Players have been asking since PC launch (heck, even since beta) for additional skill trees or classes to be added to the game. Necromancy, druidism, shamanism, elemental skills, the list goes on and on. Obviously adding entire new classes has always been turned down, as class balance is already a struggle and new classes take a lot more development time than additional skill trees, with each class having 3 skill trees and unique animations needed to function. Additional skill trees are also sometimes problematic, as they are difficult to balance in combination with the skills used by all four classes.
Thus the suggestion for an Advanced Class system. This kind of system is used in many other games, most notable RPG's like the dragon age series. The basic concept is simple: each class, at some point in the game, is given the option to pick an additional skill tree via a class-specific quest. This means several new skill trees can be added to the game whilst simultaneously being balanced for the class they're linked to: you dont have to balance the new skill tree for all four classes, just for the one. This also gives us the opportunity to solve another issue players have been requesting since launch: more stamina based class skills. Each class can have an advanced class option that focuses entirely on stamina, rather than magicka with a few stamina morphs.
Overview
Unlocking your advanced class begins upon completion of the main story line and reaching Level 50 / Veteran Rank 1. At this point, a quest will automatically be added to the player's journal directing them to the Harborage, where they will be met by two new NPCs based on the class of the player character. Each of these NPCs will offer new training to the character, and inform him or her than only one training path may be taken. Each NPC will explain the path that they can train the character in, in order to provide enough information to the player to make an informed decision. Each advanced class contains 3 active abilities, 2 passive abilities, and one ultimate, making them more compressed and less heavy on skill points than standard class trees.
Each Class has the option of picking from one of two advanced classes. The general details of each advanced class are as follows:
Dragon Knight
Warlord
-Stamina Based
-Abilities provide buffs to allies, or debuff enemies
-Passives focused on defense
Pyromancer
-Magicka Based
-Specializes in long range, primarily AoE fire spells
-Passives enhance the burning effect and fire damage
Sorceror
Necromancer
-Magicka Based
-Conjures temporary undead minions to attack enemies
-Passives improve efficiency with spells
Tempest
-Stamina Based
-Infuses armor and weapons with lightning magic to become a more proficient combatant
-Passives increase weapon damage and offensive capability
Templar
Cleric
-Magicka Based
-Enhanced healing spells and group protection benefits / blessings
-Passives improve group support, defense, and promote healing with a 1h/shield setup
Crusader
-Stamina Based
-Focused on ranged combat with crossbow abilities and holy magic
-Passives improve effectiveness against undead and daedra
Nightblade
Warlock
-Magicka Based
-Damage over time focus using blood and shadow magic
-Passives improve self healing and weakening enemies
Ranger
-Stamina Based
-Can summon animals to aid in combat, and uses traps
-Passives improve mobility and pet benefits
Once an advanced class tree is chosen, the shrine of stendarr can be used to swap to the other class tree, at the cost of losing all experience and skill gains in your current advanced class (meaning if you swap to the opposite AC and then swap back again, you need to re-level everything) as well as costing a fair amount of gold.
Further posts below will detail each advanced class and its abilities.
PS4 / NA
M'asad - Khajiit Nightblade - Healer
Pakhet - Khajiit Dragonknight - Tank
Raksha - Khajiit Sorcerer - Stamina DPS
Bastet - Khajiit Templar - Healer
Leonin - Khajiit Warden - Tank