Tuesday Morning Post: A long expected downtime edition
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Sep 22nd 2009 at 5:30AM
Yeah, weirdly enough, we've been expecting this a while. They've announce this week's downtime pretty early, and it's extended: 3 AM to 11 AM Pacific. We still can't say for sure why they announced it that early. As of this writing, we haven't heard any peep on whether or not Patch 3.2.2 will go live today (and despite my gut feeling, there is that whole november thing that keeps going around). You'll know by the time you read this, most likely, but either way, it can't hurt to read up on the new patch while the servers are down, right?
Of course, even if Patch 3.2.2 doesn't drop, there's plenty of other things going on. For example, Brewfest is in full swing. If you still haven't gotten in the spirit, check out our Achievement guide and Coren Direbrew loot list for inspiration. Plus, as always, we have even more news and views to get you through the downtime after the break:
Hot News and Features
- How many bugs is Blizzard tracking, anyway? We found out at the AGDC, and yes, it is over 9000. Way, way over 9000. Of course, that isn't all we learned. Check out what else the devs had to say at AGDC.
- There's new pets in the Patch 3.2.2 PTR files, and they're sort of awesome. Check out footage of the Pandaren Monk and the Core Hound Pup.
- Meet Stars, the winner of August's Guild of the Month competition. Of course, you may have heard of them before.
- Faction changes are now available on European servers.
- Ask a Faction Leader continues, this time with Garrosh Hellscream taking your questions.
- Botting has hit the Battlegrounds in a pretty bad way.
- WoW is back online and charging for service in China.
- Spiritual Guidance tackles the state of Shadow DPS.
- The Light And How To Swing It discusses tanking the Northrend Beasts.
- Lichborne looks at the latest Patch 3.2.2 changes for Death Knights.
- Shifting Perspectives looks at leveling 61-70 as a Druid.
- Encrypted Text continues offering tips for the Rogue Trial of the Crusader raider.
- Blood Pact has Warlock tips for Trial of the Crusader.
- Thinking of starting a Mage? This week's Arcane Brilliance may help.
- Spiritual Guidance tackles an age old Priest question.
- The Care and Feeding of Warriors takes a trip down memory lane.
- The PTR Hunter tweaks continue. This time, there's more mana reduction for The Beast Within.
- Raid Rx discusses raid healing makeups and raid healing trinkets.
- Ready Check takes on the Northrend Beasts.
- The guild Mediocrity of Blackrock-US got the world second for Earth, Wind, and Fire, and they have video.
- The Coliseum takes a break from interviews to offer a basic guide to the Arena rating system.
- Blood Sport is back, and this week, we discuss the death of 2v2 in Arena season 7.
- It's now confirmed: Heirlooms don't provide extra experience in Battlegrounds now, but they will in Patch 3.2.2. Speaking of which...
- Yes, even rookies start alts. WoW Rookie takes a look at heirlooms.
- Insider Trader has their deadlights clapped on Patch 3.2.2.
- All the World's Stage discusses being the bad guy.
- I'm linking this version of the Queue because it has the most awesome header video ever.
- The Guild season 3 episode 3 is out.
- Speaking of contests, you still have a few days left to win a new Creative headset.
- World of Warcrafts descends into the belly of the beast, so to speak.
- Rossi has a very thought provoking take on Garrosh Hellscream.
Filed under: Realm Status, Odds and ends, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kaleo Sep 22nd 2009 5:36AM
Could this unusual downtime have anything to do with the amazing lag I'm seeing on Khaz'goroth?
Rudzy Sep 22nd 2009 7:16AM
Same thing on Frostmourne. Server lagged like a monkey in the instances and then died.
Stag Sep 22nd 2009 8:50AM
downloading patch...
Arednel Sep 22nd 2009 7:12AM
Any word on if the patch dropped then? Looking forward to it hitting EU servers tomorrow if it did.
edgeblade69 Sep 22nd 2009 7:13AM
No patch today apparently. Just logged into the game and was not prompted with anything. Plus when they do a patch, don't they let you background d/l it first now? That hasn't happened yet with this one.
Trent Sep 22nd 2009 7:22AM
That's typically only with major patches. While the release of new content might suggest otherwise, 3.2.2 is not a major patch. In fact, I would fathom that the download will be quite modest, compared with, say, 3.1. After all, they're not actually changing anything from Onyxia's Lair.
However, we've received none of the other hints that 3.2.2 is dropping today. It's certainly possible, but I would be surprised.
Wishy Sep 22nd 2009 7:32AM
This is something I've tried to get out of blizzard for a month now but they don't want to spill the beans.
Todays maintenance isn't listed as 'extended' its just 3AM - 11AM.
Does this mean that this is the standard and 1AM is the new 'extended' maintenance???
About a month ago maintenance started at 1AM and was called extended then from then on was 3AM standard start time and has been since.
If so, this is screwing over the oceanic based players even more!
Sigh.
matthewggrammer Sep 22nd 2009 8:08AM
A GM released a statement nearly a week ago stating that today's downtime would be 'extended,' and he gave us the time of 0300-1100, so, no: 0500-1100 is still the normal downtime.
Also, I know it doesn't always feel like it ... but Blizzard schedules these times in order to 'screw over' the least number of people. The company -- and everyone who does anything on Tuesday mornings for Blizzard -- exists physically in California. If you think about it, Tuesday AM, from 0500 to 1100 is probably the least active playtimes for their servers. For today's extended downtime, Blizzard staff has to wake up at like 0100 in the morning to come in and do what they can to give us the best, uninteruptted, service possible.
It frustrates me, too, as one of my two days off is always Tuesday, and I'm not near the West Coast ... but it is what it is, and you just gotta accept the effort Blizz is making.
Have a great day. :)
Targoth Sep 22nd 2009 7:50AM
I just tried to log in and it started to download an update from blizzard.
Aubrecia Sep 22nd 2009 8:00AM
I just hope they fix all the Brewfest bugs. Not only are the Dark Irons bugged, but when I went to fight Coren Direbrew today, it told me I'd already done 25 daily quests when I'd done about 10.
Not to mention the terrible lag.
Mackgyver Sep 22nd 2009 8:13AM
Halo 3: ODST anyone?
Marvin Sep 22nd 2009 8:20AM
Patch 3.2.2 available for download as of this time on Aggramar.
Zurth Sep 22nd 2009 8:22AM
friend of mine are reporting it occuring on alleria, but myself on Emerald dream is not getting any patch....
any ideas?
Mackgyver Sep 22nd 2009 8:29AM
Your friend is full of shit?
Zurth Sep 22nd 2009 8:32AM
Doubt it, as other people have reported it too... although its 40 mb so its prolly just some bug fixes
Tyler Sep 22nd 2009 8:35AM
The patch is dropping today, http://www.filefront.com/14579269/WoW-3.2.0.10314-to-3.2.2.10482-enUS-patch.exe is a link to a mirror, no MEH KEYZ either. I've and scanned multiple times and I have it on both my PC's.
Have fun, Kiffon.
edgeblade69 Sep 22nd 2009 8:35AM
I retract my previous comment. The download did not occur earlier, but just logged in just now and it did (on Shadowmoon). Here's a screen to prove it:
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6236/wowpatch322.jpg
Maccus Sep 22nd 2009 8:53AM
my downloader is running...patch is up
Zurth Sep 22nd 2009 8:54AM
update, i can now download the 40mb patch (if thats whatyou want to call it), but its painfully slow :/
At least now i can sleep safe and sound
muzikismylife18 Sep 22nd 2009 8:58AM
3.2.2 is going live today im downloading it now!