Originally Posted by Sebalot
I believe that Blizzard considers TBC a success in many regards. The steady supply of PvP gear and badge gear, while not always popular among hardcore raiders, have been by large very well received by the player base. Nerfing of many of the bosses and removing of attunements (to SSC/TK and soon to MH/BT) have created a raiding climate that allows guilds to progress at a steady pace through the content.
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I think you are correct that Blizzard does think that TBC is a success because they have, in a sense, equalized the playing field. In TBC that have made it possible for the average Joe, through badges and arenas, to acquire gear that is
almost as good as the best gear that raiding has to offer. From a numbers standpoint it makes sense for Blizzard to do this as the majority of their customers are “the average joe” type of player.
However, for me, it’s a bit disheartening because the hardcore raiders have lost their "Elitist" aura (couldn’t think of a better way to put it). The guilds that took the time to tackle that new content where rewarded with gear that truly was the best available and their stats and dps reflected that. In TBC that gap is marginal if not non-existent (with the preliminary numbers for the S4 weapons).
It seems to me that Blizzard is trying to the “one stop shop” of MMO’s, and I’m not sure that is entirely possible. Others would better tackle this subject as my view is a bit bias toward PvE because that is what I enjoy. And feel that skill should be rewarded greater than folks willing to grind for gear.