How To: Play the Tol Barad Zone in World of WarCraft: Cataclysm

Tol Barad sounds pretty exotic, but really, what doesn't in World of WarCraft: Cataclysm?

If you're a WoW: Cataclysm player and haven't heard of the Tol Barad zone yet, then what in the hell have you been doing?  Letting a bot play your game?  Maybe the WoW Glider?  Tsk, tsk.

Well, it's time to get back into gaming mode and learn a thing or two, so pay attention.

Here's the description of Tol Barad from none other than the WoWWiki:

Tol Barad is an outdoor PvP raid zone in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, very similar to Wintergrasp in Northrend. However, the island also functions similarly to the Isle of Quel'Danas in that it is a major daily quest hub. Battling for control of the island are the Baradin's Wardens for the Alliance, and Hellscream's Reach for the Horde. Whichever side controls the prison on Tol Barad will gain access to more dailies with even better rewards.

Also, Tol Barad is actually two zones— the PvP area and the daily quest hub for level 85 players.

If you're looking for the Tol Barad Quartermaster, there isn't one.  At least, not one called the "Tol Barad Quartermaster", though there is a Quartermaster in Tol Barad.  He's called the Baradin's Wardens Quartermaster— an NPC (non-player character)— located on the far east, up a hill.  He's really hard to miss.

Since Tol Barad is a PvP area similar to Wintergrasp, the Baradin's Wardens Quartermaster mostly sells items useful for PvP gameplay, so don't expect anything else.  There will be mounts like the Spectral Horse and Spectral Wolf, but all items require reputation and Tol Barad's marks, obtained after winning games in Tol Barad.  You will need to get exalted reputation to obtain the Spectral Horse and Spectral Wolf.  But there is no Tol Barad tabard, but there are many epics, goodies and special rewards for PvP players.  [via FemaleDwarf]

To get the full scoop on the rest of Tol Barad in World of WarCraft: Cataclysm, it's time to listen to a professional— The Cynical Brit— see him in action below.

WoW Cataclysm Guide: Fire Mages & PvP Spec Possibilities

This video is a prologue to the two Tol Barad videos below.  It's an analysis of the changes to fire mages and the possibility of legitimate fire-mage PvP with an emphasis on DoTs.  Also shown is the masteries on all 3 specs.

While this video will be of most interest to mages, one should also bear in mind that at some point, you will have to face a mage in PvP (unless you swear off it completely) and knowing what a mage can do will help save your ass later.

WoW Cataclysm Guide: Tol Barad - Daily Quest Hub & PvP Overview

This is the first part of the Tol Barad video series.  It showcases the new Tol Barad daily quest hub and the PvP battle area, consisting of a tour of the quest hub zone and a short battle in Tol Barad itself.  Check out the second video in this series (below this one) for a longer battle and thorough explanation and debate as to the merits and downfalls of this new area in Cataclysm.

WoW Cataclysm Guide: Tol Barad - Commentary

Here it is, the second part, giving you a full battle from start to finish.  You'll get a seriously detailed and in-depth analysis of the potential pitfalls and issues of the area itself.  Really— if you're not a Cynical Brit fan yet, you will be once you finish these videos.

To learn how to find the Earthen Ring Quartermaster, and other Quartermasters, check out this article on WonderHowTo.