I'm personally really disappointed to see the change to torches/light source and I'm deeply concerned this is one step on the slippery slope to conceding to the demands of the masses who don't actually want this kind of game, so will seek to change the type of game it is, and then leave shortly regardless. I'm happy to be told I'm wrong, but I really do think this change has decreased the immersion and relevance of night time and darkness. What's next, maps and quest markers? 
I also agree 100% as pointed out in my post in News and Announcements under the patch notes.
I too see it as the slippery slope giving in to the masses that want a game, not a world, and yes, Maps, Quest markers, and Free to play cash shop is the road this will take them.
It's a small thing, but a little endearing touch was that rangers could forage for an item that they could transmute into a coating for their weapon that made the main hand weapon have the properties of a torch. Bummer.
Not to mention how fun it'd have been to let us make those (sell rarer/brighter/longer duration ones maybe?) for group mates or friends. <-- Please give this some thought/consideration, Joppa. I know you know that's a better direction for us all, and we add to class diversity. I'd love to be sought after for these potions.
A small detail, but still, I'm bummed about the torch change for many other reasons as well.
I'm 100% for not having to carry a torch because that mechanic is not meant to punish players (as it indirectly did a few classes that relied on using their offhand). This is a temporary solution until they implement the ability to change weapons in combat and/or dark vision on some races. Light sources are meant to be useful and fun in the environment, not mandatory. Having to choose between equipping your best weapon(s) in combat or being able to see should not be a choice you have to make.
" If you don't like that change, can't you just simply choose to hold your torch and ignore the light slot? If it kills your immersion - then don't let it. "
It's about a world with a standard immersive ruleset that's the gripe here - gratifying a small mindset in favor of a deep and consequential world is not the path for something that endures.
I like the idea of certain classes having the benefit of having a personal light source and maybe even a ranger/summoner ability to plant a light source on the ground with a 5min duration. It also help determine the best puller classes in dark places. It also diminishes the racial vision abilities. In fact, I usually like RPG's where none of the races get any kind of night vision and the party MUST rely on a light source, and having no light source came with certain bonuses and penalties. Rogues do better in the dark. Other classes not so much.
"It's about a world with a standard immersive ruleset that's the gripe here - gratifying a small mindset in favor of a deep and consequential world is not the path for something that endures."
Being unable to equip your weapons is not an intentional part of the ruleset. It's not "gratifying a small mindset" it is removing an unintended punishment that impacted a small number of classes that people that do not play those classes have no idea how negative of a impact on simply playing the game it had. When all of the mechanics are in place, you will be able to hold your torch and equip items in your hand when combat starts... for now, this is a very quick fix that will allow for the light/dark mechanics to still exist without severely punishing some classes and being absolutely insignificant to other classes (that can hold a torch indefinitely and have no impact on their gameplay at all).
I like the light source slot.
But i dont think a torch should be equippable in the long term. Perhaps now just for testing.
In the future i think there should be items, like lightstones or crafted lanterns, that can go in that slot.
Something to work towards, so at lower levels you still have to struggle a little.
100 % agree on dissapointment in torch change, there were a LOT of ways to address the concerns of light source/ caves/ pulling.
really agree on the coolness of the ranger thing, made it feel like an accomplishment levelling :It's a small thing, but a little endearing touch was that rangers could forage for an item that they could transmute into a coating for their weapon that made the main hand weapon have the properties of a torch. Bummer.
ways to handle darkness thing...
1. make magelight castable buff on others - most mages can't do much others like other than erudite mind / mana regen for enchanter, this is a big one to add variety to a group, stronger together.
2. make weapon (and only weapon?) swapping a reality. or at least off hand swapping - make a 5 or 10 second delay if you must , but don't gimp the monk / ranger / warrior and DL DPS all at once...force the pal/DL to not use 2h at night..no sheild. just ugly and not necessary to fully lock offhand. a quick macro for swap is NOT terrible and makes the pulling at night in the dark a real thing to respect the dangerous dark environment.
3. items with night vision (rare drop crafted ? etc)
the torch slot was the start of the sell out. and now for more things to come..
" the torch slot was the start of the sell out. and now for more things to come.. "
No kidding. The real real on this was that *probably a lot of people* who couldn't wait to sub for the vision we've seen so far are now reserving thought a lot more than we were about it.
Ironically; how many squealing for changes like this and others are going to be willing to sub at all - or even play for long enough to justify changes like this.
"ways to handle darkness thing...
2. make weapon (and only weapon?) swapping a reality. or at least off hand swapping - make a 5 or 10 second delay if you must , but don't gimp the monk / ranger / warrior and DL DPS all at once...force the pal/DL to not use 2h at night..no sheild. just ugly and not necessary to fully lock offhand. a quick macro for swap is NOT terrible and makes the pulling at night in the dark a real thing to respect the dangerous dark environment.
3. items with night vision (rare drop crafted ? etc)
the torch slot was the start of the sell out. and now for more things to come.."
What if these reasons you identified as solutions/alternatives to the torch slot are literally why they are temporarily using the torch slot, while they work on making weapons swappable and creating other light sources
Lets not forget that we are still testing a game that is undergoing development - making temporary adjustments doesn't equate to selling out.
"What if these reasons you identified as solutions/alternatives to the torch slot are literally why they are temporarily using the torch slot, while they work on making weapons swappable and creating other light sources"
Because after the mini game fiasco they should be moving forward, not back tracking, redoing things that are intended temporary in a test phase to appease a vocal minority. What next, backtrack again for our 14th "New Character Models"?
They should be working on "making weapons swappable and creating other light sources" instead of making torch slots.
They should have just made torches a 2hand item, that way all classes would be treated equal. :P
You can see, or you can fight, you can't do both. =o