Patch 4.0.3a: The Shattering

This is going to be the last major patch before Cataclysm is launched two weeks from now. Patch 4.0.3a, also named The Shattering, will change the face of Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will ever be the same and warriors must adapt to their new surroundings. Deathwing's arrival is imminent.

The Shattering
In this upcoming Tuesday server downtime, Blizzard will release its last and final patch to prepare the warriors of Azeroth for the arrival of Deathwing. The Shattering is going to shatter the world of Azeroth, changing familiar places forever, such as The Barrens, Westfall, Trisfal Glades, Darkshore, and more.

What Patch 4.0.3a Will and Will Not Include
Here is a overview of what Patch 4.0.3a will include:

Portals to Dalaran and Shattrath will be removed

Class trainers in Dalaran where portals once were

New race-class combinations(not include worgen/goblin)

New Gnome/Troll starting areas

New Cataclysm load screens, login screen, and intro cinematic

New Music

New Tamable Pets

Druids, paladins, and shamans will have their talent trees reset

Class balancing

Experience required to go from level 71 to 80 is reduced by 20%

What is not included:

Creating worgen/goblin characters

Worgen/goblin starting zones

Guild leveling and achievements

New zones 80+

Professions past 450(Illustrious Grand Master)

Archeology

How the Shattering Will Affect Loremaster Achievements
So as some of you may be wondering, with new quests that will be available, does that mean players will lose their Loremaster achievements? No it does not, but you will have no longer the opportunity to finish them. As stated by Blizzard,

If you've already completed Loremaster of Eastern Kingdoms or Loremaster of Kalimdor, you will not lose your achievements. However, if you've made progress toward these achievements without yet completing them, be aware that any quests that are removed from the game will no longer count toward your progress, so you may see your achievement quest counter drop. If you’re close to earning either of these achievements, we strongly suggest you finish them with great haste, as Deathwing's return is imminent.

Loremaster of the Eastern Kingdoms will now be broken down into smaller achievements. For example, you will have Westfall Quests, which is an achievement earned after completeing 35 quests in that area, or Blasted Lands Quests, which is another achievement earned for completing 35 quests in the Blasted Lands. This works similar to that of the current Northrend Loremaster where you had to complete quests in all areas of Northrend before getting the Northrend Loremaster achievement.