"Lol...DPS is faceroll" is an expression uttered by many, mostly non-DPS, players.
And while DPSers don't generally carry as much responsibility as tanks or healers do, they often use just as many abilities and get to interact with the environment, rather than raid-frames.
On the other hand, it is no secret that there is a varying complexity level between different DPS speccs, ranging from "JOHN F******* MADDEN" to "1212121212etc".
The complexity can be as high as: Feral Druids, Affliction Warlocks, Enhancement Shamans or Shadowpriests...
...or as simple as: Arcane Mage, Mutilate Rogue and Retribution.
Now Blizzard has a couple of mechanics implemented that affect our DPS rotations: Ability proccs (like instant Slam), Cooldown Management (Arcane Power/Evocation), Dots with cast-time (require pre-casting) and stacking buffs/debuffs (Shadow Weaving).
Now not all classes need to watch all of the above. Most have a few selected mechanics woven into their nuke rotations.
But what do you consider the right complexity level for a DPS class in PvE?
Should every class use at least 5 abilities within a 20 second window? Or are 3 enough?
How many proccs can we expect a class to manage before things get chaotic? 1 or 3?
Does every class really have to have a DPS cooldown to burn? After all some are without.
Is it ok for a DPS class to have a simpler rotation as long as they have to manage other abilities or buffs like Totems or Hand of X?
Is it ok if Melees have a more forgiving rotation as their proximity to the target generally puts them at a greater risk and restricts their pov?
Can a DPS specc be pushed to far regarding its complexity or is anything fair game as long as it scales with skill?
How big should the gap between a bad, a mediocre and a good player be when DPSing? 50%/80%/100% or closer to 30/60/100?
I'd be interested in your opinions regarding DPS mechanics in WoW.
Edit: Please retain from having these pointless "Specc A is harder than Specc B debates." That's really not what this thread should be about. We all know there are specc of varying complexity and this thread should be about the sweat-spot. If you want to compare dick-size just go to chatroulette like everyone else.