New Cataclysm zone preview - Mount Hyjal!

[Xel]

New Cataclysm zone preview
- Mount Hyjal! (lvl 78-82)

General Information
Entrance to Mount Hyjal has been blocked since the game came out.
This far entering the zone has been possible only via Caverns of Time's
instance "Battle for Mount Hyjal". However the instance takes place in
the past which has made it impossible to say how the zone looks in today's
world.

Luckily, our dear exploration section guys have been able to bypass the
entrance-blocking portal and some of us have already seen a few screenshots
of the zone. Still, as the preview images released by Blizzard show, the zone
will probably be reformed, at least when it comes to models.

Location:


Map:


Check the next page for the zone preview!

[BREAK=Mount Hyjal in Cataclysm - Zone preview!]


-Direct Quote from WorldofWarcraft.com-

For years, Mount Hyjal and the wounded World Tree, Nordrassil, have remained cut off from the rest of Azeroth. Sealed away within a protective field of dense foliage by Malfurion Stormrage, Nordrassil has been slowly recovering from the devastation of the Third War, when Malfurion called upon the tree's power to destroy the archdemon Archimonde and repel the forces of the Burning Legion and Scourge. Now, with the impending cataclysm, the World Tree's well-being is threatened once more. From the Firelands within the Elemental Plane, Ragnaros and his minions prepare to burst into Hyjal and set Nordrassil ablaze -- and the conflagration would endanger all life on Azeroth.

In World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, players will have the opportunity to explore the newly reopened Mount Hyjal as Azeroth's heroes, with the help of Ysera, Malfurion Stormrage and Hamuul Runetotem, are called upon to push back the armies of the Firelord, banish Ragnaros to the Elemental Plane and lay waste to the twilight dragon stronghold in nearby Darkwhisper Gorge. This all-new level 78-82 zone will feature multiple quest hubs, phased terrain and quest lines, portals to micro-zones within the Firelands, an all-new raid dungeon, and much more.

The World Tree
Players will be able to enter Hyjal by way of Moonglade, to take on a series of high-stakes quests in a historic location alongside some of Azeroth's most renowned heroes. With a longstanding rivalry among the night elf leadership threatening to undermine the campaign against Deathwing, players will quickly discover the task of defending Nordrassil is more daunting than they had anticipated. In order to succeed, they must seek out the help of extremely powerful allies: the Ancients.

The Ancients
To protect Nordrassil and heal the devastation the invading fire elementals are causing across Mount Hyjal, players must first recapture the shrine of the wolf god Goldrinn. The ogres surrounding the shrine will not leave peacefully, but seizing the shrine will allow players their first opportunity to infiltrate the Firelands and shut down a key Twilight portal, slowing the advance of the nearby Twilight's Hammer in Hyjal.
With the first portal dismantled, players will soon be sought by the wilderness spirit Aessina to assist in cleansing and healing the nearby forest, ultimately returning the land to its former splendor. This small victory, however, isn't enough to deter the Twilight Remnants from attempting to scorch the forest once more. As you struggle to keep these foes at bay, you'll also need to help the Guardians of Hyjal -- a new neutral faction of druids and worshippers of the Ancients -- repopulate the forest with animal life. It's even rumored that Malorne has been spotted in the wilderness. Perhaps further investigation is necessary....
Amid the chaos, the Druids of the Talon will need players' assistance to resurrect the goddess of winged creatures. Players begin the process by helping to slay a group of black dragons and closing a second Firelands portal from within. Just when you think things might be heating up, you'll need to fight through a burning night elf town to shut down the third and final portal with the assistance of the turtle god Tortollus.

Darkwhisper Gorge
Your successes in Hyjal will ultimately lead you to the assembly of the Ancients, who have set a plan in motion to bring a powerful ally and demigod back into this realm. Before that can happen, however, you will need to infiltrate Darkwhisper Gorge disguised as a follower of the Twilight's Hammer, acting quickly to sow discord within the entrenched faction, weakening it for the coming struggle. Only time will tell if the Ancients' plan is a success -- but you'll need to do your part if there's any hope of saving Mount Hyjal from the twilight dragons, Ragnaros, and his minions of the Elemental Plane.

Firelands
More information on this all-new level-85 raid dungeon is coming soon.

Check the next page for official and unofficial ingame screenshots!

[BREAK=Screenshots]
Screenshots

Official


Unofficial
In subject to change!



Thank you for reading!
-Xel

[Mr.Zunz]

No flying in there except for the lightblue areas? D:

[Xel]

"Flying only area"

[P1raten]

The graphics is getting improved alot in cataclysm.

[alj03]

That first pic looks really nice.

[RyeRye]

Nice Xel.

[Ammunition]

Looks Nice

[Drunne]

The graphics is getting improved alot in cataclysm.

i sure hope so, would be awesome.

Great article btw ! Very informative.

[homer91]

One thing...

[mmodame]

I hope they keep up this graphics quality! Thanks Xel.

[Bumking]

maby a silly question, but how did ya get in there? ^^

[Glynbeard]

Only time will tell if the Ancients' plan is a success -- but you'll need to do your part if there's any hope of saving Mount Hyjal from the twilight dragons, Ragnaros, and his minions of the Elemental Plane.

Gogo Ragnaros! I remember getting into one raid who made it that far back in the day and we got our butts kicked, maybe I'll get another chance now though!

[barthen]

The "unofficial screenshots" have been live for ages. You can see them right now on live servers if you go to mount hyjal (the hijal in kalimdor, not the raid). You'll have to bypass "Malfurion's protective shield" (just an invisible wall)

[Xel]

Do you want a thread on Vashj'ir, it was announced today?

[RyeRye]

Sure Xel.