Crypt Lord class now possible thanks to Dracthyr Evokers?

[Mecheon]

Even a playable Nerubian-like race who had access to Druid class would suffice, if that's the case. And if accessed through a Cosmetic, then it could be inferred that the allied Nerubians taught other Druid races how to obtain the form. Much like how Flame Cat and Werebear are accessible to any Druid after unlocking.

Honestly, if we were getting a Nerubian-esque race (i'd like something like Pathfinder's anadi thanks, let me just be a friendly jumping spider who can turn into a vaguely more human shape in the hope this doesn't terrify everyone around), they'd probably get spider cat and spider bear forms.

Crypt Lords are just, one weird Nerubian form, much like the other variants like the caster form or the fliers. Nothing about them has ever indicated towards temporary transformation. At best, we'd get a toy to turn into one. I cannot see them even being considered for druid forms.

[Teriz]

Honestly, if we were getting a Nerubian-esque race (i'd like something like Pathfinder's anadi thanks, let me just be a friendly jumping spider who can turn into a vaguely more human shape in the hope this doesn't terrify everyone around), they'd probably get spider cat and spider bear forms.

Crypt Lords are just, one weird Nerubian form, much like the other variants like the caster form or the fliers. Nothing about them has ever indicated towards temporary transformation. At best, we'd get a toy to turn into one. I cannot see them even being considered for druid forms.

More than likely they'll be offered as a race/class in an Azjol Nerub expansion. The idea of them being offered as a Druid form is a pipe dream.

[Ielenia]

And yet it's still called Bear Form.

Yeah. Because it's an ability name. Much like a tauren paladin's healing ability is called "Saved by the Light", "Infusion of Light" and "Judgment of the despite the tauren not worshipping the Light, and a talent called Cavalier despite tauren's Divine Steed being a kodo.

The Zandalari's Guardian form is a "bear" in game ability name only.

Because it's doing celestial nature magic. I'm not aware of Nerubians being capable of performing that type of magic.

"Celestial" as in astral magic? That's not really a problem. How many DKs did we have using blood or frost magic before Wrath again?

They would, This one;

You're not answering the question. I asked why why wouldn't they give the forsaken druid different forms for Guardian, Feral and Balance. I didn't ask what you think they should do.

Okay, but they're still just Bears and Cats with a different coat of paint. Same animations, same abilities, same purpose.

Which is irrelevant, because we're not talking about game mechanics. We're talking about lore, because you made the argument about lore. And no, it's not "same animations", because, as I'll remind you again: the werebear druid form has different animations (not to mention model and skeleton) than the basic druid bear form. By your own argument, the Werebear form shouldn't exist.

[Teriz]

Yeah. Because it's an ability name. Much like a tauren paladin's healing ability is called "Saved by the Light", "Infusion of Light" and "Judgment of the despite the tauren not worshipping the Light, and a talent called Cavalier despite tauren's Divine Steed being a kodo.

The Zandalari's Guardian form is a "bear" in game ability name only.

Well not really, since it has the Bear abilities that every Druid shares as well.

"Celestial" as in astral magic? That's not really a problem. How many DKs did we have using blood or frost magic before Wrath again?

Well DKs had Death Pact which ended up becoming a blood spell in WoW. Also considering that DKs were created by the Lich King, it was sort of obvious they were getting ice powers.

Astral Magic and Nature magic seem out of the purview of Nerubians, outside of venom magic, which Druids don't use.

You're not answering the question. I asked why why wouldn't they give the forsaken druid different forms for Guardian, Feral and Balance. I didn't ask what you think they should do.

And I said they would; Tainted Bear and Cat forms, since ALL playable Druids get Bear and Cat forms.

Which is irrelevant, because we're not talking about game mechanics.

Well no, I was talking about game mechanics and maybe a little bit of lore.

[Ielenia]

Well not really, since it has the Bear abilities that every Druid shares as well.

