Succiu's Totally OCD Cataclysm Checklist

     As of this writing, we are 18 hours (and one minute) out from Servers Up! Cataclysm. I am psyched beyond all belief. In such cases, my enthusiasm manifests itself in overpreperation. This is usually right around the same time I drive my friends crazy with my ability to spit out really long sentences without the need for breath. I can whistle in. It's great.
     Ahem.
   
     1. 25 Quests Completed

     The fastest way to level in Cataclysm is to get a head start in Wrath. My quest log is full of 25 fully completed quests, including the Argent Dailies, Orgrim's Hammer Dailies, a few Deaths Rise, and one for the Frenzyheart and Sons of Hodir, which both boast one quest rewarding above average XP. If the amount of XP holds true to WoWHead's reports (and I am not sucking at math) these quests will give me a headstart of about half a million XP, or 36% of the XP needed for level 81. Not bad.
     I left Succiu logged out in Dun Niffelheim, after which she will take her Argent Tabard to Icecrown, fly south into Scholozar Basin, and take the zeppelin into Orgrimmar.
     While I intend to level in Vash'ir to avoid the crowds, I will initially head towards Mount Hyjal. Why, you ask? Arcanum of Hyjal. You're going to need it eventually.(Also keep your eye out for Therazane for your shoulder enchant, and the Dragonmaw Clan has some great caster gear.) You may as well get the required rep to buy their Tabard when the quests actually help you level. You only need to get to friendly to get the Tabard.

     2. Empty Out Those Bags

     The more stuff you can carry, the longer you can stay away from an Innkeeper. While eventually you will need to see a vendor, the fewer trips you need the make, the less time you waste. Aside from the quest items needed to turn in the above, my bags contain only the essentials. Which brings me to...

     3. Bring It

     I have a full stack of health potions, mana potions, bandages, food, water, salmon, Frost Wyrm, and Elixir of Water Walking. Water Walking is probably my favorite. You cant imagine how often that comes in useful. I'm also carrying my PvP Trinket, my Disenchanting Rod, my fishing rod, and a stack of vanishing powder to switch out glyphs. And of course, my Argent Tabard and my Hearthstone.
     For the record, yes, I know I am insane. I know my Frost Wyrms and salmon probably aren't all that helpful, but hey. I had them. May as well use them and squeeze out a few more points of damage. A few seconds less between pulls, a few seconds closer to 85.

     4. Spec-tacular! 
   
     As predicted, I will be rolling into Cataclysm as Destruction. 80-82 are tuned for Wrath leveling gear, and Succiu is full 277 geared. Affliction is wonderful damage, and there is a lot to be said for running around DoTting things up and letting them fall around you, but it has a long ramp up time, and the difference even in DoTs wont be noticeable on these kinds of mobs. Destruction has a lot more upfront damage.
     My off-spec is raid-ready Demonology. This is for my five mans. I am lucky enough to have a close group of friends just as excited to level as I am. It includes a very trustworthy tank and queues will be fast enough I think I'll see more than a little bit of dungeons. Demonology will help me stay alive, give me damage, mobility, and CC.
     I'll be switching to Affliction around 83, which is where Blizzard expects you to have replaced all your Wrath gear.
     I already mentioned I'll be carrying a full stack of Vanishing Powder, and this is a very good reason to make sure you know all of your classes glyphs. Glyphs are easy to switch in and out nowadays, and you can really help yourself tackle some mobs (or groups of mobs) with the right glyphs. 

     5. Add-on Your Add-on
   
     Cataclysm isn't the only thing you need to download. Make sure all your add-ons are up to date. There shouldn't be too many changes since most of the Cataclysm content has already been implemented, but expect it to be messy anyway.
     I'd also recommend cleaning up your bars. If you have ever thought to yourself "I'd really like to change this keybind, but retraining my instincts is too hard!" this is a great time to try. Leveling doesn't have the same pressure as raiding, so if you mess up, it isn't as punishing. Not to mention, oh man, you get all kinds of crap on your bars that you might not need. And, since you'll be needing your CC a lot more frequently in Cataclysm than in Wrath, you might want to try to open up some of your high-priority keybinds for these spells.

     6. Out of Game

     Your preparation out of game is just as important, if not more so. If you are planning on being on right at servers up (3 AM for me, oh god) a nap might be a good idea. Comfortable clothes and a good chair can also make a big difference. I personally will be trading my contacts for glasses (nerd disguise!) and hiding my hair beneath an efficient headband.
     And then, of course, there is sustenance. Caffeine, caffeine, caffeine. Try to eat something that doesn't reinforce the pizza-bites stereotype (although it is warm, nourishing, and bites sized for ease of consumption with one hand on the keyboard...NO). Try some orange juice or some granola bars, and vitamins. You'll feel so much less icky.
     My beverage of choice? A big bottle of cold, fizzy, nose tickle-y Seltzer.



     So there it is. OCD? Oh god yes. Self-indulgent? More than I'll admit. But man, this is going to be a fun week. Check back on the weekend for my list of Raid Starter gear.