This is a pretty unlikely scenario. You're essentially describing two different guilds. Your guild either has spec/gear requirements or it doesn't. And if your guild does have spec requirements and you're trying to hide the fact that you're not following them, then it doesn't seem like you're being a very good guildmate. Maybe they should have the ability to check those things.
I'm not talking about hiding anything by any means. I'm saying that having things like the armory in place fuels the min/max culture, which to me is a very soulless way to play a video game. Sometimes we need to ditch the charts and numbers and just have a good time.
At first I was pro, but at the same time I like not having an armory. I would rather prefer people look you up in-game and inspect you than go on some random website. An unofficial armory for those who want could be nice though.
I remember when the armory was first introduced a lot of Hybrids were vocal on the forums opposing it because it would reveal their hybrid spec and prevent them from getting invited to groups, even if they were healing with good gear.
There are a lot of hybrid specs that are plenty good at healing, and I'd rather all the talents remain hidden.
Even if I am not playing a hybrid, if I think my dps spec is better than the class lead's it'd be great if he didn't check me on armory and tell me to respec before the raid. He'll just have to wonder what happened when I out dps him.
I remember when the armory was first introduced a lot of Hybrids were vocal on the forums opposing it because it would reveal their hybrid spec and prevent them from getting invited to groups, even if they were healing with good gear.
There are a lot of hybrid specs that are plenty good at healing, and I'd rather all the talents remain hidden.
Even if I am not playing a hybrid, if I think my dps spec is better than the class lead's it'd be great if he didn't check me on armory and tell me to respec before the raid. He'll just have to wonder what happened when I out dps him.
If you feel you have to resort to hiding your spec from the general public, on account that you will not get invited to groups if your spec was easily available, then there's probably a problem with your spec.
Alternatively, if your hybrid spec does have merit, then any competent raid leader/group organiser will know this--and therefore invite you. And if they don't invite you, then they weren't competent in the first place, and you would not want to be a part of that group anyway!
I remember when the armory was first introduced a lot of Hybrids were vocal on the forums opposing it because it would reveal their hybrid spec and prevent them from getting invited to groups, even if they were healing with good gear.
There are a lot of hybrid specs that are plenty good at healing, and I'd rather all the talents remain hidden.
Even if I am not playing a hybrid, if I think my dps spec is better than the class lead's it'd be great if he didn't check me on armory and tell me to respec before the raid. He'll just have to wonder what happened when I out dps him.
If you feel you have to resort to hiding your spec from the general public, on account that you will not get invited to groups if your spec was easily available, then there's probably a problem with your spec.
Alternatively, if your hybrid spec does have merit, then any competent raid leader/group organiser will know this--and therefore invite you. And if they don't invite you, then they weren't competent in the first place, and you would not want to be a part of that group anyway!
Some classes have a lot of urban legends and other classes trying to boss them around. What does the warrior who's never played anything else know if your hybrid spec is any good? He wants a healer and the only thing he knows about your class is that "resto heals", not feral. (And 0/30/21? Hasn't even heard of the spec.)
He may be an amazingly competent Warrior, fantastic tank, and great guy, but it is asking too much for players to be knowledgable about all eight classes on their faction.
Furthermore, I'd rather people didn't copy specs straight cookie cutter from an armory sheet. If that Orc warrior is destroying you in BGs and you don't know his spec, what gives you the right to rip it off? If you ask him and he gives it freely - sure, but there's nothing stopping you from thinking up your own spec.
The game is already becoming cookie cutter enough as is. I'd rather it didn't become more so. There's a lot of reasons not to have an armory.
I think having an external link to say "this is my character" is a good thing and doesn't hurt the integrity of classic. It is nice seeing other peoples talents but I feel it could be used in a negative way as others could see your non-meta spec.
I'd want one that shows NOTHING but a portrait of your character, as a superior alternative to taking in-game screenshots.
Too much potential community abuse. I'm out.
False equivalency: It's not just 'some random warrior,' it's the raid leader. It's literally the job of the raid leader to know all 8 classes, or at least have competent class officers that can green light it.
If you need to hide your spec to get into groups because you have some weirdass survival DPS spec, there's something wrong with your spec.
And for the record, when the armory was first introduced, nobody denied hybrid healers on the basis of their spec unless it was incredibly dumb, gear mattered more. That was just hybrids randomly freaking out.
I would love an armory for classic. I used to use it to in combo with /who to get groups together - instead of spamming other druids if they're resto, I would just find druids in the level range, then look them up on the armory. If it looked good, as them if they'd like to join.
I really hope they make a Classic armory.