My opinion for Dragonknight balance/role in the upcoming expansion.

Knowledge

It has been stated by ZOS that Dragonknight, in PVP, is designed to "pressure an opponent" until someone arrives to finish them off. I don't disagree with this mentality but I do disagree with how it's being executed. A tank type class in PVP should have the highest amount of pressure and crowd control of all other classes as it sacrifices damage output and is beneath all other classes in terms of output.

In most games that incorporate tanks into PVP the tank is able to leash, root, stun, and debilitate its target. It is by no means a damage powerhouse but a strategic tool on the battlefield. Look at the Lancer in TERA. I am using this example because that game had a similar combat system. The Lancer would giga leash opponents and knock them down. In 3v3s and world PVP this was incredibly useful for hunting down healers or setting up a kill for your allies.

I think that the Dragonknight should encourage that same play style but execute it much better. Something that allowed back to back CCs through a passive would be ideal. The class has limited damage and has to wait for people to "arrive" to finish off an enemy. Do things that make sense. Make Talons last longer, make it cost more to break out of, make the leash root or stun the adversary it pulls. Give DKs a knockdown. Perhaps Lava whip could have a chance to knock the enemy down instead of setting them off balance. Make the DK a disruptor a CCer and give it a small burst window every so often as is the case in most PVP tanks in other games.

The Dragonknight should be able to do the following better than other classes:

• Initiate
• Disable
• Crowd Control

This would make a lot more sense if it's intended to apply pressure. Then make it a pressure powerhouse. I envision a Dragonknight leaping into the back of an enemy force in large scale combat, holding down the healers, knocking people down, and actually making its foes feel "pressured".

ak_pvp

I know of the "tank class" comment, but what of the "pressure and let others finish off" comment?

Are all us DKs meant to be the slightly deficient one they hire for inclusions sake they get to do the menial jobs whilst the actual good classes do work?

VaranisArano

Problem is, ZOS has to balance PVE and PVP together because that's what they've locked themselves into. Moreover, ZOS has to balance DKs against their intended role as tanks with ZOS' desire that all classes can be tanks and not completely shut out by DKs.

Those abilities you want buffed are some of the abilities that make DKs fantastic tanks, with far and away the best crowd control options of any of the classes. Buff DK tanks too much, and all of a sudden the other classes can't compete with DKs as tanks - which btw is something the Devs clearly tried to avoid this patch with making tanks from other classes more viable.

Its hard to balance DKs appropriately when they are the superior PVE tank option. ZOS has to make sure that DKs are good but not overwhelmingly good PVE tanks. That means DKs don't get great PVE DPS buffs. It also means DKs don't get great PVP crowd control either.

On the other hand, I've played a DK in an organized raid, and I didn't have any problems with "leash, root, stun, and debilitate its target". So, YMMV.

Knowledge

ak_pvp wrote: »

I know of the "tank class" comment, but what of the "pressure and let others finish off" comment?

Are all us DKs meant to be the slightly deficient one they hire for inclusions sake they get to do the menial jobs whilst the actual good classes do work?

Wrobel on ESO live answered a question with: "DKs are meant to only pressure a target while they wait for an ally to help finish off the enemy"

Ragnarock41

Literally every single DK main tells that they don't want to play their Dks as a boring, soulless, anti-fun tank.

yet you make this thread.

no class outside of sorcs and nbs will have actual value in this game as long as this ''Dks are tanks, templars are healers, wardens are mushrooms'' mentality keeps going.

NobleX35

Dk’s shouldn’t just be locked into the tank/cc role. It goes against the core concept of “play how you want” this game promoted when it first came out. Sure it can maybe excel at those things a little better than other classes, and subsquentally have lower damage and burst. However it still needs to have damage and at least some burst.

Speaking from a stam perspective we don’t need more survivability and cc, we need a class spammable (whip) or a better weapon spammable than dizzying swing, heroic slash, or ransack. The alternative to a better spammable is some sort of delayed burst option similar in power to templars PotL or wardens Sub Assault. We don’t need both, but we definitely need one of these.

Kilandros

I just don't understand the silly, passive healing abilities they're trying to force on DK:

Cauterize - Not targettable (it could be, just look at NB malefic wrath), not a true HoT, not a true burst heal. Basically just a lazy fire and forget ability

Obsidian Shard - Again, a lazy healing ability that doesn't let you pick the target you want to heal. You also need a monster or enemy player nearby the ally you want to heal (lol)

It's just silly how wonky these heals are

Knowledge

Ragnarock41 wrote: »

Literally every single DK main tells that they don't want to play their Dks as a boring, soulless, anti-fun tank.

yet you make this thread.

no class outside of sorcs and nbs will have actual value in this game as long as this ''Dks are tanks, templars are healers, wardens are mushrooms'' mentality keeps going.

