What to expect in MoP Pre patch? | WoW Mist of Pandaria

Key Features and Changes

1. New Playable Race: Pandaren
   • Available immediately during the pre-patch, with no unlock requirements.
   • Start on the Wandering Isle, a unique starting zone, and choose to join either the Horde or Alliance upon completion.
   • Can play as Monks, Warriors, Hunters, Rogues, Priests, Shamans, or Mages.
2. New Class: Monk
   • Accessible during the pre-patch, except for Pandaren Monks, which may require manual leveling (boosts are available for other races).
   • Uses a new resource called Chi, with three specializations: Brewmaster (Tank), Mistweaver (Healer), and Windwalker (DPS).
   • Brewmaster tanks use the Stagger mechanic, converting part of incoming damage into damage over time.
3. Theramore’s Fall Scenario
   • A new 3-player, story-driven instance without specific role requirements (no tank or healer needed).
   • Offers faction-specific experiences: Horde players participate in the bombing of Theramore, while Alliance players witness the aftermath.
   • Rewards include exclusive, time-limited items like the Theramore Tabard and Mini Mana Bomb (cosmetic items with visual effects), plus a chance at 384 item-level gear for freshly leveled characters.
4. Talent System Overhaul
   • Replaces the Cataclysm-style talent trees with a new tiered system.
   • Players choose one talent per row every 15 levels (starting at level 15 up to 90), shared across specializations for more flexibility.
   • Talents can be changed using Vanishing Powder.
5. Glyph System Update
   • Each specialization now uses 3 major and 3 minor glyphs, with many new or reworked glyphs.
   • Prime glyphs are removed.
6. Pet Battles
   • Fully accessible during the pre-patch, allowing players to collect, train, and battle companion pets in a turn-based system.
   • Completing the pet battle quest chain (defeating Aki the Chosen) rewards 3,000 gold.
   • Recommended pets to level to 25: Anubisath Idol, Darkmoon Tonk, and Darkmoon Zeppelin. The “Raiding with Leashes” achievement encourages collecting pets from raids like Molten Core.
7. AOE Looting
   • Streamlines looting by allowing players to loot all nearby corpses with one click, including items from all enemies for which they have loot rights.
8. Class and Gameplay Changes
   • All classes receive updated abilities and spells, with some skills removed.
   • Feral Druid becomes the sole DPS spec, with Guardian Druid introduced as a new tank specialization.
   • Spells are now learned automatically as you level, eliminating the need to visit class trainers.
   • New death rules in dungeons and raids prevent players from releasing their spirit during a boss fight until the encounter ends.
9. PvP Changes
   • Players can blacklist two Battlegrounds when queuing for Random Battlegrounds.
   • Conquest Points convert to Honor, and former Conquest gear becomes available for Honor.
   • Recent balance patches for the MoP Classic Beta have introduced class buffs for PvP, particularly for arenas.
10. Currency and Gear Preparation
    • Cap Honor (4,000) and Justice Points before the pre-patch, as Conquest and Valor Points convert to gold.
    • Stockpile consumables like primary stat flasks and enchant scrolls for early MoP content.
    • Farm Tol Barad dailies for high-XP quests to fill your quest log, saving time when the expansion launches.
11. Exclusive Rewards and Boosts
    • Completing the Pandaren starting zone during the pre-patch (July 1–30, 2025) grants the Shaohao’s Sage Serpent Skyriding mount in modern WoW (Retail) via in-game mail.
    • Defeating Dreadlord Balnazzar in the Scarlet Enclave raid in Season of Discovery before June 30, 2025, earns a free level 85 character boost for MoP Classic, granted on July 1, 2025.
12. Other System Updates
    • Ranged weapons (including wands) are now equipped in the main hand slot, with wands usable alongside off-hand items. Ranged weapons no longer have a minimum range.
    • The Dungeon Journal expands to include pre-Cataclysm dungeons.
    • New UI for mounts and pets, plus a help system toggleable via an “i” button on frames.

Preparation Tips

• Leveling: Use the pre-patch to level Pandaren or Monks to 85. Heirlooms can be upgraded to level 85 with Justice Points, Darkmoon Faire tickets, or Argent Tournament seals.
• Professions: Max out professions like Inscription, Tailoring, or Alchemy for early gold-making opportunities. Stockpile materials to avoid inflated prices at launch.
• Gold Farming: Farm battle pets (e.g., Woulvar pet from Children’s Week in Dalaran, potentially selling for 30-60k gold), old-world herbs, or transmog items for profit during the pre-patch.
• Gear: Current Cataclysm gear will be outclassed by MoP gear, but 384 item-level gear from scenarios can help bridge the gap for new characters.

Notes

• The level cap remains 85 during the pre-patch, increasing to 90 with the full expansion launch.
• Unlike previous expansions, there’s no grand world event; the Theramore’s Fall scenario is the centerpiece.
• The pre-patch lasts three weeks, providing ample time to explore new features and prepare for the expansion.
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