First Impression: The Smart Way to Play WoW: Cataclysm

It might be overstating to say that WoW: Cataclysm is a completely new game but it adds so much that WoW: Cataclysm could easily be a great standalone game. So with a expansion so big it is almost a new game you might want to start over with a brand new character.

In terms of adding in new stuff to the game Cataclysm has added lots more then the Wrath of the Linch King. There are two new races which you should play. I realized that with the new level cap being raised to level 85 that many people would be playing with their higher characters so I decided to take advantage of Cataclysm's low level areas and new races by creating a new character. I did try log on once to see how the higher level areas were and they were crowded like I had expected but the low level areas are not that bad. In a few weeks the higher level areas will die down and you can level up then.

I also used my higher level character to explore the new area. Cataclysm adds lots of new places to go. While Cataclysm makes lots of changes including some new additions to the game like the new archeology skill the thing that makes it almost a brand new game is how much bigger the World of Warcraft has become thanks to the expansion. The new area adds lots more land area to the World of Warcraft.

I would suggest both old and new players try out one of the new races now and wait to explore the higher levels. Take advantage of fewer people right now while you can. In a few weeks the low level areas will get crowded and you will have higher level players and still be less crowded. Also the higher level quests and dungeons will have already been explored so you can know all the tricks and secrets without having any learning curve.

Also lots of other places will be crowded such as the new dungeons, battlegrounds, raids, and zones. I recall when they first introduced battlegrounds and it took hours to play a single game. With so much new stuff the waits will be better but for the first couple of weeks I expect waits to be common.

For Blizzard fans WoW: Cataclysm will help tide us over until the release of Diablo III. If you were getting tired of WoW then Cataclysm should give you a reason to stay with the World of Warcraft.