[Suggestion] A TBC Classic Server with Addons Completely Banned

[Bogimp-auchindoun]

Hi Blizzard team and fellow players,

As we get ready for The Burning Crusade Classic, I want to suggest something very important:
A special server where all addons are completely banned.

Right now, in Classic, the game feels much easier than it used to be. One big reason is addons doing too much for the player.

• In raids, addons like WeakAuras and DBM tell you everything before it happens.
• In PvP, addons show enemy cooldowns, trinkets, and more.
• Players don’t need to think or react — the addon tells them what to do.

Because of this, the game is no longer challenging or exciting like it was years ago.
New players never get to feel what a real boss fight or real PvP match is like.

My suggestion:

Please create a TBC Classic server where all addons are blocked.

On this server:

• Raiding would be truly difficult and rewarding again.
• PvP would be based on skill and awareness, not addons.
• Players would learn the game and get better from experience.
• The original feeling of challenge and success would return.

This is not just about nostalgia — it’s about fair, honest gameplay.
Addons have gone too far. They don’t just help — they play the game for you.

Let’s bring back the real World of Warcraft experience.

Blizzard, please give us one server where players play the game — not addons.

Thank you.

[Shioban-draenor]

@Bogimp-auchindoun

A special server

for a special snowflake.

barely anyone will play on it

[Etly-spineshatter]

I’d love it! Ban addons!

[Bogimp-auchindoun]

@Shioban-draenor

for a special snowflake.

barely anyone will play on it

I’m not asking for everyone to play on it.
Just like Hardcore servers, it would be for players who want a real challenge — no hand-holding, no scripts.
If only a small group wants that, that’s fine. But we deserve the option.
Let people choose how they want to play. That’s what Classic was about in the first place.

[Ironhorns-nekrosh]

@Bogimp-auchindoun

A special server where all addons are completely banned.

This would be FABULOUS under one condition: Blizz should go back on all UI changes. The only addons I use are some that turn back the UI/functionalities/whatever to 1.12

[Barnemonster-ravencrest (Barnemonster)]

Whats stopping YOU from playing without addons?

Why does it bother you that others are using addons?

[Balraddo-firemaw]

Indeed, lets play without some addons, such as pvp addons and dbm which kills sense of pvp and pve

[Bogimp-auchindoun]

@Barnemonster-ravencrest

Whats stopping YOU from playing without addons?

Why does it bother you that others are using addons?

What’s stopping me? Absolutely nothing — I already play without addons.

But that’s not the point.

The issue is that as long as others use addons that give massive advantages, things like boss fights, PvP balance, and even group invites become dependent on addon performance.

• In PvE, raids are designed around the assumption that players are using WeakAuras or DBM.
• In PvP, addon users can track cooldowns, trinkets, stealth — things that remove the need for awareness and prediction.
• Even in casual content, people often expect others to use specific addons.

So while I can play without addons, it puts me at a disadvantage in a system that rewards players who let addons do the work for them.

I’m simply asking for a level playing field, where everyone plays by the same rules — no crutches, just skill.

[Barnemonster-ravencrest (Barnemonster)]

@Bogimp-auchindoun

What’s stopping me? Absolutely nothing — I already play without addons.

But that’s not the point.

Yeah, the point is that you want OTHERS to play the game like YOU do. Screw what the others want, right?

@Bogimp-auchindoun

In PvE, raids are designed around the assumption that players are using WeakAuras or DBM.

No, they arent The current raids are very easy, and you dont need ANY addons whatsoever.

I havent seen a pug or guild-group that requires X addon for the current content.

@Bogimp-auchindoun

In PvP, addon users can track cooldowns, trinkets, stealth — things that remove the need for awareness and prediction.

This isnt arena, at best some of the addons are mildly convenient. If you play without them, nothing will really change.

@Bogimp-auchindoun

Even in casual content, people often expect others to use specific addons.

Please stop lying. I havent seen a single group require any sort of addon to join. They all have HR’s/sr’s, but thats not an addon.

