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World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is the fourth expansion set for the popular MMORPG. Released last September 25, it raised the existing level cap from level 85 to 90 and introduced a new character class, the Monk, along with a new playable race, the Pandaren.

Monks use an energy source to power basic abilities like the jab. The basic jab attack is used to generate a resource called chi, which is then used for more advanced attacks. The pandaren, a race of anthropomorphic giant pandas has several classes available such as hunter, monk, mage, priest, rogue, shaman and warrior.

The vanity pet system was overhauled in favour of a pet battle system. New PVE scenarios were introduced as well as challenge modes for dungeons. The existing 41-point talent trees were replaced with a new system of tiered talents that are awarded every 15 levels. There are nine new dungeons, three new raids, and two new battlegrounds.

The game is set after the events of Deathwing and Cataclysm in the land of Pandaria, one of the continents of the world of Azeroth. Pandaria, which had previously been hidden by magic, was discovered after a naval battle between the Horde and the Alliance.

Last October 4, Blizzard announced that 2.7 million copies of Mists of Pandaria were sold in the first week of its release (Cataclysm sold 3.3 million copies in the first 24 hours of its release), with the global subscriber base passing 10 million subscribers. Most reviews judge the game as being the best WoW expansion yet, executed more deftly and with great new features.

Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.