In today's World of Warcraft (yes there is some skill still involved) the term face-rolling your keyboard and win is still very much a term you can use. In "Vanilla" however.. There is none of that. Pulling a big group of mobs ( or ADDS ) will most likely destroy you until way later end game gear is equipped. The aspect of your character slowly growing up in the world takes hold. Learning everything from the real NODE grind when it comes to professions. Farming for plans for your profession ( i.e.) crusader enchant. It all takes time and much more dedication than i have witnessed or achieved in WOTLK up to BFA. And let's not forget... The TWINKS! PvPing in STV on your rogue. Taking a stroll down to Redridge mountains sitting on the bridge drinking coffee or beer, and them BAM! Found some lowbies to gank (followed by all the Alliance now coming to destroy you... Oh Vanilla, how i miss the.. lol Can't wait!!!
1. The difficulty in vanilla makes it so much more engaging. I felt more stress trying to clear out the Ban'ethil Barrow Den in Teldrassil as a lvl 8 nelf than I did in any of the raids I've done in retail in the last several years.
2. The lack of "oh great hero" language so prevalent in retail. In vanilla, you're just another random adventurer, not "the most powerful <class> in the world, somehow coexisting with all other player characters that are all simultaneously the leader of the <class> order, all saviors of Azeroth". In vanilla, quest text is simply "hey <class>, I'll give you 15 copper to go kill some kobolds over there". That makes it so much more immersive for me.
3. That the difficulty of the game forces you to interact with other players. In retail there is no reason to interact with other players in the world.
4. The level design forces you into wpvp that is much more organic than anything in retail.
A mix between tbc/classic would prolly be the best, with the most ideology coming from vanilla with like 70/30 rate, no flying, no small world, all classes somewhat more viable, somehow reworked and matched vanilla/tbc pvp system with arenas and not being able to just 2 shot ppl with OP pve gear. Kinda hope for classic + but its just a mess to get it right ( and i dont have faith for blizz on this case) so I think we better off with just tbc.
No instant gratification. You need to work for what you want. Making friends along the way.
Tangible progression. Every ounce of power you get feels good and rewarding, and you can notice it in combat.
- Everything is available
- Everything is relevant
- Everything makes sense
(in other words, nothing has been removed or made obsolete, and there are no lose ends resulting from changes in game design philosophy between expansions)