Patch 3.0.2 has played havoc with our WoW addons as I’m sure we’ve all found out in the past few days. The easiest first response to this is to turn them all off. This is quite a good first step as it happens. The next steps are then updating the addons to latest versions and then turning each addon back on in turn to check that it doesn’t introduce problems.

Updating Addons

How you choose to update your addons probably depends on how many you’re using. If you’re using a small number, the easiest thing is simply to download the latest versions from your addon site of choice (I’m currently using Curse Gaming), or from their home site in the case of very popular addons like CT-Mod, Auctioneer and DeadlyBossMods. You can then unzip these to the WoW Interface\Addons folder, making sure they replace the old versions.

If you have a large number of addons, investigating an update program such as WUU (see my previous managing addons guide for details), is probably easier to get all the many addons up to date.

Also note that some addons have taken the 3.0.2 patch as an opportunity to move to a completely new version, for example Bartender - you now need to download Bartender4, rather than the old Bartender3.

Enabling addons and problem finding

Once you’re up to date, the best thing is to switch each addon in turn to check that it works ok. A couple more addons really help here, the first - Addon Control Panel (ACP) - allows you to switch addons on & off in-game and to reload your user interface, without having to keep logging in and out. After this installing something to catch any errors such as Swatter (comes bundled with Auctioneer) or Buggrabber is great to help you see any problems that are happening. I found buggrabber a little unintuitive - you have to type /buggrabber 1 to see the first error, /buggrabber 2 to see the second error etc. Installing BugSack and Broker2FuBar allows you to see the errors from FuBar (if you have that one installed), but can be a bit of an undertaking and has some incompatibilities, so I’d recommend sticking to the text commands unless you’re feeling confident.

For a complete guide to debugging your interface see this great post from Altitis.

Patch 3.0.2 - the precursor to Wrath of the Lich King - is due today.

Wow-Insider has a good summary of the coming changes. I’ve summarised the most interesting changes in the list below:

• New talent trees and new skills.  You can now spec down to the new 51 point talents leading to some seriously unbalanced talent trees
• New profession - inscription
• Like many recent games, unlockable achievements are being added - 5 of which can be attained before WotLK.
• World changes in Azeroth.  I won’t say much more for the un-spoiled, but take a look around North West Stormwind and also out into Hillsbrad near the Lordamere Internment Camp
• Calendar added to the UI - hopefully this will be the end of needing to use the GEM addon - dependent on the quality of the group features in the new functionality.
• Haircuts.  Although this old dwarf wants to know if they’ve got any magic hair restorer - otherwise a haircut won’t be much use!
• For the PVP fans - new arenas - Dalaran & Orgrimmar
• In game threat-meter - again this may be the end of a popular addon - this time Omen, but again depends on the quality of the replacement
• More bag space!  - vanity pets, mounts, badges of justice and battleground marks no longer use up bag space (/hooray)

The Lords of Nordrassil have appointed three new guild officers in readiness for the release of Wrath of the Lich King - Congratulations to Tarn, Jermar and Krakenoah!

The officer corps now comprises of Arvariena, Bestiarius, Durathor, Etharil, Jermar, Krakenoah, Revver, Tarn, Winterfold.  Our Guild Master is Railor / Trailor.

Guild members should familiarise with the conduct page of the website, for guidance on acceptable behaviour.   The officers can assist if more details are required.