Confused about the new patches

[RoughJustice]

The patches were 4.0.1/2 and now 3. What're these patches actually for? Today for the new one it said the patch might hit live servers soon. But I thought 4.0.0 was what Cataclysm was? And the 3.9 patch was all the pre-cataclysm things. Anyone mind clearing this up for me please

[Qrio]

Patch 4.0.1 is what you are downloading right now. It has (so far) 3 parts - part 1, part 2 and part 3. This is done to avoid downloading 5.2GB (and counting) on patch day. This patch is what was supposed to be patch 3.9, and will include reforging, new talents, the new interface and glyphs (basically, ofc with some other things as well, like the pre-cataclysm event)

Patch 4.0.3 (which is not downloaded yet) will come a few days before Cataclysm release date, and will have the changes to the old world that will be available to everyone, probably some ability changes etc. It will NOT however have Worgen/Goblins, the new professions, and the new zones

Cataclysm release will bring us the new races, the new professions, the new zones etc.