WWI Day 2, WoTLK PvE & PvP announcements

Today, Blizzard hosted two panels at the World Wide Invitational, a PvP panel and a PvE panel. Revealing a new dungeons, new PvP Zone, a new Battleground, new Arenas and several Siege Vehicle details. I'll start with the PvE information and move on to the, obviously, more important PvP stuff:

Raids & Dungeons
It appears Blizzard is slowly phasing out PvE aspects of the game, as the 4 max level 5-man dungeons promise to provide means to acquire entry level PvP gear. They've also limited their efforts by allowing all raid dungeons to be played with either 25 or 10 man raids (different rewards for each). Sorry hardcore raiders, you'll be sharing the once elusive raid content with 10 man PUGs. Blizzard has also promised to make heroic dungeons easier, many casual players were complaining of wiping on heroic mode and not getting their badges. And finally, if less dungeons, easier dungeons, and handicap accessible dungeons aren't enough, Blizzard is saving casual players from the commitment of running instances by saying all 5-man dungeons should take 'no more than an hour.'

On top of all that, PvP gear will also be accessible through reputation vendors and level 80 recipes will be easier to get. Death Knights will be able to tank, and probably everything else, making my prot warrior more of a novelty item unless it's respecced to dual wield two two-handed weapons (see Titan's Grip).

So where is the good news? Well, there are some dungeon names and details to read about:
- The Occulus: You will be able to fly around on drakes, tanking, healing and dps'ing in this instance. Enough said? lulz
- Halls of Stone: A large scale dungeon following along the Uldaman storyline.
- CaverNs of Time: Stratholme: Similar to Durnholde Keep in that it will be scripted by a storyline as the menacing infinite dragonflight try to change history.

Now, onto the important stuff:

Lake Wintergrasp
Lake Wintergrasp will the first dedicated 'PvP Zone' of World of Warcraft located on the western side of Northrend. There will be several reasons to maintain the territory:
- You will earn Marks of Honor (probably on kill), similar to Marks of Honor Hold / Thrallmar. Which, presumably, will be used to purchase PvP gear.
- While your faction controls Wintergrasp Keep, bosses in Northrend will drop items similar to "Spirit Shards" which can be used to purchase alternative gear.
- Siege vehicles, both on ground and flying, and stationary Cannons, will be used to bomb bridges and buildings around the Lake

If Blizzard manages the reward system at Lake Wintergrasp well, it should finally drive World PvP to success.

Siege Vehicles
Several siege vehicles were unveiled today. Siege vehicles will be player controlled, often used for other players to hop a ride on, destroy buildings and players in PvP zones and battlegrounds.
- The Demolisher: Carries 3 passengers to fight from the vehicle, as well as having long ranged attacks and siege capabilities.
- Forsaken Catapult: Faster and less powerful than the demolisher.
- Siege Engine: A long ranged 2-person vehicle with 1 person driving and another controlling the weaponry.
- Flying Machine: Air-to-ground capabilities similar to TBC's bombing missions.
- Goblin Shredder: The well known goblin shredders will be controllable by a single person, with close range ground-to-ground and long range anti-air capabilities.

Blizzard is really thinking out of the box with siege combat. What I once thought was a joke I have now realized is an entirely different game presenting itself to World of Warcraft. Is this an MMORPG or a remake of MechWarrior with a not so trivial max level requirement to play?

Northrend Battleground
Northrend's battleground will be the next generation, small scale(either 10x10 or 15x15), Alterac Valley. Consisting of two rounds in which each faction takes turns on offense and defense. Defense will protect the mainland as the offense attacks the beach from the water. Siege vehicles will become available to assist the attackers as time elapses.

New Arenas
Dalaran and Orgrimmar will have their own arenas in Wrath.
- Dalaran will introduce a dynamic environment, including moving pillars and flowing water to prevent camping. Mounts will not be allowed.
- Orgrimmar will a close range arena (10 yards at the beginning) and include similar dynamic environment as Dalaran with added spikes that can do damage to you if you're not paying attention. Mounts are allowed.