@Bogimp-auchindoun

So while I can play without addons, it puts me at a disadvantage in a system that rewards players who let addons do the work for them.

You can perfectly play the game without any addons with the current content.

I could agree with you, if this was retail-level difficulties. But its not… The majority of the bosses atm is basically tank and spank. Even the leaders usually tell you what to do.

[Shioban-draenor]

@Bogimp-auchindoun

• The original feeling of challenge and success would return.

This is not just about nostalgia — it’s about fair, honest gameplay.
Addons have gone too far. They don’t just help — they play the game for you.

Let’s bring back the real World of Warcraft experience.

Blizzard, please give us one server where players play the game — not addons.

Apart from what i said before, there’s some real misperceptions on your side.

The original game was intended to have the use of addons, there’s an api you know.

But you’re blatantly stating that addons are playing the game for us and that’s the worst part of your post actually. I’m fine with you not playing with addons, let them even make a server for you and your friends but stop saying the addons are playing the game for us. It’s still us using our abilities ourselves, it’s still us moving ourselves when there’s a warning from a bossmod addon, there’s still players themselves doing the buffing while organized with f/i pallypower.

You’re losing your integrity totally stating an addon does all the work while it doesn’t. An addon would get banned as soon as it’s doing our work. Don’t say that didn’t happen because it did.

[Bogimp-auchindoun]

Thanks for the responses — I understand that not everyone agrees, and that’s totally fine. But I’d like to clarify a few things, because I think my point is being misunderstood.

“You want others to play the way you want.”
Not exactly. I’m not asking to force this experience on everyone. I’m asking for a separate server — like Hardcore — for those who want a more raw, addon-free experience. That’s choice, not control. Just like some players prefer PvP realms or RP realms, others might want a “no-addon” ruleset. Why not let people choose?

“You don’t need addons, raids are easy.”
True, raids are currently not extremely difficult — but that’s part of the issue. Many fights are trivialized even further by addons calling out everything in advance. Instead of reacting to the game, players follow timers and alerts. Removing addons wouldn’t magically make bosses harder, but it would shift the burden back to players — and that creates real engagement.

“Nobody requires addons in groups.”
Maybe your experience has been smooth, and that’s great. But many players (especially newer ones) feel pressured to use addons because they think it’s “expected.”
Also, even if no group requires addons, the encounter design itself assumes addon use in many cases. Boss mechanics are often designed around DBM/WA culture — whether the game officially acknowledges it or not.

“Without addons, nothing really changes.”
That’s not true for everyone. Addons provide timers, alerts, enemy CD tracking, and even group/loot management. Taking them away means players must communicate, observe, and react — not follow prompts. That’s a big difference, especially in PvP or progression raiding.

So to summarize:

• I’m not demanding this for all servers. I’m suggesting one addon-banned server — a place where players who want that kind of challenge can enjoy the game differently.
• This is about choice and variety, not control or elitism.
• Addons today don’t just “help” — many of them replace thinking, awareness, and teamwork. That affects game design and community expectations over time.

You don’t have to agree — and you don’t have to play on such a server.
But I believe many players would enjoy WoW more if they had the option to experience it in a purer, more skill-based form.

Thanks for reading.

[Barnemonster-ravencrest (Barnemonster)]

@Bogimp-auchindoun

I’m asking for a separate server

Yeah, thats fine. But i dont think its a good idea to make new servers because of miniscule things. Why stop there? Why not make a server where we have heirlooms for example? Making servers with the tiniest tweaks will only spread the “gaming population” further.

@Bogimp-auchindoun

But many players (especially newer ones) feel pressured to use addons because they think it’s “expected.”

How can they feel is expected when nobody is talking about it? Sure, some will talk about how it makes life easier, which is fine. But nobody is requiring ANY addon in order to join them.

@Bogimp-auchindoun

Addons provide timers, alerts

Sure, but this changes nothing for the casual player. In premades this will have an affect with timers. But how many premades are there in todays av meta?

