Ok, first of all, as it has been said, attack speed can be changed to be the exact same as in 1.8. Second, lingering potions are just like splash potions, they heal your opponent if they walk into it, too, so that really isn't an advantage. Not to mention lingering potions are more difficult to make than you think. You need at least 4 Eyes of Ender, 4 Ghast Tears, and 28 glass to get any. That's assuming you don't use anything on your way to the End. This is because they are made with the new "dragon breath" (right click clouds on Ender Acid with an empty glass bottle). Thirdly, potion-tipped arrows are MADE with lingering potions, and are not affected by the Infinity enchantment, so they can't just be spammed like normal arrows. While they were not even mentioned, there's also the "issue" of shields. In reality, they're utterly worthless. Any bow-spammer with a Infinity bow can pound their way through the shield's pitiful durability. So by changing the attack speed attribute, PvP will remain relatively unchanged in the 1.9 Combat Update. Plus, I believe people will greatly appreciate the new blocks. Purpur, for example, has a very intriguing texture. The other new blocks will greatly help those who adore building.