I mean, most classes are better at doing one thing than the others. Sure you can do hybrid builds, you can be a sorc tank, but when you get to the highest levels of content the Dragonknight will be the better tank and the sorc will be the better ranged DPS.

Whether we like it or not specific classes have passives that cater to another role better than others.

You can't expect every class to be equal in DPS in a game with a trinity. It's harder to balance.

I personally like the Crowd Controlling unstoppable force disruptor role in games. I want to be a strong durable tank that leaps in with dragonwings onto groups of enemies to cause them to flee or be killed by my friends.

I also like being the peeler, the guy who leashes people off others, or CCs them, so the healer can escape to safety.

Knowledge

NobleX35 wrote: »

Dk’s shouldn’t just be locked into the tank/cc role. It goes against the core concept of “play how you want” this game promoted when it first came out. Sure it can maybe excel at those things a little better than other classes, and subsquentally have lower damage and burst. However it still needs to have damage and at least some burst.

Speaking from a stam perspective we don’t need more survivability and cc, we need a class spammable (whip) or a better weapon spammable than dizzying swing, heroic slash, or ransack. The alternative to a better spammable is some sort of delayed burst option similar in power to templars PotL or wardens Sub Assault. We don’t need both, but we definitely need one of these.

Where does it say "play how you want"?

Ragnarock41

Knowledge wrote: »

Ragnarock41 wrote: »

Literally every single DK main tells that they don't want to play their Dks as a boring, soulless, anti-fun tank.

yet you make this thread.

no class outside of sorcs and nbs will have actual value in this game as long as this ''Dks are tanks, templars are healers, wardens are mushrooms'' mentality keeps going.

I mean, most classes are better at doing one thing than the others. Sure you can do hybrid builds, you can be a sorc tank, but when you get to the highest levels of content the Dragonknight will be the better tank and the sorc will be the better ranged DPS.

Whether we like it or not specific classes have passives that cater to another role better than others.

You can't expect every class to be equal in DPS in a game with a trinity. It's harder to balance.

I personally like the Crowd Controlling unstoppable force disruptor role in games. I want to be a strong durable tank that leaps in with dragonwings onto groups of enemies to cause them to flee or be killed by my friends.

I also like being the peeler, the guy who leashes people off others, or CCs them, so the healer can escape to safety.

I don't expect equal anything.

I want a damn reason to play stamDK over magDk in PvP. There just isn't one.

They focused on making magDk better in PvP, despite the fact they are already the better option for PvP.

ZOS can just offer me a free race change with summerset instead of the dumb mount and I'm deal. Hell, I'll play magDK, I'm just tired of playing the worst friggen *** for an entire year now.

Knowledge

Ragnarock41 wrote: »

Knowledge wrote: »

Ragnarock41 wrote: »

Literally every single DK main tells that they don't want to play their Dks as a boring, soulless, anti-fun tank.

yet you make this thread.

no class outside of sorcs and nbs will have actual value in this game as long as this ''Dks are tanks, templars are healers, wardens are mushrooms'' mentality keeps going.

I mean, most classes are better at doing one thing than the others. Sure you can do hybrid builds, you can be a sorc tank, but when you get to the highest levels of content the Dragonknight will be the better tank and the sorc will be the better ranged DPS.

Whether we like it or not specific classes have passives that cater to another role better than others.

You can't expect every class to be equal in DPS in a game with a trinity. It's harder to balance.

I personally like the Crowd Controlling unstoppable force disruptor role in games. I want to be a strong durable tank that leaps in with dragonwings onto groups of enemies to cause them to flee or be killed by my friends.

I also like being the peeler, the guy who leashes people off others, or CCs them, so the healer can escape to safety.

I don't expect equal anything.

I want a damn reason to play stamDK over magDk in PvP. There just isn't one.

If you're a meta minded player there absolutely isn't one. If you want to be a stamina PVPer you're better off with a Stamden for magicka a Magblade. There will always be king of everything class. Now, if you like the Dragonknight theme and maybe want a little more challenge with PVP then it may make more sense to still play the MagDK or StamDK.

