#0 - Feb. 7, 2007, 11:39 a.m.
According to Blizzard, the major reason they lifted the faction restrictions from paladins and shamans was because they could work out the classes more the way they wanted it. Loosely interpretted, they said they were unable to turn paladins into true tanks and shamans into melee DPS because they were restricted to one faction only.
It becomes impossible to design difficult content when you have to keep in mind one side has paladins, one side has shamans and they are wildly different, so all these years blizzard has forced both classes into a similar healing role.
Their decision to lift the faction restrictions of these classes for TBC came rather late. The precise date eludes me at the moment, but I think it was in early november somewhere? When you think about it, that means they've had hardly any time to balance shamans and paladins the way they wanted to, be it either itemisation, spells and/or talents.
They've said themselves that their view for the paladin class was to be a holy warrior, at the frontlines of the fight, soaking up the damage. Paladins were never ment to be stand at the back to heal, but with faction limitations in mind, there was no other option.
I believe Blizzard will continue to tweak and perfect paladins. The future does look bright.