Okay? The zandalari druid's Guardian form is a dinosaur, and yet it still uses an ability called "Ironfur". The ability doesn't change its name to "Ironscale" for them, do it? Why do you think those abilities would have to change their names for Forsaken druids with nerubian forms? Why do you think a forsaken Guardian druid wouldn't use "Mangle", "Maul", "Rapid Regeneration", etc?

Well DKs had Death Pact which ended up becoming a blood spell in WoW.

But it wasn't a "blood" ability in WC3. In fact, it wasn't defined as blood magic until the playable class was created.

Also considering that DKs were created by the Lich King, it was sort of obvious they were getting ice powers.

Except Arthas himself never had any frost powers. His hero unit never had any frost abilities. And considering the only time he did it was in cutscenes, and none of the other DK hero units have frost, it implies that all the "frost" came from the sword, not from the "death knighthood' itself.

Astral Magic and Nature magic seem out of the purview of Nerubians, outside of venom magic, which Druids don't use.

Blizzard could create a new group of nerubians who can do that for that expansion. After all, Blizzard created a whole new group of DKs who all freely utilize blood and frost magic alongside unholy magic for the Wrath expansion, didn't they? They also created the "harvest witches" in Gilneas to explain why the Gilneans had druidic teachings in their society.

And I said they would;

No, you didn't. You know exactly that I was talking about the nerubian forms that we have been discussing for several pages now. Don't try to act ignorant about what we're talking about here on this sub-topic as well.

Well no, I was talking about game mechanics and maybe a little bit of lore.

Sorry, you don't get to retcon what you were talking about. You specifically made it about the lore then tried to band-and-switch to game mechanics.

[Teriz]

Okay? The zandalari druid's Guardian form is a dinosaur, and yet it still uses an ability called "Ironfur". The ability doesn't change its name to "Ironscale" for them, do it? Why do you think those abilities would have to change their names for Forsaken druids with nerubian forms? Why do you think a forsaken Guardian druid wouldn't use "Mangle", "Maul", "Rapid Regeneration", etc?

I wouldn't, because I don't believe that Druids are getting Nerubian forms, and all druid forms are essentially the same across races. The only one that really sticks out is the Zalandari Moonkin form.

But it wasn't a "blood" ability in WC3. In fact, it wasn't defined as blood magic until the playable class was created.

It had the qualities of a blood spell though. Also the DK's runic weapon was vampiric.

Except Arthas himself never had any frost powers. His hero unit never had any frost abilities. And considering the only time he did it was in cutscenes, and none of the other DK hero units have frost, it implies that all the "frost" came from the sword, not from the "death knighthood' itself.

I still think the Lich King kind of gave it away that they were going to get ice powers. I mean, it's kind of obvious.

Blizzard could create a new group of nerubians who can do that for that expansion. After all, Blizzard created a whole new group of DKs who all freely utilize blood and frost magic alongside unholy magic for the Wrath expansion, didn't they? They also created the "harvest witches" in Gilneas to explain why the Gilneans had druidic teachings in their society.

Yeah, but Blizzard wouldn't make Nerubians Druids. They'd give them their own unique class, just like what the Dracthyr got.

That's kind of the point here.

No, you didn't. You know exactly that I was talking about the nerubian forms that we have been discussing for several pages now. Don't try to act ignorant about what we're talking about here on this sub-topic as well.


Sorry, you don't get to retcon what you were talking about. You specifically made it about the lore then tried to band-and-switch to game mechanics.

Again, it's really mostly about mechanics. Lore can be altered and manipulated, but the simple reality is that the only way a player will truly get to experience playing as a nerubian is via a new Nerubian-based class.

EDIT: OP Updated. Definitely leaning more towards "evil Druid" style class.

[chiddie]

Don’t see this happening.

No one wants to play a spider. Also, while a humanoid form for werewolves and dragons makes sense, a humanoid form for spiders makes zero sense.

At this point whatever “animalish” mob can become a playable race.

[Teriz]

Don’t see this happening.

No one wants to play a spider. Also, while a humanoid form for werewolves and dragons makes sense, a humanoid form for spiders makes zero sense.

At this point whatever “animalish” mob can become a playable race.

Eh, plenty of people want to play as Nerubians and Mantid. It's been requested.

