Blizzard has addressed one of the most debated topics heading into World of Warcraft: Midnight: class pruning.
In a recent developer discussion highlighted in a PC Gamer interview, the team explained their approach to simplifying certain class abilities and rotations — and why modern addon usage played a role in those decisions.
If you’re wondering whether Midnight is “dumbing down” classes or simply cleaning up button bloat, here’s what Blizzard actually said.
Why Blizzard Is Pruning Abilities
Class pruning isn’t new to WoW. Over the years, expansions have added layers of abilities, cooldowns, and micro-optimizations that gradually increased complexity.
According to Blizzard, Midnight’s adjustments are focused on:
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Reducing redundant abilities
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Streamlining rotational clutter
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Making baseline gameplay clearer
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Avoiding overwhelming new or returning players
The developers emphasized that they aren’t removing depth — they’re targeting excess complexity that doesn’t meaningfully impact gameplay decisions.
In short: fewer buttons, more impact.
The Addon Factor
One of the more interesting revelations from the interview was Blizzard’s acknowledgment of how heavily players rely on addons.
For years, advanced players have used tools like WeakAuras, boss timers, and rotation helpers to manage increasingly complex systems. Blizzard admitted that modern encounter and class design has often assumed players are running these addons.
That created a gap.
Players without heavy addon setups could feel overwhelmed, while high-end players relied on UI customization to manage information overload.
Midnight’s pruning appears aimed at reducing that reliance — making core gameplay more readable even without extensive third-party tools.
What’s Actually Changing?
While full ability lists haven’t been finalized publicly yet, the changes appear to focus on:
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Consolidating overlapping cooldowns
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Removing low-impact filler buttons
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Simplifying proc tracking
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Tightening spec identity
Importantly, Blizzard says they are not removing meaningful skill expression. The goal is to preserve high-end optimization while making the entry barrier lower.
That’s a delicate balance.
Community Reaction So Far
As expected, reaction has been mixed.
Some players welcome the change, arguing that modern WoW rotations can feel bloated and intimidating. Others worry that pruning risks reducing skill ceilings or making specs feel homogenized.
Historically, pruning becomes controversial when it removes flavor rather than redundancy. If Midnight avoids cutting identity-defining abilities, the reception could lean positive.
But the real test won’t happen until players get hands-on experience during early access.
Why This Matters for Midnight
Midnight is shaping up to be one of the more system-heavy expansions in recent years. Between Delves, the Prey system, and potential progression mechanics like Voidforge, Blizzard seems to be experimenting broadly.
Class clarity may be part of that larger design philosophy.
If players can more easily understand their toolkit without relying on complex UI overlays, it could make the overall expansion experience smoother — especially for returning players.
On the flip side, Mythic+ pushers and raid veterans will be watching closely to ensure depth isn’t sacrificed for simplicity.
Where Midnight Is Heading
Class pruning in WoW always sparks debate, and Midnight is no exception. Blizzard’s stance appears clear: reduce clutter, maintain depth, and lower the barrier to entry.
Whether that balance is achieved will depend entirely on execution.
But one thing’s certain — Midnight isn’t just adding new systems. It’s refining the foundation of how we play.
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