Following its announcement at BlizzCon ‘09, players have been looking forward to seeing just how the new legendary two-handed axe, Shadowmourne, will be created and how it’ll function. Today, Blizzard fills us in on the details … well, sort of.

In their official preview of the weapon, Blizzard fleshes out its backstory as the Ebon Blade’s premier anti-Arthas weapon. Forged from the hardened blood of Yogg-Saron, empowered with the souls of the deceased, encased in ice from Arthas’ own Frozen Throne, the axe is intended to be a true match for Frostmourne. But at what cost?

Blizzard has yet to reveal the weapon’s stats, but the soul-stealing proc on it is pretty neat. Here’s hoping it’s not too much of a pain to craft.

There’s been a few achievements that have been added in the latest patch 3.3 build.

• As you can guess, taking down the Lich King has its rewards. If you manage to defeat Arthas in Icecrown Citadel in 10-player heroic mode, you will henceforth earn the title “Bane of the Fallen King.”
• A new faction for you to earn reputation with will be established as well. The Ashen Verdict, if you manage to earn exalted with them, will grant you a title reward that adds “Of the Ashen Verdict.” No serious details yet on how to grind out rep, but when I was on the PTR clearing trash to Festergut, I noticed I was gaining Ashen Verdict reputation by killing various mobs. They’re similar to the rates players earned rep with when working through Black Temple for the Ashtongue.
• Arena players have a new title and a Frostwyrm pet to look forward to for season 8. Good luck on earning the Wrathful Gladiator title!
• The players who are more into battlegrounds will be experiencing change as well. The achievements to gain exalted with Warsong Gulch, Arathi Basin, and Alterac Valley factions have been removed from their Meta-Achievements. You’ll gain special titles if you manage to reach exalted with the factions at least.
• Glory of the Hero Meta-Achievement has been slightly changed. The Party’s Over achievement which involves killing Prince Taldaram on Heroic with under 5 people is no longer part of that particular meta. Although, personally I don’t think it’s that difficult to take out that boss with 4 players.
• Lastly, in case you missed the news earlier, Master Angler of Stranglethorn has been changed. It will be changed to Master Angler of Azeroth instead. You can gain this achievement by winning the Kalu’ak Fishing Derby or the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza.

Patch 3.3 PTR: New and updated achievements on the PTR originally appeared on WoW.com on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:30:00 EST.