Since its release, Cataclysm has been considered the worst expansion for WoW Classic. We have to admit that WoW Cataclysm needs some work to become a significant expansion. Fortunately, there are quite a few addons that can improve our game experience in ways we never thought possible.

Major Issues

To turn Cataclysm from the worst expansion to the best expansion, we first need to address four major issues in the game.

First, we have to fix everything in the interface, from the terrible Group Finder to Chat Spam, which makes it very difficult to recruit for raids and enjoy the game.

Second, we have to fix the clunky problem of maxing reputation and maxing professions on each alt. Fortunately, we have a new AI tool that will save us thousands of WoW Cataclysm Classic Gold in a more modern way, allowing our professions to level up faster.

The third problem we had to fix was that Heroic Raids in Cataclysm are really hard, so we’re going to give you some tools to push dungeon runs. This is really going to help you out a lot.

The fourth problem is that once you clear all those Heroic dungeons, you’ll have so much loot that loot distribution and how you manage it can quickly become a burden. Don’t worry, I’m here to teach you how to make really cool character gear to show off to your friends.

Fixing The Interface Addon

The first problem was the terrible Group Finder that players kept complaining about. Some Cataclysm groups were even forced to advertise in Barrett and Hold zones in order to recruit for raids. It was a disaster.

Group Bulletin Board

Our solution was to use the old Group Bulletin Board Addon, which was our best hope for group play. The caveat is that I had to go into settings and select all the different dungeons and groups to get it to work out of the box.

Global Ignore List And Chat Spam Filter

Secondly, one problem with relying on Chat Spam to fill your group is that Gnomes often spam the chat, which makes it harder to find group members. Even worse, NPCs are always shouting stupid things, and players are always promoting their upgrades. Of course, you always see some asshole who is trying to sell you his GDKP.

The problem is that we can’t turn off the chat because Group Finder is so bad, so we are forced to use the chat system.

Luckily, we found an Addon called Global Ignore List and Chat Spam Filter, which allows you to block terms such as GDKP boosting and even ignore NPCs completely. This way, we can finally meditate on the game without being disturbed by anyone. I have to say that Cataclysm already feels a lot better after our interface fixes.

Reputation Addons

But there is a bigger problem. Most players have to earn different reputations for each character they upgrade. Therefore, they have to complete specific daily tasks and max out very expensive professions, which is a nightmare. However, three specific Addons have completely fixed these issues in Cataclysm.

Ny’s To-Do List

The first is Ny’s To-Do List, which is like any other to-do list on a phone app. This one just happens to be in-game. I find it’s much easier to improve my gaming experience when I have all the steps I need to do laid out right in front of me.

Reputation Guide

The second Addon I’ve been using is Reputation Guide, which shows you how much reputation you have left, how many monsters you need to kill, how many quests you need to turn in. Realistically, these are all things that should be in Cataclysm by default, but they aren’t.

Dailies

The third and most powerful Reputation Addon, it’s Dailies. Once you pick up all the dailies, they’ll safely go into the list, making our reputation sorting a lot easier.

Profession Addons

But that expensive and frustrating profession problem still exists. You have to max them out in every single one of them. That’s where the gaming tools app comes in, though.

We simply entered our server and target level into the game tool and we were instantly given a shopping list for the most cost-effective way to reach level 525. It uses AI to dynamically figure out the best route so you can save a ton of Cataclysm Gold. It made my Cataclysm experience so much better. This is definitely the future of profession leveling.

Heroic Raids Addons

We now have to address the biggest problem in Cataclysm, Heroic Raids themselves. This is where the right application of Addons turned my hatred of Cataclysm raids into a love, and it’s now the thing I look forward to most every week. We got clobbered by Nefarian the first week, but now, we’ve taken down six Heroic bosses and made some really good progress.

Nova Raid Companion

The first Addon is getting Nova Raid Companion, which is a Cataclysm timer that updates all raid cooldowns. You can also click on the mini-map to instantly see if your raid is fully buffed, depleted, and repaired. I have to say being able to see Talent and even Offspec Talent of each team member is a real plus.

WeakAuras

In addition to Nova Raid Companion we also have WeakAuras which is a must for every boss we face and it really improves our raids progress.

Also, it provides a wearable that automatically minimizes the camera, Max Camera. Whenever I enter the game, it automatically minimizes the camera, which is very helpful for my raid awareness.

Loon Best In Slot

Eventually, you will get a lot of new loot. The question is how do we best distribute it and who should get the new loot? This is where Loon Best In Slot is wonderful. It adds tooltips for each item based on Best in Slot list, which makes it easier for each raider to understand and distribute loot.

ReforgeLite Classic

Once you have your new gear, Reforging will be a headache again, and this is where ReforgeLite Classic Addon comes in. Ideally, your Class Discord should have suggestions for stat weights. You simply enter these stat weights and automatically reforge your gear every time you get a new part.

Equipment Sets

For these new upgrades, while they can still be a burden if you have trouble managing them, I like using Equipment Sets to manage my gear sets to look nice. It lets you save Transmogs and load them, which is something that should really be in the interface.

Narcissus Classic

By default, if you want to show off your gear to the masses, Narcissus Classic lets you take some of the prettiest character shots imaginable. After all, what’s the point of getting new gear if you can’t show it off to everyone?

So that’s our pick of the best addons we’ve found to solve most of the problems we’ve encountered in Cataclysm. Hopefully, they can help you improve your gaming experience a bit more.

Cataclysm expansion has torn Azeroth apart once again, and with the release of the new World of Warcraft expansion comes a new level cap of 85 for characters, as well as professions like Fishing, First Aid, and Cooking.

