By Matticus @ nostockui

The recent patch 3.3 broke arguably one of the most functional and widely-used world map addons, Cartographer; but according to Cartographer’s page at curse.com there are no plans to update the addon for patch 3.3 as it is based on an out-of-date framework that would require a complete rewrite. No single addon has stepped up to take the place of Cartographer as yet; but with a few addons, most of the major functionality can be replaced.

Base Map: Mapster

Nevcairiel’s WoWAce-based Mapster is a lightweight world-map only addon intended to be compatible with other map and navigation addons and it works well for replacing many of the major features of Cartographer, such as:

• resizing and repositioning of the world map
• displaying character and cursor coordinates
• fog of war colouring and removal
• the ability to steer and stop with the world map open
• improved party and raid icons
• support for individual character profiles

Patch 3.3’s new built-in quest tracking features such as quest objective marking and quest log integration within the world map window seem to work flawlessly with Mapster, and it doesn’t have any noticeable bugs or conflicts with other navigation addons like TomTom, but I encountered a small cosmetic problem using Esamynn’s Gatherer with Mapster in my setup. Gatherer’s “Show/Hide Items” button covered most of Mapter’s configuration menu button in the bottom left-hand corner of the world map window, but both buttons still work properly — Mapster’s is just a bit more difficult to click when Gatherer is enabled.

There are some features Mapster is lacking, notably old world and Outland instance maps. However, Northrend instance maps are available in Mapster, and so are battlegrounds.

Zone Info: Cromulent

Although Mapster lacks Cartographer’s zone info text for recommended level range, in-zone instances and required no-junk fishing skill this can easily be replaced by phyber’s addon Cromulent, which is actually Cartographer’s zone information broken out into its own separate addon.

Instance Maps: Atlas

Dan Gilbert’s Atlas has maps for all instances, battlegrounds, dungeon locations, and has maps showing all flight paths and zeppelin routes for all continents. Although it doesn’t integrate its maps into the main map window as Cartographer used to do, Atlas is one of the best instance map addons available; especially when paired with AtlasLoot, an addon that adds loot drop information for all instances.

Map Notes: MapNotes

Cortello has recently taken over updating of MapNotes, an add-on that allows players to set map notes in their world or instance map and share them with others in the group or raid. MapNotes currently conflicts with new quest tracking features in that notes will not pop-up on mouseover with “Show Quest Objectives” enabled in the world map.

Waypoints: TomTom

Cladhaire’s waypointing and navigation addon TomTom is still a standout among its kind, and got a serious usefulness boost from Blizzard’s new integrated quest tracking features. The integrated quest tracking of patch 3.3 coupled with TomTom isn’t as feature-rich or automated as QuestHelper, but for those looking for a lighter-memory setup the combination will certainly point you to where you should be elegantly enough. TomTom also integrates well with MapNotes’ functionality for those who wish to tweet to themselves across the face of Azeroth

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Tags: addon, Cartographer, world-of-warcraft, wotlk, wow, wow-addon, wow-guide