Introduction
Cataclysm will be the 3rd expansion to the World of Warcraft. Unlike The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm changes many of the original parts of Old Azeroth.
During 2009 BlizzCon, we learned that a new method of fishing might be developed, perhaps similar to Animal Crossing (that makes individual fish visible in the water). But be cautious, because changing the fishing "mechanic" was also discussed before Wrath of the Lich King: Ultimately, only a few changes to the role of skill occurred (in Patch 3.1).
The official pre-test preview suggested Cataclysm fishing would be similar to WotLK, but no details were given:
"Lots of new fish and other fun items to catch! Fish are still used to make premium food. New fishing dailies."
Like earlier expansions, professions will gain another rank in Cataclysm ("Illustrious"), adding another 75 skill points to the maximum personal skill (525).
We might see some big changes to fishing. These examples are speculation:
- Fish catches broadly reflect the level of the zone. The level of some zones has changed dramatically. Catches might change dramatically to match.
- The Cataclysm itself has created new areas of water, especially in places that can only be reached using a flying mount. New water might mean new catches.
- Cataclysm "streamlines" activities in Old Azeroth, for example replacing obscure or complex quest-lines. Cataclysm might see Old Azeroth's fishing become more like Outland or Northrend - removing quirks like the Variation by Time.
Northrend's fish only appeared part-way through WotLK testing, and Cataclysm looks similar: Expect a lot to change in the next few months!
Zones
The Cataclysm has changed most zones in Old Azeroth (Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor). Several new zones have been explored for the first time. The Cataclysm has not affected Outland or Northrend.
Fish can currently be caught from open water in these new zones:
- Mount Hyjal
- Uldum (south of Tanaris)
- Twilight Highlands (east of the Wetlands)
No new pools have been discovered yet.
Other new zones may eventually contain catches: Both new starting zones (Kezan/Lost Isles for Goblins, and Gilneas for Worgen) are surrounded by water. Tol Barad (a PvP area) is surrounded by coastal water. The Sunken City of Vashj'ir is entirely under seawater, but there are a few islands on the surface. The Elemental Plane of Deepholm is unusual and may never contain fishable water.
Notable (for anglers) changes to old zones include:
- Stranglethorn Vale splits into 2 zones: Northern Stranglethorn and The Cape of Stranglethorn. Booty Bay remains a neutral (Steamwheedle) Goblin settlement, but it is not yet known whether the Stranglethorn Extravaganza Contest covers both zones.
- The Barrens also splits into 2 new zones - Northern Barrens and Southern Barrens. The oases are in the Northern Barrens.
- Horde Goblins have invaded Azshara's Bay of Storms, constructing Bilgewater Harbor in the middle.
- Thousand Needles completely floods with seawater. Sea levels rise in several other zones, including Tanaris (Gadgetzan becomes a port) and Wetlands (Menethil Harbor is almost submerged). Darkshore contains much more inland seawater.
- More water in cities, especially Orgrimmar and Stormwind City.
- The Blasted Lands, Stonetalon Mountains, and (at the bottom of a cliff) Badlands gain coastlines.
- Loch Modan's dam has been breeched, and most of its water has emptied out into the Wetlands.
There are very many changes to quests, towns, and paths between zones. There are also many new lakes in the elevated areas between zones, which can (presumably) only be reached using a flying mount.
Interface
Your professions are now all displayed on a separate "Professions" tab in your Spell Book, rather than spread between your character screen and main list of spells.
Equipment
The Arcanite Fishing Pole (gained by winning the Stranglethorn Extravaganza Contest) appears to have a new icon (left) and plans (below). The new design is not yet complete. The Arcanite pole has been the best fishing pole for many years, but previously looked the same as a basic pole.
A new +3 fishing skill pole, Staats' Fishing Pole can be gained from the quest, A Taste for Grouper (see below).
Engineers will be able to create a Lure Master Tackle Box. This has 36 slots and can be used by everyone, not just engineers. The tackle box is classed as a new bag type called "Fishing Supplies". It is not yet known precisely what can be stored in the box. Further discussion (thanks Meadows).
A new +100 skill Feathered Lure can be created by cooks. The recipe is trained from cooking trainers at cooking skill 450. Each Feathered Lure requires a Delicate Serpent Wing (source unknown).
Dwarven data miners have discovered a "Not Yet Implemented" Fishing Spear. The item requires fishing skill 1, "Use: Hurls your spear at a fish." Remember, this may be a test item we will never be able to use.
