You want to create diversity by forcing people to play builds that have been made obsolete by your radical "balancing" patch. Also, you believe this will be the solution to your "kneejerk reactions" and reduced play style variety? The most diverse this game has ever been was 3 years ago when you didn't fuck with balance and game mechanics patch after patch. Yeah, strength builds are popular and effective at the moment, the solution however, isn't reworking the entire game in the opposite direction.
Overreacting much ?
I like how you think that bringing the "it was better 3 years ago" would give you points from us old time fellows, but it's definitely not the case. Balance was horrible, 170 wpf build from retirement, with a full str morningstar crushthrough character, pinpoint archer accuracy, etc... Everybody running in medium gear, except a few rich guys in plate, etc... No diversity, everyone aiming for the best equipment, best weapon possible. I don't regret thoses days the slightest. Only some of the players then.
I like how a great number of STR stackers are totally forgetting the fact that this change was BOUND to happen. It was talked about a while back, and all people sticking to their STR build or starting a new one should have known the risks. (no free wpf per level is a long-awaited and decided change)
Funny how an extra 20 wpf for 9 WM, and 10 wpf less for 5 WM Hybrid is consider by you to be "reworking the entire game in the opposite direction". Yes, your full STR stacker 36/3 build will be slower, with less wpf. And ? Is it completely impossible ? No. Has hard as a 3/36 build ? Depends.
I'll still like to see additional changes for STR requirements for armor (going to 21 str for some of the higher stuff for example), but that's another matter, and i deeply await the next patch. NErf rondel daggers, longsword speed, awlpike speed, and buff WM while removing free wpf. It's like an early christmas present.