Class Identity & Diversity (Aesthetics) Thoughts?

CitizenBurns

So in a few weeks we will have 6 classes in the game and I am so stoked to see things expanding and getting bigger. The Necromancer feels much different than any other class and that's kind of my point on this thread. So each class has 3 skill lines unique to them and those skill lines help to build their identity both visually and gameplay wise. One thing I've always been down about is how static the other skill lines in the game are represented. I'll explain:

In the bow skill line (A neutral skill line available to all classes)
I equip a bow on my DK and I have access to 5 static abilities such as Poison Arrow, alright
I equip a bow on my Templar and I have access to 5 static abilities such as Poison Arrow, alright... etc etc
The problem is not how the abilities works or it's mechanics, the problem is how the ability looks the same for each class.
I understand from a balance perspective the abilities have to be the same and work the same on each class. I'm not proposing and changes to gameplay only visuals.

What if the mechanics and intent of the ability stayed the same on each class but how the ability looks changed?

DKs have fire/poison arrows
Sorcs lightning arrows
Wardens ice/nature arrows
... etc

It would be so dope to have aesthetic toggles to our neutral abilities to further customize and give an identity to our characters. I'm not referring specifically to bow abilities those were just examples I would like to see each ability in the game with a toggle that fits the identity of our class if we so choose. These could be toggled as well so it people prefer the ol' neutral look they can have it as well.

Why is this not a thing? Thoughts?

reprosal

Sad to say this is really not important given the current state of the game. Classes right now need to have more usefulness associated with them to reduce the staus quo of class stacking in trials.

No I don’t think every class should have the same skillset, but at least bring more to the table.

Rehdaun

Zos doesn't give a rat's behind about racial identity, class identity or anything else like that. Otherwise they wouldn't have stripped it all away the last few patches all in the name of balance.

CitizenBurns

reprosal wrote: »

Sad to say this is really not important given the current state of the game. Classes right now need to have more usefulness associated with them to reduce the status quo of class stacking in trials.

No I don’t think every class should have the same skill set, but at least bring more to the table.

That's also part of my reasoning. Most stam builds use the same neutral abilities. Every class ends up looking the same in their builds, literally. Rearming trap, Endless Hail, Razor Caltrops... on every single stam build on every class... bland and uninteresting to look at.

My reasoning is adding some flavor. I'm ok for now using the same ability on every single class if it at least looks and matches the flavor of my class.

Now true diversity in abilities... that would be awesome as well but I don't think we're going to get rid of the above scenario any time soon and aesthetics seem much easier to implement in the time being.

CitizenBurns

Rehdaun wrote: »

Zos doesn't give a rat's behind about racial identity, class identity or anything else like that. Otherwise they wouldn't have stripped it all away the last few patches all in the name of balance.

I'm talking pure aesthetics here. The changes to racial passives, nerfs etc aren't my focus. I literally just get tired of looking at the same ability on every build and every class.

I remember the first time I saw a meteor years ago and I was like... "Whoa dude what was that?" That is one big part of MMOs for me, the flashy nature of abilities. I want to look cool killing things. Stam or Mag it doesn't really matter. All DPS will run at least 3-4 of the exact same abilities no matter their class. It's so boring to look at.

VaranisArano

Changing how skills look is fine for PVE.

In PVP, the learning curve for new players learning how certain skills look well enough to react instinctively is steep enough without adding even more variations.

CitizenBurns

VaranisArano wrote: »

Changing how skills look is fine for PVE.

In PVP, the learning curve for new players learning how certain skills look well enough to react instinctively is steep enough without adding even more variations.

If this is really a problem, which I don't think it is, it could be disabled for PvP. If you see caltrops that are on fire they came from DK for example. If they are lightning they are from a sorc. If anything, I think this would give people a better idea of what they are up against. I just want some flavor in my life and I can't imagine people would be that opposed to it.

I know this is low priority but if the devs sit in a think tank for a few minutes it could have some really nice bumps in immersion and class identity.

They spent time developing the ability to sit in chairs for god's sake. Why not some fun flavor?

reprosal

So you basically want more microtransactions in the game..?

CitizenBurns

reprosal wrote: »

So you basically want more microtransactions in the game..?

I can understand where you would assume they would be microtransactions and maybe they would be. Obviously we would want them without paying for them. Perhaps tied to something in game. Even if that were the case though I still don't see how it is a bad thing overall. We already get gouged for mounts why not something I'd actually place value in?