Blizzard patched World of Warcraft today, including two Mac-specific bugs. The patch, version 2.4.1, also fixes some other miscellaneous issues introduced with the 2.4 patch last week. The company also introduced a new Hero class for the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion pack expected out later this year. Just in time for April Fools Day, the new Hero class is a Bard, complete with all the modern rock-and-roll [lack of] sensibilities you want in a fantasy roll playing game.

First, the serious stuff. The Mac specific bug fixes are:

• Fixed a shader error that was causing kernel panics on Mac PowerPCs.
• Fixed a bug on Mac that was preventing the intro Cinematics from playing.

In addition, the following issues were fixed.

Hunter

• Tranquilizing Shot no longer incorrectly restricts use of other Hunter abilities in specific situations.

User Interface - Combat Log

• Only the last 300 combat log entries are now stored.
• Filter settings are now properly saved.
• Changing zones will no longer reload the entire log

Bug Fixes

• Fixed a sound engine error that was causing lock-ups on exit.

The patch is a small, 4.35 MB, download accessible through either the World of Warcraft Launcher app, or by logging directly into the WoW client. As of this writing, WoW realm servers will remain offline until 12:00 PM Pacific (3:00 PM Eastern) while the patch is being applied to the servers.

The Bard Hero Class

The company also introduced the Bard Hero class for the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion pack. The Hero class joins the Death Knight Hero class already introduced, just in time for April Fools Day, and really amps up that rock-and-roll sensibility for which so many WoW players have been clamoring.

"Armed with a trusty axe, killer riffs, and a ton of attitude, the guitar-wielding bard is the second hero class to be introduced in the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion for World of Warcraft," the company wrote on the Bardis introduction Web page.

The company said that there would be two talent trees, Metal and Punk, that would allow players to unleash such totally awesome attacks as "Epic Solo," or decurse their teammates with "Noncomformity."

Best of all, however, is the new Fret Bar interface for Bards, which allows them to unleash killer riffs onto their enemies. Along with a new guitar-based keyboard peripheral, the Bard class should really boost the WoW experience.

A sample of the Bardis Fret Bar interface
Canit you feel the fantasy roll playing goodness wailing out of your computer speakers?

Check it out while you can on Blizzardis Web site.