We have known since BlizzCon 2023 that WoW Cataclysm Classic is scheduled to release in summer 2024. As soon as the launch is due, the Azeroth heroes in particular will hit the ground running in the redesigned world, already preparing for the upcoming cataclysm. We’ll tell you what you can do.
The WoW Cataclysm Classic pre-events will start sometime in spring 2024. In early summer, Azeroth must once again survive the cataclysm caused by Deathwing. To compensate, there are worgen and goblins, archeology, reforging and countless other innovations.
As soon as Cataclysm Classic launches, players in particular will hit the ground running in the revamped world and are already preparing for the challenges ahead. We’ll tell you in detail what you can do now in this guide.
To get you in the mood, there’s the beautifully staged cinematic trailer for Cataclysm Classic:
WoW: Announcement trailer for Cataclysm Classic
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Master content that will soon disappear
The cataclysm not only changes the face of Azeroth, but also destroys various current classic content. Just take the two raid challenges Zul’Aman and Zul’Gurub, which return as heroic dungeons in one of the later Cataclysm phases. If you still want to complete the associated raid achievements or put the two mounts (Raptor and Tiger) in your stable, you have to get to it.
Also no longer possible in Cataclysm Classic are various raid achievements such as “The Indestructible” or “The Immortal” from Naxxramas, “Champion/Conqueror of Ulduar” or the various tribute achievements for the Trial of the Crusader.
Also say goodbye to the achievements for the dungeon and raid emblems from Wrath of the Lich King Classic, to achievements like “Timear Prophesied” and “Proof of Death” as well as milestones for leveling up weapon skills and obtaining the Paladin -Mounts.
For a full list of content disappearing with Cataclysm Classic, visit Warcraft Tavern.
Prepare your main character and twinks
With Cataclysm Classic, the current class design/balancing of WotLK Classic is turned on its head – also due to the “new” talent trees and fresh resources such as Hunter Focus or Warlock Soul Shards.
If you are planning to switch to a different class or already know that you want to actively play one or two twinks after the cataclysm, then use the time until launch to reach level 80 and complete important milestones for your heroes.
You should also keep an eye on the pre-patch, which will already bring the modernized Azeroth and thus a fresh leveling experience for low-level characters, but also the two new races Worgen and Goblins.
Tip: Gathering resources such as ores and herbs provides experience points in Cataclysm Classic. Speaking of…
Choose and level up your professions
This tip is not only relevant for new characters, but also for players who use the currently best possible job combinations for raids or PvP across all classes in WotLK Classic. Stupid if that means you use the same crafts on all characters. There is no way to earn as much gold as possible at the start of Cataclysm Classic.
In addition, some job benefits will change with the next expansion. Miner, for example, becomes a solid choice for tanks as the profession grants 120 stamina points. The lifeblood of the herbalists provides you with a strong speed effect at the push of a button. And skinning… well… you can actually forget about the critical strike buff.
Also important for the choice of professions: There are also crafts in Cataclysm Classic that you can only carry out with a certain cooldown (around once per day or per week). Outsourcing these professions to characters you won’t otherwise play much can bring in a lot of gold without much effort.
We’re thinking here about transmuting: real gold from the alchemists, the fire prism from the jewel cutters or the various tailoring CDs like Traumstoff or Traum von Tiefenheim.
Another strong option, at least for the first phase of Cataclysm Classic: Inscription, which gives you access to the new Darkmoon cards and shoulder enchantments.
Get your closet in shape
Cataclysm Classic brings transmogrification and account-wide collections. If you want to have access to a large number of clothes after the cataclysm, you should now farm the armor and weapons that will disappear with Deathwing’s outbreak.
Items that will soon no longer be available include weapons such as Blessing, Rhok’delar or Quel’Serrar. In many normal Azeroth dungeons, the loot lists of bosses and trash groups are also turned inside out.
Keep currency conversion in mind
With Cataclysm Classic, the developers are reducing the currency tab. Instead of countless different emblems, in the future there will only be justice and bravery points for the PvE area. In PvP you only earn honor points and conquest points.
Important for the transition from WotLK to Cataclysm Classic: Emblems of Frost/Triumph are converted into Justice Points. For the rest you get a few gold pieces each. So it’s entirely up to you whether you receive a hefty gold or justice point bonus for the upcoming adventure.
This choice is not available for PvP currencies. Regardless of whether it is a badge of honor, a shard of the Stone Keeper, a spirit shard, a coin from the Venture or the old honor points: you will always receive a certain amount of the new honor points in exchange.
By the way: The Cataclysm Classic beta is running and more players will be gradually invited