Onyxia Returns to World of Warcraft

To commemorate the 5-year anniversary of mega-MMOG World of Warcraft, Blizzard is reviving one of the most beloved experiences from the golden days of WoW, the Onyxia's Lair raid.

The popularity of World of Warcraft has grown enormously since the halcyon days of WoW, the time before the expansions came along, that all the old-timers grumble about being full of awe and wonder and all the newbies refer to with derision as "WoW Classic" or, as I prefer, "Vanilla WoW." Well just as they did with Naxxramas, Blizzard is reviving some classic content for the players who haven't been around the block to learn to appreciate. This time it's the infamous Onyxia's Lair that's getting a modern reboot.

The updated Onyxia will be a part of the 3.2.2 content patch and turn the raid into a normal 10-player dungeon and a Heroic 25-player raid. Blizzard is adding new items to the loot table for Onyxia, so there's more reason to go back then to just see a giant ass she-dragon. The new gear will look like the old Onyxia drops, but with new stats. If that means a recolored Tier 2 Paladin helm, I am so in.

Also new is a special drop that'll be sure to get players excited: a normal drake-sized 310% speed flying mount that looks like Onyxia herself called an Onyxia Broodling. And if that's not enough for you, anyone who logs in after the anniversary event starts will get an Onyxia Broodling pet in the mail.

Don't expect the new Onyxia to be a total cakewalk, however. "We will also be updating the encounter mechanics to be more fitting for modern raiding, but we can guarantee players will get to experience the frightening horror of deep breaths once again," Blizzard said.

Guess we're going to need MORE DOTS.