VaranisArano

Knowledge wrote: »

NobleX35 wrote: »

Dk’s shouldn’t just be locked into the tank/cc role. It goes against the core concept of “play how you want” this game promoted when it first came out. Sure it can maybe excel at those things a little better than other classes, and subsquentally have lower damage and burst. However it still needs to have damage and at least some burst.

Speaking from a stam perspective we don’t need more survivability and cc, we need a class spammable (whip) or a better weapon spammable than dizzying swing, heroic slash, or ransack. The alternative to a better spammable is some sort of delayed burst option similar in power to templars PotL or wardens Sub Assault. We don’t need both, but we definitely need one of these.

Where does it say "play how you want"?

Here's the advertisement. Which sort of proves your point, since there's nothing about playstyle in it at all.

VaranisArano

Ragnarock41 wrote: »

Literally every single DK main tells that they don't want to play their Dks as a boring, soulless, anti-fun tank.

yet you make this thread.

no class outside of sorcs and nbs will have actual value in this game as long as this ''Dks are tanks, templars are healers, wardens are mushrooms'' mentality keeps going.

I main a DK, a magDK tank, and I like tanking (which when don't right isn't boring, soulless and anti-fun at all IMO), so maybe I won't pretend I speak for every literally every DK and you won't either, hmmm?

I agree that as long as ZOS tries to force DKs to be good tanks yet not the best-ever-no-one-else-can-compete tanks, DKs are going to suffer from being locked into the tank role. I don't think ZOS knows how to buff them without making them the only choice for end-game tanks.

Ragnarock41

Knowledge wrote: »

Ragnarock41 wrote: »

Knowledge wrote: »

Ragnarock41 wrote: »

Literally every single DK main tells that they don't want to play their Dks as a boring, soulless, anti-fun tank.

yet you make this thread.

no class outside of sorcs and nbs will have actual value in this game as long as this ''Dks are tanks, templars are healers, wardens are mushrooms'' mentality keeps going.

I mean, most classes are better at doing one thing than the others. Sure you can do hybrid builds, you can be a sorc tank, but when you get to the highest levels of content the Dragonknight will be the better tank and the sorc will be the better ranged DPS.

Whether we like it or not specific classes have passives that cater to another role better than others.

You can't expect every class to be equal in DPS in a game with a trinity. It's harder to balance.

I personally like the Crowd Controlling unstoppable force disruptor role in games. I want to be a strong durable tank that leaps in with dragonwings onto groups of enemies to cause them to flee or be killed by my friends.

I also like being the peeler, the guy who leashes people off others, or CCs them, so the healer can escape to safety.

I don't expect equal anything.

I want a damn reason to play stamDK over magDk in PvP. There just isn't one.

If you're a meta minded player there absolutely isn't one. If you want to be a stamina PVPer you're better off with a Stamden for magicka a Magblade. There will always be king of everything class. Now, if you like the Dragonknight theme and maybe want a little more challenge with PVP then it may make more sense to still play the MagDK or StamDK.

If I was a meta minded player I would leave stamDk the day morrowind rolled out. I can't even call this thing a class anymore. Its just weapon abilities with major mending on top of it. Its still early to talk and all but Its clear that they just do not give a flying mudcrab about stamDk.

Knowledge

VaranisArano wrote: »

Knowledge wrote: »

NobleX35 wrote: »

Dk’s shouldn’t just be locked into the tank/cc role. It goes against the core concept of “play how you want” this game promoted when it first came out. Sure it can maybe excel at those things a little better than other classes, and subsquentally have lower damage and burst. However it still needs to have damage and at least some burst.

Speaking from a stam perspective we don’t need more survivability and cc, we need a class spammable (whip) or a better weapon spammable than dizzying swing, heroic slash, or ransack. The alternative to a better spammable is some sort of delayed burst option similar in power to templars PotL or wardens Sub Assault. We don’t need both, but we definitely need one of these.

Where does it say "play how you want"?

Here's the advertisement. Which sort of proves your point, since there's nothing about playstyle in it at all.

It states beneath "Play the way you like": Battle, craft, siege, or explore. The choice is your's to make in a persistent Elder Scrolls world.

It's pretty clear about what it means. It's offering a sandbox-like feel where we can do what we want whether it be crafting, pvping(siege), PVEing, or exploration. it isn't stating anything about hybrid builds or anything of the like. You can't sort of assume it means hybrid builds or being able to be many roles and be the most proficient at them on any class.

If that were the case we could all twist it to fit our argument. For example, I could say "Play the way you like" means that I get to be a stealth ranged tank. Which wouldn't work.

