Standardizing the allocation of stats (partly because of WOW TBC Gold better class design and understanding of what characters need) has ruined the power of design for stats to produce memorable items. The most memorable items that are discussed today aren't budgetedfor: on-use capabilities, high budget exceptions (War Glaives) Honorable mention to the speed of weapons that allow them to create items that are objectively more important than others, however without the need to budget for them.
Vanilla's vanilla classes weren't interested in their Tier Gear since it was not well-categorized or did not match their specs (feral Druid or dps warlord). The tier gear in vanilla is at least adequate, or perhaps even bis. In the end I think there's more time to get decently equipped.
There are five upgrades available to the mc's feral tank, and some of them were sought-after (accuria and agi cloakoff rag). Apart from a handful of pieces that could be used in the fire resistance tanks, the tier equipment was useless. Other parts, like the heavy dark iron ring as well as the shoulders for fireguards, were removed. It was not exciting.
While not as memorable I believe it's because there are more choices. There could be three pants. There could be one heroic pants, one Kara and one made-to-order pants. The bis will slightly be a bit more prominent than the other pants. Vanilla will take you from the dungeon and then the upgrade phase for that stage.
TBC gear was among the most memorable, however Vanilla's gear was most distinct. You have DST, stunherald/lionheart, Ashes of alar, warglavies, spellstrike/spellfire/shadoweave sets, Latros shifting sword, the sun eater (not meta but still a status item back in the day on priv servers). There are many items however they're not as crazy as vanilla. Wotlk is slow. This is mainly because of two issues. It's an oof to possess Naxx 15x2.
I just started playing TBC Classic a week ago and as a novice player, I would like to solicit directions for the zones of dungeons and raids in Outland. They can be played in the same order as they appear on maps. However I would rather play them in chronological order lorewise. I completed all quests in Hellfire Peninsula and the two dungeons at Hellfire Citadel and then all quests in Zangarmarsh in the two dungeons within Serpent Lake. Now I'm in multiple zones and cheap Burning Crusade Classic Gold I'm feeling lost.
