Mount Changes
The TBC pre-patch also implements changes to normal and epic ground mounts, which make them easier to acquire when leveling up new characters. The normal (blue) 60% mount can now be purchased at level 30 rather than level 40. This greatly accelerates the leveling process from 30-40, which was a historically difficult leveling range for new players.
In addition, combined riding skill + mount costs are going down. The amounts listed below are for players who have achieved Friendly reputation with the appropriate faction; you can further reduce prices at higher reputation levels.
| Expansion | Riding Skill | Normal Mount | Riding Skill | Swift Mount |
| Classic | (Lvl 40) | | - | |
| BCC Pre-Patch | (Lvl 30) | | | |
Raid Composition Changes - New Buffs and Debuffs
Due to talent and mechanical changes in the pre-patch, hybrid DPS specs receive a massive boost in viability, and it will be optimal to at least bring one of each in a balanced raid. This does not come from the raw DPS of these specs, which remains very sub-par relative to "pure" DPS classes, but from highly impactful party buffs and raid debuffs provided by each class. An optimized
Naxxramas raid group will bring at least one of each of these utility specs, among others:
These specs were never brought to competitive raids in Classic due to their very low personal DPS, but the insane utility provided by their new buffs and debuffs makes these specs essential in a high performance pre-patch raid group.
