I'm more enclined to believe that the people who don't see how the classes can fit into lore, ironically, aren't big readers, and probably won't read a multi-page explanation about how they're wrong.

Why are you destroying my dreams!!! :P

Since launch day back in 2004 I have been sad that I couldn't put together a balanced all Gnome group. Sure I could grab a Dwarf Priest and we would all be short at least, but Gnomes couldn't cover the healing role. This makes me happy :)

Except that, after the middle, they change from "the lore supports it" to "we saw someone doing that in the game before". It's interesting, yes, but it's hardly lore.

Take, for example, the explanation for the Tauren Paladins/Priests: It's speculation, sure, but it shows that there is a developing story behind the appearance of those classes in the Tauren ranks (if the story is true); on the other hand, the gnome priests is more like "yeah, there is one or two in the game already"... no back story into how the gnomes decided to train for priesthood.

Hopefully we'll get some method of adding these characters, either being able to change my draenei priest to a gnome, or new slots for characters, or something. I WILL have a gnome priest.

But, it's sort of disappointing that gnomes only get 1 new class combo. We've always had less and it's irksome. I'd rather they did Druid or Paladin to make it more multirole than simply "now you can heal", but oh well.

It *doesn't* fit lore as it stands. Some should be allowed, such as the Belf warriors and human hunters (which was probably forbidden due to game balance), but Nelf mages... I have to call bullshit on that one given the Nelf/Belf rift over magic. Likewise Troll druids and Tauren pallies. As the culture stands, there is no room for these race-class combos.

So, unless

Now it can be *worked into* the lore. Azeroth has become more multi-cultural and the result is that class choices are opening up. For example, with many members of the Horde races working with the Argent Crusade, it is indeed possible for some members of the Horde races to embrace the teaching of the Light and become Paladins or priests and the like. Likewise Alliance races who become priests... if they can accept the light they can become priests and paladins.

Another thing that can work is if we assume the Dark Iron Dwarves and the other dwarves enter the Dwarven governing again, we can have a justification for dwarves learning some new skills and new classes.

From this we can also assume that certain Nelfs might be intrigued by forbidden magics and study abroad to learn them.

Of course logically this would mean that a character could not learn some classes in their home starting zone (or else like the warlock trainers or the shaman trainer in SW), they are tucked away from the "decent folk"

If Blizz goes this route, then it seems like it can work and work well. If they try to work it in with existing lore, it will be nothing more than a failboat retcon.

As I see it this expansion will be great if Blizz works at justifying it. It will totally suck (IMO) if they try to slip it in and pretend it fits with the past instead of creating a justification from the present.

I think what the article is really trying to say is that the supposed race/class combos are plausible. The characters that have associated themselves with a particular class may not be good enough reason for all of that race to become that class, but why dismiss the idea that there may be an explanation later on? Just because it can't be proven now doesn't mean it won't be proven.

Sorry, this does not shut me up, this article just proves that only by stretching the lore, you can make it fit. It should not be like that.

Also, a little note. These 'lore purists' that supposedly do not read this. How do you think we know the lore? By watching a clip? No, by reading a million things. I read critical blogs and such, and often I do change my opinion or admit that I am wrong, I have no issues with that at all.

But this article, I am sorry, should not change any lore nerd's opinion, because again, it is such a stretch of the lore that it loses all credibility. But hey, this is not the first time that has happened. What I do find a shame, is that these columnists defend the combos instead of actually giving a critical article, not full out critical, not dissing just to diss, but at least a fair one. This is a bit fanboy-ish, I am very very sorry to say.

Seeing how indiscriminate the Light and Shadow is, I have to question why the Gnomes haven't been able to tap into the light before rather than why they should be able to.
Anyone devoted enough can tap into the Light. Even those crazy ass Scarlet Crusaders can do it, just out of sheer fanaticism.

And let me ask--what race as a whole is more fanatical, obsessive little bastards than Gnomes? Few races are willing to kill themselves because they're curious about something. Goblins might risk their lives for money, and Draenei might attempt to protect a life at a cost of their own--but they'd want to live afterward.
The Gnomes, on the other hand, have a reckless disregard for life so long as they can discover and invent new things--see Gnomish inventions. There is no purer form of fanaticism than that!

Justification for Gnome priests? Easy.

Gnomes love technology. The Naaru have some sweet technology(see: the Exodar). In their desire to learn more about the sweet technology of the Naaru, the gnomes also got lessons about the Light. They became priests.

Wasn't that easy?