@Bogimp-auchindoun

enemy CD tracking

Sure, nifty but it wont make a difference for the vast majority. What does all that extra info tell you, if you already dont really know what to do with it? Do you think the majority actually play around certain cds? or do you think they just mash dmg and hope for the best? Remember, we are talking about the majority here.

@Bogimp-auchindoun

That affects game design and community expectations over time.

Not sure what you mean by game design and expectations. We already know what phase is gonna include what/why/when. There is nothing new for the devs to cook up. They dont have to design anything new.

I can understand what you mean, and i can support that you wanna play the game the way you feel the most fun.

I just think that this is a non-issue. There is NOBODY requiring you to play with X addon, if others want to take the easier route, let them.

If people wanna play without addons, THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CURRENT PHASE THAT WILL PREVENT OR PROHIBIT YOU OF DOING IT WITHOUT ADDONS (caps on purpose, just to prove a point:P)

@Bogimp-auchindoun

You don’t have to agree — and you don’t have to play on such a server.

Yeah, i might have been abit rough in the first post. For that i apologize, i usually dont mind having a civilized debate around certain topics.

[Bogimp-auchindoun]

@Shioban-draenor

Apart from what i said before, there’s some real misperceptions on your side.

The original game was intended to have the use of addons, there’s an api you know.

But you’re blatantly stating that addons are playing the game for us and that’s the worst part of your post actually. I’m fine with you not playing with addons, let them even make a server for you and your friends but stop saying the addons are playing the game for us. It’s still us using our abilities ourselves, it’s still us moving ourselves when there’s a warning from a bossmod addon, there’s still players themselves doing the buffing while organized with f/i pallypower.

You’re losing your integrity totally stating an addon does all the work while it doesn’t. An addon would get banned as soon as it’s doing our work. Don’t say that didn’t happen because it did.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply — and you’re absolutely right about one thing: yes, the original game was built with addon support in mind. The API has always been there, and I’m not denying that.

But let me clarify my main point, because I think we’re talking about two different things:

I’m not saying addons literally “press your buttons” (although some weak aura setups come close).
What I am saying is that many modern addons significantly reduce the need for awareness, decision-making, and real-time reaction.
They do so by:

• Giving exact countdowns for mechanics
• Highlighting what button to press or what debuff to cleanse
• Announcing enemy cooldown usage in PvP
• Organizing rotations, buffs, assignments, interrupts, etc.
• Even replacing voice comms or raid leaders in many cases

So yes — technically players are still doing the actions, but the thinking part — the skill part — is being outsourced to tools. And that has a huge impact on the overall experience, design, and difficulty.

This isn’t about integrity. It’s about how much of the game is being automated in subtle ways — not to the level of botting, but certainly far beyond what players had access to in 2005.

And just to be clear:

• I’m not asking to ban addons across the board.
• I’m not saying everyone who uses addons is playing wrong.
• I’m simply saying: give those of us who want a “cleaner” version of the game a dedicated, addon-banned server — just like you already gave others Hardcore, SoM, and PvP/RP variants.

It’s not about being right or wrong. It’s about offering different types of challenge to different types of players — without attacking or limiting each other’s playstyle.

Thanks again for engaging respectfully.

[Shioban-draenor]

i think you’re still overstating the role of addons, i mean, the wish for one thing won’t get strengthened by hating another thing related, it’s totally unnecessary and it damages your integrity.

You could’ve just stated that you would love to be able to play on a separate server without addons without saying what addons are doing wrong in your opinion (because it’s still your opinion and not a fact what you wrote).

[Pinkiewinky-mograine]

I think this is a good idea but no addons is too far.

You would need have a built in quest helper, and the ability to have some sort of titan panel like addon. Realistically the game can be played and enjoyed just fine with these bare minimum add-ons. Without these ? I think the UI is just too outdated for most people. I only use these two add-ons and get on fine.

