Smolderforge. The present and the future.

[Strix]

People have already been exposed to a gear wipe (SWP) and it was bad. People were mad. I am not saying that it was not necessary, I was in favour of that myself. I think that the change was quite influential, but some people still argue that it was insufficient, weapons should have been removed too imho.

At this stage Henhouse would have to open a new, separate realm. I don't think one can simply remove SWP weapons (those are part of the legendary weapons now) and expect no backlash. Henry made a good point that the system of this server was the right one back when SF was created: this is what people expected of a funserver. However, in this situation S4 for everybody and thori'dal donations don't really work. One could argue that removing SWP is 'okay' because people donated directly for S4 and SWP was just a bonus. One could argue that removing certain gear pieces is 'okay' because this is a donation we're talking about, not a purchase. It's not like such thinking stopped people from making endless tickets about gear loss and crying in LFG. I think it's safe to say that removing S4 and sunwell weapons (things people donated for directly) would be a hell of a shitstorm for SF community.

I wish there was a separate realm (not a realm which would replace SF, just a second additional realm) where things would be done right and match the needs of those players who dislike the situation SF is in at this very moment. As Outskilled said, it would've been interesting to play in a progressive instant-70 realm with no P2W. I know that donations are necessary to keep the server running, but first of all, there would still be the original SF running with all the high-end overpowered gear and the money it creates. The final end-game gear shouldn't be something people pay for and receive instantly. I believe that some medium gear (better than starter, but not something you can just equip and stop bothering about progression completely) could be a reward for donation for those who are lazy. Perhaps S3 would be a fine donation reward. This may not beWOTLK we're talking about but there is a lot of vanity stuff around, including many cool mounts people could donate for. Bigger bags. Transmog. Anything. Not S4.

[Outskilled]

it would've been interesting to play in a progressive instant-70 realm with no P2W

A seperate realm, instant 70, progressive pvp starting from a previous season.

With the correct advertising and expose this could be huge. There isnt anything else around like that.

[Wacco]

He's fast.