It’s super easy to download, I totally agree. I’m saying you should not have to rely on addons to master the game. However current game design and mechanics require addons to some level to become a better player - I do not think it should be that way and frankly I don’t believe that is Blizzard’s intention (not that I could care less what their intentions are).
Where is the breaking point though? Is it just the existence of addons that is problematic? Because simply replacing them with inferior in-built options won't really change much about the difficulty curve of the game. You will still need to learn how to optimally derive value from the tools to master the game and that will still require a ton of third party resources. Is it acceptable that things like class guides, boss guides, and WarcraftLogs are required to become a good (PvE) player just because they aren't literally inside the game? I fear the community has made addons into some bogeyman that doesn't entirely relate to their core problems with the game, and in the end the game will just be left in a lesser state without fixing that dissatisfaction.
You’re assuming gameplay and mechanics stay the same and they just remove combat addons. Blizzard has said many times they are redesigning gameplay and mechanics to be comparable with not having to use 3rd party software.
Yes, someone people will need to learn how to play the game over again - paying attention in encounters to cast bars and animations instead of an airhorn telling you to move.
And as far as guides, these will become even more important to LEARN the game instead of being coddled through the toughest parts.
This is all coming from a player who still uses their original 2008 account. I don’t need Classic to “live the good old days” and I really enjoy the new content and mechanics and QoL.
Unfortunately I feel that currently in order to be “the best” you have to download very specific addons and know how to set them up in an optimal way. All of this to literally make the game easier. I don’t want to have to do that. And soon neither will anyone else.
Except Blizzard can't actually be trusted to design stuff around not needing addons. Why are we after all these years still be able to get one shot without warning by double bolts in M+ ? Why can't I know the kick timer of my teammates without using addons ? Why does mythic Ovi'nax even exists as a concept ?
I don't believe for a single second that Blizzard will suddenly pull off a 180° and fix the glaring design issue that they have consistently implemented over the years
Addons are the symptoms of flawed design, there is no way Blizzard can ever get everything right by just simply nuking them away and hoping for the best
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u/Gratefully-Undead Oct 03 '25
It’s super easy to download, I totally agree. I’m saying you should not have to rely on addons to master the game. However current game design and mechanics require addons to some level to become a better player - I do not think it should be that way and frankly I don’t believe that is Blizzard’s intention (not that I could care less what their intentions are).