A little back ground, I've played my mage since the last patch of BC when I started playing, I was only leveling at that time. I raided semi hardcore, I've played all 3 specs, always trying to optimize myself and my raid for success. I was always the guy that went the spec we needed, even if another was better for my individual dps. (I played arcane in firelands instead of fire I was sad ) But I always enjoyed it. Then MoP came out, and I stopped playing my mage because of 1, single spell. One spell that made me give up on the class that inspired me to play, and that was alter time.
I am loving this patch so much for my mage, no more hit cap, and no reforging, causing imo the return of actual careful consideration for the gear you roll on. I love the spell clean up, at first I found myself a little confused at the fact a lot of the spells were moved around for certain specs. But I actually like it, I like it that each talent tree changes on your individual spec.
And of course, Alter time has been gutted, you have no idea I am so excited for the next expac because this stupid gimmick spell is no longer in my dps rotation, it probably is in some cases the best defensive talent now, but I don't mind using it as a defensive ability. I hated using it and managing everything I had on this one annoying spell.
I know people are hating a lot of the changes, but I enjoy them and I applaud blizzard for the changes in the class.