The Gaming Lizard

With Cataclysm approaching launch dates, it is high time to decide where to go on your very first day. Following the success of WotLK's introduction of dual leveling zones that separates the massive horde of anxious 80s, Cataclysm too has two leveling zones: Hyjal and Vash'jir.

Read on to see the pros and cons of each zones to make your informed choice.

Pros

• Hyjal is a beautiful place to start your journey if you enjoyed Night Elf structures and lore.
• Speaking of Lore, Malfurion finally makes his return and the storyline of Hyjal will introduce you to all the Ancients of Night Elven lore including Cenarius.
• Ragnarose returns as well as the main antagonist of the zone.
• If you like animals, Hyjal quests has plenty of save-the-animals quests for your inner tree hugger.
• Worgens make a small cameo here.
  
• Guardians of Hyjal faction resides here. They offer rewards for almost every role, which is awesome. Head enchant is catered to spell casters.
  

Cons

• If you dislike Night Elves and gets the urge to set one on fire whenever you see one, Hyjal is not for you. There are enough fires in the zones already.
• Lack of dungeons. Surprisingly, the other entry dungeon is located in Blackrock mountain, which has nothing there for 80s.

Pros

• One and only zone in WoW to take place completely underwater.
• Stunningly colorful zones.
• Massive, featuring 3 parts to the entire zone.
• Neptulon the Tidehunter makes an appearance.
• Storyline centered around the Naga trying to wrestle control of the Sea away from Neptulon.
• Seahorse mount. What more do you want?
• Base of the Earthen Ring faction. Rewards mainly for casters while the head enchant's for tanks.
• Throne of the Tides, an entry level dungeon is open after completing the main Vash'jir storyline.
  

Cons

• Beta forums have threads about people freaking out while questing in the zone. If you have "Bathophobia: An abnormal and persistent fear of depths. Sufferers from bathophobia experience anxiety even though they realize they are safe from falling into or being consumed by depths. The feared object may be a long, dark hallway, a well or a deep pool or lake.", stay the hell away from Vash'jir. Blizzard is not responsible for occurrences of pants wetting.
• Whale Sharks. The Fel Reavers of Vash'jir, they're massive and they roam the entire zone.
• If you hate Nagas so much that you want to cook them for your fish feasts, stay away.
  
• No rewards for Melee. Bleh.
• Ground-based AEs such as Death And Decay, Rain of Fire or Blizzard do not work in mid air/sea.
• You hate swimming. Thou you get an awesome buff for some speedy seafloor walking.
• Throne of Tides is located at the far end of Vash'jir so you'll not be able to enter it while questing.

So have you decided on where to go once Cataclysm launched? Regardless of choice, you'll be treated to the new questing technologies that Blizzard has implemented and beautiful terrains. Just remember, enjoy yourself and don't be grieved by quest-kill-stealers.