It's a separate company, I don't understand how they don't get sued into oblivion, but they update the game all the time, it's feature rich and has so much to explore. The website is ascension.gg. They also have an alpha server which cost money to get access to with 21 brand new classes, none of the old classes, new ability, new talents.

Not sure what you mean. Ascension is a private server, not run by Blizzard.

I'm so happy someone tried out Ascension based on my post! I've been playing around in there for a few months now, nothing hard core, just trying different specs or build ideas. At first it does feel very overwhelming, but they've made changes to the talents to sometimes make them a bit more agnostic or if the talent says "Increases Pet Damage" it'll generally apply to any pet. That combined with the ability to search for any ability or talent based on keywords or phrases like "All Damage" to find talents to increase damage mitgation all combines to allow you to think up interesting specs and try building it your self.

The other thing I adore about this system is, in normal WoW, there has always been the meta, if you're a fire mage and you want to raid you better be specced this one certain way or your trash. Well in Ascension, the options are so god damn wide open that no you could very well come up with unique build that is better then anyone has made before. Also people can't see your spec in game, so there just isn't that rigid expectation of choosing the "right" spec.

Also check out prestiging , it's fun to loop back to level 1, level back up and earn rewards. Or prestige , and pick a Ironman challenge, where you get 1 life and need to accomplish a certain goal like, kill hogger before level 10 or you fail. I'm working on an Ironman Challenge called "King of the Jungle" where you get 1 life, and need to kill the final tiger boss in the Stranglethorn Vale big game hunt quest line before level 40!

Over all, it's just a very well thought out and daring approach. On top of Ascension's Area 52 server that I'm on (Free pick classless), there's also the Thrall server which is also classless, but instead if free pick you get a selection of 3 or 4 abilities when you level and you try to assemble your build using those cards. I have some friends that positively love the draft server, but it isn't my cup of tea.