Even as a whole, most of the choices combined were still non-impactful passive percent-based bonuses. There were few that drastically changed how the class was played. Most of the time it was going a major in one spec and a minor in another to get a form of soft dual-spec. Even that was really light where again, most of the benefits were passive that really didn't change your core gameplay, just boosted some variables.
Whereas now, using frost mage as an example. There are three clear playstyles, the 'Icy Veins, Ice Lance spam" build, the "Glacial Shard Mega-Cannon" build, and the "Ray of Frost" build with minor adjustments like double blink, or move while casting. Or choosing more cleave, more aoe. The choices players have are WAY more impactful in this new system despite having a less perceived choice. The big problem was balancing these specs. "Ray of Frost" build never really saw the light of day in any expansion, it was always severely under-tuned in most content. "Icy Veins" build was meta in Legion and Shadowlands for the majority of both expansions, and in BFA "Glacial Shard" was the only dominant choice.
Now if they can strike a balance between the two, possibly building in some of the more interesting azerite traits and legendary effects, then we might have a real winner here.
I already saw the potato cam picture for the talent trees, the mists, the really bad quality creation screen aswell as that one potato alextrasza image with the weird orcy statue. Looks like I was quite up to date yesterday before going to sleep.
In other news - the new Veilstrider title is awesome and it's good to see that they made it a big casual achievement this time instead of "you must by a mythic raider and gladiator - champion of azeroth".
Also, fuck having a new class and race. I main a single character, its my main, that's all I play. Watching Blizzard potentially take some new mage specs and section them off behind a new class wall is really fucking annoying.
Feels like some Blizzard devs just joined the thread, lol...
Well, the dragon people are cool and I'll play as them if they're the new race, but I would have much preferred actual dragons to be our next race. Who doesn't want to be a dragon? We still get to be a humanoid race half the time.