Also some of the Aqir races already have humanoid forms, including the Nerubians. Makes sense for Nerubians to make themselves look like other races in order to blend in and not scare people. Dragons and Worgens do the same thing.

[Triceron]

Honestly, if we were getting a Nerubian-esque race (i'd like something like Pathfinder's anadi thanks, let me just be a friendly jumping spider who can turn into a vaguely more human shape in the hope this doesn't terrify everyone around), they'd probably get spider cat and spider bear forms.

True, at the base level they would probably default to Bear and Cat for every race. What I was getting at was that they could still get access to those forms through alternate means, such as a racial form option, or cosmetics that everyone can unlock (ala Werebear or Firecat).

Crypt Lords are just, one weird Nerubian form, much like the other variants like the caster form or the fliers. Nothing about them has ever indicated towards temporary transformation. At best, we'd get a toy to turn into one. I cannot see them even being considered for druid forms.

To be honest, similar things can be said about Werebear and Ancient Protector forms. These are semi-sentient beings with roughly humanoid shapes. Even the Pterokkoa Dino form is very abstract, and not really a traditional beast form. The entire concept of a Moonkin is already quite out there, and WoW adopted it since Vanilla. There was nothing suggesting Moonkins were ever a topic of transformation prior to WoW. WC3 established that Druids were based on traditional animals.

Fun fact - Moonkin Form wasn't present in Vanilla WoW at launch, until they added it a year later with a Druid Talents Revamp patch. Balance used to be a non-shapeshift Caster spec, much like Resto was before they gave them Treeforms. Most people today wouldn't even think of Balance spec without the Moonkin.

[Mecheon]

Fun fact - Moonkin Form wasn't present in Vanilla WoW at launch, until they added it a year later with a Druid Talents Revamp patch. Balance used to be a non-shapeshift Caster spec, much like Resto was before they gave them Treeforms. Most people today wouldn't even think of Balance spec without the Moonkin.

Moonkin in WC3 (well, Owlbears) were originally intended as the Archdruid's ult back during the beta, albeit as a big brute and bruiser and not the spellcasters we know and love. We don't know all of their abilities, but their model got re-vamped into the Druid of the Talon and the Owlbear mob

That's why Moonkin in WC3 had NElf ears, which carried over to their WoW design

[Triceron]

Moonkin in WC3 (well, Owlbears) were originally intended as the Archdruid's ult back during the beta, albeit as a big brute and bruiser and not the spellcasters we know and love. We don't know all of their abilities, but their model got re-vamped into the Druid of the Talon and the Owlbear mob

That's why Moonkin in WC3 had NElf ears, which carried over to their WoW design

Would've loved to see that original 6-hero lineup version of the game. Might've been a bit janky and abilities might've been a bit simplified, but I really did wish there were more heroes like the Arch Druid or Crusader available.

Still, I always thought the Moonkin was an odd outlier design in WoW. I never expected they would adopt it as the Druid's primary caster form. Their connection to Elune never really made much sense to me; they were fairly neutral beasts in WC3 with no real known connection to Elune. Night Elves were slaughtering em wholesale.

[danki1337]

No. keep the game at 3 specs, im sure the 3rd evoker spec was just cut due to corona and time.

[Vaedan]

Exuberance? Life Binder? Abundance (Emerald Blossum)?

You probably never seen/played HotS Alexstrasza or WoW Preservation Evoker. I will explain differences:

Alexstrazsa:
- low mobile healer with big HP
- uses her HP as resources
- her heals often work with max HP percentage, making her strong alongside Heroes with high healthpools
- strong burst heals with delays
- really potent single target healer with Q build
- boost her kit when in dragonform
- Lifebind is active heroic, which connects her to her target
- Her second heroic is about her spiting healing fire from above, protecting herself while she does so.
- has no bronze or significant green spells
- does not have Empower abilities

Preservation Evoker
- Highly mobile, but a bit squishy healers
- HoT centric, excelent in AoE when your team is stacked
- HoT centric playstyle is reinforced by time-reversion spells
- weak single target heal
- Lifebind is Mastery, a passive which incease your heals... It does not remind Alex's Lifebind ability at all
- focused on green and bronze spells which are not part of Alexstrasza's kit, because, you know, she is RED Aspect
- can't boost their spells through dragon transformations
- don't use Its HP as resource for healing.
- Use Essence as resource for it's abilities

Truth be told, Preservation Evoker has very few abilities which either has similar name as something Alexstrasza has in HotS, but the two works extremely different. DHs at least are close to what Illidan is in HotS... Nimble, squishy melee fighter with strong AoE and mobility.

