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This week, we look at the Cataclysm beta from the inside. If that’s not something that interests you or you’re looking to avoid spoilers, boy howdy, is this not the column for you. Seriously, you probably shouldn’t even look at that screenshot, really.

The first thing to report is, leveling a warrior from scratch in Cataclysm is probably the easiest it has ever been. Part of that is of course the new leveling experiences for the worgen and goblins, but I also started a blood elf warrior to see what that is like, and the streamlining inherent in the new talent and ability system made itself felt there as well. As of the most recent build, warriors start with Heroic Strike instead of Slam. It functions more or less exactly as you’d expect, and it basically serves the same role when leveling that it always did until you get Mortal Strike, Shield Slam or Bloodthirst.