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Bloodlust / Heroism in raids
Bloodlust / Heroism is a very strong buff. No argument here. I can understand the point of view of players who think other specs need to offer it. Currently three specs offer it, but they are also specs that fill relatively different roles. The fact that all three specs belong to one class makes it a special case.
In general, we balance 25 hard mode content assuming you have 1 shaman for Bloodlust or Heroism. We balance 10 hard modes without that assumption, though you still need to have a reasonable mix of the stronger buffs. We don't think that typically replacing a good say mage with a bad shaman will turn a failure into a success, but each group is a little different so it is possible.
Alterac Valley level brackets
Unfortunately, a change to the level brackets for Alterac Valley made it into a build for patch 3.2.2 when it was intended for patch 3.3. Because of this the NPCs were not properly tuned for select level brackets. Given that this change was going to happen anyway, we made the decision to keep the level bracket change since it already went live and address any adverse affects as they arise.
Is the Lich King "The Big Boss"?
Warcraft 3 really established Arthas in the position of the Lich King in its expansion - The Frozen Throne. His relevance is not to be trivialized, but to say that we have established him as "The Big Boss" is a bit of a stretch. Warcraft 3 introduced a whole new level of threat to Azeroth - The Burning Legion. There have been some encounters with them and their powerful masters, but I'd hesitate to say that they've been "defeated" once and for all. We've also seen the rise of old gods such as Yogg'Saron and C'thun and I'm sure you're aware of the impending return of Deathwing. There is a whole slew of lore characters who haven't been around and thousands of plots and intrigues that have been developed throughout the lifespan of World of Warcraft and its expansions. Many big nasty bosses have been slain and still the problems of the world have not been alleviated. Perhaps, just maybe, there is more going on then one can gather in a glimpse.
Lore and the new race/class combinations
It doesn't surprise me at all that people are coming up with their own theories as to how their own desired race/class combination may fit into the story of the game and the upcoming cataclysm, and it's certainly been interesting to read the varying interpretations. :)
Still, as I have stated, the race/class combinations we've picked are where we're taking the story at this time. It's quite possible that you see other paths that could be taken, but they're not paths we're choosing to go down right now. You may find the concept of druidism returning to Blood Elves or coming to Draenei intriguing, for example, but it's not the story we're looking to tell.
(EDIT: Though I believe it goes without saying, the above are simply examples, and I'm referring to all proposals of race/class combinations that we have not announced ourselves.)
Understand as well that the list of new race/class combinations is not a product of whim. Several meetings were held, arguments for and against every combination presented, and the list we've given to you is the result of much deliberation. We hope you enjoy the choices we've made and the progression of the cultures that results.
How did the alliance get stuck in Outlands?
If you get a chance, Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal explains how the Alliance came to be in Outland and why they remained there.
