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Blizzard unveils upcoming “unpruning” of classes in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

Blizzard Considers Changes to Classes and Specializations in World of Warcraft

The ever-evolving nature of World of Warcraft has led to a focus on “specializations” rather than “classes.” In response, Blizzard has released a set of potential changes aimed at bringing back the emphasis on classes.

To address this issue, Blizzard is considering a series of changes for each class and specialization. The goal is to “unprune” classes and reconnect characters with their respective classes.

Making Specializations Complementary

Currently, each specialization within a class feels unique, which has led to inconsistencies. Blizzard has expressed its intention to make specializations a supplement to a class’ abilities rather than a limitation in the upcoming Shadowlands expansion.

This concept of “unpruning” refers to the removal of abilities from specific specializations. In an attempt to simplify the game, developers moved some abilities to class-specific talents, but this also hindered player creativity.

A Step Back from Pruning

Blizzard plans to introduce various changes to each class, signaling a departure from the old pruning process. Many discarded abilities or those restricted to certain specializations will be brought back as baseline options for players. While these changes are not final, they represent the beginning of an overhaul as Blizzard aims to capture the excitement of Classic and prepare for a new expansion.