No. It's not. Its FAR more iconic for the DH class.
What you "want" is a dualwielding class, who plays like Rogue, wear leather armour, has the option of wearing a blindfold and can wield Glaives.
It's called a Rogue.
If Blizzard were to introduce a Demon Hunter class, then it may very well end up as similar. It may not.
The lore you keep quoting is going to be a secondary consideration at best.
What matters is whats already been shown in game - DHs have metamorphosis; the existing direction - Warlocks have been thematically linked to Demon Hunters for several years; the existing design - Warlocks and Demon Hunters share many moves; the effect on other classes - Warlocks are the class who associates with and interacts with demons so how will they feel to see their "theme" diluted to bring in another such class; what the game needs - does the game need another leather wearing AGI based melee class?; and expectations for the class - players expect a Warcraft style Demon Hunter
Whether Illidan was available to train or not is irrelevant. Whetehr the tattoos have any meaning is irrelevant.
You view a Demon Hunter as similar to a Rogue. What if Blizzard sees the Demon Hunters as a warlock who put aside his studies as a caster and simply focussed on a more hands on approach? Or simply states that a Warlock based Demon Hunter simply represents a person who underwent Demon Hunter training?
im not saying they shouldnt have meta or that it would be bad, in fact id rather they did have meta, im just saying it isnt required and the people saying things like they wouldnt be demon hunters without it are overtly exaggerating
You are wrong. In order to be a Warcraft style Demon Hunter, in order to meet the expectation of the players for this class, Metamorphosis is a necessity. If you don't have that, then what you have is a class who simply shares the name. That's far from impossible to happen should Blizzard actually bring in the class, but at the same time you need to ask "Why embrace those expectations if you cannot meet them?". Why raise the hopes if you end up with a wannabee class?
Metamorphosis is a key, iconic, signature move for the Demon Hunter in WoW. Most iof not all DHs in game have that as part of their ability list. It is the DHs ultimate move in WC3. Its been associated with the class for over 10 years.
This is NOT a problem that can be shrugged off simply by saying "it doesn't matter". It does.
Again, granted, that's not to say that Blizzard can't or won't create a Demon Hunter without these moves. They can easily do so. But then it wouldn't be a WoW DH class. It'd simply share the name. So - why bother?
EJL