Alexstrasza and Evoker are just connected by draconic theme, which is not different to adding Insect/spider flavor to druid through new forms and glyphs to alter animations.

[Teriz]

You probably never seen/played HotS Alexstrasza or WoW Preservation Evoker. I will explain differences:

Uh, where did I say that Evokers play exactly like Alexstraza from HotS?

Truth be told, Preservation Evoker has very few abilities which either has similar name as something Alexstrasza has in HotS, but the two works extremely different. DHs at least are close to what Illidan is in HotS... Nimble, squishy melee fighter with strong AoE and mobility.

Alexstrasza and Evoker are just connected by draconic theme,

That, and merging race and class together, the ability to heal via fire abilities, flying-based attacks, using the dragons body as a weapon (Wing Buffet), and to mechanically switch into dragon form based on ability press.

which is not different to adding Insect/spider flavor to druid through new forms and glyphs to alter animations.

Well it’s quite different, since as an Evoker you have draconic abilities and a visage form. You can essentially do everything Alexstraza could do in HotS and more, since as an Evoker you have access to the powers of all five dragonflights.

Which is why abilities are important.

Let’s compare a Druid spider form to Elereth Renferal, who was a Druid of the Nightmare during the Emerald Nightmare raid in Legion:

As a Druid in spider form, you can’t do anything Elereth could do, because as a Druid you have zero poison abilities, zero web-based abilities, and you can’t spawn minions. You can’t emulate a spider at all, so there is no fantasy or immersion to be had.

Conversely if we get a Crypt Lord class, a concept like Elereth’s is quite easy to emulate.

That’s the long and short of it.

- - - Updated - - -

No. keep the game at 3 specs, im sure the 3rd evoker spec was just cut due to corona and time.

This proposed class would have three specs;

Crypt Lord-based (tanking)
Mantid-based (RDPS)
Spider-based (heal-based Support)

[Vaedan]

Uh, where did I say that Evokers play exactly like Alexstraza from HotS?

I am pointing out your double standards.

You wanted us to give you exact translation from Elerethe Renferal to druid toolkit. You wanted the see the exact spells.

Across various threads, you made numerous claims that Evokers are directly based on Alexstrazsa and have her toolkit. You said she is direct source for them, alongside Wrathion and other dragons.

Now I am comparing the two. Their playstyle is vastly different and only general draconic theme remains.

That, and merging race and class together, the ability to heal via fire abilities, flying-based attacks, using the dragons body as a weapon (Wing Buffet), and to mechanically switch into dragon form based on ability press.

True, those are pretty generic themes connected to fantasy of Red Dragonflight. The reality is that Evoker and Alexstrazsa are mechanicaly completely different. Their similarities are only in theme. Not in gameplay. Even the final execution of Evoker class is different. Just basic inspirations remains.

Same can be done with forsaken druids having Insect theme. And I say Insect, not nerubian. They can easily have insectoid forms, inspired by nerubian design a bit, but be separate things.

On the other hand, nerubians shapeshifting into sexy humanoids is something never seen in WoW or other materials like Hearthstone And HotS. That idea has no fundation in WoW. It is more DnD stuff with cult of Lloth, Drow culture, drydars, etc. I am not saying it is impossible to add these things, but right now, we now have more material to expand druid into Insect/Death theme then expand nerubians to shapeshifters.
[/QUOTE]

[Teriz]

I am pointing out your double standards.

You wanted us to give you exact translation from Elerethe Renferal to druid toolkit. You wanted the see the exact spells.

