The ultimate problem with this article (and the other two for healers and tanks) is the title, which set the scene for everything else. You (being WoWHead) posted these articles by stating they tell people what they should play. That's the wrong way to go about it. Instead, start with an article titled "Strengths and Weaknesses of <Role> Specs in 8.3". From there you get multiple authors to all contribute about the classes/specs they know inside and out. That way you get an informative article that highlights where each spec can expect to shine and where they might struggle. And more importantly, it would give raid leaders an informative overview of how best to manage their raiders to maximize each raider's potential.Then remove the rankings graphic, which is pointless. Any player that plays well enough for the graphic to be relevant will understand how a D-tier can easily out DPS an S-tier with the right setup or even through purely more skilled play. It's been said in the comments many times, but tier rankings like this where the author himself admits he doesn't know enough about several specs so just puts those classes where he thinks they are only reinforces perceptions (even if they are wrong). And, guilds/players who all play at a high level where the differences in classes are actually relevant already made their decisions about class balance weeks ago.In summary, the article is inherently flawed from the start given the argumentative way in which it is laid out even from just the title. Tier rankings were relevant once upon a time when specs had wildly different potentials for damage. But these days, a more skilled player will easily out DPS a less skilled one regardless of class/spec. Posting articles such as this one that ignores that fact just makes it feel like click-bait, even if that was not the author's original intent, and reflects poorly on the WoWHead team for allowing/posting it.
I started a drinking game wherein I drink each time Tettles uses the word "insane", and I almost died.Good stuff overall, but it's rough for some classes. It's not a huge deal if you are forced into one spec if you are a mage or a DK, but Monk DPS are going to have a hard time getting invited in pugs.
Controversial statement, AoE / Cleave damage spells and abilities should only belong to tank specs for the sole purpose of holding threat, DPS specs should be single target only. Would solve a ton of balancing and other assorted issues.