Welcome to the Explorers' League Journal, our weekly recap of news and events from around Azeroth. Each week we'll cover a variety of topics including patch notes, hotfixes, contests, helpful guides, and recent blue posts to keep you up-to-date on the latest game and community developments.
Find out what happened this week below. If you missed our last entry, you can check it out here.
Headlines
Patch 4.0.6 PTR Notes (Updated January 24) - The patch 4.0.6 PTR notes have been updated. See what changes are planned for classes, dungeons, raids, and more.
Recent Hotfixes (Updated January 26) - Missed any of the hotfixes from the last week? Well, better late than never!
Ask Creative Development: Round II - The creators and custodians of Warcraft lore are ready once again to answer your questions about the story, characters, and history of Azeroth.
Core Hound Pup Adoption Campaign - In order to raise account-security awareness, we're kicking off a Core Hound Pup adoption campaign -- and we need your help!
Survival Guides
New Player Tips: Knowing Is Half the Battle - This week's topic is "If I knew then what I know now. " What hints or trade secrets would you share with players just starting out?
TankSpot's Guide to Heroic Chimaeron - Looking for advice on how to tackle this three-headed terror in Blackwing Descent? Papapaint's got you covered. (Finkle Einhorn will be so proud.)
Ten Ton Hammer's Guide to "When Ghouls Attack" - Find out how to protect Brazie the Botanist's farmstead (and your brains) from waves of undead in this perennial Peacebloom-vs.-Ghouls primer.
Around the Community
The Peaceable Pacifist - Kind-hearted druid Peaceable is on an epic quest to level up without harming or killing another living creature. Will she succeed? Follow her blog to find out!
The True Warchief - The Daily Blink showcases the first teaser poster for upcoming box-office hit Gamon.
DPS - Vocalist Sharm and machinimist Tyr have put together a great World of Warcraft-themed parody of Aaliyah's hit song "Try Again."
Run Deathwing Run - Check out this awesome collaboration featuring vocals from EmberIsolte, Letomi, Sharm, PvPSiennah, Gigi, Rawrbug, Lihoification, and Ariel, with machinima by RavenSylphe.
The Putress Polka - Machinimist ks52tf demonstrates that Grand Apothecary Putress really knows how to boogie.
Forum Watch
Wherever You Go, There You Are - When visiting the World of Warcraft community site, what feature or page do you usually check out first?
So, What Do You Do For a Living? - Phoenixphire has issued a real-life roll call.
The Object to Your Left - How would you fare in battle if you were armed only with the object located to your immediate left? An inquiring Kavell wants to know.
"Most Likely To..." - What fictional end-of-the-year high school award do you think your character could have been nominated for?
What's Your Favorite Hunter Pet? - Is it the fiery core hound, noble plainstrider, or sly red fox? Arcuit is looking to tame a new pet and wants to know what trusted companion you prefer at your side.
What Music Do You Listen to When Playing World of Warcraft? - Do you listen to the in-game music, or are you more of a heavy metal, classical, or trip-hop fan?
How Did You Stand in the Fire? - Share your personal "Death by Deathwing" story with Saruron. Go on, let it out. We're all friends here.
Azeroth: It's a Small World After All - Using the power of physics, Daelyn gives a new perspective on the "true" size of Azeroth. SCIENCE!
Recent Blue Posts
Leveling is really fast in Outland. Is this intended?
More information on raid and dungeon bosses in-game?
Why was Walk in the Light healing effectiveness lowered?
Better rewards for running level-85 normal dungeons?
Why are tradeskill materials sold by Justice Point vendors in patch 4.0.6 on the PTR so expensive?
When will 2200-rating weapons be available?
Will there ever be a better storage option for tabards?
Why is healing more challenging now than it was in Wrath of the Lich King?
Doubling up on PvP set bonuses?
Is there a way to encourage players to tank?
See you next week!