Guild Wars 2: What is Effective Level?

If you've noticed green effective levels in parentheses in your UI and wondered what is going on, this is GW2's dynamic level adjustment system.  Any higher level character in a lower level area will have their level reduced to a more appropriate level.  No high level ganking of lower level characters, in other words.
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Dynamic_level_adjustment

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CATACLYSM SURVIVOR'S GUIDE

Flame Shock has written a very good guide to all the Cataclysm changes. There are links to maps for the dungeon entrances and leveling zones, too.  This is PvE only but a Must Read.  Many thanks to Pot for recommending it.
http://flameshock.blogspot.com/2010/11/cataclysm-pve-survivors-guide.html

The following are lists of articles that cover Cataclysm changes and new items:

WOW Head has posted links to answers for the most searched Cataclysm topics on their site.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176356/faqs-of-the-week

Here are a few things to do to prepare for Cataclysm.
http://www.frostnova.ch/tachyon/blogArticle.do?action=view&topic=Cataclysm%20Preparation

Overlooked changes (two-part article)
http://psynister.wordpress.com/2010/12/02/overlooked-changes/

http://psynister.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/more-overlooked-changes/

Rohan has found some quest mobs have a different level of difficulty and thinks they are set up to be a challenge for solo players.
http://blessingofkings.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-quest-mobs.html

Kotaku has tips and videos of Cataclysm's changes for players who quit the game and are now returning.
http://kotaku.com/5705366/preparing-for-cataclysmic-return-to-world-of-warcraft

Changes to leveling requirements for zones.
http://judging-chasey.blogspot.com/2010/12/revised-leveling-zones-in-cataclysm.html

WOW Head pointed out new Blizzard information on several Cataclysm topics--Reputation gain from tabards, how low level players get glyphs.  There is also an entertaining video and one about running WOW on Android phones.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=175687/news-roundup-city-tabard-reputation-clarified-low-level-glyphs-videos

Profession Updates and Changes
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/countdown-to-cataclysm-profession-updates-and-changes/

WOW Head's video guide to Cataclysm instance entrances.
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=173564/how-to-find-cataclysm-instance-entrances

Changes to PvP
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/cataclysm-101-a-guide-to-pvp-changes-and-challenges/

Reputation Rewards
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/a-cataclysm-101-guide-for-reputation-rewards/

Tanking Cheat Sheet (Cataclysm Dungeon Bosses in Two Parts)
http://swordboard.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/cataclysm-tanking-cheat-sheet/

http://swordboard.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/cheat-sheet-part-2/

Dungeon Video Guide: Argaloth
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176811/tankspot-cataclysm-raid-videos-argaloth-and-omnitron

Dungeon Guide:  Blackrock Caverns
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/cataclysm-dungeon-guide-blackrock-caverns/

http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176450/tankspots-guide-to-blackrock-caverns

Dungeons Guide:  Conclave of Wind (10 Man)
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=177058/tankspots-guide-to-the-conclave-of-wind-10-man

Dungeon Guide: Grim Batol
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/cataclysm-dungeon-guide-grim-batol/

Dungeon Guide:  Halls of Origination
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/cataclysm-dungeon-guide-halls-of-origination/

Dungeon Video Guide to Magmaw
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176850/tankspots-guide-to-magmaw

Dungeon Video Guide:  Omnitron
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176811/tankspot-cataclysm-raid-videos-argaloth-and-omnitron

Dungeon Guide:  The Stone Core
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176367/tankspots-guide-to-the-stonecore

How to Find Stone Core's Entrance
http://underct.com/2010/12/09/where-is-the-entrance-to-the-stonecore/

Tips on Handling Stone Core Trash Mobs
http://pwnwear.com/2010/12/14/tips-on-stonecore-trash/

Tips about Questing Mount Hyjal
http://underct.com/2010/12/07/on-second-thought/

Help with the Ostrich Joust Quest in Mount Hyjal
http://sharpenyourclaws.blogspot.com/2010/12/joust.html

Moving In and Out of Vash'jir (tips)
http://thebigbearbutt.com/2010/12/09/lost-in-wonderland/

Vash'jir Grouping Tips
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/09/wow-rookie-top-5-tricks-for-grouping-in-vashjir/#continued

Guide to Halfus Wyrmbreaker (Bastion of Twilight)
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176973/tankspots-guide-to-halfus-wyrmbreaker

5 Man Guides
http://pwnwear.com/2010/12/09/guides-to-new-5-mans/

More Dungeon Tanking Tips
http://swordboard.wordpress.com/2010/12/07/cataclysm-tanking-cheat-sheet-part-3/

A Mount Hyjal Tip Plus Advice on Interacting with Mobs and a Macro for Targeting Quest Turn In Characters
http://www.relevarts-druid-reliquary.com/blog/?p=670

