You asked how we can compare a system that has been in the same since inception to a system that was introduced this expansion. I gave a few examples of old systems that people compare to new ones. Like the new talents that split out between two trees. That was a wholly new design and people compared the new talent system to the ones in the past, so I’m unsure why you say we can’t compare new systems to old ones.
As far as catch up mechanics, WoW has constantly been implementing ways to help newer or returning players catch up to relevant content. The leveling systems have improved. There are gear catch up mechanics that never used to exist. They even made catching up on new professions easier since the recipes are now segmented by expansion. Do you remember when you’d have to grind through 4 expansions worth of skill ups just so that you could make relevant gear?
So with this new crafting system, why wouldn’t there be a small catch up mechanic dropping in 6 months into the expansion? I’m not saying they would be able to catch up fully, but a bit of a boost is fine. That is no different than a gear catch up mechanic.
And I’m saying that as one of the first people on my server to be able to guarantee 5 star quality tools, weapons, and armor in several professions. I was the first person on my server to get the Azureweave Bag recipe. I was first person on my server to get the Chronocloth Reagent Bag recipe and I had zero competition for 2 weeks. I obviously made boatloads of gold during that time.
Now I’m not saying that to brag. I’m saying that as I’m one of the people that hugely benefitted from not having a catch up mechanic, but I still feel like there should be one if they are going to keep a similar model going forward.