The Cataclysm Conundrum

This is where Blizzard fouled up. I get why the studio is pushing into  WoW cataclysm Gold the third expansion. It’s not what I would’ve done, but I get it. The problem is that the studio isn’t giving us any choice whether we want to stay in the Wrath era or not. We either go along with this, eject from the game, or head to Classic Era or Retail.

I know it would’ve been yet another server to juggle, but creating a world where the game was capped at Wrath of the Lich King would’ve taken away the “Cataclysm Conundrum.” Despite brave talk at last year’s BlizzCon to the contrary, I think Blizzard knows well that many Classic and WoW players have no love for Cataclysm and wouldn’t be that quick to head into it unless forced.

I really wish a time traveler would come back from a few years into the future to tell us what the studio does with WoW Classic as a whole because I don’t think Blizzard has any idea right now. It’s showing all the signs of throwing stuff at a wall and hoping something works.

 The Personal Dilemma

On the personal level, the question that every Classic player has to answer is if Cataclysm is worth revisiting. Even if you have a grudge against this expansion, it’s not that easy to divorce yourself of characters and guilds that may provide strong attachments. You’ve been playing a character for years now, perhaps since 2019, and don’t want that journey to end — even if that journey is about to enter No Man’s Land.

I’ve heard more than one player offer consoling words to the effect that Cataclysm is a stepping stone to Mists of Pandaria Classic, and that’ll make the temporary pain worthwhile. I suppose in that respect, we really do have knowledge of the future. With the hope of a better expansion a year or two down the line, drinking a dose of Cata now may be acceptable.

 Holding On or Letting Go

I have a Shaman about three zones into Wrath, and I find her gameplay engaging and the current expansion that right hit of old school WoW to satisfy me. It’s just that it’s hard — if not impossible — to be looking at and thinking of the future, especially when I’m sinking a lot of time into this character.

Maybe it really is simply for the journey, nothing more and nothing less. There’s precious little that you’re able to take with you between expansions in this game save for cosmetics, mounts, and pets, after all.

 Retail Temptations

Another consideration is the fact that retail will be trumpeting out a brand-new expansion later this year, right about when Cata Classic players may be losing steam and looking for entertainment alternatives. Unexplored countries with lofty promises are enticing.

 The Community's Perspective

Are you feeling the Cataclysm Conundrum? Do you feel torn between continuing or calling it quits in your Classic trek? It's a complex situation that many players are grappling with. The sense of community and nostalgia that comes with Classic is powerful, but so are the cheap WoW Cataclysm Classic Gold  frustrations and uncertainties about the future.