Strictly speaking in terms of MMOs, WoW is subpar in many, many ways.
PvP is gear based pretty much 90%. Talents play a small part (9%), though you can just follow a guide for the perfect talent setups for what you want your class to do. Then spell/skill rotations (1%). That's it. A retarded person could literally be one of the best players in WoW if they had the best gear, and could pound out a spell/skill rotation.
The gameplay itself is actually starting to feel incredibly dated. Combat feels sluggish and lacking.
It has a lot to do PvE wise though, and everything is easy. So casual gamers flock to the game.
It's also VERY reliant on being social, and grouping up. The game is terrible if you don't.
WoW is popular because:
1: it's casual to the max
2: It's popular. Yep. Being popular helps it continue to be popular.
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Anyways. ProTip, if you want to hand out references, just tell people outright. "Anyone looking to play WoW and feel like going off of my ref to help a brotha out?"
Don't be sneaky. You just get flamed.