Because the poster I was responding to stated that Renferal’s spells were mechanically the same as a Druid’s.

Across various threads, you made numerous claims that Evokers are directly based on Alexstrazsa and have her toolkit. You said she is direct source for them, alongside Wrathion and other dragons.

Now I am comparing the two. Their playstyle is vastly different and only general draconic theme remains.

Evokers don’t need to play exactly like Alexstraza to be based on her. All they need are her basic mechanics, which they have.

True, those are pretty generic themes connected to fantasy of Red Dragonflight. The reality is that Evoker and Alexstrazsa are mechanicaly completely different. Their similarities are only in theme. Not in gameplay. Even the final execution of Evoker class is different. Just basic inspirations remains.

Uh how are they completely different? In both cases you can leave a visage form, turn into a red dragon damage enemies or heal allies with red dragon abilities and spells.

Same can be done with forsaken druids having Insect theme. And I say Insect, not nerubian. They can easily have insectoid forms, inspired by nerubian design a bit, but be separate things.

But that’s not the same, since Evokers have the abilities of red dragons, while the insect-based Druid won’t have any insect-based abilities.

On the other hand, nerubians shapeshifting into sexy humanoids is something never seen in WoW or other materials like Hearthstone And HotS. That idea has no fundation in WoW. It is more DnD stuff with cult of Lloth, Drow culture, drydars, etc.

And before Dracthyr, Black dragons had never successfully created a race of artificial dragons that could control the powers of all 5 dragonflights. Remember Pandaren? Before MoP Chen and all Pandaren came from Pandaria. In MoP that was retconned and Chen and playable Pandaren came from the Wandering Isle.

If Blizzard can retcon that lore, them adding a bit more lore to Nerubians to make them playable isn’t a big deal. They’ve done that on a consistent basis over the years to multiple playable races.

I am not saying it is impossible to add these things, but right now, we now have more material to expand druid into Insect/Death theme then expand nerubians to shapeshifters.

[/QUOTE]

Except you can’t expand Druids into that theme unless you start giving them significant insect/death abilities, and that simply isn’t going to happen.

[Vaedan]

Because the poster I was responding to stated that Renferal’s spells were mechanically the same as a Druid’s.



Evokers don’t need to play exactly like Alexstraza to be based on her. All they need are her basic mechanics, which they have.




Uh how are they completely different? In both cases you can leave a visage form, turn into a red dragon damage enemies or heal allies with red dragon abilities and spells.



But that’s not the same, since Evokers have the abilities of red dragons, while the insect-based Druid won’t have any insect-based abilities.



And before Dracthyr, Black dragons had never successfully created a race of artificial dragons that could control the powers of all 5 dragonflights. Remember Pandaren? Before MoP Chen and all Pandaren came from Pandaria. In MoP that was retconned and Chen and playable Pandaren came from the Wandering Isle.

If Blizzard can retcon that lore, them adding a bit more lore to Nerubians to make them playable isn’t a big deal. They’ve done that on a consistent basis over the years to multiple playable races.

Except you can’t expand Druids into that theme unless you start giving them significant insect/death abilities, and that simply isn’t going to happen.[/QUOTE]

No, Evokers don't have Basic mechanics of Alexstrasza, as I pointed out eatlier. But once again:

Alexstrasza is not very mobile healer with high HP. She uses health as resource for her healing. She is burst healer, with strong single target healing and her AoE healing rellies on her allies having High HP. None of her actual abilities are translated to WoW.

Preservation Evokers are highly mobile, HoT centric healer. They have weak single target. Their strenght is in combining spells into potent combos through echo and statis spells.

Base mechanics are so different, that you can't really connect them. The only thing that they have in common, is their fantasy of Dragon based abilities.

It is not that different to implementing Insect and Death theme to druids, both of which already found it's way to druid fantasy. Insect spells were a thing since vanilla and recently returned through Adaptive Swarm, and Death theme is introduced through Thornspeakers and connection of Ardenweald and Emerald Dream.

