I think "Werewolf" coming after the "Non-class/role related issues" kinda paints the picture accurately.

Werewolf isn't something you can keep up indefinitely either; you can only keep it up in constant and active combat. They even removed the ability to do so with a maim potion.

It's not a class but it is a build in the same way 'All-flame' or 'All-shock' builds exist. Those builds don't get class-sets from IA either; nor do they receive balance updates on the regular to keep them competitive. A really good example of this is New Moon Acolyte and Netch's Touch (and other sets like Netch's). NMA gives 400 WD/SD to all your abilities, but increases the cost by 5%. Netch's gives 400 WD/SD to all your Shock Damage abilities only. It's pretty clear to see which one is a better set to use; limiting yourself to only shock damage essentially cuts off every skill line in the game outside of niche Scribing Skills and Destro Staff lines. (Class lines if you have Shock available like Sorc).

I've asked in the past even for things like Netch's (and sets like it) to be buffed to 450 to compensate for it's higher degree of unsuitability to build around. (Mind you that means Netch's also doesn't apply to any heals you provide to yourself whereas NMA would.) This buff would also bring it more in line with sets like Red Eagle's Fury which adds 470 WD/SD to your weapon skill lines. (Red Eagle's gets an extra 20 because it still increases the costs by 5%)

Tldr: It's a build but not a class.

It's not a class because it is limited to the transformation and the 5 skills that it gets through that transformation.

Unlike a regular class that has 3 full skill lines and can combine weapon skill lines, guild skill lines, world skill lines and scribed skills onto 2 separate action bars (For up to 12 different skills to use).

Also unlike a regular class, werewolf is locked into Stam builds only. All of their bonuses and all but one of their skills are Stam. While every actual class facilitates both Stam AND Mag builds (To varying degrees... Arc DPS is heavily skewed towards Stam for example)

Werewolf has some effort put into helping to bridge the gap between a class and the transformation with the plethora of buffs incorporated. It even has the 2 roles of DPS and Tank rolled into the morph selections.

But it's a far cry from being a dedicated class. The very basis of it will often make it a temporary state as it can only be maintained with continual fighting (And even then only the "Tank" morphs provide the additional uptime boosts). Add in all the limitations like the overall lack of skills, lack of Healer role capabilities, lack of Mag build capabilities, lack of utilities, lack of Ultimate skills etc. It just doesn't function as a true class.

Werewolf could be pushed closer to being a class, with more skills to flesh out multiple "Skill lines", and overhauls to existing skills/passives to make it more functional.

But it won't actually become a "Class" per se, since it's always going to be hamstrung by its skill limitations while classes are balanced around the fact that they can utilize many non-class skills to fill out their bars with useful skills.

Like, at best it could be overtuned like Arcanist and so can do everything with just its self contained skills.

That said, it's not like it can't still have dedicated sets. We already have Salvation and Shapeshifter's Chain for example.

As for balancing cadence... There's a lot of stuff that could do with more frequent balance passes really. Werewolf, Vampire, Guilds, various class skills... Necromancer...

In regards to Werewolf Companion, I'd imagine they'd just get an Ult that transforms them and gives them a set bar of skills and if that set of skills doesn't align with the role you otherwise have them in then you're SOL. Much like how other companion Ults are specific to single roles (And almost all useless anyway)

I can't see them doing it any other way if they want to retain the core functionality of companions to always have access to the weapon/guild skill options.

Werewolf is a single skill line that any character can obtain, so obviously not a class

The problem is that Werewolf is in a weird position compared to vampire.

Vampires get the benefits and curses of being a vampire while in human form and can choose to use one or more skills from the tree including the ultimate while still using regular skills and ultimates. You can mix and match. Vamp ultimate has a transformation, but again you can still use standard skills. (If I am wrong correct me it's been a long while since I used a vamp)

With werewolves you have to use the ultimate to gain access to the skills, you lose access to all other skill triggers and have to feed and be active in combat to keep it going.

Werewolf is a skill line class but it's the only one we're it's ultimate is the transformation but it's balanced like a class. However, it's the only ultimate that I know of that you can extend so long aa you remain in combat

As much as I wish it were a class, it isn't

Sub-class

I mean technically it's a transformation but it's really just a temporary class from a game design perspective.

I think that it's a hybrid between a skill line and a class.

Vampire curse has the same relationship to the classes, so I am curious why you only asked about Werewolf. But no, anyway.

sans-culottes wrote: »

Werewolf isn’t a class. Skill lines are not classes.

I mean... They kinda are but you're locked into them from character creation