World of Warcraft Cataclysm – There’s so much to be excited about in the WoW Cataclysm expansion — mana-free, free-ammo hunters, eased racial class restrictions, new Worgen and Goblin races — but for level 80 players chomping at the bit to add more 1337 to their sheet, Blizzard developers are heading down under to stock Azeroth with challenging quests and powerful hidden treasures.

With the new Archaeology profession, players will be able to make the most of newly unearthed ruins.  Of course they will be able to discover plenty of artifacts and items.  But by studying these areas, they will be able to conduct research into Ancient Glyphs, a series of deep-customization enhancements for characters reaching the level 85 cap.

This process is called the Path of Titans and offers many welcoming features.  Players can interact with Titan Cult NPCs throughout Azeroth and select one of six Titanic paths, each named after a long-departed mythical being.  Completing their quests and visiting lost areas will help empower four to five new glyph slots.  Glyph abilities include reduced 20% bleed and stun times (on one Glyph!), improved damage after criticals, ally bonuses, improved bandaging, and more.

These paths consist of:

• Aman’Thul: The High Father
• Aggramar: The Avenger
• Eonar: The Lifebinder
• Golganneth: The Thunderer
• Khaz’Goroth: The Shaper
• Norgannon: The Dreamweaver

Fortunately, players are able to abandon a Path if it doesn’t match their intended play style, and follow another.

To keep the Path of Titans from becoming a tourist-clogged I-95, Blizzard is ensuring a steady but slow development path, with weekly limits.  Whatever the speed bumps, it sounds like it’s going to be one amazing role-playing ride for World of Warcraft players.