Now, when you think about Undead druids, it is most likely that they will be drawing their power from Death. Insectoid forms seem like pretty good fit. Sure, they might end up with decayed cat and bear, I can't deny that... But they does not need to. A lot of new options were given to druids, often different to default cat/bear/deer/seal/crow forms. At this point, anything can happen.

Also, when you are speaking of retcons, I can counter argument that they can easily retcon nerubians to work with druids. Ta daaaa. That is not really solid argument to make.

[Teriz]

No, Evokers don't have Basic mechanics of Alexstrasza, as I pointed out eatlier. But once again:

The Preservation Mastery is called Life-Binder. Where do you think that comes from?

Alexstrasza is not very mobile healer with high HP. She uses health as resource for her healing. She is burst healer, with strong single target healing and her AoE healing rellies on her allies having High HP. None of her actual abilities are translated to WoW.

Preservation Evokers are highly mobile, HoT centric healer. They have weak single target. Their strenght is in combining spells into potent combos through echo and statis spells.

Base mechanics are so different, that you can't really connect them. The only thing that they have in common, is their fantasy of Dragon based abilities.

So you completely ignored every example I gave and simply repeated what you posted in the previous post?

Okay.

It is not that different to implementing Insect and Death theme to druids, both of which already found it's way to druid fantasy. Insect spells were a thing since vanilla and recently returned through Adaptive Swarm, and Death theme is introduced through Thornspeakers and connection of Ardenweald and Emerald Dream.

How is Druids getting a single insect-based ability that they might lose next expansion similar to Evokers having several of abilities and talents based on Alexstraza?

Also you mentioned that Thornspeakers have a death theme. Cool. Name some death-based abilities in the Druid class that coincide with that theme.

Now, when you think about Undead druids, it is most likely that they will be drawing their power from Death. Insectoid forms seem like pretty good fit. Sure, they might end up with decayed cat and bear, I can't deny that... But they does not need to. A lot of new options were given to druids, often different to default cat/bear/deer/seal/crow forms. At this point, anything can happen.

Also, when you are speaking of retcons, I can counter argument that they can easily retcon nerubians to work with druids. Ta daaaa. That is not really solid argument to make.

Except again, they can't because you'd need Nerubian abilities to coincide with that move. Druids are not going to get a set of death/insect abilities, much less an death/insect spec to justify such a form.

[Vaedan]

The Preservation Mastery is called Life-Binder. Where do you think that comes from?



So you completely ignored every example I gave and simply repeated what you posted in the previous post?

Okay.



How is Druids getting a single insect-based ability that they might lose next expansion similar to Evokers having several of abilities and talents based on Alexstraza?

Also you mentioned that Thornspeakers have a death theme. Cool. Name some death-based abilities in the Druid class that coincide with that theme.



Except again, they can't because you'd need Nerubian abilities to coincide with that move. Druids are not going to get a set of death/insect abilities, much less an death/insect spec to justify such a form.

I don't argue that Evoker has visible inspiration from Alexstrasza and red dragonflight. In fact, they have inspiration from all flights, with hints here and there, which is completely fine... But it is just fantasy. A concept that was used to build a brand new class. Nothing like that exist before. Green dragons used mostly druid spells. Blue Dragons used Frost and Arcane spells which mages use.

You said that Evoker and Alexstrasza share base mechanics. I showed you that it is not the case. Mechanicaly and gameplay wise, they are completely different. If we ignore that HotS and WoW are different type of games, both are so different archetypes, using completely different abilities. What the shares is Basic fantasy of Dragon class/hero. The only thing which the two have in common, is that both use fire breaths and has healing spells. Having spell name throwbacks which points that Alexstrasza was remembered during Evoker class design at some point does not mean much.

Same goes for druids and insects. Blizzard seem to je expanding what druids are since BfA. First, we get first two druid races who are not originated in Cenarion Circle and for that reason, they have different forms, based on Drust and dinosaurs. With Ardenweald, we learned Nature is based on balace of Life and Death and both serve the Cycle. Both can be used. Kul Tirans do so. Concept of druids using Death is already here, and will be possibly expanded in future when Malfurion returns from Ardenweald.

