realms?
A.. We are taking great care in how we implement this new service in order to maintain balance between the factions on the realms but do not have any further details to share.

Fields of Honor TCG Expansion Now Available [World of Warcraft]





Fields of Honor, the ninth expansion for the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, is now available in stores. The booster set focuses on battlegrounds and introduces Warsong Gulch rules, and it includes a new Honor theme and Death Knight weapons and armor.

Whether you play the TCG or not, you may be interested in the three new loot cards that have been released with the expansion. The ultra-common Path of Cenarius makes flowers grow under your feet; The uncommon Piñata card lets you set up an Ogre Piñata that can be opened by attacking it so you can chew gum and blow bubbles; and the epic El Pollo Grande card will let you summon a giant rooster mount.

We reported on these loot card back in May, which is when William Brinkman previewed them on the official TCG Web site. Check out his article for YouTube videos of all the loot card rewards in action. Keep reading below for more information on Fields of Honor.

North Las Vegas, NV (June 30, 2009) – For what reason does a hero fight? Some battle for their pride, and even more for greed. Some seek revenge for the past, while others strive for a brighter future – either to take, defend or merely survive in. A hero fights for many reasons, but one motivation encompasses them all: having something to live for, or die for. You must discover your own reasons on the war-torn fields of honor. The Upper Deck Company is pleased to announce that the next World of Warcraft® Trading Card Game expansion, Fields of Honor, launches worldwide today. The ninth booster set in the World of Warcraft® TCG, Fields of Honor continues the third year of the award-winning trading card game with all-new content focusing on the popular battlegrounds including a new Honor theme, Honor-based locations, and the introduction of Death Knight weapons and armor in a booster release.

Hitting store shelves this week, Fields of Honor introduces a new way to play the World of Warcraft® TCG: Warsong Gulch rules. Use your existing World of Warcraft® TCG cards with an alternate rules set, which will be included on some UDE Points cards. Horde and Alliance Flag cards will be randomly inserted to assist with this fun style of play.

In addition, Fields of Honor boasts three new randomly inserted Loot cards that will mean more opportunities to open cosmetic upgrades for your World of Warcraft® online character. The new Loot™ cards include:

Path of Cenarius – This consumable and ultra-common Loot™ allows the online character to spread positive energy around with nature’s gift. When you feel like putting more warmth, cheer and growth around yourself, right-click the consumable to leave a remarkable trail of thousands of bright colored flowers where ever you go. Enlighten your environment with flower power!

Piñata – The uncommon Loot™ card is the ultimate party animal in World of Warcraft®. With this Loot™, the character can set up this Ogre Piñata on its own little portable tree anywhere and let loose. Use magic or melee to just attack it until it explodes and rains candy gumballs. Eating them will buff the character so that it chews gum and blows bubbles!

El Pollo Grande – By getting this epic Loot™ card, the character will ride a mount not seen anywhere before. Forget about the Kodo, Frostsaber and Hawkstrider. Your MMO character will ride a rooster – a giant, Magic Rooster!

For more information on Fields of Honor and other Upper Deck World of Warcraft® TCG products, visit www.WoWTCG.com.

Blizzard Trademarks “Cataclysm” [World of Warcraft]





Blizzard has trademarked "Cataclysm" a few days ago. You can find the official filling for the patent at the United States Patent Office's website here.

What does that mean to us? Well many amongst the community feel this is a sign of the next expansion which might be announced at the upcoming Blizzcon 2009. There are a few signs of proof for this, according to the wiki page for the Great Sundering at WoWWiki states the event that caused the Maelstrom has also been called "Cataclysm".

Here's to hoping!