If only that was all that was done. Sure, we’re all allowed to express our pleasure and displeasure with the state of our class, and yes we’re paying customers – but it goes far beyond that.

Try to find a class/spec that someone is not whining long, loud, and hard about. And not only whining – demanding, often insultingly, that something be done to fix it. (No matter how amazingly balanced that class/spec may actually be.)

Beyond that, it’s utterly ludicrous to expect – like some players do – Blizzard to fix their classes in the manner that they would like. Would you phone up Squaresoft and complain when the next installment of Final Fantasy comes out, and your favourite class/character is weaker than you’d like? Probably not. So why is this acceptable/encouraged behavior for a game like WoW?

Now I know you’re not condoning all of the jerks out there that go utterly bonkers on the forums – you’re far too civil to side with the likes of them. However, even the people who calmly argue that their class ought to be buffed are usually falling into the same pit trap as their less rational counterparts. They want the class to jive with their mental image of how it should function, not necessarily that of the game designers…. and too often, they don’t keep the bigger picture of overall class balance in mind.

Related blue post here (seems to only be on EU forums):
http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html?topicId=1152956498&postId=11552515559&sid=1#6
-Kalaghan, Nathrezim

Tank itemization is probably the worst. Some arena/pvp gear is the best available for tanking and there are no real alternatives to the Heavy Cleft (the chest piece especially so) until heavy 25 man raiding. That’s also not mentioning that the best tanking idol is a 60 blue or a 63 green.

As players, our game experience is in constant flux – it’s part of the EULA we all agree to before logging in. But while Blizzard maintains control over our characters and their strengths and weaknesses, we as players have every right and reason to express our displeasure at things which make us unhappy. We are, after all, paying customers. To be perfectly complacent with where you are as a class seems counter ot human – and elven – nature.

One thing I love about WoW is that all the classes are very nicely balanced, with a few exceptions. (Enhancement Shammies and Ret Pallies are two)

That’s not to say that every class is awesome at every aspect of the game – but on the whole you can pick up a class an have a reasonable chance of succeeding if you apply a little bit of thoughtfulness and planning.

It drives me bonkers how so many players of multiplayer class-based games ALWAYS complain that their chosen class sucks, or is too weak in some area, and always want more more more. They usually completely overlook what their class excels at, and want every little weakness to vanish.

Bah – maybe I’m too old and cranky for this sort of thing, but I really wish that all players stopped and considered the big picture from time to time.

There was no sting. We ARE a strong class/spec, and really don’t need any additional perks right now. =)