Also, in response to this, in regards to "tanking/soaking" morchok

"Given what I've experienced in Cataclysm, I'd have to say that while pure DPS isn't identical to being a hybrid class, we've already been irrevocably changed."

There were plenty of encounters in wrath that required dps to not dps, but to take on a different aspect. Kiting the head on mimiron, being the ranged tank on blood princes, spellsteal/purging the demon dude in toc 25. This is raid design, not class design. I don't see anything more special about cataclysm in this regard versus any other expansion in wow's history, seems like you're just trying to make more of this than there is.

But if Pure DPS start facing the same problems Hybrids face, then such a labeling scheme becomes arbitrary. It starts to look more and more like "You're not a hybrid because I said you're not a hybrid" and little more.

The age old complaint of hybrids was needing multiple sets of gear to perform well, and now that it is really needed by dps as well you seem to think we're whining?

How much sense does that make?

Someone not having the appropriate gear to fulfill their role, no matter what it is, gets complaints from the entire group. However if a dps tries to call OS they get slammed or kicked for it.

Seriously?

This isn't whining, it has been part of the game for years. Now the changes in stat weights are apparent enough to be noticed, and the fact is dps needs multiple sets of gear to perform their roles to their fullest. However unlike hybrids dps aren't really able to make a case to the average player. It turns into 'NINJAYOUHAVETHESAMEILVLGEARKICKRAGERAGE'.
So it isn't the same thing, but it is getting close.

"The age old complaint of hybrids was needing multiple sets of gear to perform well,"

Um... no? I never heard anyone complaining about that, except druids that would sometimes keep 4 sets.

The age old complaint about hybrids was the "hybrid tax" that they do less dps, and those days are long gone.

Most dps'ers I know have at least 2 gear sets, one for pvp, one for dps. And usually when switching specs, it's a matter of a few pieces, maybe use this trinket instead of that. These boots instead of those.

Keeping a few extra pieces, or even building a second pve set, is really not that difficult. So much gear gets tossed around and DE'ed after the first month or 2 of a new raid, it shouldn't be difficult to pick up a few pieces here and there for an off-set.

Pyromelter, you're flat out missing the point of this article. It has nothing to do with QQ. It has nothing to do with "fulfilling different roles". It has to do with how pure DPS classes are now becoming more and more distinct along spec lines. And yes, there are more and more mechanics that being flexible and being able to switch specs makes raiding much much easier. True final dps numbers may be similar, but that doesn't mean that each spec doesn't bring with it very different advantages. In my own raid, for example...my team asks me to go fire on Zon'ozz so that I can solo a ball bounce. That makes the encounter a lot easier.

On spine? It's so much easier for everybody if I go arcane, and provide excellent controlled burst. Those two specs share the same basic gearing templates. But there are several enchant, gemming, and reforging differences. So to be optimal, I need to build a second set of gear.

But try telling people in an LFR that you need to grab some off-spec gear as a mage. I'll bet you don't make it 30 seconds before you get vote-kicked.

The point of this article, is that people need to begin to understand that hybrids aren't the ONLY classes that need multiple gear sets.

Also, the complaint that I've seen from hybrids? Has been about gear. About how they have to be able to switch specs as the raid needs, and perform different roles. Which, is pretty much what we're talking about.