NobleX35

Knowledge wrote: »

NobleX35 wrote: »

Dk’s shouldn’t just be locked into the tank/cc role. It goes against the core concept of “play how you want” this game promoted when it first came out. Sure it can maybe excel at those things a little better than other classes, and subsquentally have lower damage and burst. However it still needs to have damage and at least some burst.

Speaking from a stam perspective we don’t need more survivability and cc, we need a class spammable (whip) or a better weapon spammable than dizzying swing, heroic slash, or ransack. The alternative to a better spammable is some sort of delayed burst option similar in power to templars PotL or wardens Sub Assault. We don’t need both, but we definitely need one of these.

Where does it say "play how you want"?

This game was heavily advertised as giving the player the options to play how they wanted, and is something that they’ve usually tried to work towards. Hence the reason so many changes for DKs are based around trying to make the a viable healer (even though they probably still won’t be).

Knowledge

NobleX35 wrote: »

Knowledge wrote: »

NobleX35 wrote: »

Dk’s shouldn’t just be locked into the tank/cc role. It goes against the core concept of “play how you want” this game promoted when it first came out. Sure it can maybe excel at those things a little better than other classes, and subsquentally have lower damage and burst. However it still needs to have damage and at least some burst.

Speaking from a stam perspective we don’t need more survivability and cc, we need a class spammable (whip) or a better weapon spammable than dizzying swing, heroic slash, or ransack. The alternative to a better spammable is some sort of delayed burst option similar in power to templars PotL or wardens Sub Assault. We don’t need both, but we definitely need one of these.

Where does it say "play how you want"?

This game was heavily advertised as giving the player the options to play how they wanted, and is something that they’ve usually tried to work towards. Hence the reason so many changes for DKs are based around trying to make the a viable healer (even though they probably still won’t be).

So far we have the back of a box copy that clearly indicated playing how we want meant doing whatever activity we wanted sort of like a sandbox. Whether it be PVE, PVP, crafting, or exploration. It clearly states that below the quote "Play the way you like".

Now, you have stated just now that it was heavily advertised as giving the player the options to play how they wanted. Since I am disputing this and you have just remarked it was heavily advertised as giving the player the options to play how they wanted it would be very easy for you to show me something that states that. Heavy advertisement would be very easy to dig up.

Until then I am disputing that was the case. I believe the back of the box copy is being either twisted or misinterpreted in what it is stating.

NobleX35

Knowledge wrote: »

NobleX35 wrote: »

Knowledge wrote: »

NobleX35 wrote: »

Dk’s shouldn’t just be locked into the tank/cc role. It goes against the core concept of “play how you want” this game promoted when it first came out. Sure it can maybe excel at those things a little better than other classes, and subsquentally have lower damage and burst. However it still needs to have damage and at least some burst.

Speaking from a stam perspective we don’t need more survivability and cc, we need a class spammable (whip) or a better weapon spammable than dizzying swing, heroic slash, or ransack. The alternative to a better spammable is some sort of delayed burst option similar in power to templars PotL or wardens Sub Assault. We don’t need both, but we definitely need one of these.

Where does it say "play how you want"?

This game was heavily advertised as giving the player the options to play how they wanted, and is something that they’ve usually tried to work towards. Hence the reason so many changes for DKs are based around trying to make the a viable healer (even though they probably still won’t be).

So far we have the back of a box copy that clearly indicated playing how we want meant doing whatever activity we wanted sort of like a sandbox. Whether it be PVE, PVP, crafting, or exploration. It clearly states that below the quote "Play the way you like".

Now, you have stated just now that it was heavily advertised as giving the player the options to play how they wanted. Since I am disputing this and you have just remarked it was heavily advertised as giving the player the options to play how they wanted it would be very easy for you to show me something that states that. Heavy advertisement would be very easy to dig up.

Until then I am disputing that was the case. I believe the back of the box copy is being either twisted or misinterpreted in what it is stating.

So you clearly were not around at launch and clearly don’t pay much attention to the forums since this topic is brought up on basically a daily basis.

Do the research yourself because I don’t really care if you believe me or not...it’s honestly besides the point. The point is that every balanced mmo with a class based system does not just lock those classes into a single solitary role. Their is flexibility and while certain classes can excel at certain roles that doesn’t mean that’s the only role they can have, for example even a tank class can still have a damage line. I disagree with your suggestions because you want to lock DK’s into that single role, since it’s a role that you like to play.