Guild Leveling and Progression
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/countdown-to-cataclysm-guild-leveling-and-progression/

http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/officers-quarters-cataclysm-guild-roundup/

Guild Achievements No Long Reward Guild XP
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176168/guild-achievements-no-longer-reward-guild-xp

Zone and Instance Progression Changes

http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/cataclysm-101-zone-and-instance-progression/

Lich King Mobs Change- Level 80s Now Gain Only 10% XP
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/07/level-80-to-gain-only-10-experience-from-wrath-mobs/

More about 10% XP Changes (And How This Impacts Hunters)

http://www.warcrafthuntersunion.com/2010/12/xp-on-wrath-mobs-10-pet-bug-explained/

Player and Guild XP Changes
http://www.wowhead.com/blog=176102/player-and-guild-experience-changes-in-cataclysm

Hunter Pet Changes
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/12/06/cataclysm-hunter-pet-highlights/

Faction Head and Shoulders Enchants List (General)
http://www.jadedalt.com/2010/12/06/faction-enchants/

Faction Enchants List (Casters)
http://www.jadedalt.com/2010/12/06/enchants-casters/


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Level 1-60 Dungeon Quest Experience Nerfed

Blizzard has decided to cut the amount of XP lower level characters get through dungeon finder so they won't level so quickly.  The article isn't clear whether this will start with Cataclysm or has already been implemented in Patch 4.0.3a The Shattering.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/30/low-level-dungeon-quest-experience-nerfed/

UPDATE: Psynister is compiling a list of dungeons' and battlegrounds' their new level ranges.
http://psynister.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/new-level-ranges/

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How to Get Rich Quick in Cataclysm

Recently several websites mentioned things that are easy moneymakers when Cataclysm hits.  The Hunter's Arsenal has listed the basics for making gold.
http://thehuntersarsenal.blogspot.com/2010/11/zuggaming-blogging-carnival-making-gold.html

Acadia's Gold has tips for making cash as a low level character using faction items.  Here's the Horde tip.
http://acadiasgold.blogspot.com/2010/11/nothing-lesser-about-it.html

And here is the Alliance one.
http://acadiasgold.blogspot.com/2010/11/tip-for-alliance-other-than-my-weapon.html

Many thanks to the Pot for pointing out the last two items.

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Patch 4.0.3 Due Tomorrow, Nov. 16

This is the patch that prepares the game for The Shattering (which will be Patch 4.0.3a which will probably hit Nov. 23).  When this next patch hits tomorrow, the Wintergrasp raid leader won't be able to kick folks from the raid and when in a Dungeon Finder group, going to an instance portal will take you to the Looking for Dungeon entrance, not the normal destination of the portal.  Honorable kills are no longer rewarded for killing players below Level 5.  The rest of the changes are listed here.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/2073-Patch-4.0.3-this-week-Tier-11-All-Races-Classes-Preview-MMO-Report-Comics

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Running Instances with Twinks

WOW Insider interviews a guild that has a group of low level characters they run instances with for the challenge of it.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/15-minutes-of-fame-pve-twinks-turn-lowbie-instances-devilishly/

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Preview of Cataclysm Gnomes Starting Zone

Blizzard has posted a preview of the new Tinkertown starting zone.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/cataclysm-beta-welcome-to-new-tinkertown/#continued

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Catacslym Changes Cold Weather Flying

Once Cataclysm hits, players can buy Cold Weather Flying at Level 68 for less than the current charge.
http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/cataclysm-beta-cold-weather-flying-at-68/

More on flying costs when the expansion hits.
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/r24779871-Cataclysm-Azeroth-Flight-costs

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Rogue Leveling Guide (Patch 3.3.5)

A new leveling guide for rogues from Psynister.  First, level 1-29.
http://bowdowntous.com/index.php/wow/comments/rogue_leveling_guide_1_29_combat

Levels 30-49 (Combat)
http://bowdowntous.com/index.php/wow/comments/rogue_leveling_guide_30_49_combat

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Gold Making Tips for Low Level Players

A few quick tips on making gold at the Auction House with a low level character discovered through a mention on The Melting Pot.  Warning: You'll get a newsletter sign up box when you click.
http://www.justmytwocopper.org/2010/08/how-to-make-15-gold-when-you-enter.html

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Cataclysm: Leveling Down and The Sightseer Report

Apparently Cataclysm will allow players to temporarily lower their level to run instances.  Here are the facts as they have been pulled from an article in The Escapist.

"Cataclysm may also eventually include a system that allows players to scale down their character's level in order to help newer players. The heirloom items unveiled in Wrath of the Lich King already scale with a character's level, so adjusting them to suit a downgraded character is already part of the design. Cataclysm will go one step further and replace individually purchased spell ranks with a scaleable system that allows a single ability to grow along with a character. Scaling down levels probably won't be possible when Cataclysm is released, but it's a feature that will be coming eventually and should help players of differing levels adventure together more easily."

