Going back to 2006 and before, we had a whole different approach to WoW. We all know what that means so I'm not going to list how it used to be. But somewhere along the line, and I think it has to do with Activision, There was a shift in how the content was delivered. I recall patch 2.3. Increased Exp 1-60, sparklies on quest objectives, Nerfs to difficulties in the game. This patteren of easier content continued into Wrath. And that's when WoW really started to bleed players in noticeable numbers.

I always see talk about never wanting to go back to TBC. However, that was the expansion that captured 12M players. I remember a few months into Wrath, I took my 1st break from WoW. It just wasn't the same. Everyone I spoke to, agreed, It just wasn't the same anymore. So if TBC was so bad...and it wasn't perfect by a long shot. Why were people leaving in Wrath saying it wasn't the same anymore? What was it abotut TBC that endeared so many?

Anyway, fastforward a bit and we have Wrath. Wrath tried to remove the linear progression and rush people right into instancing. While the progression was a grind, it slowed the whole thing down. But it also provided many more options for solo play. Wrath gutted that kind of content and minimized it. But rushing the instanced content as it did, created huge holes in itemization, Gaps that couldn't be bridged. etc. etc. This problem was band-aided by adding 5 man content that dropped better gear than some of the raid content. This is what caused WoW to get the reputation of the gear treadmill and left a bad taste in player's mouths for the whole thing. I still recall the names on the gear I had at 70, but at 80? No.

As far as Cata goes, I don't have much to say. I played a little and quit before any endgame progression. I will say this. Why Blizzard invested so much time and effort into re inventing content that didn't need to, I can't understand. I think it really pulled away from what might have otherwise been a much better expansion.

I know Blizzard only wants to move forward and not backtrack with WoW. And I'm not suggesting to reclone TBC. But, I think Blizzard needs to really go back and look at what it was that endeared WoW to 12M even with it's major shortcommings between 04 and 07. But, what was it that players enjoyed doing? Figure out what worked, hone it, refine it improve on it. Find out what didn't work and FIX IT, don't just gut it leaving a gaping hole and calling it good. Make it work right.

That said, How do you guys think MoP will fare against previous expansions?

I screwed up and linked this post in 2 places so I don't want any confusion. I apologize.

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Mods, can we delete this post and move it over to one thread?

What killed wow for me was the huge nerfs to the outdoor content in the 1-60 game. One of the best features for my wife and I was to create alts and level up while playing pvp at times to mix it up. The outdoor content now is way to easy and to much phasing. Makes me very sad for I loved all of the options to level in wow.

I'm not sure where you got BC was the worst expansion I thought it was the best by far. Anyway I need challenge as I level not guess how many mouse clicks does it take to get to max level. :P I won't even touch account gear and what it did to pvp. :(

Just locking this since it was essentially posted twice.

http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/365352 Here's where to continue.