[Rasah]

Some of the problem might be from player perceptions. I started a druid, and then levelled a mage once the druid got to 50 before Kunark was launched.

My druid had certain abilities that I had grown used to upon making the character, and that became my baseline. Since that time, the following things have occurred: DS times got reduced. Dots stopped stacking. Dot effectiveness dropped 33% if mobs are moving. Snare and root no longer stack. The only thing that was added was charm no longer checks against charisma. Now if only there were more animals...

For mages, first innate Dual Wield was removed unless you hand it 2 weapons, and now pet damage is nerfed.

I suspect other classes may have similar gripes.

Sure, now those 2 particular classes are more like classic. And I suppose if I started playing today, I wouldn't know the difference. But the reality was that I was enjoying playing 2 classes, and through various patches they became less fun. I suspect the disappointment over what peoples characters can no longer do has had an impact on people's eagerness to log on.