Thanks to the Pink Pigtail In for publicizing the article.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_267/7999-This-Is-the-Way-the-World-Ends

Here's Tobold's reaction to how "downleveling" will work.
http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2010/08/downleveling-is-half-solution.html

By the way WOW Threads has been doing some Cataclysm sightseeing and writes about it here.  There are plenty of photos and spoilers.  However, handsome is as handsome does, so no matter how great the screenshots are, how the game plays is the important thing.
http://wowthreads.blogspot.com/2010/08/cataclysm-sightseeing.html

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Shadow Priest Gear Guide and Starter Guide

A guide to outfitting your shadow priest.  I believe this is suitable for a Level 80 character.
http://twistedfaith.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/failsafe-shadowpriest-gearing-guide/

A guide to starting out as a shadow priest.
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/16/spiritual-guidance-starting-a-shadow-priest-from-scratch/#continued

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Using A Level One Bank Alt at Remote Auction House

A tutorial by Cyn on how to use your level one bank alt with the remote Auction House beta.
http://cynwise.wordpress.com/2010/05/23/cyns-guide-to-using-level-1-characters-with-the-remote-auction-house/

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Leveling a New Warrior in Patch 3.3.3

There is so little information about low level characters I have to include this series.  In part one, the author gives you some tips and a combo arms/prot spec so you can either solo or tank as needed
http://www.wow.com/2010/05/21/the-care-and-feeding-of-warriors-behold-the-orc-1-20/

Level 21-40
http://www.wow.com/2010/06/18/the-care-and-feeding-of-warriors-to-40-and-beyond/

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All About Beginning as a Balance Druid

WOW Insider continues their drive to post current information about each spec for beginners with the balance druid.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/12/shifting-perspectives-balance-101/

Remember that Relevart's Druid Reliquary is a blog dedicated to balance druids.
http://druidreliquary.blogspot.com

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70% of Trial Accounts Abandoned Before Level Ten

From the quarterly report to investors.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/11/70-of-trial-players-quit-wow-before-level-10/

Tobold's thoughts on this issue.
http://tobolds.blogspot.com/2010/02/really-really-casual-players.html

And a final comment pointing out these numbers mean little.
http://www.ixobelle.com/2010/02/70-of-blah-blah-blah.html

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Tips for Dungeon Finder Raiders

WOW Insider has written a long article about how to raid via the dungeon finder. It's meant for lower level novice raiders.
http://www.wow.com/2010/02/11/wow-rookie-pro-tips-for-lowbie-dungeon-runners/

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Hunters Are the Topic of the Week

For some reason many folks have posted good information for hunters almost simultaneously.   Pike has instancing tips for new hunters.
http://www.aspectofthehare.net/2010/02/instancing-tips-for-new-hunters.html

Huntsman Lodge explains explosive shot and how survival hunters should use it.  This article includes various rotations (casting sequences) for various situations and gear levels that are very up to date (Patch 3.3.2).
http://huntsmanslodge.com/5663/hunter-basics-explosive-shot.htm

Finally, we have a list of hunter loot available in normal mode from Icecrown Citadel compiled by Lassirra at the Hunter's Mark site.  A list of hard mode loot is promised in the future listed in the second link.
http://www.thehuntersmark.net/2010/02/08/update-hunter-loot-from-icecrown-citadel-raids/

http://www.thehuntersmark.net/2010/02/09/hard-mode-hunter-loot-from-icecrown-citadel/

A look at all the hunter stats that are capped.
http://www.wow.com/2010/03/08/scattered-shots-hunter-stat-caps-hit-crit-haste-and-armor-p/

The hunters' "jump shot" move.
http://huntsmanslodge.com/5911/hunter-basics-the-jump-shot.htm

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Lower Level Tanking Information

I'm not quite sure how tanking at a lower level differs from a higher level tank, but WOW Insider has done a long series about tools for tanking at a lower level.  Part one is dungeons, gear and stats.
http://www.wow.com/2009/12/05/the-light-and-how-to-swing-it-the-low-level-tank-part-1/

Talents
http://www.wow.com/2009/12/12/the-light-and-how-to-swing-it-the-low-level-tank-part-2/

Skills
http://www.wow.com/2009/12/19/the-light-and-how-to-swing-it-the-low-level-tank-part-3/

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Advice for a New PvP Druid

Restokin has a guest posting with tips for a new druid leveling on a PvP server.  This covers Levels 10-19.
http://www.restokin.com/2009/12/leveling-a-druid-pvp-from-10-to-19/

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