Winterherz
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Below I've outlined the major changes to some of the Eastern Kingdoms zones currently implemented in the Cataclysm beta. This is primarily from an Alliance perspective, so some areas may be different based on whether or not you're playing Horde. Blizzard has tried to reintroduce unique questing experiences for each faction where possible. I didn't include every zone changed so far because I don't want the article to be overwhelming. I'll follow this up with additional articles over the weekend, including touching on Kalimdor.
Elwynn Forest (1-10)
No major changes have been made to Elwynn Forest. Slight improvements to quest flow and where creatures are found, with flight paths being added to Goldshire and Eastvale Logging Camp. Examples are Goldtooth being moved outside of the mine and Princess now spawning at Stonefield Farm. Oh and Hogger has a hill.
The one dramatic change here is Northshire Valley, which is now being attacked by Blackrock Orcs. They've invaded and burned down the grape farm and surrounding forest.
Westfall (10-15)
This zone is vastly different from its original. The zone starts off by speaking to Lieutenant Horatio Laine, who is investigating the murder of Old Blanchy and the Furlbrows. Westfall has also been overrun by homeless citizens of Stormwind, brought on by the resources devoted to the war in Northrend. Sentinel Hill has been reinforced with keep walls and a number of new buildings. Additionally, the Defias Brotherhood has been disbanded due to the death of Edwinn VanCleef 5 years ago.
You continue working through the murder mystery as you progress and discover that the Defias Brotherhood has risen again. Vanessa VanCleef, Edwinn's daughter, witnessed his assassination 5 years ago and wants revenge. She reforms the Brotherhood and assaults Sentinel Hill, burning it to the ground and ruining all of the progress made there over the years.
Redridge Mountains (15-20)
Another zone completely changed from its original. Very few quests from the classic version of the game exist. You start off fighting the gnolls near the border of Elwynn and discover that they're working with the Blackrock Orcs to invade and attack Lakeshire. Once this is discovered the townspeople begin to panic and it looks like everything is grim. However, there's one hope: Corporal John J. Keeshan.
The zone plays out like a Rambo movie and the entire focus is on recovering Keeshan's knife, bow, bandanna and a locket from his long lost love. From there you must rescue Bravo Company to convince Keeshan to help out in the fight against the orcs. Once rescued, a covert operation begins and you're a member of Bravo Company. The quests include completely destroying Render's Valley after freeing hostages -- turning it into a crater thanks to the phasing tech -- driving a siege engine gunned by Keeshan as he mows down hordes of orcs, and ultimately assaulting Stonewatch Keep. At the end you discover the Black Dragonflight is behind the plans and you must kill a black dragon with the help of Keeshan and the Bravo Company. Unfortunately all of them die; you're the lone survivor. On the bright side, the Lakeshire bridge is finished.
Duskwood (20-25)
Duskwood has also seen a fairly hefty revamp, which is very surprising considering it was one of the best classic zones. The quests themselves are similar and visually the zone is the same. However, the flow of the zone is much improved and Raven Hill is now a fully fleshed out quest hub rather than Jitters oddly camping in the middle of a haunted town by himself. Fans of the Legend of Stalvan, Morbent Fel and Bride of the Embalmer quests will be pleased to know they still exist, albeit in an updated fashion.
Each take place within Duskwood entirely and have changed to fit more within the current game's story. Morbent Fel, for example, was killed and is now a Lich. Tobias Mistmantle has arrived from the Gilnean exodus and now starts the series dealing with Stalvan, and the Abercrombie series culminates in Stitches being released on Darkshire -- the town engulfed in flames -- where you must defeat the abomination yourself. Another familiar character returns; Sven Yorgen has fallen to the Worgen curse and is now part of a new quest chain.
Blasted Lands (55-58)
Yes, this zone is finally useful. It's been redesigned completely; gone are the annoying as hell repeatable quests that rewarded the stat consumables, and in their place Nethergarde Keep is now a quest hub for Alliance players, with the Horde also having a quest hub here called Rockard. There's also an Alliance hub in the Tainted Forest called Surwich, introducing a quest chain to kill off a corrupted druid who fell victim to the demonic taint within the region.
For those that enjoyed the Fallen Hero of the Horde series, its characters still exist and are part of a new quest chain that takes place exclusively within Blasted Lands. As with the Duskwood quest updates, this new chain advances the story to a point beyond the original chain. Allistarj, Grol and Sevine are all dead though their amulets remain, Loramus Thalipedes has been torn apart, and the demons are looking to summon Razelikh again. However, a Blood Mage helps you to resurrect Loramus which results in an ultimate showdown between the Demon Hunter and Razelikh, with you fighting by his side.
Dun Morogh (1-10)
This starting area has been heavily modified and many quests removed or revamped. The cave leaving Coldridge Valley has collapsed, forcing new dwarves to take a gyrocopter over to Kharanos at level 5. New gnomes will start in Gnomeregan, and the area surrounding it is now their 1-5 starting experience.
The Ironforge Airport is now in use here as well, with quest content available once you complete Gol'bolar Quary. As with Elwynn Forest, remaining classic quests have had their quest targets moved around for a much better flow.
Loch Modan (10-20)
Loch Modan's updates are primarily quest related, though veteran players will quickly notice that the dam has been destroyed by the Twilight's Hammer and Dark Iron Dwarves, causing the Loch to empty out into the Wetlands below. The trogg quests here have been vastly improved and are far less annoying, with the kill quests being merged and culminating in a boss kill for a fairly nice green reward.
The Hunter's Lodge has been converted into a full quest hub with a flight path, the challenge quests here are no longer timed and Ol' Sooty has been moved to a location closer to the lodge. Unfortunately as of this first Closed Beta build Loch Modan does not have a completed zone map.
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Wetlands (20-25)
This zone's quest flow has changed dramatically, even though the zone itself hasn't. The major quest hubs are Slabchisel's Survey, Menethil Harbor, Swiftgear Station, Whelgar's Retreat, Greenwarden's Grove and Dun Algaz in that order. The overarching story for the zone is that the Dark Iron Dwarves of the region have joined with the Twilight's Hammer.
