So, it’s a pretty good gamble that patch 3.0 is going to hit “World of Warcraft” during Tuesday’s (tonight’s, if you go to sleep before midnight) maintenance. It’s going to start at 2 a.m. Tuesday and last until 2 p.m. — so, if that’s not a patch, I don’t know what is.

If you haven’t seen the talent changes yet, you should take a look at Blizzard’s Web site.
Notes for current changes on PTR: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/test-realm-patchnotes.html
Talent calculator: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/talent-index/wrath.html

These are the most sweeping changes since 2.0 and the release of “The Burning Crusade.” They’re also among the most exciting. Not only do most classes get significant reorganization, but we’re also going to see:

• The new spellpower system, where all healing and spellpower come in one stat. Healing spells will heal more to make up for the lower +healing.
• The barber. If you’re like me, that shaggy bob you gave your priest two years ago is starting to wear thin. It was so cute when you got it, too; but big and auburn are in now, am I right?
• Free respec to taste all the deliciousness. Please, for your own sake, use the calculator above before blowing those points.
• Old world changes, like the new Stormwind Harbor and such, will go live.

Starting as soon as the patch hits, I’ll be talking to players and getting their reactions to the new talents. I’ll also follow guilds as they move through content with their new builds; there’ve been rumors of a 30% hp nerf to “The Burning Crusade” raid bosses, so kills and gear should be coming in fast and furious over the next four weeks before “Wrath of the Lich King.”