I think Ulduar was the best raiding experience in the game. I loved how the heroic modes were integrated into the design, unlike now where it’s just a button on the UI. Finally completing 25-man Heroic Firefighter was probably the greatest gaming experience I’ve ever had, and one unlikely to ever be beaten. We were also one of the first guilds on our server to take down Algalon the Observer ten-man. I still rock that Starcaller title whenever I play.
Each expansion to WoW has added or removed something, and I agree that WotLK was the start of the class homogenisation, which did sap some of the character from it (and the AoE trash thing was just because paladins were ridiculously OP). It also helped streamline the game and allowed for much more focused and manageable experiences like the 10 man raids. Managing a 25 man raiding guild was such a crazy complex logistical experience. Some people really did start putting that stuff on their CVs. 🤣
I played pretty constantly from when it came out to the end of Wrath, then I decided to call it a day after we defeated the Lich King. Since then I’ve only been back to level through the new content. It’s fun but I end up getting to the point where you’d really have to commit to it and then stop playing. I’m not sure I need all that stuff in my life again! 🤣
My main gripe with WoW these days is the way the realm merging works. I know they needed to do that to prevent the realms from becoming ghost towns, but it has removed a big element of community from the game. You would get to know the same group of players as you levelled up, questing and adventuring into dungeons together. Now that whole element is gone and you never see the same person twice. I know why they had to do it but I still find it a bit sad.