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Originally Posted by FoghornDeadhorn  ...game design choices and mechanics all tie in at the most heightened end of the PVE game, where scripts get more elaborate and class interaction becomes more extreme... |
This is important. Hardcore players experience everything to its most extreme degree. Every problem and every solution is more visible at the raid level. It's a great teaching tool.
For example the consumable reliance in WoW was something raiders felt intensely. Obviously its solution helped spare their sanity most of all, but the decision of balancing raids against players all potted up is anti-casual. Only people with a lot of time on their hands can commit to that.
It's not a great example as the lesson is easily observed without participating, but it's all I've got at the moment. Hardcore players exert a force on the game that puts flaws on display and being hardcore enables you to see them more clearly.