So I think SOD was a real cool idea in bringing new life into Classic WoW.
But basically what it has become, is a new classic client with Wotlk final talent points as a rune for basically every single class.
I do not have any problems with making classes unlock different runes with time, some get their abilities faster, and some are more balanced around the later phases of the game.
The problem I do have with this system is that Resto Shamans are literally forgotten in SOD.
The only good runes that we did get is Water Shield, which is fine. But I was hoping for so much more in Phase 2. The Ancestral Awakening rune is literally a talent from Wotlk that Resto Shamans dont even spec into because we do not need another AoE heal due to already having Chain Heal. Plus crit chance with heals are like 5%, which makes this rune utterly nonexistent.
Where is Shamans Earthliving Weapon, or even Riptide, if all SoD is, is literally Wotlk cramped into a Classic Client?
Why does Priests get Circle of Healing & Penance, Druids get Wild Growth & even Mage get theirs all the while Resto Shamans is getting left out completely.
I feel like Blizzard are not sure in what direction they want to take the Shaman Class and only focusing on the DPS aspect of the class, instead of realizing that Shamans are primarily a support class and a good healing class, but once again they will underperform this phase due to overtuned runes from other classes and specs.
I have played Shaman in all expansions, back and forth since I was 2005 in vanilla when I started, so I do feel like I am qualified to give this statement.
PS : I am currently unemployed so if you need a lead designer of this class Blizzard, im your guy.
Thanks for reading, hopefully some of you reading this can also give your thoughts.