Illustrious Grand Master in the latest version starts at level 425, the highest level in Wrath expansion, capping at 525. This also means a whole new set of daily cooking quests and new recipes to use.

For players who want to have a taste for fine cooking, there are over 30 new recipes to learn in Cataclysm, even if you don’t have the skill and the buffs. However, these Chef’s Awards take a lot of time to accumulate, so you’ll need to prioritize your recipes. This guide will introduce you to some of the most useful Illustrious Grand Master cooks as you explore the new areas.

Knowing About Recipes

Each major city, such as Dalaran and Shattrath, a neutral city, will have a Cooking trainer who will teach you Illustrious Cooking Mastery. Once you visit the trainer and gain Illustrious Cooking Mastery skill, you can craft new Cataclysm recipes.

Each major city will have 5 different Daily Quests for both factions, and completing all of them will earn your Achievements. These are things you can learn from your trainer, or you can earn from vendors using Chef’s Awards. Other rare and magical recipes can be earned by honing your reputation with WoW Cataclysm Classic Gold.

For those new to these events, it can be a question of which areas are more likely to find what Cooking materials. Hyjal and Vash’jr are the first places players visit, so you’ll want to make sure you have your fishing gear fully stocked before you start exploring.

The following recipes all cost 3 Chef’s Awards, and while Cooking materials may be item level 80 or higher, the recipes have no level requirements. As long as you don’t mind taking a few risks when gathering materials, they’ll increase Cooking from 425 to 525 without having to go past level 80.

The good news is that even if you have unlocked no quests or flight paths, you can still explore new areas and go fishing or hunting.

Illustrious Cooking At 450

This is probably the easiest recipe for low-level Chefs to get started with, as long as you’re at level 450. You can use the buffs from these foods for grinding, PVE, and non-Heroic dungeons. Don’t forget to invest in some Imported Supplies for those hard-to-find materials.

Feathered Lure

This material is quite interesting and doesn’t really deserve to be a recipe, but since Fishing and Cooking are related in some ways, it makes sense to include it here. This item will help level up both classes.

• Regents: Delicate Wing
• Buffs: +100 Fishing skill for 10 minutes
• How To Unlock: Reach 450 Cooking

Broiled Mountain Trout

This recipe’s enhanced Stamina and Haste is useful for any class, especially Rogues, DPS Warriors, Pally tanks, and Warlocks.

• Regents: Mountain Trout
• Buffs: +60 Stamina and Haste rating for 1 hour
• How To Unlock: Reach 450 Cooking

Whitecrest Gumbo

Priests, Shamans, and Druids will benefit the most from this recipe, especially those who need to fight in close combat frequently.

• Regents: Blood Shrimp
• Buffs: +60 Stamina and Spirit for 1 hour
• How To Unlock: Reach 450 Cooking

Lightly Fried Lurker

Critical Strike provides now also applies to spell-casting, so this recipe is very effective for any DPS class.

• Regents: Striped Lurker
• Buffs: +60 Stamina and Plus Critical Strike Rating for 1 hour
• How To Unlock: Reach 450 Cooking

Illustrious Cooking From 475 To 500

After exploring some of the new areas of Azeroth, players will gain valuable experience in the best places to farm regeants, which means more advanced recipes can be explored.

Pickled Guppy

This recipe can be said to be tailored for Shamans, Warlocks, and Paladins. After using this recipe, you will gain a greater advantage in battle.

• Regents: Highland Guppy
• Buffs: +60 Stamina and Intellect for 1 hour
• How To Unlock: Reach 475 Cooking

Hearty Seafood Soup

The best recipe for Warriors, Paladins, and any type of tank class is here. You can get extra health and damage from it, greatly increasing your tankiness.

• Regents: Blood Shrimp
• Buffs: +90 Stamina and Strength for 1 hour
• How To Unlock: Reach 475 Cooking

Scalding Murglesnout

This recipe will restore both health and mana, and will not cancel any recipe buffs your character already has, which means you can stack them, which is very useful!

• Regents: Deepsea Sagefish
• Buffs: Not Applicable
• How To Unlock: Reach 500 Cooking

Delicious Sagefish Tail

This recipe is perfect for casters who need extra health and will greatly increase their survivability.

• Regents: Deepsea Sagefish
• Buffs: +90 Stamina and Spirit for 1 hour
• How To Unlock: Reach 500 Cooking

Illustrious Cooking From 505 To 525

When you reach levels 505 to 525, congratulations! You can cook some high level Feasts for raids and dungeon parties, as well as make some snacks and desserts.

Chocolate Cookie

This recipe requires you to unlock the achievement “You’ll Feel Right As Rain.”

• Regeants: Simple flour and cocoa beans
• Buffs: Description says, “Makes you feel a little better.”
• How To Unlock: Reach 505 Cooking

South Island Ice Tea

This happy hour cocktail is also meant to help you regenerate mana faster, but you need to use it with discretion.

• Regeants: Tropical sunfruit and refreshing spring water
• Buffs: Gets your tipsy and restores mana
• How To Unlock: Reach 525 Cooking

Seafood Magnifique Feast

This recipe is mainly for feeding and buffing the entire raiding party, and is also closely related to guild membership.

• Regeants: Highland Guppy, Lavascale Catfish and Fathom Eel
• Buffs: +90 Stamina and other essentials for one hour
• How To Unlock: Reach Level 525 and earn guild reputation to get this recipe from the seller.

I hope this guide helped you with crafting recipes, and I wish you happy exploration of the game, and we'll see you in Azeroth!