I would also propose a few additional changes for this hypothetical server

1. Make boosting unviable, this would remove a major reason for people to RMT and in turn, would reduce bots
2. Keep GDKP ban for the same reason as above
3. Buff xp 50% from levels 30-70
4. Implement OG TBC group finder from launch, get rid of the the terrible group finder from Anniversary/SoD
5. Remove all layers as soon as feasible so world isn’t dead
6. Cap the amount of non-player mobs that can be effected by mage freeze/chill effects to limit AoE grinding as a viable levelling style, also harms bots

[Letrolle-chaos-bolt]

Nope, waste of resources. Bye

[Etly-spineshatter]

@Pinkiewinky-mograine

You would need have a built in quest helper, and the ability to have some sort of titan panel like addon. Realistically the game can be played and enjoyed just fine with these bare minimum add-ons. Without these ? I think the UI is just too outdated for most people. I only use these two add-ons and get on fine.

I’m playing without quest helper and I don’t even know what titan panel is. You don’t need quest helper. You have quest text in game. If you don’t know what to do, ask your friends.

[Ironhorns-nekrosh]

@Barnemonster-ravencrest

Why does it bother you that others are using addons?

Because when I group up with others - or even see them asking for a group in Chat, it looks something like: “(234) Looking for some more for [El Terramoto] [432]” I don’t get a word of what they’re asking. And if I group up, they spout things like “2/3 Sierradelmade por 234 [El Terremoto]” or like gibberish in other languages.

@Pinkiewinky-mograine

You would need have a built in quest helper, and the ability to have some sort of titan panel like addon.

I most certainly don’t either. I use no Quest-helping addons at all. This is in no way nessesary in Classic, just read the Quest description.
I use only the UI that comes with the standard installation, I would like a couple of addons for it though. One to remove all the extra stuff in the mini-map as compared to Vanilla, and one to hide any and all messaging from other players’ addons.

@Pinkiewinky-mograine

Buff xp 50% from levels 30-70

This would make me at least not play there, unless you can disable this … some kind of buff.
The oher suggestions sounds fine … I do not think an addon-free realm would need layers

[Bogimp-auchindoun]

@Shioban-draenor

i think you’re still overstating the role of addons, i mean, the wish for one thing won’t get strengthened by hating another thing related, it’s totally unnecessary and it damages your integrity.

You could’ve just stated that you would love to be able to play on a separate server without addons without saying what addons are doing wrong in your opinion (because it’s still your opinion and not a fact what you wrote).

Thanks for the feedback — I get where you’re coming from.

But I’d argue that describing why something feels problematic isn’t the same as “hating” it.
If I just said “I want a no-addon server” without explaining why, it would sound arbitrary. People would just ask, “But why? What’s wrong with addons?” — so I tried to explain my reasoning.

Yes, I agree that some of what I said is opinion — but it’s based on real gameplay experience. Many players feel that certain addons (especially WeakAuras, PvP trackers, and boss mods) reduce the need for personal awareness, communication, and group coordination. That doesn’t mean addons are evil — but it does mean they change how the game is played in a big way.

The point of the post isn’t to shame addon users.
It’s to make a case for giving players who want a more raw, reactive experience a space where they can have it — without being surrounded by systems designed assuming addon use.

Different players enjoy different challenges. This would just be another ruleset option — like Hardcore or Season of Mastery — not a replacement for anything.

So yes, it’s an opinion. But I believe it’s a valid one, and worth discussing.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[Shioban-draenor]

@Bogimp-auchindoun

describing why something feels problematic isn’t the same as “hating” it

Semantics. I couldn’t find the right word, sorry for not being a native English speaker. You disagree with how addons work but in no way are they automating gameplay otherwise they would get banned and that exactly what you stated in your initial point which is imo totally unnecessary.

What i get from your whole plea is that you want a more hardcore than the current hardcore server which can be validated without accusing addons for playing the game for us.

And it’s okay if you want something like that but i don’t think it’ll happen.