https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/gaming-rig/matthew-wilson/world-of-warcraft-shadowlands-system-requirements-call-for-ssd-storage-and-beefier-gpus/
 
This is likely a shift that we’ll see with most games over the next couple of years, as next-gen consoles will make SSDs standard for gaming. Given the sheer amount of content in WoW, an SSD certainly wouldn’t hurt, particularly when travelling between zones and instances.
 
Here are the minimum system requirements for WoW: Shadowlands:

• OS: Windows 7 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-3450 or AMD FX 8300
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 760, AMD Radeon RX 560, or Intel UHD 630 (45W) (DirectX 11 compatible GPU with 2GB VRAM)
• RAM: 4GB (8GB if using integrated graphics)
• Storage: SSD, 100GB available space

Meanwhile, the recommended specs call for:

• OS: Windows 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 or AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 (DirectX 12 compatible GPU with 8GB VRAM)
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: SSD, 100GB available space

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is currently due to launch on the 27th of October, complete with ray-traced shadows for RTX GPU owners.
 
Looks like some of the system requirements are a bit strong but most gamers should be able to meet the requirements in my personal opinion. 

Brad_Hawthorne
WoW cartoon graphics require an SSD? This is the funniest thing I've heard all day.

Surely feels like 2000 graphics still to me so the jump might only mean 2010 type graphics. 

I bought a laptop to play WoW back when Wrath of the Lich King came out. It has a Core 2 Duo, GeForce 9600m GS, 4GB DDR2 RAM, and a 5400 RPM hard drive. It handled 25 man raids on high settings. Before that, I was playing on a laptop with a Turion 2 and integrated graphics. It worked for leveling and 5 man instances, but struggled otherwise. The current minimum required card, the GTX 760, is 855% faster than what my laptop has according to Tech Power Up. I'm glad Blizzard is keeping the graphics up to date on that game.

The game still looks good, especially the newer areas. 

Brad_Hawthorne
WoW cartoon graphics require an SSD? This is the funniest thing I've heard all day.

I was thinking the same thing.

flyinion
They reverted the SSD requirement.  As far as the graphics yeah it was originally low poly cartoonish stuff so it would run on more machines.  Now they've kept the style but made the graphics actually a lot more detailed.  They've even added RTX support for shadows in the new expansion.  It still no Crysis or anything, but it's come a long way from those early low res texture days.

My gnomes face looks like melted flesh, however, I hate the change..they should have let me keep the original model if I wanted it.
 

It's funny looking at the graphical improvements over the years and realizing just how far they've come. IMO, they have that subtle type of improvement that you don't notice until you see them side by side.

I never thought I would need more than my current 1060 to meet WoW's recommended specs. It's always been such an easy game to run. Looking forward to experiencing shadowlands on my new Ultrawide.

Man, I remember playing The Burning Crusade/Wrath of the Lich King as a teen. It kinda destroyed my social life during high school. Nostalgia in me cannot wait for TBC Classic... WoW's environments now look great though.