Allied race forms are remodeled cat/bear forms, but visually, they are vastly different. These forms were accepted well and since that, people request more and more druid form variants or even more customizations. Legion was also good on this, as it brought numerous form skins through artifacts. There is still big request for more and more druid form skins.

I believe when Blizzard expand druid races, we might see additional changes how will druids work with their forms. In Shadowlands, chosing form was changed from glyphs to Barber shop, which opens a way more multiple options. Now with warlocks being opened to all races, they open imp customizations to Barber shop as well, which may expand to other lock pets in future too. Now, I would not be surprised if they decide to shake up things a bit and add new barbershop options for druid forms again.

I also don't really know why are you refusing to admit that the Insect theme is obviously present within Druid class. NPCs, several actual class abilities from past and present and even Hearthstone are all showing this. To fullfil the "evil druid" niche, it is way more easy to expand existing class with new customizations. I am not even talking about undeads only. They can just do so for everyone. And that would still be less work than making whole new class, which Blizzard admited is probably the greatest commitment they make.

[Teriz]

I don't argue that Evoker has visible inspiration from Alexstrasza and red dragonflight. In fact, they have inspiration from all flights, with hints here and there, which is completely fine... But it is just fantasy. A concept that was used to build a brand new class. Nothing like that exist before. Green dragons used mostly druid spells. Blue Dragons used Frost and Arcane spells which mages use.

It goes beyond simple inspiration, they also have their abilities. Again, an Evoker can essentially do everything Alexstraza could do in HotS.

You said that Evoker and Alexstrasza share base mechanics. I showed you that it is not the case. Mechanicaly and gameplay wise, they are completely different. If we ignore that HotS and WoW are different type of games, both are so different archetypes, using completely different abilities. What the shares is Basic fantasy of Dragon class/hero. The only thing which the two have in common, is that both use fire breaths and has healing spells. Having spell name throwbacks which points that Alexstrasza was remembered during Evoker class design at some point does not mean much.

Evokers can switch out of Visage form and enter a dragon form. Just like Alexstraza.
Evokers can heal with Dragon fire. Just like Alexstraza.
Evokers can heal with Green dragon magic. Just like Alexstraza
Evokers can fly in combat. Just like Alexstraza.
Evokers' healing ability is effecting by the health of themselves and their targets. Just like Alexstraza.
Evoker's have abilities that are empowered by their health levels. Just like Alexstraza.
Evokers can utilize their draconic bodies to deal damage and for utility. Just like Alexstraza.

That is significantly different than the insect druid situation.

Same goes for druids and insects. Blizzard seem to je expanding what druids are since BfA. First, we get first two druid races who are not originated in Cenarion Circle and for that reason, they have different forms, based on Drust and dinosaurs. With Ardenweald, we learned Nature is based on balace of Life and Death and both serve the Cycle. Both can be used. Kul Tirans do so. Concept of druids using Death is already here, and will be possibly expanded in future when Malfurion returns from Ardenweald.

Allied race forms are remodeled cat/bear forms, but visually, they are vastly different. These forms were accepted well and since that, people request more and more druid form variants or even more customizations. Legion was also good on this, as it brought numerous form skins through artifacts. There is still big request for more and more druid form skins.

I believe when Blizzard expand druid races, we might see additional changes how will druids work with their forms. In Shadowlands, chosing form was changed from glyphs to Barber shop, which opens a way more multiple options. Now with warlocks being opened to all races, they open imp customizations to Barber shop as well, which may expand to other lock pets in future too. Now, I would not be surprised if they decide to shake up things a bit and add new barbershop options for druid forms again.

I also don't really know why are you refusing to admit that the Insect theme is obviously present within Druid class. NPCs, several actual class abilities from past and present and even Hearthstone are all showing this. To fullfil the "evil druid" niche, it is way more easy to expand existing class with new customizations. I am not even talking about undeads only. They can just do so for everyone. And that would still be less work than making whole new class, which Blizzard admited is probably the greatest commitment they make.

Okay, so once again, name some druid insect or death abilities. If there are none, then it isn't the same situation as the Evoker and ALexstraza.