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Deathwing's explosive return to Azeroth changed the world of Warcraft , and as the four WoW masterminds unveiled the third expansion to the massive MMOG, we got a look at just how much had changed.
Beyond the revamped classic zones, there are seven new zones to explore in Azeroth. Two of them are the new Worgen and Goblin starting zones - Gilneas and the Lost Isles, respectively - for levels 1-15, and the other five are meant to carry players from level 78 to level 85. All of the new zones are heavily steeped in Warcraft lore: Uldum, Mount Hyjal, Deepholm, the Sunken City of Vashj'ir, and the Twilight Highlands (housing the long-awaited stronghold city of Grim Batol).
The Old is New: As far as the existing zones go, every single zone will be getting a revamp from Elywnn Forest to the Eastern Plaguelands - updated quests, art, and items, using what the designers learned in TBC and WotLK - "We're only getting better." It will be a lot more fun to go through the old world with a new character, said Afrasiabi, and Chilton quipped that they would be "ditching Agility/Spirit boots as quest rewards - or there will be hell to play."
Every classic zone will be getting a revamp, with some more than others. The "Phasing" mechanic from Wrath of the Lich King will be heavily used throughout Cataclysm, even phasing entire terrain - we saw an entire coastline sink below the sea over the course of three phases. Not every zone will change hugely, while some will look entirely different: Elwynn Forest might only receive new quests and some minor changes, but the Barrens, for instance, are completely split in half - one half filled with cracks and crevasses, one half regrown and lush thanks to the efforts of the Druid Naralax.
Similarly, the new sources of water unearthed by the Cataclysm have restored some greenery to Desolace while raising (or sinking) islands off of the shore. In the Night Elf zone of Darkshore, the town of Auberdine is completely destroyed, and the quest hub moved to a refugee town in the north - meanwhile, Garrosh Hellscream is on the warpath, setting up new Horde fortresses in the Zoram Strand. In Stonetalon Mountains, the Goblins have blown out the tunnel between Stonetalon and Ashenvale, and the Charred Vale is now filled with lava - "The even more charred vale."
