New enemies, new zones, and new dungeons are the mantra of any successful MMO expansion, and Blizzard just may have done it once again. Wrath of the Lich King introduces the Vrykul, giant enemies with apparently some Norse and/or Scandinavian ancestry, who are anxious to become members of the Scourge. Players will also see dungeons such as Uthgarde Keep, with two tiers of play for those level 70 and up to challenge themselves with. Tuskar, the walrus-men, can be found on the Borean Tundra, which will be a nice quiet resting place for travelers exhausted from fighting their way across the enemy's lands. And, should you choose, you may stay for awhile and work to build your reputation with the "fisher folk", which will lead to making them your ally. And finally, in the Borean Tundra players will find Coldara, a land ravaged by lightning, and home to the blue dragons and dragon-kin. This area is meant to show players just how serious Blizzard is about providing a richer experience to dungeon-crawlers and quest-mongers.

One of the highlights of this expansion is also the introduction of the Death Knight as a playable class, which has long been only a creature of lore as knights who give their lives in service to the Lich King in exchange for immortality. However, some of the Death Knights have been mysteriously freed from their service and are now warring against Arthas, their former master. So if you wish to rail against the injustice of servitude, regardless of whether you are with the Horde or the Alliance, take up the visage of the Death Knight and begin your battle.

Here are the highlights from this expansion for everyone to drool over... please be sure to wipe your keyboards after!

• Death Knights - the first Hero class in World of Warcraft, will specialize in tanking bosses who deal magic damage, and:
  
  • Are available to all players with a level 55 character or above
  • Only one per realm, per account
  • A Skeletal Deathcharger Mount will be available for summoning
  • Begin with a full spectrum of abilities, rather than needing to gain them through character progression
  • Primary source of power are runes set into six available slots in their "blade", rather than Mana or Energy. Blood, Unholy or Frost runes in any combination will be used, and spent runes will act like a Rogue's energy bar, refreshing themselves after a certain period of time
  • A secondary source, Runic Power, will also be available to Death Knights, which is generated through utilizing rune abilities, and use the same basic mechanics as the Warriors' Execute or Rogues' finishing moves
  • "Presence" will be available to Death Knights, providing them with very powerful self-buffs, which will depend upon their role in the group
  • Will have "Army of the Dead", which will spawn numerous undead minions that will attack all enemies in close range
  • An ability similar to Death Coil (without the fear component) will be available, and is an instant lifedrain spell
  • The first class that will use disease as a source damage
  • Will be able to revive either an ally or an enemy as a ghoul for use as a pet, and which will also carry its own unique ability. Allies will see a window from which they can choose to control the ghoul or not

• Flying mounts will be unlocked to players at level 77. Both the Outland flying mount and new ones will be available.

For more information, be sure to keep an eye out on WoW Allakhazam and Wowhead !

Maggie "AutumnKiss" Olsen
Senior Editor, ZAM Network