Historically speaking, TBC remains more or less consistent with classic trends.
After WOTLK, horde becomes the dominant faction for both PVP and PVE.
Things can differ, blizz can make changes to avoid that, it’s all relative, but from my own experience by playing in the original releases of all expansions, that’s more or less how it goes.
In vanilla and TBC they are better for PVP
After wotlk they’re just better overall for any type of content.
Personally I wouldn’t let that be the main motivator behind your decisions, I do it because i’ve been playing for a long long time, the minmax brainrot is buried deep.
But you’re better off experimenting, trying out different things up to lvl 20 or so and see for yourself what you find more fun, chances are you’ll still find people and maybe even friends to do whatever you want to do regardless of realm & faction, especially when there’s only 1 megaserver for each.
Somewhat yes, but it really just affects the min-max crowd.
I also came across the argument that people roll the opposite faction because they have been doing the same thing for years. Like I started alliance, wanted to experience something different and became horde (if blood elf counts ). In 2019 I took alliance again and now I was on the edge. In the next cycle, if I opt in, I will want a shaman.
Btw it also applies to draenei shaman and blood elf paladin mains who might be cross dressing now.
One more thing to add to yesterday’s answer - about not to worry yet.
Regarding few groups at 60.
On top of closed groups, I have to say that levelling as tank or healer is subpar. It’s acceptable with this LFD, but it still takes time, like yesterday I ran WC and it started 40 minutes after logging in. Then there is the “grey nerf” (anti-boost) which basically removes XP from the first half of virtually any dungeon.
Case in point, I suppose 95% of the people at 60 are various outdoorsy types, and those within a closed circle. The few tanks and healers who made it (or changed to) are probably soaked up. (Is Dual Spec out yet?)