Originally Posted by
Kaljurei
Mana is pretty much infinite for every melee dps spec, be it Enhancement or Retribution. The only point it should actually use mana is for cast time spells such as Lightning Bolt, Elemental Blast, all healing spells, instant cast spells actually should not cost any mana at all, ex. SS/LL/Shocks, etc.
Elemental Energy can be a new resource, like Demonic Fury as Blithe has suggested, which is generated by SS/LL/Shocks. Autoattacks should only generate MW charges which can be used on LB and EB, and they both should generate Elemental Energy, which is then multiplied by the number of MW stacks to produce more Elemental Energy. Ascendance can be like Metamorphosis, again like Blithe suggested, where all your Elemental Energy constantly reduces per autoattack that hits, but autoattacks do more damage or the same Wind damage as they do now that bypasses armor, and SS/LL/Shocks done during Ascendance generate double the amount of Elemental Energy, but the energy generated this way adds to your Elemental Energy when you cancel Ascendance or your Elemental Energy runs out.
Remember, expansions involve major changes. Yes, Enhancement is quite fine the way it is now, the AOE could be tuned a bit better, and damage from the Elemental could be moved to more specials, but that's it. A resource system through a new expansion could greatly improve the spec and make it more fun than it is now, not to mention mechanically more pleasing than just pressing buttons on cooldown, which although still requires skill because of the priority system.
I'd say the difference between Retribution and Enhancement would be that even though they are both cooldown driven, each button pressed for Retribution actively builds up towards Templar's Verdict or Divine Storm, but for Enhancement it's just damage, which is mechanically not so pleasing. Maelstrom Weapon somewhat alleviates this as SS/LL can generate MW charges, but doesn't quite fit the bill.
Just my 2 cents. If you want any ideas that can go for Elemental and Restoration I'll be happy to oblige, it shouldn't be too difficult, in fact it can pretty much follow the same model, with everything else remaining intact the way it is, with certain other mechanics like Elemental Overload and Lava Surge providing enhanced Elemental Energy regeneration. For Resto, I'm not quite sure as I've never played the spec after Cata.