I love animations of the abilities, but in my opinion, this auto-attack auto-targeting system is boring and outdated. Blizzard has been modernising this system by adding to a complexity, resulting that you need 3rd party programs to keep you aware of what is going on, which is from the spectators perspective, overwhalming. The game looks like a huge mess filled with gigantic numbers and icons, you can barely see that good animation your character makes after pressing the button. I like the combat system of Plunderstorm and I think Blizzard can use it for its improved infrastructure of Retail combat system by reducing the number of buffs, debuffs, abilities ( and by that, I do not mean that each class needs to have a total of 5 abilities, relax Retail Andys ) and other variables that add to the complexity, because the complexity does not mean depth. I do not see a reason why we can not play WoW, where you can actually avoid getting hit by controling you character, hit the target by aiming correctly, with less, but significant variables that make your class unique. Of course, every class can have buffs, debuffs, but the point is to reduce the number of spells, to make pressing buttons more enjoyable and to make the game more appealing to watch. That is when it comes to combat abilities. Sure, classes can have their other non-combat, role-playing abilities, such as Death Gate for DKs and so on, creathing Healthstones for Warlocks and so on, but I think this solution would automatically reduce the need for Add-ons and make combat gameplay overall enjoyable ( especially for PvP ). Add-ons should be thing of the past, because they just give Blizzard the excuse to not implement those life improvements in the game, which is their job. This would be my solution for improving combat gameplay.
Wow has like one good thing going for it, its combat. If you want a point to aim and click to use abilitites then maybe play Marvel Rivals.
Also you do not need addons to play a class well, a lot of people only use addons to tell then what boss ability is about to turn them into a smear on the floor.
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It’s definitely not a very modern design or one you’d see new games try to replicate, but I think WoW is so rooted in itself these days that Blizzard has little appetite for revamping or reworking fundamental parts of the game. I mean, the people who play WoW – a 20 year old game – ultimately do so because they appreciate the game for what it is, so if you’re Blizzard you’re probably reluctant to rock the boat too much, so to speak.
I think the experience with ability pruning in Warlords of Draenor has probably also made it harder to try and streamline the design now, because the attempt was so negatively received last time.
I think where Blizzard have tried to approach combat design in a somewhat fresh way, is with the new classes they’ve added, especially Demon Hunter and Evoker, where the design is a lot more dynamic and revolving around mobility and fast-paced action.
As I have said, the animations are great. The combat really is well polished, but I think it is kinda outdated. It became overly complexed, but still outdated. Sure, your solution would be to go and play other game, but that is the way how game losses its playerbase, right? The combat is good, but does that mean it can not get better?
As for Add-ons, sure, I myself do not use a lot of add-ons, but are they a solution, or is the solution to implement those life approvements from add-ons to the game? Why is a solution to design a game around 3rd party programs?
The reason is that this would change one of the most fundamental basis of the entire gameplay system of World of Warcraft. It’s akin to asking a First-Person-Shooter to become Isometric in its view so that you can see the map from up high, or to ask for a strategy game to eliminate the concept of rock-paper-scissors design of units. A lot of players prefer WoW exactly because of the tab-targetting, so changing the game to not have it at all or for it to be unplayable bad in performance in comparison to free targetting would pretty much force those players to quit altogether.
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Also, the system is not “outdated”, it’s just not your preference. Outdated refers to something that has been superseded by a new system/feature that retains the benefits of the old system while also adding new capabilities. For example, burning CDs is outdated when we have USB sticks that are a strict superior system (there is nothing of value that CDs can do which cannot be done by USB sticks). Tab-targeting is not outdated, it’s just different to what you prefer.
Firstly, yes, most of the WoW playerbase is experienced players with years of gametime, but eventually that ship will also sail. Playerbase needs to grow to keep it alive. I can agree with your take about Evokers and Demon Hunters, but I think that using that mobility to dodge the spell and hit the target is the way to make the game more fun.
I think when you arrive at the point where – as developers – you want to change the game in fundamental ways, then you should probably just make a new game all-together.
I mean, that’s the normal approach to game development.
I think that’s also what’ll ultimately happen. WoW will be WoW for the people who enjoy WoW, and modern game design will come to fruition in new Blizzard games.
Yes, it is their foundamental base. My question is, why do people prefer Tab-targeting?
Second thing is, isn’t that tab-targeting system as old as classic WoW? Mobile combat system from Plunderstorm is not.
For the same reason people prefer anything over anything else; it’s their preference, it’s their comfort zone, it’s the playstyle they enjoy that let’s them enjoy the game.
Why do people enjoy Action over Turn-based?
Why do people prefer car racing over motorcycle racing?
Why do people prefer football over basketball?
Why do people prefer ketchup over mustard?
Why do people prefer female Blood Elves over male Taurens?
There is no “wrong” or “right” or “outdated” or “modern” option: It’s a preference.
Well yeah, it is about personal preference. Sure, they don’t have to abandon tab-targeting, but just like plunder, using more mobility for it’s combat.
The game you’re looking for is Guild Wars 2, considering it does everything that wow does but better and also has the exact combat you want then i think you’d like it.
If you can avoid all damage then there’s no danger. Where the inventive to group up too.
Tab target games like WoW may not be fast-reaction but in a world where the internet is not perfect and lag can cost you a game, it’s great.
WoW classes do have depth, you may not like it, but they do. Action games tend to be very similar due to the limited nature of the targetting.
Guild wars 2 done away with the (not holy 
) trinity and eventually relented, somewhat.
Having a tank means that a boss can be dangerous. Having a healer means that there’s damage that no one can avoid and if they mess up a little the healer can top them off.
There’s a reason why WoW is still to top MMO of it’s kind.
Lots of talk but lets get back to OP’s OG highlight: You always keep your eyes glued to the Actionbar. If you play stock UI, that means, your eyes stay at the bottom or near the bottom of the screen.
Thus you dont actually enjoy your character since half or more of the time you are watching the CDs on actionbar or checking other numbers/CDs/comming abilities.
It sux, but it what WoW ultimatily is. Take it away and many ppl wont like it.
It can get even further modernized, like those “class weakauras” that bring everything near the center of the screen for a more focused gameply(i dont like it,since it gets in the way of my viewport).
Mate. Leage, one of the biggest games, uses click to walk.
Stop this mimimimimimimimimumi. You just don’t like it