Cooked Fish
Cooking recipes have been added, and many fish catches have now been confirmed from open water (no pools yet, that will probably make certain fish easier to catch). The list below also contains some dishes that are likely to be cooked using fish, but those fish have not yet been caught.
| Fish | Food | Buffs | Duration (min) | Level (to eat) | Recipe Source | Catching |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abyssal Clam | Hearty Seafood Soup | 60 Strength, 60 Stamina | 60 | 75 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Seafood Magnifique Feast | 90 Useful, 90 Stamina [1] | 60 | 80 | Recipe: Seafood Magnifique Feast [2] | ||
| Whitecrest Gumbo | 60 Spirit, 60 Stamina | 60 | 75 | Cooking trainers. | ||
| Algaefin Rockfish | Baked Rockfish | 90 Critical, 90 Stamina | 60 | 80 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Blackbelly Mudfish | Blackbelly Sushi | 90 Parry, 90 Stamina | 60 | 80 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Mushroom Sauce Mudfish | 90 Dodge, 90 Stamina | 60 | 80 | Cooking trainers. | ||
| Deepsea Sagefish | Delicious Sagefish Tail | 90 Spirit, 90 Stamina | 60 | 80 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Severed Sagefish Head | 90 Intellect, 90 Stamina | 60 | 80 | Cooking trainers. | ||
| Fathom Eel | Skewered Eel | 90 Agility, 90 Stamina | 60 | 80 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Highland Guppy | Pickled Guppy | 60 Intellect, 60 Stamina | 60 | 75 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Lavascale Catfish | Lavascale Fillet | 60 Expertise, 60 Stamina | 60 | 75 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Lavascale Minestrone | 90 Mastery, 90 Stamina | 60 | 80 | Cooking trainers. | ||
| Mountain Trout | Broiled Mountain Trout | 60 Haste, 60 Stamina | 60 | 75 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Seafood Magnifique Feast | 90 Useful, 90 Stamina [1] | 60 | 80 | Recipe: Seafood Magnifique Feast [2] | ||
| Sharptooth | Fish Fry | - | - | 80 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Striped Lurker | Lightly Fried Lurker | 60 Critical, 60 Stamina | 60 | 75 | Cooking trainers. | Where to catch » |
| Lurker Lunch | 60 Dodge, 60 Stamina | 60 | 75 | Cooking trainers. |
- [1] 90 another useful stat, 90 Stamina
- [2] Sold by guild vendors (Becca Radler for Alliance, Goram for Horde).
Like WotLK, there is normally:
- 1 recipe that gives a resonable buff - ideal for leveling - 60 Stamina and 60 of another bonus, for 1 hour.
- 1 recipe that give a great buff - when only the best will do - 90 Stamina and 90 of another bonus, for 1 hour.
Fish Fry is the only dish that gives no buff. Fish Fry is also the only dish that only restores health: Other dishes also restore both health and mana. That probably means Sharptooth will be the new common catch from most open water (like Bonescale Snapper).
Seafood Magnifique Feast is the new Fish Feast, but with a twist: Its buff is 90 Stamina and 90 "another useful stat". Unconfirmed, but that final statistic is assumed to refer to each class's primary stat, making Seafood Magnifique Feast useful to everyone.
All recipes are trainable, except Seafood Magnifique Feast. The recipe for Seafood Magnifique Feast is sold by the new guild vendors (Becca Radler for Alliance, Goram for Horde). The Cataclysm Fish Finder has detailed information about Cooking Skill. The lowest starting cooking skill for new recipes is 450. (Note that live patches have already made 450 skill much easier to reach than when we first felt the Wrath of the Lich King.)
Alchemy and Supplies
1-2 Volatile Water can be caught from open water: Around 10% of the catch from open water in Mount Hyjal, Uldum and Twilight Highlands (possibly every new Cataclysm zone).
- Volatile Water
- Used in many Cataclysm-level manufacturing profession recipes. Does not combine into Eternals, like Crystallized Water, but does stack in 200s.
- Where to catch »
Volatile Water is the only catch known to have a use outside of cooking. Alchemists' Albino Cavefish are lurking in the data files. These might be caught by fishing - perhaps like Pygmy Suckerfish.
Achievements
A new fishing achievement has been added for reaching 525 fishing skill - Illustrious Grand Master Fisherman. All the rank achievements now refer to reaching a certain fishing skill, rather than a named rank. For example, the Artisan Fisherman achievement requires you to "Obtain 300 skill points in fishing", not simply "Become an Artisan Fisherman."
A ("work in progress") guild achievement has being added: Fishing Pool Pro - catch 10,000 fish from Northrend fishing pools. Presumably that requires a total of 10,000 catches from across your entire guild.
Quests
The quest to catch Darkshore Grouper is reported to survive as A Taste for Grouper. It now starts from Johnathan Staats at the new village of Lor'danel, Darkshore. The quest requires 4 Darkshore Grouper. It rewards a new +3 fishing skill pole - Staats' Fishing Pole.
New daily fishing quests are available from level 10 for both Horde and Alliance. Rewards include 1 point of fishing skill. For full details read Azeroth Daily Fishing Quests »
Learn More
- Cataclysm forum discussion - Topics tagged "Cataclysm".
- Cataclysm Fish Finder - Known changes to fish, locations, pools and cooking.
- World of Warcraft: Cataclysm - Official preview information about the 3rd expansion.
- WoWWiki - Cataclysm - Preview with further zone and race information.
- Also in Cataclysm: Azeroth Daily Fishing Quests.
