What everyone is waiting for today is that Blizzard will release their next major patch, 1.22. Now we can finally see the first features of the new patch.



On top of this, you will also as of today be able to play with the new patch on a so called patch test server, which will be found in the server list when logging on to Battle.Net. When joining the server, you will have to patch. The next time you go on another server, you will also have to patch back.

The changes are not overwhelming, and this is only the first changes, most likely will more changes appear. Without further ado, this is what Blizzard kept us waiting:

FEATURES


- There is now a replay auto-save feature in the options menu. Replays
are automatically saved to the "replay" folder.
- Added an option to always show unit and building health bars.
- You can now enable and disable the display of minimap signals
from players and other observers using chat commands:
/showminimapsignals and /hideminimapsignals.


BALANCE CHANGES


HUMAN
- Scout Tower repair rate changed from 12 to 20.
- Knight damage increased: Attack cooldown changed from 1.50 to
1.40 and base damage increased from 25 to 28 (Average damage is 34).

UNDEAD
- Increased Ziggurat base armor from 1 to 5.
- Reduced the build time of the Necropolis from 120 to 100.

NIGHT ELF
- Reduce the Orb of venom poison duration from 10 seconds to 8 seconds.
- Increase the experience gain from Dryads from Level 2 (40xp) to
Level 3 (60 xp).


FIXES


- The cooldown on unlimited usable items (example: the staff of
preservation) now persists after the item is dropped or traded.
- A cooldown exploit with potions has been fixed.
- When you unburrow a Crypt Fiend, its auto-cast will no longer be toggled
off.
- An exploit bug in which items could lose their cooldowns when transferred
between heroes has been fixed.


ADDITIONAL MAPS


Furthermore, these 4 new contest winner maps will be included in the final patch, but not on the PTR:
- (2)MeltingValley
- (2)RoadToStratholme
- (4)CentaurGrove
- (4)TidewaterGlades

Links
Battle.Net - Source