Combine server was really really great but fast as fuck, we got to velious after like 2-3 months. So many great memories though, Server firsting naggy, Vox and being in the only guild that killed all the VP dragons was sweet. When velious opened we got absolutely crushed and snap quit.... which is why I like P99 because you get to progress at a rate where you actually get to play the expansions, I mean we'll be able to play velious for years.
There was definitely big advantages to having the spell effects still on items. like Spell Haste 2 on Djarn's ring I think was a big one. Also that Qeynos Earring of Death you had to level was hilarious.
Here's my screenshots from that era:
http://imgur.com/a/j2q83
Kind of wonder why I didn't take more from the classic era /shrug