Blizzard has announced the launch of Mists of Pandaria, the fourth expansion for World of Warcraft, on September 25 which will crank up demand for the game's virtual currency, World of Warcraft Gold.

What will be the gold sinks in this newest expansion? New character gear is high on the list as Mists of Pandaria introduces the new Pandaren race, the first so-called neutral race playable by both Alliance and Horde factions. Virtually every player is expected to roll a new furry character, which has its own starting zone in The Wandering Isle.

Mists of Pandaria will also roll out the martial arts Monk class, playable on all races, which should further urge veterans to bankroll a new character.

Obviously, RMT sellers who offer power leveling services should find a surge in demand in the first few months, especially from time-starved players who wish to raid with their max-level Pandaren race and Monk class characters. The maximum level cap will also be raised by 5 to level 90, similar to the increase done in Cataclysm.

Raiders should also lead the clamor for World of Warcraft Gold. There will be a total of 3 new raid gauntlets in Mists of Pandaria - Mogu'shan Vaults, Heart of Fear and Terrace of the Endless Spring[/url. Gold spending on raid consumables, gems and enchant are expected to spike from the launch well into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

The newly introduced Challenge Mode, which allows groups to take on dungeons on a timed trial, can also indirectly drive demand for Gold-bought consumables. While the actual Challenge trials will normalize equipment, the more dedicated achievers may require ample amounts of consumables to quicken the practice runs.

Mounts will still be a popular spending choice for players, but it will not be as robust a gold sink because of the account-wide status changes applied to nine of the rarest and most expensive mounts. Previously, players would have spent World of Warcraft Gold to craft or purchase multiple Mechano-Hogs, Mekgineer's Choppers and Traveler's Tundra Mammoths. The account-wide change closes off this previously lucrative Gold selling marketing pitch.

As exotic mounts get stricken off player wish lists, pets should conversely rise in popularity. The new Pokemon-style Pet Battle system will have collectors scrambling to own every pet imaginable, including these three rare drop pets said to cost more than 1,500 Gold each.

World of Warcraft Gold is now trading at a median price of roughly $10 for 7,000 Gold, based on the MMOBUX in-game currency tracker. Prices should skyrocket as we near the expansion release and once the new content rolls out, jumpstarting leveling, raiding and collecting activities throughout Azeroth.