Kodrac

Knowledge wrote: »

misinterpreted

People hear (read) what they want to hear. Unfortunately, when confronted with other interpretations, they refuse to accept it. I for one don't like homogenization. I enjoy unique skills. But at the same time I don't think people must play one specific class in order to do a certain job. Balance is funny that way.

Knowledge

Kodrac wrote: »

Knowledge wrote: »

misinterpreted

People hear (read) what they want to hear. Unfortunately, when confronted with other interpretations, they refuse to accept it. I for one don't like homogenization. I enjoy unique skills. But at the same time I don't think people must play one specific class in order to do a certain job. Balance is funny that way.

Don't get me wrong I am not trying to be rude I seriously don't see this heavy advertisement that they are talking about. Nor do I see any advertisement about hybrid builds, mixed roles, everyone's class does everything equal, or anything of the sort.

What I have seen is developers on ESO live stating the DK is supposed to pressure a target until help arrives.

Loralai_907

You have to go waaaay back to find it. It was heavily stated in the old days that you could play how you wanted, do anything you wanted, you could pair weird things together and everything would be fine because you should play how you want and everything is game.

You know how like every year they change things up and its a whole new plan, thats what it was. The first year was all boom do what you want all over the place, and then it went to something else. I think that was the year they had those REALLY bad commercials with like 3 actors as friends walking around in ES costumes talking about playing together, year 2 may have been all about playing with friends.

Either that or I reality jumped or something because I remember how much the focused on do whatever you want that first year. Thats how I ended up with a Bosmer mDK. Uh huh. Thats right. A Bosmer mDK. I ran with that whole do whatever you want thing so hard lol

Knowledge

mommadani907 wrote: »

You have to go waaaay back to find it. It was heavily stated in the old days that you could play how you wanted, do anything you wanted, you could pair weird things together and everything would be fine because you should play how you want and everything is game.

You know how like every year they change things up and its a whole new plan, thats what it was. The first year was all boom do what you want all over the place, and then it went to something else. I think that was the year they had those REALLY bad commercials with like 3 actors as friends walking around in ES costumes talking about playing together, year 2 may have been all about playing with friends.

Either that or I reality jumped or something because I remember how much the focused on do whatever you want that first year. Thats how I ended up with a Bosmer mDK. Uh huh. Thats right. A Bosmer mDK. I ran with that whole do whatever you want thing so hard lol

Again, I am just asking to show me something that says that. I've done some searching for commercials, advertisements, and beyond the play your way type thing (crafting, gathering, fighting, pvping) I can't find anything remotely lose.

Once more, HEAVILY ADVERTISED would be very easy to find.

Maybe a moderator could chime in to confirm.

Knowledge

Here's a commercial from 2014.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfpbkGUhmt0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRk6LI9e7V4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JLJ0HwQTX4

VaranisArano

I suspect this is what "battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore" looks like in advertisement. Also, go grab snacks or afk. Also, as is usual for ZOS, featuring a bunch of builds that look cool but don't actually work all that well. We even see a light attack spammer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-olm8n5gdsQ



For a more serious look at it, the Freedom and Choice trail is all about the freedom to..."battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E9rNgZ57m8&t=99s

VaranisArano

Also, ZOS does have a distinct habit of making advertisement images that look cool and bear no reality to the game. My favorite example: "Hey, guys, I brought my PVE guild to Cyrodiil for Raid tonight and we just all threw on completely random Undaunted sets and it'll be awesome! Right? Right?"

Knowledge

VaranisArano wrote: »

I suspect this is what "battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore" looks like in advertisement. Also, go grab snacks or afk. Also, as is usual for ZOS, featuring a bunch of builds that look cool but don't actually work all that well. We even see a light attack spammer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-olm8n5gdsQ



For a more serious look at it, the Freedom and Choice trail is all about the freedom to..."battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E9rNgZ57m8&t=99s

The first video doesn't state anything about hybrid builds, everything being viable, etc. Nor does the second. The second video only solidifies that "play the way you want" was clearly stating to do whatever activity you want.

Neither video states that all options will be viable, that all classes will be equal, or that every role can be competently performed on every class equally.

