I know that’s a pretty obvious statement, but it really bums me out. One reason I can’t wait for TBC is to enjoy the thrill of Phase 1 and 2 leveling again. I have three 60’s on classic and each of them had a vastly different leveling experience, although each time it was still quite fun. My first was a Druid and I literally ran dungeons almost exclusively to 60. Back then (Phase 1) I was able to find a group as a tank or healer instantly, and there were always groups running. My second, a Warrior, was the opposite. I rarely did dungeons, except maybe once to finish quests. Even still, the world was pretty busy and it felt alive. There were lots of PvP battles and such so it was exciting, even if done mostly solo. My third, this Rogue, started to feel the strains of late-day classic. I created him right before phase 5 and while it was much more quiet, I was able to find groups and such as needed. Now, I’m working on a Shaman that is level 50. I absolutely am not having fun leveling him. I really want him to be 60 because I miss the healing on my Druid (I don’t play the Druid and Warrior much anymore as they’re on a dead alliance server and all my friends there quit). But man, I just dread leveling him. I can’t find a single person to do elite quests or escorts with and dungeon groups are almost non-existent. I spent 3 hours trying to form a Mara group the other day but to no avail.
I know there are lots of reasons for this, but whether you want to blame boosting or whatever it might be, it just really kindof bums me out. To me, raiding and gearing at 60 is fun, but I always really enjoyed leveling and making that slower progress and picking up new items in dungeons etc.
To me, TBC can’t come fast enough. Not because I’m done with classic, but because everyone else is.