Would you prefer new classes, new races, or something else in the forthcoming World of Warcraft expansion?

We’re two weeks away from the announcement of the next World of Warcraft expansion, and the possible leaks and rumors — ridiculous and otherwise — are flying around fast and furious. This is always a hopeful time for the fanbase, as every desired prediction is possible even if not likely, and the same ones we’ve seen every prior expansion are back, with the focus as always on new races (allied or otherwise) and new classes. Normally increasing the number of eligible races for a class is towards the top of the new expansion wish list, but it feels so likely this time that frankly I would be shocked if it didn’t happen.

When it comes to new races, there’s one I’ve wanted ever since I had to kill them in Northrend: Vrykul. With their lore greatly expanded during Legion — and a natural racial leader already present in Sigryn — they’d be a strong fit as a playable race. They would likely need to have their natural height reduced some, but otherwise they seem pretty well-developed asset-wise.

Another race I’d enjoy seeing would be one modeled off the Dragonborn from Dungeons & Dragons; while this would be an entirely new race to the game, there is already a bipedal dragonkin that it could be derived from. A Draconian race would bring joy to my inner child who played a ton of Dragonlance back in the day, even if sometimes they got lost.

Classes are a trickier sell to the fanbase. While Tinkerers and Dark Rangers have remained a perennial request, there’s a lot of challenge in the design and implementation of a new class. It is arguable that the developers have a hard enough time balancing 36 specs; adding two (or four or six) more won’t make that job any easier. An idea that’s been tossed around some is that of a “class skin,” where the abilities of a class wouldn’t change but the animations and character customizations would be specific to the skin. A Dark Ranger becomes possible in this scenario as a way for Hunters to reclaim the Black Arrow (as a replacement for Arcane Shot, perhaps?) while also getting the red eyes and bloodless skin look that remain popular among other NPCs like Death Hunter Moorgoth.

How about you — would you like to see any new classes or races in the next expansion? Or do you think the development team should concentrate on giving existing ones more attention? And how do you feel about the class skin idea, would you like to have a Necromancer or Blademaster option for your Warlock or Warrior? And what ideas for class skins do you have?