So I've decided to take the plunge and return to WoW after Christmas - Cataclysm has sold me. I played from beta, through release, until around late January 2006. I then came back briefly towards the end of 2006, but haven't played since. I wasn't there for any of the expansions. 
 
My main back then was a level 60 Shaman and I know that I'd like to continue playing that class. Question is: do I start over, or jump in at level 60 and hope that I figure out all that's changed in four years? 
 
Complicating the matter is the fact that due to a number of EU server moves and closures, my Shaman is stranded on a server I really don't want to be on. I'm willing to pay the £15 for a transfer, but it's an added cost. That said, I like the idea of returning to a character I invested a lot of time in back in the day rather than essentially shelving him. 
 
Anyway. Eager to hear what people think.

Hmmm...
 
1. I see you haven't played any of the expansions so starting from 60 means that the BC, Wrath, and Cata content will be all new for you. Those right there will last you plenty of time. The game hasn't changed so much it's impossible to pick up where you left off, but enough has changed that you might want to browse through the WoW wiki a bit or something before you jump right in.
 
2.  Start over - The 1-60 content has changed a lot and is pretty much designed to rocket you to 60. It shouldn't take you long to level back up at all.
 
That said, I'm like you, I like returning to that one character I put so much time in so I'd go with option 1. However, a lot of the new 1-60 content is really fun so make a new char just for the hell of it if you want. Also, Ieveling a new toon from about 1-20ish might be really helpful to get you back into the game since that's where they seem to integrate a lot of the tutorial stuff.

I just wish I could afford to get back in. Sure the subscription fee isn't all that bad, but just because I'd have WoW doesn't mean I'd want to buy any fewer of the upcoming console games I've got my eye on, so it's sort of one or the other for me. Not to mention the obligatory updates my PC would need to handle, and not to mention store, just everything that WoW has to offer.

I'd say re-start your character. The new old world zones are the meat of WoW and yeah, the shaman has changed allot since you left. I'm levelling a character aswell at the moment and it's pretty fun. Send me a PM if you want to level a toon or something. 

Does anyone know what server everyone on GIant Bomb is using from the U.S.? I like the idea of being able to jump online with some GB guys at some point. 

Thanks for the feedback, all. Still not sure where I stand on this. Follow-up question: is it worth having two characters of the same class? I like Shaman enough that I'm willing to keep my level 60 (traditionally Enhancement) Shaman going while levelling an alt (probably Restoration) to pick up the basics enough. Seemed like a compromise. Thoughts?

Restart with a new character, I'm going through all the zones as well(with no interest in the expansions really) and I'm having a lot of fun with it. Some zones more than others, but you do want to see what's changed in azeroth. ;)

" Thanks for the feedback, all. Still not sure where I stand on this. Follow-up question: is it worth having two characters of the same class? I like Shaman enough that I'm willing to keep my level 60 (traditionally Enhancement) Shaman going while levelling an alt (probably Restoration) to pick up the basics enough. Seemed like a compromise. Thoughts? "

" @PrimeSynergy: How many hours of gameplay do you think it'll take for 1-60 under the new system? I'm like the topic creator, I haven't touched WoW since about six months post-BC. "

If OP played during Vanilla then he should feel right at home in Cataclysm. In many ways it is a return to form where teamwork is emphasized and no one person can carry everyone else. Or as WotLK kiddies call it, "hard." 
 
Honestly though, the new content is fantastically done and I've been enjoying it very much. I haven't had this much fun with the game since I first started playing it and had that initial sense of wonderment. And don't be worried about getting back into it or relearning things. Playing WoW is like riding a bike.

" @MB said:

" @PrimeSynergy: How many hours of gameplay do you think it'll take for 1-60 under the new system? I'm like the topic creator, I haven't touched WoW since about six months post-BC. "

As someone who knows the game, I did it in a day. Realistically, a week or two, playing casually. "

" @Fallen189 said:

" @MB said:

" @PrimeSynergy: How many hours of gameplay do you think it'll take for 1-60 under the new system? I'm like the topic creator, I haven't touched WoW since about six months post-BC. "

As someone who knows the game, I did it in a day. Realistically, a week or two, playing casually. "

That sounds about right. I just went 1-13 in around 3 hours played, and I wasn't even rushing it. "

DONT DO IT DUDE...
WoW stole one of my friends, all he does is play WoW and go to school, disappointment in both regards...think of your friends and loved ones ;)

I recently restarted WoW again as well! I would definitely just start a new character, since things are pretty different (the core of the game is pretty similar, but there are lots of new changes to the talent trees and things like getting your first mount at lvl 20 that really make it a different ball game). I have been enjoying it, but since the last time I really played was when the level cap was only 60, I've had a little bit of a learning curve getting back into it. On the bright side, leveling is super easy now. I would check out the new starting quests for undead for sure; they're really fun and fast paced now. The goblin starting area is also pretty neat. 
 
I don't play every day, but have been leveling a few characters pretty steadily. I haven't gotten frustrated with gathering quests or running around at all so far, which is a nice change from when you would have to farm raptors for hours to get their stupidly low drop rate eyes or whatever. Everything is really user friendly now.

I just fired up my 42 mage from 2007.  I am experiencing a serious learning curve, but the fire tree seems about the same.  I am enjoying it, but I rarely see anyone else when I am playing (Malfurion).  The most interesting part of the experience was seeing everyone else going about their business.  Do I need to rocket up into the 60's or 80's to find everyone?

My little brother is an end-game raider- and I'm super jealous. He's a junior in highschool, when I was his age, I was raiding during the burning crucade- he reminds me of... me. I just don't have the time anymore, with work and school.

I was debating this also, I was wonder how time demanding it is now? I never got into the end-game because it was too much farming just to start raiding. but how is it now I wanted to play it casually (1-3 hours a day and i can plan for raids). How much work is it to raid now?

It's fun but don't expect anything super challenging. As awesome as this expansion is everything is really easy or will soon be easy in a patch or two.

It's fun but don't expect anything super challenging. As awesome as this expansion is everything is really easy or will soon be easy in a patch or two.