The recent rise in Demon Hunter class threads have made me realize why a 4th spec would be the best option for the game moving forward. People certainly want specialized classes in WoW that emerged in WC3. Blademasters, Wardens, and Demon Hunters are very popular class ideas, but they don't have enough uniqueness to become stand alone classes. However, they do have enough uniqueness to become specs of existing classes. Even better, Blizzard could attach the names from those WC3 units to these new specs in order to excite WoW players.
Doing this would breathe new life into the older classes without us having to deal with new classes taking luster away from the older classes. This would also rekindle some interest in the older classes in the game, and bring back veteran players, since a lot of WoW vets are also WC3 vets and always desired these Hero units to be in the game in a more representative fashion. For newer players, new ways to play your favorite class could be looked on as a challenge, or something interesting. Likewise, if you're really into a casters, playing a caster spec on something like a Death Knight could make you want to give the class a chance.
Note I'm not saying this would solve class balance issues. I'm saying this would taper down the number of people requesting new classes being added to the game.
Let's look at some examples, and see if you agree;
Death Knight: Lichs
Many people probably don't realize that the DK pulled quite a few abilities from the Lich. In any case, Frost Nova, and Frost Armor WC3 still doesn't exist in the game. Neither does Dark Ritual. Blizzard could also give this spec some necromancer abilities, since DKs have Unholy, and Lichs are supposedly reincarnated Necromancers that feed off of their creations (Dark Ritual). This would be a cool spec to utilize, it works with the DK thematic, and it gives Frost Mages a run for their money.
Verdict
INT Plate currently is only being used by one spec in the game. Necromancers remain a popular class requests, and adding in Lich abilities would add some utility to a potential DK caster spec.
Druids: Keeper of the Grove/Dryads
This wouldn't be so much of a new spec, as merely a new form for Balance Druids to replace the aging Moonkin form. I would personally like to see a movement speed increase, just to give me the added satisfaction of being a KotG running through the wilds.
Verdict
Moonkin form is aging rapidly. Many Druids are already using Glyph of the Stars, so this seems to be a no-brainer. There's many ways this can be implemented without causing a problem.
Mages: Blood Mage
The ever popular Blood Mage. Though Fire Mages have absorbed the majority of this spec's abilities, quite a few abilities like Phoenix are still floating out there in the nether sphere. The trick to implementing this spec is to make it different than Fire Mages. Given the lore behind Phoenixes and Blood, you could give this spec some sort of life control properties. Of course the problem with that could be a collision with Warlock concepts. Either way, its definitely doable, and would make any Blood Elf Mage pretty happy.
Verdict
Difficult to implement, but definitely possible. Main issue is making the spec distinct from Fire Mages.
Hunters: Beast Master
This one's easy. Hunters want a melee spec. Players loved Rexxar from WC3. Hunters already have stampede. The only issue is that Beastmaster spec already exists. There would have to be some name swapping for this to work, but imagine a Melee spec where you can summon your stable of pets to fight for you at the press of a button for set amount of time. Sounds pretty cool IMO.
Verdict
Not to hard to implement, and will add some nice diversity to Hunters.
Rogues: Wardens
The only thing hurting this concept is lore, because Wardens are jailers lore-wise. However, from a mechanical/gameplay standpoint, it makes sense. Rogues are agility based, Wardens are agility based. Rogues use poison and fan of knives, Wardens use poison and fan of knives. Spirit of Vengeance works with Rogue's theme, as does Sinister Strike. Giving Rogues a teleport of some type isn't much of a problem either. Rogues could use a magic based spec with lots of cool abilities. Again, the only issue we have here is lore.
Verdict
Mechanically it works. Lore-wise it causes problems. However, gameplay >> lore.
Shaman: Chieftain
Shaman want 2H. Shaman want a Tank spec. This solves both requests. Though Warriors have shockwave, Shaman have Reincarnation. War Stomp is a racial, but can be altered to make it a spec ability. Endurance aura would be a nice utility for groups. Blizzard could even implement 2H Totems for these Shaman to swing around and wreck stuff with. Make this spec earth-based, and you're good to go.
Verdict
The massive amount of Tauren Shaman tanks would make this awesome in of itself.
Warlocks: Demon Hunters
Yeah, this one is obvious. Warlocks have Metamorphosis and Immolation. Warlocks have an armor set based on Illidan. Warlocks have a glyph called glyph of Demon Hunting that turns them into a version of Black Temple Illidan. Demon Hunters in WoW have Warlock abilities. Give Warlocks a DW melee spec ala Enhancement Shaman, and just call it day.
Verdict
A no brainer. Just do it and get it over with already.
Warriors: Blademaster
Another popular choice that will NEVER become a class. However as a spec, this would be awesome. Wind Walk, and then pop out and critically strike a target. Carry your War Banner on your back and make your buffs mobile. Split into illusionary copies of yourself and wreck havoc on people and make mages pee their pants. Best of all; Warriors already have Bladestorm. This would be awesome on so many levels.
Verdict
I would actually roll a Warrior if this happened. I'm sure I wouldn't be alone.
Conclusion
I posted up a poll. Let me know what you think there as well as in this thread. Thanks for reading.