That would solve the problem like amputating an infected leg. It would technically fix it but at the same time that means we basically get no new abilities to try out in endgame content and I can’t see that going down well.
Agreed. If you can’t use it in all the game, then you shouldn’t add it. (Save for individual examples like BL and LoH)
See: Legion pvp templates and BFA pvp talents.
If you don’t think they’re ever going to be balanced then what alternative do you have?
Imo make a new row if talents then just change the visuals to suit your covenant of choice.
Done.
Or as suggested earlier, make all the main abilities benefit mobility, and all added abilities a rough equivalent even if not identical. That would at least fix the “this is blatantly the PvP covenant” issue.
So rather than balance 4 abilities per class you want to balance 9?
Do pvpers never want heals/cleanses or absorb shields? Is removing all bleeds/poisons not good anymore? Lay on Hands was apparently a problem enough to disable it so clearly they must want some healing right.
i just mean it’s particularly worth getting mad over, though it was mostly a joke - people (usually) aren’t as mad as internet complaints makes it seem
I angrily sip at my drink, waiting for the dataminers to get their 
in one sock.
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The alpha hasn’t actually started yet though, right? Just that invites are going out?
can’t wait to definitely 100% for sure get access
There’s a couple of ways to do it:
A) give every class 1 ability shared between all covenants.
B) make all covenant abilities about 1 dimension (damage, utility, mobility)
C) Make covenants all about aesthetics and story, ditch gameplay affecting elements. Tie them to classes instead.
drop the alpha Ion 
tbh i think it’d be best to go with some like B and then just change the aesthetic
i like the idea of your covenant affecting your gameplay, but at the end of the day it’s wow - i don’t see that kind of thing working particularly well with the way the game works
i’m the kind of person who’ll base their covenant choice entirely on aesthetics, characters and the zone etc. because i prefer exploring the world and stories etc. (not that we have much of that anymore) and don’t give a toss about raiding/pvp, but the current setup will probably lead to there being a “best” covenant for each class which is a bit lame
But it would be the same number of abilities in total? The only difference is your choice isn’t restrained by covenants. You’d pick a talent then it’s visual effect just changes to suit. These abilities ultimately are just fancy talents.
Maybe two rows of four is what I mean, one for the core abilities then one for the class specific abilites.
Oh hey that’s where I left my screaming internal monologue whenever someone patronisingly spouts up about it being “too early to criticize” and “wait and see how things develop”.
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All I have to say regarding the Covenants is hose mad pick Venthyr or die
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Currently you get one ability per covenant (4) and four per class (12 classes), 52 total.
You’re proposing a new talent row (3 per spec - 9 per class, 12 classes), 108 abilities total. Turning it into a talent row more than doubles the amount of abilities they have to balance.
I also think that while balance is worth while it’s also not worth reducing every class to the same sludge but different colours. It’s a difficult job and I don’t really envy it.
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I mean functionality akin to a talent row. Not an actual new talent row. A UI or whatever that lists the abilities and you just pick one core and one classic specific.
Then the only difference is purely cosmetic and people don’t need to sacrifice aethstetic or story elements to be BiS.
So that warrior spear talent might drop a tombstone for Necrolords or summon a tree or a coffin, etc.
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until we get the next version of loot which might somehow be worse than corruption and titanforging (perhaps both in one!)
Damn you just reminded me that I need to go get that caber tossing trinket from Stormheim for RP reasons.
Which streamers/youtubers would you like to see getting alpha access?
My top picks would be Preach and Cdew.