In patch 1.6, players were given the opportunity to plunder the first new 40-player raid dungeon added since launch: Blackwing Lair. However, a more peaceful distraction appeared traveling across Azeroth and coming to rest in Mulgore and Elwynn Forest on opposing months called The Darkmoon Faire. The Darkmoon Faire features attractions from across the globe such as the world’s strongest woman, a petting zoo for some of Azeroth’s most interesting creatures, various games of skill, a fortune teller, a giant human-launching cannon, and plenty of ale.

Players can perform quests for various members of the Faire and receive Darkmoon Prize Tickets in return. These tickets can then be redeemed for items of various quality, from Month-Old Mutton to epic-quality jewelry. Additionally, players can occasionally find Darkmoon Cards scattered throughout the world. Eight sets exist at the present time: Beasts, Elementals, Portals, Warlords, Blessings, Furies, Lunacy, and Storms.[22] Collecting all eight cards of a set (Ace through allows the player to combine them into a deck and redeem them for a powerful, epic-quality trinket depending on which set was completed.

The Faire sees sporadic updates and expansions in a semi-regular fashion. The most recent addition was a ‘battle’ minigame in which players take control of tiny, remote controlled tanks called ‘Tonks’ which use various weapons to disable other Tonks.

Recently, in celebration of the upcoming Blizzcon ’07, the Darkmoon Faire has appeared outside of Shattrath City in Outlands. The popular band, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain, will be performing their one sound “Power of the Horde” at every hour”. Just be warned, the ogre bouncers do not take kindly to any kind of disturbance during the concert.