Why roll Icecrown for PvP instead of Blackrock?
So a question that I have seen been asked here and there as of late is this: Why should anyone interested in PvP alone choose Icecrown or Lordaeron instead of Blackrock?
While the crossrealm BG implementation reduced the queue times it also brought a problematic aspect aswell.
That aspect is the entire Blackrock server.
As a player who is only interested in doing PvP (Be it Arenas, BGs or Duels) there is next to no reason to choose Icecrown or Lordaeron over Blackrock. Let's take a look at all the benefits you get from choosing Blackrock over Icecrown/Lordaeron for PvP.
1. On Blackrock you do not have to level up.
2. You get free epics that are quite powerful for a starter character (compared to Greens/Blues on IC/L).
3. Free professions for bonuses (also easy to switch on demand).
4. Free enchants. No need to farm any gold.
5. Free/cheap items of great PvP value eg: Heavy Frostweave Bandages, Soul Shards and Graccu's Mince Meat Fruitcake.
6. Cheap consumables for honor.
7. BiS High End HC PvE gear for Arena points/Honor with mediocre rating requirements.
8. Free Glyphs, Respec etc.
9. Unobtainable items for Arena Points/Honor that otherwise could only be obtained from the store.
10. Access to the same battlegrounds and arenas as those from Icecrown and Lordaeron.
There are only a few things that you can't really get on Blackrock:
1. World PvP, pretty much nonexistent.
2. Shadowmourne (but from what I have heard you will soon be able to).
3. PvE content.
With all of this is mind, how will Icecrown and Lordaeron keep their populations afloat for anything else than PvE when new PvP orientated players eventually will figure out Blackrock is far better for their needs?