How Classes Work.

[Apollo]

So I am sure you guys all read the newest posts about the class system. You do not begin as a certain class but you must work to receive the title of that class through your attributes. I am not sure if I am keen to the new attribute system but that is another story. What I do like is the idea that we have to work towards achieving certain classes. I like that it would be a privilege to hold the title Knight or Paladin instead of it just being given to us. What are your guys' thoughts on the matter?

[fogged2]

I love it, starting as a no body and then becoming influenced and creating who you are as you go along. I hate being a class right off the bat and then just gaining more skills as you go, no fun. But the sense of accomplishment for becoming something instead of being it from the get-go Is wonderful!

[Arxon Havenloft]

I think what they are doing is great. I know that eventually there will be fansites galore that tell you exactly what routes to take to be whatever 5 builds are the best in the game but I can't wait to live through that first 3-4 months where no one knows everything that it's all just a blast!

[Traceur]

i am actually concerned regarding the significance of the class bonuses...

[Arxon Havenloft]

Originally Posted by Traceur

i am actually concerned regarding the significance of the class bonuses...

You're worried about getting pigeon-holed into a class that you didn't necessarily want to be classified as? I wouldn't worry too much. They seem to know what they are doing. Balance is, after all, like the most important thing on their end to take care of.

[Traceur]

yes, but the question is whether classed-players will be balanced with non-classed players with the bonus...

personally I'd like classes to be an added customization option: you get an added ability but with an equal disadvantage...

[F0rd]

I share your fears Traceur, but I believe in the developers' abilities to balance out classes with hybrids that players will create. Something I would like to see are actually player-made classes, and I really believe that enabling user-generated content within the game would be a great feature. While EVERYBODY having their own unique class like a warrior or knight or mage or ranger doesn't make too much sense, as many people have different ideas about what a "Death Knight" or other uncommon classes are, giving people the ability to make a class in much the same way that deities have been alluded to could make for interesting gameplay. If a player were to max out his skills and stats in a certain build and was well known for his prowess in battle, people would try to emulate him regardless of whether or not they received a class bonus, because he proved that his style of play was valid.

If he were then given an option to customize his build (class) further through a set of contrasting buffs and de-buffs, sacrificing strength for intelligence more than is usually allowed within the game, or any other skill/stat combo, the veteran player that went through the hell of forging his own class through trial and error, and therefore mastered it through sheer perseverance, deserves some sort of bonus, doesn't he? Also, along the same lines, if instead of giving him stat bonuses, he were allowed to "create" his own skill within extreme limits, only attainable by members of his class, he may be required to sacrifice certain skills that are helpful in the regular game, be it climbing or swimming or some other skill that isn't directly related to his class's strengths in order to create that extra skill that gives the player that extra little bonus to fire magic or swordplay, stealth movement or bearing heavy burdens.