3 new players

Hello !

I am considering playing on Icecrown with 2 friends and was wondering :

1) is it possible to clean PvE from Naxx to ICC or is everybody on the Lich King and it is hard to find groups for Naxx ?

2) is Horde or Alliance better for PvE progression from scratch to ICC ? (easyness to find guild, do pick up,...) or are they equal ?

3) Is the possibility to buy gear not killing the achievement feeling when making progress by yourself ? Is everybody overstuff, is it pay2win ?

4) is there any specific role that is lacking ? Tanks ?

Thanks guys and see you soon IG !

1) It's possible, though you will have a harder time finding people for Naxx specifically. All (except Malygos) of the other raids are a fair bit more commonly done.

2) Both are very good for PvE.

3) Some people you will find are very geared, but that doesn't mean they've paid for their gear. Keep in mind that the server has been around for years now. I don't like the "pay2win" term (because it is very vague and misleading), but the answer to this part depends on your definition of it. Can you buy items that aren't obtainable in the game? No. Is the gearing process made more difficult than normally Blizz-like to encourage paying for gear? No. Whether or not you feel it is unfair that people can pay for their gear is subjective and another discussion entirely.

4) GOOD tanks are lacking. But otherwise, the realm is well populated enough to where the sheer numbers just overcomes most issues related to this concern.

Your best bet is to join a guild that isn't focused on clearing high end content (not all guilds are looking for ICC25hc/RS25hc members).

Naxx/Ulduar raids are pretty rare. You'll have to keep an eye out for those, but if you feel like hosting you won't have a problem finding members. Even overgeared people will join for the achievments/scrolls.

Horde is a little bit more serious when it comes to PvE, but alliance is way more populated (not necessarily a good thing). There is no pay2win when it comes to PvE. You can easily gear your characters without having to pay anything. You'll just have to get really lucky with some BiS items like trinkets, that would be your best bet if you ever consider donating.

PvP tends to be pay2win, sadly. From personal experience, you'll find most of the people are full BiS (shadowmourn+wf shoulders and other nonsense like that) even under 1.8k rating in arenas. I've lost to backpaddling warriors in mirror matches just because of the gear difference. You literally have to be BiS/close to BiS or a REALLY skilled pvp-er to stand a chance.

Tanks and healers are always hard to find. As for DPS, a few specs that are sought after are shadow priest/boomie/elem shaman/locks. Try to stay away from retri paladins or dps dk's, there's an abundance of people rolling those classes.
Note: Do not roll a warrior tank, as they are harder to play/worse than other tanks. People don't like prot warriors and you'll have a harder time getting invites. Also have an offspec ready if you're going to tank. Yes, tanks are rare and you won't have problems with RDF's/10 man raids, but you'll have problems getting invites in ICC25 as a tank unless you're very well geared. That's why you need an offspec.