Patch 4.0.3 is now live in World of Warcaft, and it basically just paves the way for the shattering of Azeroth in patch 4.0.3a. That extra letter makes all the difference. Just to be clear, the world as we know it isn't going to change until shortly before the release of Cataclysm on Dec. 7. When you log in today, things will still be more or less how you left them.

So what exactly does 4.0.3 bring to the table? You can find out in the patch notes after the jump. Also, our friends our at Wowhead have outlined the class changes that are now live, so be sure to head over there for the details.

The fourth and final phase of the Elemental Invasion has begun, and it looks like the elementals are taking the fight to the capital cities. Head over to Thunder Bluff, Orgrimmar, Ironforge or Stormwind to help barricade your home turf from the attacks, and then get your hands dirty by defeating all the elementals and taking the fight to the bosses via the Dungeon Finder.

For more details oh the Elemental Invasion, check out Wowhead's description of the entire event in their Cataclysm guide. You can also discuss the event in our WoW general forum. If you have any screenshots from the event, feel free to submit them!

According to our friends over at Wowhead, Blizzard has been sending out e-mails to the owners of of canceled or expired WoW accounts to offer them seven free days of game time! If you've considered coming back to the game for the launch of Cataclysm, now would be a great time to go check the e-mail address tied to your account before the offer ends on Dec. 1. Wowhead's Miyari offers this important security advise:

"If you're planning on taking advantage of this offer, be sure that you check the sender and content of the email so you are not taken advantage of yourself! This email is confirmed to be sent from Newsletter@email.blizzard.com with the subject "Name - Return to Azeroth with 7 Days of Game Time." The link provided in the email will take you to this URL - DO NOT enter your details anywhere other than a confirmed World of Warcraft / Battle.net URL!"

The offer is currently available for EU accounts as well. Will you be returning to Azeroth?

This week’s blog comes to us courtesy of ElMuneco here at ZAM, and is titled Murloc Parliament. While this may disappoint some of you, no, it’s not about Murlocs.

The blog is focused mainly on the trials and tribulations of a couple of casual raiders. That being said there is no shortage of useful information here; especially if you are a fan of Grid. There are quite a few different Grid related articles, including updates about GridStatusRaidDebuff, tricks for tracking tanks using Grid, updates for 4.0.1, and that’s just the first page.

Do you want to win an Official MLG A40 Headset that sells for $199? Then you should definitely watch the fourth episode of the Legendary WoW video podcast. You can also listen to GameBreaker TV's Gary Gannon, ZAM's Mike B. aka Fony and TankSpot's Josh "Lore" Allen talk about the worgen and goblin race changes, the second phase of the elemental invasion, rated battlegrounds and more!

Click through the jump to watch Legendary episode 4. If you like what you see, be sure to check out the previous episodes if you missed them.

Awww yeah, BFF Report. In Episode 46, Mike B. aka Fony decided to check out the Horde starting zones in Cataclysm, where he quickly discovers that nobody's very happy with Gharrosh Hellscream, the Horde's acting Warchief. Of greater importance, however, is the fact that Fony also gets to meet a new best friend in the form of the undead Darnell. After all, who else would be willing to carry six corpses on their back for as long as you need them to?

A lot of friends wouldn't, let me tell you.

Blizzard has launched the first edition of the new World of Warcraft Explorers' League Journal series. This new feature will take players on informational adventures through topics of interest such as the upcoming Cataclysm expansion and the launch of the new community site.

The first edition of the series highlights all the most recent major announcements concerning Cataclysm. So lace up your boots and pack up your tents! There's exploring to be had in the world of Azeroth!

Are you dying to convert your existing character into a Worgen or Goblin? Have no fear, because Blizzard has announced that paid faction and race changes will be available immediately in World of Warcraft when Cataclysm launches.

Realm First achievements for leveling any class to 85 will also be available in Cataclysm, but there will be no Realm First achievements associated with leveling characters of a specific race. Also, Goblins and Worgens wishing to change race or faction cannot be in Kezan, Lost Isles or Gilneas. Players must be in another zone to initiate the process.

For more details head on over to World of Warcraft's official site. Will you be paying for a race or faction change?

Blizzard has released their newest security option for players, the Battle.net Dial-In Authenticator. This is not a physical device or a mobile application. The Dial-In Authenticator is a service that will monitor your Battle.net account for suspicious acitivity and prompt players to call in whith a designated PIN number if there is any such activity.

To explain the service further, Blizzard said:

If you sign up for the Battle.net Dial-in Authenticator, you will be asked to make a toll-free phone call from a specific phone of your choosing to authorize unusual login attempts with the associated Battle.net account. Please note that you will only be asked to make this phone call when something about your login attempt appears out of the ordinary. For example, if you were to log in from a location from which you do not typically play, you may be asked to call in and provide your selected PIN and a unique, single-use security code before access to the account will be granted.

What do you think of the new service? Will you be signing up for Dial-In or will you continue to use the physical authentictor or mobile app?

At BlizzCon this year it was announced that new pets were on the way! Blizzard has just relesed a sneak peek of the upcoming Moonkin Hatchling and Lil' Ragnaros pets. The Hatchling will follow the Pandaren Monk as sales will benefit charity.

Pictured above are the Alliance and Horde Moonkin Hatchlings. There is no release date or further details on the pets as of yet. Stay tuned for updates and don't forget to check out Lil' Ragnaros after the jump!