VaranisArano

Knowledge wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

I suspect this is what "battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore" looks like in advertisement. Also, go grab snacks or afk. Also, as is usual for ZOS, featuring a bunch of builds that look cool but don't actually work all that well. We even see a light attack spammer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-olm8n5gdsQ



For a more serious look at it, the Freedom and Choice trail is all about the freedom to..."battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E9rNgZ57m8&t=99s

The first video doesn't state anything about hybrid builds, everything being viable, etc. Nor does the second. The second video only solidifies that "play the way you want" was clearly stating to do whatever activity you want.

Neither video states that all options will be viable, that all classes will be equal, or that every role can be competently performed on every class equally.

I didn't say it did? Unless you were speaking in general.

Knowledge

VaranisArano wrote: »

Knowledge wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

I suspect this is what "battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore" looks like in advertisement. Also, go grab snacks or afk. Also, as is usual for ZOS, featuring a bunch of builds that look cool but don't actually work all that well. We even see a light attack spammer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-olm8n5gdsQ



For a more serious look at it, the Freedom and Choice trail is all about the freedom to..."battle, craft, steal, fish, siege or explore".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E9rNgZ57m8&t=99s

The first video doesn't state anything about hybrid builds, everything being viable, etc. Nor does the second. The second video only solidifies that "play the way you want" was clearly stating to do whatever activity you want.

Neither video states that all options will be viable, that all classes will be equal, or that every role can be competently performed on every class equally.

I didn't say it did? Unless you were speaking in general.

I am speaking in general not directly to you. I am showing that the argument about playing the way you want being about builds was misinterpreted and is only about the activity you want.

Loralai_907

Here is one video I found. It is from ZOS, it is official information, and they specifically said you could be a sneaky healer, or a heavy armor tank with a bow, or a mage with 2H. I know I saw similar stuff, where they basically said play how you want, you can build your characters however. But I am not going to spend any more time looking.

Start 4 minutes in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxJTsq2XeKY


There are several threads on the forums going back to 2014 where they are talking about how we were told play as you want, but then maybe it was a bad idea or they didn't mean it how people took it. Yes, they did. They meant it exactly the way people took it. And they adapted and changed, as they do, and that story of play how you want went away. Every year it changes. You just can't get hung up on what they said last year or expect for what they say this year to apply at all next year.

Knowledge

mommadani907 wrote: »

Here is one video I found. It is from ZOS, it is official information, and they specifically said you could be a sneaky healer, or a heavy armor tank with a bow, or a mage with 2H. I know I saw similar stuff, where they basically said play how you want, you can build your characters however. But I am not going to spend any more time looking.

Start 4 minutes in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxJTsq2XeKY


There are several threads on the forums going back to 2014 where they are talking about how we were told play as you want, but then maybe it was a bad idea or they didn't mean it how people took it. Yes, they did. They meant it exactly the way people took it. And they adapted and changed, as they do, and that story of play how you want went away. Every year it changes. You just can't get hung up on what they said last year or expect for what they say this year to apply at all next year.

You do have the choices outlined in the video but that doesn't mean every build or weapon is going to be the most viable option. When he says a "mage with a sword" that could be interpreted as a Stam Sorc which was relevant at the time and still is relevant. It's not that outlandish. You can equip a bow and be a heavy armor character that is a tank and run most content like that currently. it won't be as viable as dual sword and board but you can do it.

Saying we can do something does not make it meta or make it the most viable option. Look at Alcasthq.com. He has healer builds for just about every class, tank builds for every class, but when it gets to be harder content such as Veteran HM Dungeons and Trials a DK/Warden will be your go-to tank. A Warden or Templar will be your viable healer.

Do not confuse "can do it" with homogenize. What you are expecting is for all classes to be on equal footing in ALL roles which is homogenizing and is not "can use" or "can be" it's making everyone equal in all facets which would be hard to do not to mention dull and boring.

Avran_Sylt

... This game is faster paced than most other MMO's. CC chaining means death to practically any player. So no on that front.

If you want to be a sapper style tank, theory-craft some builds yourself first before declaring it impossible and wanting it for only one class.

Use a Frost Staff + WoE to slow and immobilize your opponents frequently. Utilize Resource Poisons to sap their resources, use fossilize to stun permablock/roller characters, Run Tri-pots on an Argonian for Sustain and backbar a resto for that sweet sweet cheap healing ultimate that'll also restore your resources. Run Durok's Bane and Thurvokin to reduce their damage and healing even more. With the Summerset Expac you can have a Master's Resto on healing bar for added regen and can have Transmutation on Weapon+jewelry for even more defense and mag regen.

That's the most cancerous build I can think of right now, and would probably fit what you want. You're gonna do nothing in terms of damage too.