A plea for RNG and proc based gameplay

[Azurarok]

(I'm sure it was also easier back when WHM actually was lvl 50 and had less buttons).

I sure don't have that impression. StoneI-II, AeroI-II were separate spells, Fluid Aura existed, Cleric Stance existed, MP management was real, autos and tankbusters could crit, cast times were longer (especially Holy), and cross-classing existed.

And yet, tanks were apparently the ones that had scarcity problems up through SB, to the point where they created achievements to lure players into it.