The nostalgic waves of World of Warcraft have surged with the launch of its Phase 4, and the much-anticipated WLK version is about to unveil its pièce de résistance: The Icecrown Citadel (ICC).  As many gamers perceive the fall of the Lich King as an impending conclusion to the legacy realms, an intriguing interview was recently conducted with Blizzard designers right after the release of P4.  Here's a detailed scoop into the revelations from that interaction.

Reversing the Feral Druid Nerf: Why?

The Feral Druids, post their enhancements, have been exhibiting impressive DPS numbers.  The initial unveiling of the P4 PTR showed a 5% damage reduction for them, which Blizzard quickly retracted.  Initial speculations inclined towards aggressive feedback from the American server players.  But the real reasoning, as shared by the designers during the interview, was far more strategic.

While Feral Druids indeed pack a punch, they aren't in danger of being overly stacked in raids.  The designers pointed out that, unlike classes such as Death Knights, Mages, and Warlocks, which are often disproportionately represented, Feral Druids maintain a balance.  Hence, allowing them a higher DPS is no issue, and can even shatter the long-standing dominance of Warlocks and Death Knights since the onset of WLK.

Icecrown Citadel's Gradual Debuff: When?

By original mechanics, as time advances post the launch of the ICC raid, players can benefit from a Morale Buff, starting at 5%, and maxing out at 30%.  This system acts as an indirect nerf to the ICC's difficulty.

The designers specified that the 5% buff will kick in 8 weeks post the ICC's debut, with subsequent boosts introduced at regular intervals.  Assuming an interval of every 4 weeks, as hinted, it would take about 6 months for full buffs.  Combine this with the initial two months, and the ICC phase should last approximately 8 months.  This is a significant compression compared to the original 11+ months duration, aligning with Blizzard's intentions of simplifying the acquisition methods for the coveted orange axe, ensuring that all plate-wearers get their hands on it.

The Future of Classic Realms: What Lies Ahead?

Many believe that the downfall of the Lich King will curtain the classic realms.  However, Blizzard's incessant player surveys suggest otherwise.  The imminent Cataclysm (CTM) version looks increasingly probable.

On being probed, the designers remained tight-lipped, stating they cannot divulge much until official announcements.  But they did drop a hint: the Blizzard Carnival in November is set to unleash a plethora of new content related to World of Warcraft, spanning across the main game, classic realms, and hardcore realms.  Moreover, players might get a firsthand experience of the new version's gameplay, suggesting that the CTM version's completion might be right around the corner.

In summation, the World of Warcraft universe is bustling with activity.  As nostalgia meets anticipation, it's clear that the realm of Azeroth will continue to evolve, grow, and mesmerize its vast community of players.