Hmmm. The new UI stuff sounds like some good changes. The Barbarian and the throw/improvised weapon stuff strikes me as rather gimmicky though. Like maybe it'll be fun but IDK if I feel about what looks like gameplay features being formed around memes? Throwing/using enemies as weapons sounds really strong-not sure how viable thrown weapons will be with that around. Hopefully at least there will be 'returning weapons' down the road if it didn't come with this patch. Throwing a goblin off a bridge is one thing, accidentally throwing your +1 dagger off one is another. Sad to see that items are already going into a 'set+build' mindset. Think it's starting to show the limitations of 5e's weapon/armor system, but I'll be sad to see if our characters get pidegonholed into specific equipment builds-ie: 'below 50% health builds' 'when you heal build' etc.
Piercings being relegated to a specific variant of a specific class is a real, real shame. 'Only Wildheart barbarians can have piercings' is a really weird restriction.
Overall, I really like the sound of the UI overhaul, but the new class and combat features haven't hooked my interest. With no new story content I'm not sure I really see myself playing much of this patch. Was really hoping for a new companion or two, or the mountain pass or tweaks to some of the existing story content.
