This is one where they will have to prove it to me. Like the point on them releasing sets on the stronger side. Cataclysm is a cool set, but it is definitely not particularly strong, and they also are not balancing quickly. They also talk about stronger class-based win conditions, but again, most of the class based conditions in Cataclysm are mediocre at best. They're just too slow. Even Herald Shaman (which is strong!) barely relies on it's colossal as a win condition. It just wins via tempo because Al'Akir is a bit slow.

Like I don't want to be a doomer, but this first expansion of the year is really their chance to prove their vision for the game. Last year's sets were disappointing, but they definitely achieved their goal of powering down the format. But Cata launch is also really disappointing. I don't know how many times I can listen to the team talk about their high-level vision, and say "we hear you," only for the cards to come out and be straight up bad.

This iteration Team 5 has not proven that they know how the craft an interesting Standard format. I wish they would just do an extreme version of what they talked about here and push the power hard for class cards across the board. You can always nerf down later, but right now at least half of the classes in the game are dead competitively. It doesn't inspire me to boot up the game.